Our friends at Autism Jersey have just kicked off a very cool new campaign. They partnered with Marks & Spencer (M&S) to make things a little easier on the wallets of families on the island of Jersey. This enables parents to donate no longer used school uniforms to Autism Jersey’s dedicated boutique charity shop. As fears about price tag projections grow, this initiative provides one real-world solution.
Lesley Harrison, an Autism Jersey member and self-advocate, was the guiding force behind the campaign. Parents who contribute former school uniforms will be rewarded with a 10% M&S voucher to spend on new uniforms. This unique exchange does more than promote sustainable practices; it helps families impacted by the rising cost of living.
The Ready to Go campaign could not be more timely. Hundreds of thousands of parents in Jersey are facing a crunch due to rising educational costs. Parents with children in the island’s public and non-fee-paying schools are required to purchase as many as five compulsory school uniform items. This is an ambitious expansion from the three-item limit in the UK.
Sonja Meacock, the manager of Autism Jersey’s boutique shop, is another mother of two young kids, and finds the work empowering. She pointedly underscored the fiscal burden these mandates impose. She noted, “Uniform is a priority for our children – they need it so they feel comfortable in class – and it should be basic. This generally costs me around £100 – £200 for every child going to secondary school. That’s a whole lot of money added up!
As the primary campaign continued, parents became more and more interested. Most are just excited to be part of a new program that aims to take some of the economic burden they weigh under off their shoulders. Harrison emphasized the urgent need for community support, stating, “There is a lot of pressure on families trying to feed, clothe and house their children… We wanted to make sure we could create some support for them.”
With this current offer expiring on 27 September, families have a very short window to sign-up and take advantage of the expanded program. Autism Jersey wants to grow this project further to support more families in need.
