Clydebank charity says number of working families seeking help has tripled

A Clydebank charity is telling Clyde 1 News that demand for warm winter clothing has soared in the last year - and that the number of working families seeking help has tripled.

The Recycle Room is handing out free hats, gloves and scarves to anyone who needs them today between 11am and 12:30pm.

It is part of the charity's Keep Warm Campaign which has been running since September 2023.

Since then, volunteers have handed out more than 7,000 jackets to those who need it in the West Dunbartonshire area.

'We just want people to be happy and warm'

Boss Nichola Mable said: "After the temperature dropped over the weekend, we got a lot more requests for clothing items.

"We're handing out jackets, hats, scarves and bedding for anybody that needs them - all we ask if for people to only take what they need, because there are so many people that are in need.

"This is a key project that we run every year, and this year it's become much more prevalent.

"Just feeling warm and dry is key to mental health, so we help everybody no matter their circumstances - we just want people to be happy and warm."

Working families seeking help increased threefold

Nichola says that working families are now struggling to afford the essentials to get by this winter.

She said: "On one hand it's good that the number of people using us has gone up, because it means people are seeking help instead of sitting at home, struggling.

"But on the other hand, it just makes you realise the depth of how the cost of living crisis is hitting everyone.

"Our users have now tripled through the working community.

"It's nice to see people smile when you can help them, and take the pressure off by knowing they don't have to pay for anything and making their lives just that little bit easier."

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