AN “INVALUABLE” Drumchapel service which helps hundreds of vulnerable families has been given a major funding boost. 

A grant of £12,500 from the People’s Postcode Lottery will allow children and families’ charity 3D Drumchapel to expand its Baby Basics and Toddler Togs programmes. 

The schemes distribute baby and children’s clothes, toys and equipment to families in need. 

Sharon Colvin, project manager at 3D Drumchapel, said the grant “provides a vital boost in resources to allow this invaluable service to continue and grow”.

She added: “It is a win-win for everyone as it provides children’s clothing and goods to families who need help, as well as giving others the opportunity to give something back. 

“I am also excited to see our own parents grow in confidence as they engage in new learning opportunities and take ownership of this initiative. I can’t wait to see where they take it over the coming year.”

In the last nine months the grassroots project has had almost 200 referrals to its clothing and equipment bank.

It has redistributed a range of items such as winter jumpers, cots, babygrows and toys to families across Drumchapel, Yoker and Knightswood.

These areas have been targeted because they are statistically among the most deprived in Scotland and have significant reduced outcomes for education, health, wellbeing and employment.

The bank is run by volunteers, made up of parents who have accessed the family engagement services at 3D Drumchapel. 

As well as providing a valuable service to the community, the funding will help support parents involved in the initiative as they develop their own skills and transform the service into an ongoing and sustainable social enterprise.

Carol Monaghan, MP for Glasgow North West, pictured inset, said: “I am delighted that 3D Drumchapel has received £12,500 in funding from People’s Postcode Lottery for their Baby Basics and Toddler Togs programme.

“With almost 200 referrals in nine months, it is clear how invaluable their work is to the local community, lending a helping hand to those who need it most.

“3D Drumchapel recently celebrated 20 years of supporting hundreds of children and families in Glasgow North West, and I know this grant will provide a great boost for this project.

“I look forward to hearing about their continued success.”

The funding will pay for a-day-a-week of dedicated staff time, and means that the volunteers can continue providing the free service, while developing a business model. 

They will engage in training including team-building, planning, budgeting, marketing, leadership and people skills and will also earn a unit of a college course ‘Developing a Social Enterprise’.  

By expanding the scope and geographical reach of the service, it will be able to help and support many more vulnerable families across Glasgow.

The service is currently searching for more suitable premises to run the clothing bank from and 3D Drumchapel has said it would be grateful for any help on this matter.