Tag: winter coat exchange

More than 10,000 free coats to be redistributed to those in need this winter 

The Leith Collective launches Winter Coat Exchange to coincide with energy price cap rise

On Tuesday 1st October 2024, the energy price cap will rise by 10%, taking a typical annual household bill to £1,717. One Edinburgh Community Interest Company predicts this increase will push many struggling families over the edge.

To help in the fight against poverty, The Leith Collective is launching its Winter Coat Exchange on Tuesday 1st October to coincide with this energy price cap rise. Having redistributed almost 10,000 free coats last winter, founder Sara Thomson predicts even more will be needed this year to provide warmth and comfort to those in desperate need.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, more than one million people live in poverty in Scotland, with nearly half of those people (490,000) living in very deep poverty. The energy price cap rise will hit those trapped in poverty the hardest and will no doubt force many to sacrifice basic essentials such as a warm winter coat.

And so, The Leith Collective is calling on businesses, organisations, charities and community groups across Scotland to register as an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point. That way, they can redistribute good quality coats to those who need them – free of charge, no questions asked – and provide much-needed comfort this winter.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Sara said; “This is the fourth year of running the Winter Coat Exchange and sadly I think our help will be needed more than ever this year.

“So many people are already at breaking point because of the cost of living crisis, and now gas and electric bills are set to rise yet again. Last year we redistributed almost 10,000 coats to those in need and we’re bracing ourselves for even greater demand this winter.” 

One of the first organisations to sign up to the scheme this year was the Edinburgh CIC, Let the People Sing. Founder Vicky Scoular said; “Going without basic necessities such as a warm winter coat can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s dignity and on their mental wellbeing.

“So we’re proud to be playing our part in the fight against poverty by signing up to be an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point and we implore as many other local organisations to do the same so we can make a real difference.”

Organisations can sign up to become an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point at www.we-relove.com, the sustainable online marketplace from The Leith Collective.

The website also enables individuals in need to enter their postcode and find their nearest collection point, so they can get a quality coat without charge and without judgement.

Leith Collective looks to expand its winter coat exchange across the UK

Local CIC urges organisations to play their part in the fight against poverty

A warm winter coat is a basic necessity. But for individuals facing difficulties, families stretched by the cost of living crisis, people trapped in poverty, a coat is yet another essential item they have no choice but to sacrifice.

However, one Edinburgh Community Interest Company is hoping to change that. They are calling on businesses, organisations, charities and community groups across the UK to register as an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point. That way, they can redistribute good quality coats to those who need them – free of charge, no questions asked – and provide much-needed comfort this winter.

The impact of the cost of living crisis is being felt right across Scotland. Around 1 in 5 people are living in poverty. Having to sacrifice basic necessities such as a winter coat can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s dignity and on their mental wellbeing. So, The Leith Collective is taking proactive steps to help.

Since launching this year’s Winter Coat Exchange on 1st October, they have been completely inundated with requests. So, they are now looking to expand the initiative across the UK to help as many people as possible.

Speaking ahead of the UK launch, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson said; “Last year we rehomed more than 7,000 coats. Within two weeks of launching our 2023 Winter Coat Exchange, we rehomed more than 1,000. The demand this year is unprecedented – no doubt because of the continued cost of living crisis. We, collectively as a nation, need to do more to help.

“So, we’re calling on all businesses, organisations, charities and community groups with space to store a rail of coats to sign up to become an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point. That way we can ensure coats are readily available to anyone who needs them. No one should have to go without a coat this winter.”

One of the first organisations to sign up to the scheme was the Edinburgh CIC, Let the People Sing. Founder Vicky Scoular said; “When we heard how high the demand was for coats, we felt compelled to help.

“Providing a small space to store coats is not a big ask, but it can make a huge difference to people in need. We hope more organisations across the UK step up and take part.”

Organisations can sign up to become an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point at www.re-relove.com, the brand new online marketplace from The Leith Collective.

The website also enables individuals in need to enter their postcode and find their nearest collection point, so they can get a quality coat without charge and without judgement.

The Leith Collective launches its winter coat exchange ahead of ‘Christmas crisis’ predictions

Locals urged to donate to those struggling with the cost of living

The soaring cost of living, continuing high inflation and mounting energy bills will culminate in a ‘Christmas crisis’, predicts The Leith Collective. The Edinburgh Community Interest Company has been helping locals via a range of free clothing exchange initiatives throughout 2023, but says the coming season will likely be their toughest challenge yet.

First launched in January 2022, The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange proved instantly popular, with more than 7,000 good quality coats donated and rehomed over the course of the year. But whilst many had hoped spiralling everyday expenses would settle in 2023, sadly the cost of living has continued to climb. According to The Leith Collective, the result of this is an even bigger number of Edinburgh residents now facing breaking point.

In response, The Leith Collective is now on a mission to distribute more coats than ever before and is appealing to local residents as well as businesses with excess old stock to donate what they can.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the 2023 winter coat exchange, founder Sara Thomson said; “We’ve had countless people telling us that last winter was unbearable. We all hoped that things would change for the better in 2023, but sadly it’s been cut back after cut back, price rise after price rise this year.

“For those people that had hoped to ‘ride out the storm’ last winter, the realisation that things have not improved since then and their struggles are likely to continue into 2024 will hit them hard this Christmas. 

“A warm and comfortable winter coat is a basic necessity, especially now that we’re seeing more and more extreme weather as a result of climate change. But for families that have been continually stretched, a coat yet another essential item that they are having to sacrifice.

“From our experience, the culminative effect of all these ongoing sacrifices can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s dignity and on their mental wellbeing.”

The winter coat exchange launches in all three Leith Collective stores on Sunday 1st October. Locals and businesses are being urged to donate good quality winter coats and waterproof jackets suitable for all ages and sizes. The coats will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked. 

The winter coat exchange is not only a practical response to the cost of living crisis, but also to the climate crisis – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. The winter coat exchange is a sustainable solution that aims to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, thus promoting a circular economy and helping to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry.

As a Community Interest Company, all profits from The Leith Collective go towards supporting the community and promoting sustainability through the arts.

The Leith Collective actively supports individuals with mental health or support needs to grow in confidence and gain experience in the workplace, and offers business mentorship to any members of the Collective.

It is hoped that by hosting the winter coat exchange in accessible locations such as Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre, those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a helping hand.

Coats can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.

Leith Collective launches winter coat exchange as ‘season of crisis’ looms

Locals urged to donate to those struggling with the cost of living

Heating bills are at an all-time high, inflation is on the rise, and the temperature outside is plummeting.

There is no doubt that the necessity to keep warm and the stress of trying to keep up with the rising cost of living will sadly push many people to their breaking point this winter. However, one local business is doing all it can to offer practical help. 

Saturday 1st October will see The Leith Collective launch its winter coat exchange across its three Scottish stores. Locals are being urged to donate good quality winter coats and waterproof jackets suitable for all ages and sizes. The coats will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked. 

The Leith Collective launched its first ever winter coat exchange in January 2022. At the time, it proved to be a genuine lifeline for many local individuals and families unable to afford a warm and comfortable coat to protect themselves from the elements.

Sadly, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, predicts this winter will be even more challenging for even more people: “We launched the winter coat exchange at the beginning of the year and sadly, here we are again. Except this time, it is even worse.

“Right across Scotland, there are people that are genuinely scared of what this winter may bring. People who now can’t afford even the most basic essentials because the cost of living has skyrocketed. For many people, winter 2022 will be a season of crisis. But we are determined to make a difference, and we know there are countless people in Edinburgh and Glasgow that want to help too.”

The winter coat exchange is not only a practical response to the cost of living crisis, but also to the climate crisis – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. The winter coat exchange is a sustainable solution that aims to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, promoting a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry.

As a Community Interest Company, all profits from The Leith Collective go towards supporting the community and promoting sustainability through the arts.

The Leith Collective actively supports individuals with mental health or support needs to grow in confidence and gain experience in the workplace, and offers business mentorship to any members of the Collective.

It is hoped that by hosting the winter coat exchange in accessible locations such as Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre, those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a helping hand.

Coats can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.