Funding school uniforms to improve educational outcomes

Client: School Home Support

United by a shared vision to build a future where children and young people can achieve their full potential, Vanquis Banking Group's partnership with School-Home Support (SHS) since 2016 has sought to maximise educational opportunities for all children.

In 2022, as the cost of living crisis intensified, school uniform costs emerged as significant barrier to education for many families. In response, the partnership evolved, with Vanquis launching a £50,000 School Uniform Fund to help families across the UK afford essential school clothing.

The Fund aims to remove school uniform costs as a barrier to attendance, helping vulnerable families afford blazers, coats, shoes, and PE kits and ensure their children feel warm, comfortable, and confident at school. Crucially, the initiative acts as a “trojan horse,” enabling SHS practitioners to build trust with families to provide further support where needed. By 2024, Vanquis had donated over £150,000 for the distribution of 10,000 items of clothing to over 2,000 children, with 1,300 children receiving 5,900 items in the past year alone.