Hundreds of primary school pupils in Govan have been given a specially created kit to help them stay warm this winter.
The Help Keep Wee Govanites Cosy campaign, which is being run by Together for Childhood Govan, was launched during Challenge Poverty Week with an appeal to the public and local businesses to donate warm clothing items for children.
The project team has been working throughout the year with teachers at primary schools in Govan to deliver Emotional Resilience and Mindfulness sessions to help the children understand their thoughts and feelings.
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But with the winter fast approaching and the current cost of living crisis having a detrimental impact on families across Govan, leaving them worried about staying warm, the team came up with the Help Keep Wee Govanites Cosy campaign.
Donations have been flooding in over the past few months and with the help of National Lottery Awards for All funding of £9,900, hundreds of kids were able to be created.
The first pack, which was handed out during November, contained pyjamas or a onesie, a blanket, socks, hot chocolate and a book. This month the children received a pack containing a hat and gloves, a colouring book with pencils and another hot chocolate sachet.
Sharon Mather, strategic service manager at Govan Together for Childhood, said: “ The pandemic required us to rethink how we could continue to support families in Govan. Our connections with the community are stronger because we created sustainable initiatives such as our Emotional Resilience programme, which is proving to have such a positive impact on children.
“We are delighted with the continued support from all our generous donors, including the National Lottery Awards for All Community Fund, which has enabled us to work with our local community in Govan during challenging times. Together we can support the next generation of children in Govan.”
Di Porter, Development Manager at Govan Together for Childhood, said: “We know from speaking with children and families in the community, many are worried about how they will manage to stay warm this winter.
"The Emotional Resilience Kits will support children to continue practising the skills they have learned in class however we also wanted to give them some practical help over these months. Their cosy kit will help them enjoy a fluffy hug with their blanket and onesie/pjs, have a warm drink of hot chocolate while taking some time out to read a nice story or colour in, and remember all the ways in which they can manage their ‘big feelings’.”
Neil Mcintosh, Assistant Director of NSPCC Scotland, added: “With many families and children predicted to be living in freezing conditions this winter because they can’t afford to heat their homes we are extremely concerned and wanted to offer some practical help.
“We know these packs will not provide a complete solution to this problem, but we hope they will at least help to keep some children during these low temperatures over the next few months.”
“We’d like to thank Awards for All for their funding and everyone else who has donated so generously to this campaign, your contribution will make a difference to children’s lives this winter.”
In the new year the team will continue to deliver Emotional Resilience sessions to primary school children in Govan. They will then distribute Emotional Resilience Kits, containing reading books or colouring books and pencils to encourage children to take some time out on their own, a blanket to keep them warm and comfortable, a small toy to encourage them to connect with others and a hot chocolate drink to remind them to be kind to themselves.
Any of these items can still be donated and will be gratefully received at Together for Childhood, Pavilion 2, Rowan Business Park, 5 Ardlaw Street, Glasgow, G51 3RR.
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