Starter Packs Glasgow

Starter Packs Glasgow have been helping people in Glasgow for 20 years provide packs of essential household essentials. Our packs are available by referral to anybody experiencing poverty, often after homelessness, fleeing domestic situations, moving on from the forces, prison or care. Our aim is to help people settle into their new tenancy quickly and make it a home. Our packs empower people, allow a fresh start with dignity, ease their financial burden and alleviate poverty and the ill health caused by it. They lessen the chances of leaving the tenancy and help to break the cycle of homelessness. Demand keeps rising and In 2019-20 we have been able to deliver 1266 starter packs across our city, supporting 1813 people in our communities (1374 adults and 439 children). It has been our busiest year ever in the 20 years that we have been going. We have delivered 30% more packs than last year and been able to reach an additional 383 people. Whilst demand has increased, we have continued to improve the packs and to ensure that what we are delivering to people is as good and appropriate as it can be. We went through Revolve Certification in 2018 to ensure that any donated items are suitably checked to meet the required standards for re-use. We also achieved the EFQM: Committed To Excellence award. We have continue to build relationships with new referral partners to ensure that we are working with as many organisations as possible, reaching more people who need support. As well as the direct support packs can give people, we also have our two shops in Govan that raise money to allow us to do the work that we do. The Magpie’s Eye and The Magpie’s Nest are responsible for bringing in around 70% of Starter Packs income (we don’t receive government funding), but they are also designed to be a community resource too. The Magpie’s Nest is our old-fashioned thrift store and The Magpie’s Eye has more of a boutique feel, with more vintage, designer and high-end high st items.