College green room will help those in need
West College Scotland has set up a community room for students and staff help to combat the cost-of-living crisis.
The Green Room has been set-up to support the college community during challenging times and contains a number of donated items such as dried and tinned foods, clothing both new and freshly laundered, pre-loved items and general goods.
The community has played a key role in bringing the project to life and those behind it hope it will continue to thrive thanks to support from the public to help with donations and managing the space.
Having first-hand experience of how crucial initiatives like these are in aiding people to eat, clothe themselves and their families and get on their feet, one the college’s care students and their family were keen to give their support.
One student, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke about the importance of food and clothes banks to herself and her brother. She said: “My brother and I were placed in foster care with nothing but the clothes on our back.
“Fast forward a few years, and after a lot of hard work from my mum she was able to gain full custody of us.
“It was during this time that she had to access food banks and receive donations of clothes, toiletries and children toys.
“Due to people’s generosity and kindness, I was able to go home to a safe environment.
She continued: “It’s taken me until now to realise how important donations are from strangers, whether it’s jackets or something as little as colouring pens.
“We’re now in a position to give back and help others and it’s really important to us as family to do what we can.
“Who knows, maybe our donations will give someone the same feeling I had when I came home to food and toys.”
Donations included an array of items including, tinned food, bedding, clothes, activity packs for kids and toiletry bags.
Lynsey Weir, student wellbeing advisor at the college is part of the team who facilitate the Green Room.
She added: “The rooms wouldn’t exist without people like her. She is the ethos of how these rooms came about and it’s inspiring to see her and her family doing their bit to help those who are in similar situations to how they once were.
“We’re incredibly grateful to