Updated September 2024
The Scottish Government has provided national guidance on school uniform. Read a parent-friendly version here or visit Parent Club.
If you need help with providing a school uniform or other school kit for your child or you know anyone who does, please use the links below in your area. If you are able to donate, please also contact the groups listed below.
Grants - National and via Local Authorities
Best Start Grants are available from the Scottish Government to help with costs as children start at early learning centres or school.
School uniform and clothing grants are available from your local authority. You can use the Scottish Government website to find details of your local authority’s scheme. Information about free school meals is also available here.
Uniform Banks
There are many local school uniform and clothing banks too. These charitable and volunteer-run groups offer school uniform and other items discreetly, quickly and without stigma. See the links below for the ones we know of – please let us know about any we have missed, and we will update the list.
School-based uniform banks and swap shops also help parents and carers with the rising cost of the school day and offer more sustainable, eco-friendly options. Please ask at your school about these.
Some uniform banks work on an application basis, others on general request as required or referral. They are a valuable resource within local communities, supporting school uniform requirements and helping families. Many also welcome donations if you have uniform or sports kit/equipment in good condition that can be re-used.
If you would like your regional or area School Uniform Bank to be added to this list, please get in touch via info@connect.scot.
Airdrie
‘We can provide pre-loved and new school uniform items for all Airdrie Schools – primary and secondary. This also includes outside jackets, PE kits, school bags, shoes etc. No official referrals required from eg school or social work. Families can contact us direct. Uniform packages can be delivered to a home or meeting place’
Clackmannanshire
The Gate School Uniform Club
'We provide new or good quality school clothes and accessories for all Clackmannanshire children, open year-round and based in our shop at 69 Mill Street, Alloa FK10 1DX. Membership is free (no referral needed) and donations are welcome'
Coatbridge
Cool School Uniforms - email Julie O'Byrne at j.obyrne@talk21.com or call 07596 265879
'We are Cool School Uniforms; we have be operating over the last five years and cover all Coatbridge secondary and primary schools. No official referral required. Free, confidential, non-judgemental’
Crieff
Crieff School Uniform Bank on Facebook or email ephilipstitch@gmail.com
‘The uniform bank will be a place for families to get new and gently used school clothes’
Cumbernauld & Kilsyth
School Uniform Bank or email hello@cumbernauldkilsythcare.org.uk
‘The school Uniform Bank provides school uniform free of charge to those families most in need in the area, through a system of referrals. Packs provided to children and young people consist of new and pre-loved items’
Dunbar
'This is completely voluntary-run and is all free. We do not take referrals but instead people can pick up what they need at the local Co-op store in Dunbar. If they can’t find what they want there, they can contact me directly as sometimes stock is available at school/comes in after they have looked. The project has now been running for two years and we add in bits of PE kit, shoes/trainers, winter coats and also local team clothing (eg rugby club, football club) as we get it. It’s not perfect but it has been successful and is always evolving. It’s come a long way from the sparse rails in the school I initially started with'
Dundee
'Togs is a non-profit organisation serving Dundee and the surrounding areas. We aim to be the ‘go-to’ service for families struggling to provide essential clothing and equipment for their children (any baby or child classed as a dependant)'
Dundee City Council Information on school uniform grants
Dumfries
School Uniform Project or email dfsuniformbank@gmail.com
‘Simply fill out an online application and they will send on your School Clothing Pack. They also take donations of used or new School Uniforms, Sports Kits, Stationery, Shoes or School Bags which are no longer needed’
East Lothian
School Uniform Bank, email carefreekidseastlothian@gmail.com or call 01875 616133
‘We aim to ensure that every child in East Lothian has access to suitable school uniform. If you are a family in need of uniform items for you child(ren) or are working with a family in need of items please get in touch. We also accept donations of NEW or NEARLY NEW items that are in excellent condition - please don't donate anything that you wouldn't use yourself. All donations will be distributed to families throughout East Lothian who are referred to us’
East Renfrewshire
‘East Renfrewshire Back to School Bank provides children, in situations of poverty and hardship, with a brand-new school uniform. It’s based on the concept of Food Banks, wherein shoppers can buy items of school uniform when buying for their own families’
Edinburgh
‘By providing good-quality school uniform and other important clothing and equipment, children living in poverty can attend school without stigma.’
Open to donations - please check out their website to see how you can help
Glasgow
‘We are a social enterprise dedicated to reuse, repair & recycling for childrenswear. Our mission is to reduce the impact of clothing on our planet. Families can shop second-hand with us, donate clothing to us & receive free clothing from us when times are challenging’
Kindness Homeless Street Team Glasgow
If you would like a uniform bundle, send an email in confidence, including the details of what gender, age, clothes size, and school colours you need. You can collect clothes from their unit on 417-419 London Road, G40 1AG
Inverness
School Uniform Bank, email office@invernesscathedral.org or call 01463 225553
‘We operate a School Uniform, Winter Jackets Bank and Toiletries Bank as part of our inSpires work at the Cathedral. ‘We aim to provide a Winter Jacket for children aged 0-18 for families who are looking for this support; a School Uniform Pack for children aged 5-18 and toiletries to help out families with these expensive and sometimes luxury items’
Lothians
‘Kids love clothes is entirely a volunteer led charity. The families we help live locally’
Moray
School Bank or call 01340 212101
‘Charity was set up in 2017 with the aim of providing new school uniform and warm winter clothing to children living in poverty across Moray ensuring all children are equal and have opportunities to reach their potential at school. All donations made to Moray School Bank are used to buy school uniform and warm winter clothing for children in Moray whose families are experiencing financial difficulty. We welcome donations in various forms. We have drop off points throughout Moray accepting new and ‘as new’ school clothes and other school items as well as warm clothing for children. We also have collection bins for NEW ITEMS ONLY in Tesco stores and other businesses premises’
Perthshire
Email Social Flock's School Uniform Bank or contact them via Facebook and Twitter
'Social Flock's School Uniform Bank offers free packs of pre-loved and new school clothing to school aged children living in Perthshire. Each pack includes three shirts, three bottoms, two jumpers, two days of PE kit, and includes a school bag'
Stirling
Check at your child's school.
South Ayrshire
West Lothian
School Bank or email chair@schoolbank-westlothian.org or admin@schoolbank-westlothian.org
‘We are a volunteer-led group aiming to improve the lives of children in families in West Lothian experiencing financial hardship by providing them with a brand-new school uniform and other clothing and equipment required for the school day . The School Bank West Lothian is a small charity, and we are reliant on assistance and donations to allow us to help our local children with the cost of the school day’
Please note: These services rely on donations: if you are in position to donate a few items or support in any way, please do get in touch with the relevant organisation. Details on their websites, as listed.
All items for donation should be washed, folded, and bagged up. Please check and confirm with your local organisation prior to collection or drop off.