Hackney’s young parliamentarians call for back-to-school donations to help pupils feel ‘confident and ready’

Pack To School kit collected by young parliamentarians. Photograph: Hackney Youth Parliament

School may be out but young parliamentarians are urging people to donate equipment for Hackney pupils.

The borough’s Youth Parliament has been putting together packages of brand new gear to give Year 7 pupils a headstart as they approach their first taste of secondary school.

The idea is to help families get all the essentials for school, which can be costly.

An estimated 40 per cent of local children live in poverty.

A spokesperson for the Youth Parliament said: “As young people, we know how important it is to start the first term feeling confident and ready, and we want others to have the best start in their new school.

“Due to the cost-of-living crisis, some families will struggle to afford the resources needed, but with your support, we can provide their young people with free school packs of brand new equipment: a rucksack, pencil case, scientific calculator, and pens.”

So far, more than 80 packs have been collected.

There is still time to donate rucksacks in blue, black or grey, so they can be used by pupils at all 16 Hackney secondary schools.

People are also asked to donate back-to-school essentials – a pencil case, set of pens, and a scientific calculator – to help students with their studies.

Young parliamentarians, who serve for two years, also researched suitable kit and set up an online wishlist.

They suggest people buy the equipment online by Friday 4 August.

People can also drop off pack to school donations at Forest Road Youth Hub, 29 Forest Road, London, E8 3BY between 3.30pm and 7pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

The Youth Parliamentarians also recommend buying equipment from Mare Street stores Argun Stationers and Outdoor People.

The next Youth Parliament elections take place in September and are open to 14-19-year-olds in Hackney.

Members campaign on issues affecting young people across the borough and hold the council to account at scrutiny meetings.