Family Hubs Winter Warm Appeal helps 113 families in Oldham

The second Family Hubs Winter Warm Appeal drop-in event, organised by Our Community Wardrobe clothing bank and Oldham Family Hubs, provided clothing and duvets to 113 parents at the Medlock Vale Family Hub at The Honeywell Centre in Hathershaw.

This follows the first drop-in event at Spring Meadows Family Hub last month, which helped 70 families.

The scheme aims to support families who may be struggling to keep their children warm this winter.

One mum was given a replacement pram as the Family Hubs teamed up with Our Community Wardrobe to make a difference this winter (Image: Supplied)

Thanks to generous donations of new and preloved items, the second drop-in was "even bigger than the first", with clothing for teens and adults, as well as toiletries, available.

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, saying: "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."

Clothing and duvets were handed out to 113 parents at the Medlock Vale Family Hub at The Honeywell Centre in Hathershaw (Image: Supplied)

Keisha Crinion, who got clothes, coats, and blankets for her three-year-old son James, said: "This has helped a lot.

"And I will be coming to the family hub again for the activities."

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."

Sally Maher, who started Our Community Wardrobe in 2022, said: "We’ve had so many more families through the doors than we imagined.

"I’ve had a good cry.

"We’re really pleased."

The aim is to help families who may be struggling to keep their children warm this winter (Image: Supplied)

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."

The next Winter Warm Appeal drop-in is now being planned for the Beever Family Hub (Image: Supplied)

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 from birth to 19 and 25 with special educational needs and disabilities, visit familyhubs.oldham.gov.uk.