Washington community hub looks to create winter warmer packs for elderly people struggling to heat their homes

Building Blocks Day Centre and Adventure into Art CIC are collecting donations to help local elderly residents stay warm this winter.

Transcript

00:00Okay Naomi, can you just tell me a bit about the Winter Warmer Packs initiative then please?

00:04Yes, so here at Building Blocks we are collecting hats, scarves and gloves, blankets, tea, coffee and biscuits

00:10in order to make a complete pack of winter warmers to give out to our local elderly.

00:16We've identified in the building that the lack of the winter fuel payment this year has caused me a great deal of worry for people.

00:23They're worried about putting the heating on, so instead of getting them out to a warm hub

00:28we're trying to encourage them to stay warm at home.

00:31Just how big an issue do you think this is going to be for people this winter?

00:34Massively, I mean our coffee shop's been barely open and the amount of people we've had through the doors

00:39collecting food parcels who've identified that, they are so worried about it.

00:43Not even half of it, honestly it doesn't bear thinking about how many people are going to be cold this winter.

00:47And they're each going to get one of these boxes yeah?

00:49Yes, so ideally every box will have a hat, scarf and gloves.

00:52They'll also get a blanket, tea, coffee and biscuits to make a pack

00:56and any extras we would love would be hot water bottles, flasks, hand warmers, they would always be added extras.

01:03And Gemma, why are you so keen to get involved in this initiative?

01:06I'm originally from Washington and I know the area and the community quite well

01:12and the conversations I have with people, they're really concerned.

01:17I'm actually petrified about the winter coming.

01:21Last year I worked with quite a few elderly people and there was a few ladies who couldn't afford their electric and gas

01:30and they were actually going to their local leisure centre for a shower.

01:35So hopefully we can, even a little bit, if we can help them keep warm within their own homes

01:42we can make things a little bit easier for them over the winter.

01:47And if people either want help or want to donate, what should they do?

01:50So we are open at Building Blocks Monday to Friday.

01:53You can drop in, you can email us, I think the email is going to be in the article

01:58at Pages Building Blocks Day Centre or you can get in touch with Gemma through hers.

02:03Which is adventuring2artcic

02:07And is it just individual people or do you want companies to get involved as well?

02:11We would love companies to get involved.

02:13So if you are local and you've got some surplus money available

02:19if you could either send us a donation and then we can buy things in bulk

02:24which would work out a lot cheaper and we can help a lot more people.

02:28Or if you would like to create your own little donation box within your business

02:34and then drop them off at Building Blocks, we would be grateful for whatever donations.

02:40Thanks!