A new project is being rolled out in Liverpool to keep homeless and vulnerable women warm this winter.
The Keep Warm Collective Liverpool will have various drop off points across the city where winter clothing and coat donations can be made to women, who don’t have the financial security to keep themselves warm this winter.
The project, devised by Liverpool City Councillor Stephanie Till, is aimed at women who are homeless or have uncertain housing situations and have to rely on the city’s food banks to feed their families.
Councillor Till told JMU journalism: “These women can’t afford to feed their children and families. They’ll give everything they have to others so getting a coat for themselves won’t be on their list of priorities this winter. With the increasing rise of energy and fuel prices, people have to be aware that there are women out there who are living in freezing conditions.
“As well as hoping to collect warm clothing and coats, one of the biggest achievements this project can have would be to create a sisterhood of women who look out for each other and make them feel good about themselves.”
The project was inspired by fellow councillors Brian and Adele Dowling and their granddaughter, who had the idea of donating coats to the homeless.
Stephanie told JMU journalism: “She took a coat to the city centre’s charity The Basement and offered a coat to a girl that she had mistaken for a young boy because she was wearing all male clothing.
“The girl refused the coat and said she wasn’t being ungrateful, but she was sick of looking like a boy. This struck a nerve with me and I understand why you wouldn’t want to look like that. It’s all about helping their self confidence and building up their self esteem.”
Items of clothing will be distributed to organisations working alongside with women who are homeless and in a vulnerable position.
The project founder told JMU Journalism: “Women young or old are affected by this. It’s not a race thing or a drug and drink problem that’s put them in a vulnerable position. Some of them have been affected by violent domestic relationships. It’s a diverse problem that can affect anyone.”
The scheme that hopes to bring Liverpool women together will have drop off points at different locations over the city from November 26th. The location list will be published a week before.