A Castlemilk group that gave away free winter clothes said Glasgow families "aren't in food poverty or fuel poverty, they are just in poverty" amid rising costs.
The Indigo Childcare Group ran a pop-up event on Monday at 123 Castlemilk Drive and gifted uniforms, clothes, coats and jumpers.
The initiative was born from a recent cost-of-living survey taken by the 25-year-old after-school care group.
Jacqueline Lamb, chief executive of the Indigo Childcare Group, said: "We did a recent cost-of-living survey, and 81% of our families came back saying they were living in fear of turning their electricity on for fear of not being able to afford daily essentials.
"This is a huge number, and we realised something practical needed to be done about it and this is where today's event came from."
Ms Lamb stated that the event would 'make a difference for people in a number of ways'.
She added: "With this, people aren't having to spend money on a new winter coat or clothes, so that money can be used for something else such as bills and so forth.
"This can then help divert their funds to places where they absolutely need them to be because there just isn't enough money coming in for people.
"Our families aren't in food poverty or fuel poverty, they are just in poverty.
"So, if we can start at the sharp end and help with the practical things, then we can start to chip away and make a difference with some of the longer-term things."
The event also provided attendees with hot drinks, biscuits, soup and an arts and crafts table for kids.
Attendees were able to use the wifi to save money on data, and a warm space to save some cash at home.
Roisin Deville, family support coordinator at The Indigo Childcare Group, said: "There's been a big flurry of people coming in today.
"The hangers are already sparser than they were earlier, and we're so happy people can take the clothes available.
"It's a shame that so many people need to come and collect the clothes, but it's really nice to be able to identify a need and get the stuff to support the community with that."
Attendees at the event had nothing but praise for the service.
Shantelle Difolco, 25, from Castlemilk, said: "This is definitely a good thing this early to Christmas.
"It gives the children something to do, and it brings the community together as well.
"During lockdown, even during Christmas, there was nothing, and this is the first time we've been able to get out and do Christmas-type things in a while.
"My gran and daughter got a nice coat, and we got some soup. It's 100% a great service."
John Kirkwood, 40, from Castlemilk, added: "This is a nice service to have, especially for people that maybe can't afford new clothes and things like that.
"We've had some lovely lentil soup and some coffees and biscuits. We've had a great time."
The Indigo Childcare Group will be putting on a further eight clothes giveaway events between now and the end of March.
The event was made possible due to funding from Glasgow’s HSCP and support from The Indigo Childcare Group partners, The Blankfaces.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel