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