Perennial: Back to School Costs

Perennial highlights the help with back to school costs that it gives to people who work or have worked in horticulture.

At Perennial we want 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 uniform and PE kit is putting even more financial pressure on families working in horticulture.

We can support you to meet these rising costs.

Local council and school help

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 what support they might be able to offer.

Perennial back to school grants

If you are not able to receive the help you need from your local council, Perennial can support your family with up to £150 worth of supermarket vouchers which can be put towards the cost of school uniform and PE kit.

Who can apply?

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 because of redundancy, a long-term health condition or 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

How to apply

You can apply using the application form on the Perennial website.

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 three 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 Perennial team on: 0800 093 8543 or email: services@perennial.org.uk. Our office hours are Monday and Wednesday 9.30 am – 5 .00 pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.

Find out more about Perennial

Read the Turn2us Grants Search profile on Perennial

Parents Perennial have helped

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.”