An Oldham school uniform bank is staying open all year to help families struggling financially.

The Salvation Army, located at Fir Tree Lane Precinct, Fitton Hill, supported more than 100 families over the summer by providing essential uniform items such as polo shirts, trousers, blazers, and skirts.

The charity has now decided to extend this support throughout the school year to help families who need more than one new uniform annually.

Kim Rogers, community engagement coordinator at The Salvation Army in Oldham Fitton Hill, said: "Some children grow at a fast rate and school uniforms purchased at the beginning of the school year might not fit by the time the second term comes around which results in more parents needing to stretch their finances and budgets sooner than they thought.

"We know that many families within our community struggle, with many living day to day, wage packet to wage packet, living in times of crisis and as such we have made the decision to continue to operate our uniform hub throughout the whole year, ensuring families have the resources and support to access additional uniform items at a heavily reduced or zero cost.

"We want to be there when clothes get ruined or are outgrown and lift the financial pressures, providing the practical support that many have come to rely on."

The uniform hub provides a cost-effective alternative to buying new school uniforms, offering essentials such as shirts, polo tops, trousers, and skirts, as well as extras like sportswear, blazers, and jumpers.

Donations of both 'pre-loved' and new school uniforms are welcomed at the church and community centre in Fitton Hill.

Financial donations can also be made via The Salvation Army Oldham Fitton Hill’s Just Giving page.

Ms Rogers added: "We just want to do our best for the local community and through the Uniform Hub we are able to support families in our area in this way, which is at the very heart of what The Salvation Army do.

"We wouldn’t be able to run it without the generous and kind donations, a key example of others helping others."

The uniform hub is run by The Salvation Army and staffed by volunteers.