Dress for Dignity (360G-SCVO-a0g3z00000HpMJoAAN)

What we want to do We have learned more about the impact of poverty levels caused by welfare reform and experienced by our drop-in service users and also from the local community awareness events. Subsequently we have held focus groups and talked with partner organisations who also work locally with those in real hardship. We have also seen an increase in poor emotional and mental health caused by the poverty and effects of welfare reform placing people under stress and at disadvantage. New Hope locally provides food and acts as a resource for those without money to adequately feed themselves and their family although it is not strictly a foodbank. However, speaking with people in Oban itself and in the surrounding areas the need spoken of has been that clothing has become unaffordable for many. People are telling us that the local charity shops, all nationally owned, are now so expensive (some say more expensive than new Primark although the nearest is Glasgow ) and they can no longer afford to replace worn out clothing for themselves or their children, dress smartly or feel confident about how they look. Following research we now seek support to establish a new service which provides a clothing bank. This will support those affected by welfare reform and poverty and living on minimum incomes or no income. The concept is simple in that we would establish this on a 'pop-up' basis to ensure that the more rural outlying settlements were not excluded. Those living rurally often have little choice than to buy clothing online which is an expensive option; for many this means not buying at all. Welfare reform means the majority do not have a car and public transport in the area is very limited which effectively isolates people. Our plan would be to: Accept donations and sort these retaining those suitable for reuse Ensure that any unsuitable garments were sent to textile recycling Offer 'pop-up' clothing banks where people could access free clothing on similar principles to some school clothing banks (there are none locally) The clothing banks would rotate around Lorn and central Oban and take referrals from professionals as well as partner third sector organisations. Referrals would ensure that traders could not access free clothing. We would aim to offer women's, men's and children's clothing subject to donations received. How we will deliver this We would recruit four additional volunteers to assist this project. One existing staff member would extend their hours over a six-month period working an extra 8 hours each week. This will enable the marketing, awareness and publicity to establish the new service as well as volunteer recruitment and training. Collections of donations would be advertised in local and hyper local areas. Clothing would then be collected using our own vehicles and taken to our rented premises in Oban for sorting. We use the Baptist Church premises twice weekly and they are supportive of offering additional space for this. Clothing would be sorted into re-wearable men's, women's and children's and stored ready for distribution. Clothing which is unsuitable would be taken for textile recycling. We would then on a rota basis, take available clothing for distribution in either central Oban or outlying settlements (for example, Kilmelford, Dalmally, Appin, Lochawe etc). Staff would receive referrals and volunteers would support the distribution. The cycle of receiving donations, sorting, recycling and distributing following referrals to help identify areas would operate on a monthly basis once established. Appropriate health & safety measures would be instigated following risk assessments. Costs incurred are initial additional hours for a staff member, travel costs and the purchase of clothes rails for display. Black bags and zip up storage bags would also be required plus a small amount for initial literature and promotional materials. Why we want to do this Through focus groups and conversations we have been told how being unable to dress decently by replacing worn out clothing, and thereby look presentable, impacts on wellbeing and exacerbates the feelings of inadequacy experienced by those suffering the impacts of welfare reform. Poverty is insidious affecting all aspects of life and feeling 'shabby' impacts on self- esteem, and emotional capacity. Resilience is therefore affected and reduced by the stigma and shame felt. One service user was told us that not only if she could volunteer (in a supportive environment) for 3 hours a week, then she was perfectly capable of working for 16 hours a week, but also told that she needed to 'smarten up' before going to an arranged interview. She said she just crumpled, partly due to her fragile mental health and at the implication that she looked a mess. Dignity was mentioned by many attending our groups and this is important for anyone as it impacts on their perceived place in the community. We heard feedback that it is easier to stay away and at home than to go out feeling that everyone else was better dressed, smarter and somehow a 'better person' due to how they looked. We noticed particularly amongst women that there was a tendency to compare themselves and how they looked with others. When coupled with sanctions or existing on a meagre and inadequate income confidence is so badly affected that around 40% of 30 attendees spoke of hiding away and dreading going out even if to jobcentre appointments. This increases social exclusion and inequality and is a direct result of welfare reform. We believe that this can be addressed if people can access good quality preloved clothing without costs. Of those we spoke with, most do not want to remain in poverty depending on the welfare benefits and unpredictability that comes with the new regime. Katrina spoke for all, saying 'if I look unkempt or untidy because my clothes have long since worn out I am no longer part of my community. People shun someone wearing old clothing that has seen better days but after a year of existing on this income the last thing I can afford is a change of clothes. It takes away my confidence, and I avoid trying to find work or going to parents evening because I am ashamed. Every time I look in the mirror I am reminded that I have failed'. Who will benefit By accessing clothing and feeling presentable we will be benefiting anyone living in poverty to regain dignity and feel they do not have to hide away from their community. Those participating and receiving clothing will increase their confidence, and therefore be more resilient and better able to cope. We know that much clothing thrown away is of very good quality and we also know that appearance matters not only to the individual but sadly, society judges us firstly by appearances. If we can intercept this lack of suitable clothing then we can have a real impact on families, men, women or children by helping them feel equal to others and able to stand alongside anyone without feeling inadequate. We estimate that we could support in this initial period a total of 70 – 100 people of all ages. We anticipate a greater number of women but that will be tested during roll out.