 A campaign to collect stationery for pupils across Gower has been re-launched this week by Tonia Antoniazzi MP to help ensure children have the supplies they need when they return to school in September.
People wishing to support the campaign can donate new pens, pencils, pencil cases, erasers, rulers, notebooks, sharpeners and stationery sets at drop-off points across Gower and Swansea. Donations are being accepted until Friday 28 August at Pennard Library, Oystermouth Library, Gowerton Library, Pontarddulais Library, Gorseinon Library, Killay Library, Fforestfach Library and Peter Lynn and Partners Solicitors' Gorseinon office. Tonia Antoniazzi MP said: "Every summer, I hear from parents who are doing everything they can to get their children ready for the new school year but the costs can quickly add up. This is why I have kept my summer stationery drop campaign going with the donations distributed to local food banks before the autumn term commences. “If those who are able to can pick up an extra pack of pens, a notebook or a pencil case when they're shopping, together we can help make sure children in Gower have what they need when they walk through the school gates in September. "We've had a fantastic response from residents in previous years and I'm always proud of the generosity people show towards their neighbours and local families." Tonia said "As well as supporting our stationery collection, I would encourage families to look into the School Essentials Grant, which can help with the cost of school uniforms, stationery, sports kit and other school essentials. "I would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to check with Swansea Council and make sure they are accessing all the support available to them." The campaign has been supported by residents across Gower in previous years, with thousands of items donated to help local families prepare for the new school term. Those wishing to contribute can drop off new stationery items at any of the collection points before Friday 28 August. All donations will be distributed locally via foodbanks to families who need extra support ahead of the new school term.  You may know that before I was elected to Parliament, I spent my career working as a French and Italian teacher at a comprehensive school in Llanelli. It has been several years since I left the classroom, but even then I could see the impact that social media was having on our young people. I saw pupils become less confident, their self-esteem suffer, and the way they interacted with each other become more pointed and increasingly online rather than in person. That was over a decade ago, and the situation has only become more serious since.
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