New 'Bairns at Home' service launches in Dundee to help families with cost of living

A charity which helps to provide food and clothes to children in poverty in Dundee has launched a new project to support even more people in need.

The initiative by Dundee Bairns will allow donations of everyday items from companies to be distributed across the city.

“Bairns at Home” is a new project ensuring no child goes without and boxes are filled with essential items for children and families living in poverty.

Some 275 families have already been helped in the first six weeks of the project.

Organiser David Dorward said: “We’re up and running and this is going to make a huge difference to families in Dundee.

“This was started by the ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Fife.

“He phoned us in March and said ‘would you like to do this in Dundee?’ and here we are six months later. It will make a huge difference.”

Millions of pounds’ worth of household goods are being donated from businesses across Fife, but the charity is now appealing for Dundee-based companies to get involved.

The boxes are distributed to local schools, agencies and charities who have made referrals on behalf of families needing help.

Project co-ordinator Jenna Millar said: “The cost of living crisis has hit families so hard in Dundee. There are a lot of people who are beyond the point of crisis now and we are really looking to make an impact.

“It’s supplying things that statutory services can’t supply them with, so household goods, essentials, we’ve seen toiletries and items for washing.

“It’s all stuff that makes a massive difference to people’s da- to-day lives and their ability to thrive instead of just surviving.”

Ballumbie Primary School is using the donations to create an ‘essential items’ bank.

School worker Sheila Nicolson added: “I feel like when some families ask for help, they don’t always want to go out to the community to get it. So if it’s in school then they already know, me and the staff, they won’t be scared to ask.

“It is discreet and they can get a parcel without having to go anywhere else and be seen.”