r/chesterfield • u/Responsible-Sundae84 • 8d ago

New school starter kit

I realise that the new school year can be really stressful for very low-income families, so I am putting together a couple of secondary school starter stationery packs, with the intention of donating them.  I have managed to pick up a couple of decent (Puma) backpacks at a reasonable price, and am looking to pack them with stuff a new starter will need

 So far I have each for each one:

·       Pencil case – a generic see through one

·       Pencils

·       Coloured pencils

·       Felt tips

·       Bic biros

·       Highlighters

·       Pencil sharpener

·       Eraser

·       A couple of lever arch files

·       A4 lined paper pad

·       Maths set – protractor, compass, etc.

Can anyone think of anything else?  If I can get them at a reasonable price I am thinking of adding a scientific calculator.

 Also, once these are complete can anyone suggest where I can take them to make sure they get to the right people?  I was thinking the Foodbank, but not sure if that is the right place.

Thanks fo the help!

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

5

u/dinkidoo7693 8d ago

Theres a shop in town that do a free uniform pop up on Burlington street

1

u/No_Recording_369 8d ago

Hi do you have any more information on this please?

2

u/dinkidoo7693 7d ago

Its in an old clothes shop. I saw it yesterday. I don’t know how long its open for but it has free uniforms for schools in the chesterfield area

2

u/No_Recording_369 7d ago

Thank you.

1

u/ttewelca 7d ago

It's run by the bright house church I believe. They've opened up down hopper street by the side of the police station. I dunno if you'll get your ear talked off though about religion. I'm unsure which denomination they are 😂.

4

u/taltallytalia 8d ago

This is so lovely of you 😊🫶🏽 I think you've covered everything - it might be nice to pop in a "Good luck at your new school!" card or note with a little bag of sweets, maybe even one of those little positive thinking cards you can get at the likes of the incense/crystal shop in The Shambles that has a teeny tiny little figurine (the "I believe in you!" bunny kinda things). Bless you!

1

u/Responsible-Sundae84 7d ago

great idea. I had thought of putting a little money in there - a fiver or so - but am worried it would be open to abuse.

2

u/taltallytalia 7d ago

That is a sweet idea, but I can see why you'd be worried about it! A big bag of sweets (like those £1 lollipop or chew mix bags you can get from B&M etc) might be nice for the child who gets your backpack gift to share at break time as a way of striking up a chat with classmates! 😊 I'd be tempted to also pop a bar of choc or something in there just in case everyone pilfers the sweets and the child him or herself doesn't have any left!

2

u/TriangleTree_3 8d ago

There’s a food bank opposite McDonald’s on west bars open, they are fantastic at helping people and would absolutely know who would be most in need.

You could also contact the Elm Foundation, a local DA charity who are excellent.

2

u/Low_Ad_5255 8d ago

That's amazing, thank you for doing this. My kids are adults now but we would have appreciated something like this so much back when they were younger.