Lifeline charity in crisis warning
AGLASGOW charity has helped a little girl who asked for a chair as her home had none, a man who sold his television to pay for electricity and a bride with cancer who needed a dress to marry before her death.
They are just a few of the people Glasgow’s No 1 Baby and Family Support Service has helped as it fights poverty in the city.
Councillor Audrey Dempsey set the charity up five years ago and has supported 22,893 people since. But that is not enough for the charity – it plans to expand as Ms Dempsey said there is so much more to be done.
Her base in Barmulloch’s Forge Street is packed with free essentials for families, ranging from shoes and coats in all sizes to glamorous dresses and suits so kids don’t miss out on school proms.
Describing the hardship families have been enduring as the cost-of-living crisis continues, Ms Dempsey said: “If you are in poverty – you are feeling down about it. It spirals through the family like a disease.
“Teenage suicide rates have gone through the roof.
“Social media is showing people they need to live to a certain standard. Poverty doesn’t allow them to live to that standard – it is horrific.
“It leads to harassment and bullying in schools, colleges and workplaces. They express anger and frustration to parents. Parents spiral down further because they feel they are failing as a parent. Poverty is a punishment for people who didn’t commit any crime.”
Ms Dempsey said she has heard heartbreaking comments from mums and dads when they can’t afford things, which include: “My kids don’t deserve me. They deserve more.”
One man in his 50s who worked all his life but lost his job during the pandemic had to sell his television to pay the electricity bill. While employed he always earned enough to provide but not enough to save. The charity stepped in to give the family a TV.
Another family only had a bed in the living room with no sofa or seats, so their little girl asked the charity for a seat.
A woman in her 30s who had terminal cancer was given a wedding dress so she could have a special day.
The charity has a room full of baby cots, Moses baskets and other items, and by next week it is likely to be all gone, as there is a high demand for them.
Another room has boxes and boxes of clothes sorted by size and gender for adults and children.
Ms Dempsey believes people shouldn’t miss out on special occasions either and there is an “events” room where there are bridesmaid, wedding gowns and motherof-the-bride dresses, suits and kilts. First communion dresses and christening gowns are also sourced.
Ms Dempsey, who is the charity’s service operation manager, said: “This means kids and families can make memories. They have been missing out and not getting the opportunity.”
The charity comes to the aid of people referred from the NHS including GPs and other agencies but people can also refer themselves.
Pinned to a board, the charity has a list of current referrals including one from a doctors’ surgery where a mum, dad, and their children all need shoes, jackets and clothes. There are also increasing referrals from single adults.
The charity or agencies deliver items for people to their homes.
Explaining how serious the situation is, Ms Dempsey said: “With the cost-of-living crisis there is no option but to expand. People are going to need to pull together for us to survive this.”