Perennial's Back to School support deadline

Perennial wants every child to have a happy and healthy childhood. Parents and carers work hard to give their children the best start at school, but we know that for families living on low incomes this is a huge challenge. The cost of school uniforms and PE kits is putting even more financial pressure on families working in horticulture. We can support you to meet these rising costs.

Access to Government support

In some parts of the UK, local councils provide help with the cost of school uniform and PE kit. Click here to find out if your local council provides this support and if you are eligible.  If your council does not offer help, you can ask your child’s school directly. Please get in touch if you need any advice or help accessing this support.

Back to School support available

If you work in horticulture or have previously worked in horticulture and you are not able to receive the help you need from your local council, Perennial can support your family with up to £150 supermarket vouchers per child which can be put towards the cost of school uniform and PE kit. To apply for help please click here. The deadline for applications is Monday 31st August 2020. 

You can request our help if:

• You are working or have previously worked in horticulture. Please note, we are only able to support those people who have left a career in horticulture due to redundancy, a long term health
  condition or because of caring responsibilities and have not since returned to work.
• You have school-age children (aged four - up to their 19th birthday)

Plus, if any  one  of the following applies to you:

• You have an annual household income below £30,000 (gross) and/or are in receipt of means-tested benefits
  OR
• You have experienced an unexpected crisis or life-changing event 

As part of the request for support process, you will be required to provide evidence that you or a member of your family work in horticulture. Once we receive your request it could take up to 3 weeks to process, but we will keep you updated with progress.

If you need support accessing local support or help completing our online form, please call one of the team on 0800 093 8543 or email services@perennial.org.uk. Our office hours are Monday and Wednesday 9.30am – 5pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am – 5pm.
One parent who received Back to School support for their children in 2019 said:

I am relieved and humbled that you have helped us with the children’s uniform and shoes. Thank you so much for your support and advice too. It feels financially overwhelming at the moment and we are grateful for this help.