As a charity supporting families in hardship, we know that the majority of the families we help will be part of a school, nursery or college community at some point in their lives. We recognise the key part schools play in supporting families, and believe that by working closely with schools, we can help them to provide the right items, and the right support, to families in poverty in Surrey and Croydon.
Some families we help have an existing supportive relationship through which to get a referral, like a family support worker, social worker, or domestic abuse outreach worker. For those who do not, it can be difficult to know who to ask. Schools can be a vital route to getting help for those families – and this is why we accept referrals from any professional working in a nursery, school or college. It can also help families to know that their school are supportive of their situation, and want to help.
Over 120 schools have referred to us in the last two years, and that number is growing all the time. Thousands of children have received clothing, shoes, beds, bedding, toiletries, school uniform and backpacks, thanks to their school putting in requests to us. Usually this comes about when schools have spoken to students, or their parents/carers, about their situation and know they are struggling to access the items the children need to fully access their education, develop and thrive as individuals.
Often, schools support families on an individual basis, but they also have the option of holding stock of some of the key items children need, so that they are equipped to help in the moment, too.
Many schools offer to help the whole family, including the younger or older siblings who are not in their school community. By supporting the family as a whole, the school can potentially remove some of the barriers they face to getting to – and enjoying – school.
What does School Poverty mean? We think it means being in poverty or hardship affecting your ability to access your education. This could include:
The children did not have the uniform, shoes and other items they needed for school. They had been increasingly missing school; refusing to go because they were worried they’d be picked on or called out for not having the right uniform. Mornings were often a battle to get the children to school and even when they had made it out of the house, there was no guarantee they’d make it to school.
A 2025 Child Poverty Action Group survey of secondary school children shows those on low incomes are missing school because they can’t afford what they need to attend.
The survey of 1,701 11-18-year-olds living in the UK found:
Being in poverty is complex, and can happen to anyone – it can happen slowly, through rising living costs, or overnight, for example from a sudden rent rise, eviction, or if a family is forced to leave their homes, jobs and schools due to escaping domestic abuse, or seeking refuge. Stripey Stork do not rely on any one definition of hardship to guide us in deciding who to help – and we encourage schools to think more broadly than just the students they know are facing disadvantage, such as those who are eligible for free school meals, or pupil premium funding. While these criteria are helpful in making sure the most vulnerable families are known to schools, they are not the only way of identifying need, and we will accept a referral for any family in a school community who need our help.
Some schools are already working to provide practical support and remove barriers for families in hardship, and we love seeing great examples of this!
We encourage schools to think about how they can make asking for help easier for their families, and create a culture where everyone feels welcome and valued, no matter their financial circumstances.
Some great examples of this include:
We love being in partnership with schools, and we’re always grateful when schools are able to help us in return – this of course means we remain well prepared to be there for every family who needs us.
If you would like to talk to us about how we can help you understand and meet the practical needs of students in your school community, please email sara@stripeystork.org.uk
