Hackney Youth Parliament’s ‘Pack to School Appeal’ 2024

Hackney Youth Parliament is asking residents to support its ‘Pack to School Appeal’, an initiative looking to provide brand new school equipment to Hackney children starting secondary school in September. Those that can and wish to contribute are asked to purchase new items for school packs and deliver them to Forest Road Youth Hub, 29 Forest Road, E8 3BY, by Friday 2 August. 

Each school pack will contain a brand new rucksack, a pencil case with a set of pens and a scientific calculator. Those that can afford and wish to contribute to the appeal can visit the Young Hackney page for more information about the campaign, what type of items are required, as well as suggestions on where to buy them from. People can choose which equipment they wish to donate, depending on what they can afford. 

Those that choose to respond to the appeal will be invited to a Big Thank You Event in August.

The ‘Pack to School’ campaign was first organised by Hackney Youth Parliament last year to help gather school supplies for their peers. In 2023, 165 packs were gathered as a result of the appeal, and offered to young people in need.

Hackney families with children transitioning to secondary school that need support can also apply to receive a £100 grant towards the cost of a school uniform. Those eligible who apply before the end of June can expect to receive their grant before the start of the new school year.

Note to editors:

Hackney Youth Parliament is a group of young people aged 14-19 who are elected every two years to represent the views of young people in the borough. They advocate on behalf of all their peers, work on campaigns to improve the lives of young people, organise events and activities to promote opportunities and support youth projects. There are six elected leaders and three deputies for 2023-2025.

We would like the transition to secondary school to be a moment of celebration, excitement and joy for every child in Hackney. However, sadly, we cannot ignore that this key moment in a pupil’s school life can bring additional challenges for many families struggling with poverty.

We are incredibly grateful and proud of the initiative shown by Hackney Youth Parliament. Please support their ‘Pack to School’ appeal if you can by purchasing some of the school equipment on the list, and by sharing the campaign with others. Donating even just an item can make a big difference for a young person in need.

Jacquie Burke, Group Director for Children and Education