Support we can offer 

Who do I ask for help?

As the cost of everything goes up, more people are worried about how to make ends meet.
All staff at Southfield will help you with any worries you or your child have, they may ask you to talk to Mrs White who can give you information about where to find help with your every day needs.  

 Hello. I'm Mrs White, I hope I'm a familiar face to you all, if not please come and say hello. I'm here to help you and your children as best I can. You can talk to me on the playground at the beginning and end of the day, or leave a message for me at reception and I'm happy to give you a ring to chat about what sort of support you'd like. 

Here are some of the ways I can help you for FREE. If you need more information please come and have a chat.

What sort of help is available?

School Activities 
Children who qualify for Free School Meals (FSM) can have FREE or discounted prices to certain school activities. These vary, but include things like school trips, school discos and other organised events and activities in school. Please talk to Mrs White if you would like to know more.

Food
If you need food urgently, have a chat with Mrs White who can give you a FREE Food Voucher for the Food Bank. You can collect food from The Bridge, Sheep Street or from other centres in the area. Mrs White will let you know the days and times you can collect food from each venue.

Highworth Community Larder. Open every Tuesday 8-11am FREE to all. Based at Westrop Primary and Nursery School, Newburgh Place, Highworth. SN6 7DN

Swindon Community Fridge. This organisation runs in Gorse Hill and is FREE Fresh Food to all visitors on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. Ask Mrs White for more details.

Birthday Cakes - Mrs White works with a UK wide group where volunteers offer to bake cakes for children's birthdays. We have had some beautiful FREE Birthday Cakes delivered to school to make a birthday special. Please ask Mrs White for more details.

School Uniform / Clothing

We have wide a selection of FREE School Uniform in school.  This is FREE to all families who need it.  Not only is it environmental to reuse pre-loved uniform but it helps to keep costs down too, as children grow so quickly! 
If you would like some uniform, please ask Mrs White or email using the address below:uniform@southfield-jun.swindon.sch.uk

Shoes
Children's shoes are expensive and their feet grow so quickly! Please ask Mrs White if you need FREE Shoes for your child.  She is in contact with a group that may be able to help you. These might be school shoes but the group also have a selection of other styles too. 

Sanitary Items / Period Products
Hygiene items - Southfield Junior School is a community partner for both The Hygiene Bank Swindon and the Vulnerable Assistance Network, who generously donate a variety of hygiene items for us to distribute to our families and Southfield. Examples of these items include shampoo, conditioner, bath creme, soap, toothpaste and sanitary wear.

We would like to thank The Hygiene Bank Swindon and the vulnerable Assistance Network for their continues support and donations to help our families.

Please ask Mrs White if you need any of these items.

Sanitary Items / Period Products
Mrs White can give you an online order form for FREE Sanitary Items for anyone in your house. 'All Yours' provide a range of sanitary items, towels or tampons to anyone who needs them. They are delivered to your house in a plain box FREE of charge. 

The Treehouse - Community Hub
The Treehouse is in Southfield's playground. It is the base for all the support listed here at Southfield. It is a community hub too, used by both Southfield and Eastrop children and families. We are very lucky to have such a space to use to support our children and families.

Furniture
If you need furniture, Mrs White can tell you which companies can provide low or no cost furniture and white goods. Some offer lost cost delivery too. Please let Mrs White know if you would like to chat about this in more detail.

Bills / Money / Managing Debt
We are lucky that in Highworth we have the The Bridge Centre on Sheep Street. You can pop in to ask for help with filling in forms, or ask for confidential FREE finance advice or FREE debt advice from CAP.
CAP also run workshops on how to manage life on low income, healthy eating and adult Mental Health Groups.  Please let Mrs White know if you'd like any more information or contact details for The Bridge.

FREE holiday activities
Swindon Council arrange FREE holiday activities for certain children during the Christmas, Easter and Summer breaks.  There are a range of activities to choose from. For your child to take part, please check with Mrs White that they qualify, so that you can register for a FREE Voucher to book your child's place.

Finding a job
The Bridge in Sheep Street runs a Job Club for people looking to find a new job or return to work. If you would like more information please contact Mrs White or The Bridge to find out when the next Job Club will be running.

Other
There are many other things that you might need help with. If you have a question or need some help with something that is not on this list, please ask Mrs White. She may not have the answer straight away but will do her best to help you and your family.