Mum left ‘chuffed’ as she finds second hand uniform stall in her local Dunelm, and it’ll save parents hundreds

A MUM has been left "chuffed" after stumbling across a secondhand uniform stall in her local Dunelm.

The woman said she feels like giving the homeware store a "massive high five" after stocking up on uniform for her son at the Age UK stall.

She took to her Mrs Jones' Diaries TikTok account to share her excitement over the discovery, as she said: "I have just been into my local Dunelm and I feel like giving them a massive high five!

"I was shocked on my way out to basically see a second-hand school uniform store.

"Look at what I found."

She then held up a navy blue jumper and a pale blue polo shirt she'd picked up, as she praised the "quality" of the items.

"I asked the lady, like, who can access this?

"And she said it's basically anybody.

"Anybody can access it.

"They just ask for a donation for age concern."

She continued to praise the "sustainable" scheme, which goes towards a "good cause".

And it's sure to save parents hundreds too, with the mum admitting she was "stressing out" about having to buy her son three sets of new uniform after he went up a size.

"I just thought like that's such a good thing that they're doing for the community," she concluded.

"If you are a mum on a budget, go into Dunelm, have a little look.

"Honestly, well done Dunelm.

"Thank you for thinking of young families with kids."

"School Uniforms! Well done @Dunelm @Age Concern UK," she captioned the video.

"I hope you do this nationwide!"

"It is brilliant," one person commented on the video.

To which the mum replied: "I know, I was so chuffed!"

"Our kids school does a uniform swap shop at the end of the school year," another added.

With the woman responding: "It’s such a good idea!

"I wish my boys school did that, but I feel like I can’t complain as at least Dunelm is doing it!

"It’s saved me a fortune! And the jumpers are such good quality."

"Exactly! Hate paying so much knowing they end up covered in food/ paint/ ripped etc," the person replied.

"Is it obvious or do you have to ask about it??" someone else questioned.

EXTRA HELP WITH SCHOOL UNIFORM COSTS

IF you can't get targeted help from your council, you might have some other options available to you.

In some areas, you can talk directly to your school, which might be able to offer you clothing.

Or, you might be able to get cheap garments from low-budget shops or charity stores.

Some charities offer help to families in need too.

But bear in mind charities often have a limited amount of money to give and usually have specific criteria which must be met in order to get a grant.

Charity Turn2Us has a free grants search tool on its website which you can use to find out what help is available to you.

Meanwhile, you can always try approaching your nearest Citizens' Advice branch.

If you don't know where your nearest Citizens' Advice branch is, you can find out by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/nearby/.

If you're not eligible for a school uniform grant you might be able to get help through the Household Support Fund.

As the mum replied: "No need to ask - you can just take what you want and cash donations in a bucket only.

"I hope they do it nationwide, it’s such a good idea."

Dunelm is hoping to raise at least £2 million for Age UK over the next three years, with schemes such as the second-hand uniform one.

They plan to raise cash through sales at their instore cafes, as well as through carrier bag sales and charitable initiatives drive by the store itself.

"Every penny raised will go towards practical Age UK support to help older people in their homes and communities," Dunelm said in a press release.

One such charitable initiative is the second-hand uniform stall, but you can check your local Dunelm community page to see what's happening in your area.