One mum was given a replacement pram as the Family Hubs teamed up with Our Community Wardrobe to make a difference this winter.
Families received the warmest welcome at our second Winter Warm Appeal drop-in by Our Community Wardrobe clothing bank and Oldham Family Hubs.
Snuggly clothing and duvets were handed out to 113 parents at the Medlock Vale Family Hub at The Honeywell Centre in Hathershaw, following the success of the first drop-in that helped 70 families at Spring Meadows Family Hub last month.
The aim is to help families who may be struggling to keep their children toasty this winter and to give them a good night’s sleep.
The drop-in was a big hit
Thanks to generous donations of new and preloved items the second drop-in was even bigger than the first, this time with clothing for teens and adults as well as toiletries.
One mum was thrilled to take her little girl home in a donated pram after theirs broke on their way to the drop-in.
Another mum, Nike, praised the event: “This is lovely. I have three children aged nine, six and 10 months and it’s from the heart when I say this is helping them.
“I’ve got jackets and hoodies for them to wear this winter.”
While picking out items at the drop-in, parents were also signposted to the activities and services available to them at Oldham’s Family Hubs.
Since last summer, seven Family Hubs have opened across the borough as one-stop shops for families of children aged 0-19 and 25 with special education needs and disabilities.
Keisha Crinion got clothes, coats and blankets for her three-year-old son James.
“This has helped a lot. And I will be coming to the Family Hub again for the activities,” she said.
And dad Abdulkareem Ambali said: “This is very surprising and fantastic. We haven’t been to the Family Hub before but now we want to come often.”
Abdulkareem Ambali and his son at the drop-in
Adesuwa Enab, who collected a jacket and dresses for her eight-month-old baby, said: “It’s so beautiful. It’s nice of the community to do this for families.”
And another mum picked up some clothing for people she knows who are struggling, including some summer dresses for a friends daughter so she doesn’t have to worry next year.
Sally Maher, who started Our Community Wardrobe in 2022 with her friend Janine Whillans while holding a toy appeal at a school and a little boy declared that all he needed was a coat for Christmas, said: “We’ve had so many more families through the doors than we imagined. I’ve had a good cry. We’re really pleased.”
Karen Bennett, district manager for the Family Hubs, said: “We’ve had an amazing turn-out and we’re really pleased to be able to contribute. What we’re really pleased about is that our families in Oldham have been given amazing warm clothes from other families. We really appreciate everybody’s donations.”
Sally takes clothing rails into the Family Hubs laden with kind-hearted donations all year round, and families are referred by their child’s school or by the Hubs to pick out the items they need.
Sally Maher and Karen Bennett at the Winter Warm drop-in
Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “It’s heartening with this appeal to see how communities are rallying to help our families this winter, and our new Family Hubs are doing a fantastic job in bringing people together while providing a range of support and services under one roof.
“They are already making a big difference towards giving children the best possible start in life.”
The next Winter Warm Appeal drop-in is now being planned for the Beever Family Hub.
To find your nearest Family Hub, with a range of support and activities for children aged 0-19 and 25 with special educational needs and disabilities, visit familyhubs.oldham.gov.uk
