A SCOTS charity coalition is marking its first year with half a million essential products donated to families across the country.
The initiative was founded just one year ago by Amazon’s Fulfilment Centre in Fife and the nearby Cottage Family Centre in Kirkcaldy, whose patron is former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
In January 2022, Amazon announced it would work with a coalition of Scottish charities, brought together by Mr Brown to donate goods from a warehouse based in Lochgelly, as part of the ‘The Big Hoose’ project.
The Cottage Family Centre provide support to families and individuals who are vulnerable to social exclusion as a result of poverty, poor housing, unemployment, relationship breakdown, drug and alcohol problems, or other health-related issues.
The Big Hoose initially committed to supporting families in Fife when it launched and has expanded to Edinburgh and The Lothians.
This month marks a milestone of 500,000 products donated principally by Amazon, but with support from other businesses including Tesco, Morrisons, PepsiCo and others.
So far, 500 charity and social partners including social workers, teachers and midwives, have been able to access goods from the Lochgelly warehouse to support those they serve.
As agents, they make referrals on behalf of their clients for household goods they require, which are then processed by warehouse staff and made available for collection to be delivered by charity partners to local families.
The Lochgelly warehouse is now dubbed the UK’s first ‘Multibank’ because of the range of goods now being deposited there to be drawn down on and put to good use by families in need.
Goods such as bedding, toilet roll, nappies, wipes and toiletries to clothing, backpacks, home furnishings, lightings and electrical products having been donated, or banked, at the warehouse.
The warehouse, provided free-of-charge by The Purvis Group, sees Amazon teams working side-by-side with The Cottage Family Centre and other charity partners to ensure the goods companies no longer want can be put to use by families who need them the most.
Amazon helped set up the warehouse operations at the site with a contribution of pro bono staffing, operations advice and an initial cash grant of £150,000 to support the recruitment, salaries and training of the site staff.
Pauline Buchan, Manager at The Cottage Family Centre, says the essential items provide families with real, meaningful support that allow them the opportunity to progress.
She said: “Amazon’s support for children and families who are experiencing poverty and, in some cases, sadly, suffering from destitution across Fife, has been nothing short of remarkable.
“When we began this project just over a year ago, we hoped to be able to reach 13,000 families across Fife but thanks to Amazon’s contribution of now over 500,000 essential items, we have more than tripled this target.
“We would never have believed this outcome was possible when we began.
“With over 500 practitioners from midwives to social workers, from charity workers to schools, Amazons support has enabled our community network to provide timely practical support for families.
“I want to pay tribute to every single Amazon team member – from staff processing essential item donations, to the management team both locally and nationally – who continue to be absolutely determined and committed to this project.
“Their care, support and enthusiasm has been key to the project’s success.
“They share our values and aspirations to do more for families who are struggling on a daily basis across our communities, and we feel hugely privileged to have the opportunity to work alongside them.”
Speaking today Gordon Brown said: “The Cottage Family Centre and I want to thank Amazon for their leadership in bringing so many companies on board and providing the expertise and logistics as well as the goodwill to ensure that 500,000 goods worth around £10m have been delivered to thousands of families in need in Fife and now also Edinburgh and in supporting the expansion to other areas of Scotland and Britain.
“There is much more to do over coming years but there are children who have gone without food who are now nourished, sleeping under sheets without a duvet, blankets or bed who can now enjoy a night’s sleep and who were going to school in ill-fitting clothes who now have the outfits they need.”
Simon McMahon, Senior Programme Manager in Amazon UK’s Impact team, is originally from Fife and has overseen the project since its inception in January 2022.
He said: “Having been involved with this project from the start, I’ve witnessed first-hand just how many families are sadly in need of extra support.
“I’m proud that Amazon and its partners have donated half a million products to families in the area.
“This project is about businesses, organisations and people in the community coming together with a shared passion to make a difference to people’s lives.
“It’s vital that we continue our work to help as many families as possible.”
