A SCHEME that gives children from low income families ‘good as new’ school uniforms for as little as £1 is set to return ahead of the new academic year.

The Citizens Advice Denbighshire (CAD) school uniform recycling scheme was launched in 2015 to tackle childhood poverty and the effects it can have on children’s education. The charity gathers good condition second-hand uniforms from families whose children have outgrown or no longer need them by the end of the academic year. Volunteers then wash, press and package them for reuse.

In 2018, more than 900 pupils from primary and secondary schools received a uniform from CAD’s pop-up shops in Denbigh, Ruthin and Rhyl. It saved more than £10,000 in total and stopped the uniforms going to landfill.

The scheme requires a £1 subscription from parents and guardians who use it, which covers its maintenance costs.

Denbighshire County Council helped implement the scheme in schools in the county. Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire County Council cabinet member for education and children’s services, said: “This innovative approach is proving to be hugely successful for students and their parents. Buying a school uniform can prove costly to a lot of families and many people have now been able to buy uniforms at affordable prices without having to break the bank.

“We are making sure Denbighshire is a place young people can and want to flourish in.”

The schools in Denbigh, Ruthin and St Asaph taking part this year include Frongoch County Primary School, Ysgol Twm o’r Nant, Ysgol y Parc, Ysgol Trefnant, Ysgol Henllan, Ysgol Pendref, Denbigh High School, Ygsol Glan Clwyd, Ysgol Borthyn, Ysgol Pen Barras, Rhos Street School and Ysgol Brynhyfryd.

The relevant pop-up shops will be held at the Marketplace Town Hall in Denbigh, from July 27 to Aug 2, and Ruthin Town Hall, Ruthin from Aug 5 to Aug 9.

To donate or volunteer, call CAD on 01745 814336.