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
A warm winter coat is a basic necessity - but for individuals facing difficulties, families stretched by the cost of living crisis and people trapped in poverty, a coat is yet another essential item they have no choice but to sacrifice.
However, the Leith Collective, an Edinburgh Community Interest Company (CIC), is hoping to change that.
Ot is 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, with around one in five 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.
The Leith Collective is taking proactive steps to help. Since launching this year’s Winter Coat Exchange on 1October, it has been inundated with requests.
Therefore, it is 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 here, the online marketplace run by 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.
