Glenrothes community group launches appeal for winter coats

The group, which was founded in October 2019 and aims to tackle isolation, loneliness and poverty, was set up by co-founders Christine Buist, Elizabeth-Ann Charlton and two others after feeling that their community had been forgotten about.

Since opening the hub has run adults art and craft classes and children’s and toddlers groups, but due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic it has had to cancel its groups.

Christine Buist, founder, said: “We have been collecting donations of coats, hats, scarfs, and gloves since November last year, and in that time we have collected hundreds of items for men, women and children of all ages and sizes.

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"So for we have distributed around 240 jackets and coats to people in the community, we have been receiving referrals and have also been working with homeless charities to make sure that no one is left without adequate clothing this winter.

"People have been really generous with their donations – one person from Markinch had collected an item from every house in their street and managed to bring three full boxes to us!

"The drive has been so successful. We can’t thank the people who have donated enough.”

Since the creation of the group and the subsequent coronavirus pandemic, Christine has noticed a steady rise in poverty in the community.

"We have been seeing a lot more poverty,” she said. “It is not only people who are unemployed who suffer from poverty but people who work as well.

"More people than ever are struggling to make ends meet.

"Our plan is to resurrect our groups as soon as we can, we have moved our arts classes online, but this is impossible for our kids groups.

"I can really emphasise with parents during these times as being isolated from others can be challenging for them, it is not only the children that benefit from our kids groups but the parents also benefit from being able to get out of the house and meet with other families."

For more information please visit: CAREA Community Hub Glenrothes

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