Families experiencing financial hardship across Surrey will receive additional support with the cost of sending their children back to school this year, thanks to funding from Surrey County Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Surrey County Council has awarded over £100k to local children’s charity Stripey Stork to expand its already successful School Days scheme, helping more families access essential school items including non-branded uniform items, shoes, trainers, PE kits and school bags. This is additional funding to complement the many donations already made by local families, schools/PTAs and communities, that enable continued support throughout the school year by Stripey Stork.
The funding comes from the £7.1 million UK Government-funded Crisis and Resilience Fund, which is designed to help residents facing immediate financial difficulties and build longer-term resilience programmes. Families will be able to access this support via the Crisis Payments scheme and through existing trusted referral networks including schools, social workers, health visitors, Citizens Advice, domestic abuse services and local charities.
Back-to-school costs can place significant pressure on household budgets, particularly for families already struggling with the rising cost of living. The expanded scheme will ensure that more children can start the new school year with the clothing and equipment they need to learn and thrive.
In 2025, Stripey Stork supported 7,503 children from 4,116 Surrey families via it’s Schools Days programme.
This funding will help Stripey Stork fill the gaps in the good quality pre-loved school items donated by the community, ensuring every child receives a complete bundle of everything they need to start the school year. It also provides the infrastructure needed to collect, store, sort, pack and distribute these items efficiently, enabling the charity to support around 8,500 children across Surrey over the next 12 months.
Nicola Dawes Deputy Lieutenant, Chief Executive at Stripey Stork said: “Every child deserves to arrive at school feeling confident, included and ready to learn. Our School Days programme is one of the most valued services we provide because we see the difference it makes, not just to children but to whole families.
“We know from our partners that without this support many families would simply go without essential school items or be forced into debt to buy them. Three quarters told us the support has a significant impact on children’s wellbeing and sense of inclusion, while more than 80% said it improves school engagement and attendance. Perhaps most importantly, over 90% said it reduces the stress and worry parents are carrying.
“We’re grateful to Surrey County Council for this investment. Combined with the generosity of our local community, who donate good quality pre-loved items each year, this funding means we can make sure thousands more children across Surrey have the practical items they need to attend school with confidence.”
Councillor Mark Nuti, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities said: “By investing over £100k through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, we’re helping Stripey Stork reach even more families across Surrey with practical support at a time when it is needed most. This partnership is making a tangible difference to children and young people, helping ensure they have the essentials they need to succeed at school while easing the burden on household budgets.
“The Crisis and Resilience Fund is about much more than responding to immediate need. This three-year funding allows us to work with our voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise partners to develop long-term support programmes that help residents become more financially resilient, reduce reliance on crisis services and achieve their full potential. Together, we are creating opportunities for people to regain stability, independence and to thrive in the future.”
About the Crisis and Resilience Fund
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is a 3 year funded programme funded by the UK Government and currently administered by Surrey County Council. It supports residents facing financial hardship by providing immediate crisis assistance while also helping individuals and families build longer-term resilience and independence. The fund works through partnerships with local voluntary, community and faith sector organisations to deliver targeted support, including food, household essentials, energy assistance, financial advice. Crisis and Resilience Fund – Surrey County Council
