LCH Charity Opens Free School Uniform Store

LCH Charity is proud to announce the opening of a Free School Uniform Store in the Highcross Shopping Centre from 7th to 26th July 2025, providing vital support to families struggling with the cost of school uniforms.

Leicester City Council have fully supported the project through various funding streams and have committed to supporting the charity project for a second year in 2026.

“It has long been our ambition for Leicester to have its own school uniform re-use project and we are delighted to have supported LCH Charity to develop a sustainable approach that will be able to continue as part of their core work”, said Nicola Bassindale from Leicester City Council

The project aims to re-use the high-quality preloved uniform that already exists in the City and County and provide it to the families and children who need it most in the community.

The store opening this summer will offer completely free school uniform essentials to children and families nominated by schools.

“We know that the cost of school uniforms can be a real source of stress for families, especially during times of financial hardship,” said Nichola Moore, CEO, at LCH Charity. “Our free store is about investing in these families, our store is designed to feel like a regular shop, simple and relaxed with families receiving assistance in selecting the uniform, giving parents one less thing to worry about.”

Michelle Menezes, Centre Director Highcross said “We are deeply committed to supporting local charities and fostering a sense of community. We’re proud to partner with LCH Charity, whose mission ensures every child starts the school year feeling included and confident. By providing a unit for their pop-up store, we’re helping to create a welcoming school uniform shopping experience for children, families, and carers—promoting inclusivity and breaking down barriers.

Community is at the heart of everything we do at Highcross, and we look forward to continuing our work with LCH Charity and other organisations in the future.”

This initiative is part of LCH Charity’s wider commitment to tackling inequality and supporting the health and wellbeing of children and families.

Bianca Maloy, Corporate Relations and Retail Lead, for the charity told us: “The support we have received from the corporate world, including Octopus Energy, St James Place, Samworth Brothers and of course the Highcross has been overwhelming, the Highcross have been phenomenal from day one, by providing us with an extra-large stock room, gifting us with a beautiful store to open the Uniform Shop and allowing many staff to volunteer for us to get the shop ready for opening”

If you are interested in finding out more about LCH and the work that they do helping families and children please take a look at their website www.lchcharity.co.uk