As the long school holidays loom over the horizon, many parents have something else to worry about besides finding a way of keeping the kids entertained for six weeks or more. For a lot of families, the cost of school uniform and other equipment is a concern which blights the summer. A survey published last August found that the average family spends £186 per child when it’s time to go back to school, with clothing and shoes making up the bulk of this cost. Since inflation is bound to have had some impact, it’s no surprise that more and more people are seeking help with school uniform.

The specialised nature of school uniform is just one of the things which makes it more difficult to shop around for bargains. School blazers and sports kits, in particular, are often only available from particular shops, and if a family has more than one child going back to school then costs can soon mount.  The good news is that help with school uniform is available, and the most accessible and affordable form of that help is a loan from a credit union.

Here at PCCU, we’re used to people coming to us when they need help with school uniform. In many cases, the family in question has a long standing relationship with us and, in the past, might have borrowed money for one-off expenses such as home improvement, holidays or the cost of Christmas. Their experience with us means they can relax in the knowledge that we offer a service which is a better value than that provided by pay-day and doorstep loan companies, whilst we can offer low value loan amounts that most of the high street banks and building societies cannot.

Borrowers appreciate the fact that we are run on a not for profit basis. Everything we do is focused on providing the best possible service, rather than generating bonuses for external shareholders and directors. This means we can offer the lowest possible interest rates, and can guarantee that the rate we quote will be the rate you pay. It also means that we present a human face to our customers. When you come to us for help with school uniform you’ll be dealt with by a person, not a computer or faceless call centre. We’ll only lend an amount which we think you can afford to pay back, and we’ll even make sure your savings are being topped up while you make your payments.

Another advantage of the way we work is that, when you come to us for help with school uniform, you’ll get an answer quickly. Providing you give us all of the information we need, we’ll try our best to come up with a decision on the same day, and aim to provide a decision within two days. As soon as a loan has been approved, we can make the payment via BACS into your bank account or if you have a pre-paid Engage card we can load the money the same day, meaning you can start shopping for blazers, ties and school jumpers right there and then.

If you need help with school uniform then PCCU represents the best possible option. There are no hidden fees or charges, you’ll be treated as a member, rather than simply a customer, and you’ll be loaned the money you need at a highly competitive interest rate. Contact us today and you can get on with enjoying the rest of your summer holiday.