Little Stars Awarded Cost of Living Grant to Help Families Tackle Rising School Uniform Costs
Shrewsbury-based charity Little Stars has been awarded funding through Shrewsbury Town Council's new three-year Cost of Living Grant Fund, enabling the organisation to expand its support for local families facing the rising costs of raising children.
The funding forms part of the Council's £80,000 annual Cost of Living Fund, established to support organisations delivering practical, frontline assistance to residents experiencing financial hardship.
Founded by Leanne Farlie, a mother of two children aged nine and six, Little Stars was established in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic while Leanne was on maternity leave following the birth of her second child in 2019. What began as an effort to help local families access essential items from her living room has grown into a thriving charity supporting hundreds of families across Shrewsbury and the wider county. Today, the organisation employs a team of five staff members and is supported by a dedicated network of volunteers.
The charity provides essential items for children from birth to secondary school age, working closely with schools, midwives, community centres, social care teams and other referral partners to ensure families can access the support they need. One of its most significant areas of work is helping families obtain affordable school uniforms and other childhood essentials.
With the cost of school uniforms placing increasing pressure on household budgets, Little Stars has become a vital source of support for working families. According to Department for Education figures, the average cost of a full set of secondary school uniform, including PE kit, school bag, stationery and trainers, is £289.
The charity regularly helps families access both branded and non-branded uniform items, reducing financial barriers and ensuring children can attend school with confidence. In some cases, families can face costs exceeding £50 for individual branded items such as blazers and PE tops, placing further strain on already stretched household budgets.
Leanne Farlie, Founder of Little Stars, said:
The cost of school uniforms can be overwhelming for many families, particularly alongside rising household costs. This funding will help us reach more families and ensure children have access to the essentials they need to succeed at school."
Councillor Emma Micklewright, Chair of Shrewsbury Town Council's Cost of Living Grants Sub-Committee, said:
Little Stars provides practical, trusted support to families across Shrewsbury and has demonstrated a clear understanding of local need. We are delighted to support their work through the Cost of Living Grant Fund."
The grant will support Little Stars' ongoing work to reduce hardship for families with young children, improve access to essential items and strengthen early intervention support for vulnerable households.
The funding comes at an exciting time for the charity, which recently moved into larger premises to expand its reach and services. Little Stars has also been selected as one of the Mayor of Shrewsbury's chosen charities for 2026/27, providing further opportunities to raise awareness and raise vital funds for local families.
As part of its fundraising programme, the charity is preparing to host its annual Little Stars Halloween Ball in October. The event will bring together local businesses, community leaders and supporters for an evening of fundraising, helping Little Stars continue its work supporting vulnerable children and families across Shropshire.
The project will begin delivery during the 2026/27 financial year and will be monitored annually against agreed outcomes and performance measures as part of the Council's three-year Cost of Living Grant Programme.