Meet the group who has donated two tonnes of clothes

Faifley Upcycling started as a hub for clothes inside Faifley and Duntocher Parish Church working on behalf of a nearby charity in 2018.

When the pandemic hit they then became one of the only services that were able to continue as they worked in their outdoor car park redistributing clothes and other household items. 

Six years on, 12 volunteers have been able to celebrate an achievement of 1800kg of clothes, bedding and curtains being handed out with funding from the lottery.

Every week the group create a 'fete' style set up where they have tables sheltered by gazebos for residents to come along to pick up what they need.

So far the extra money has enabled them to add shelves to organise their space.

Racks of clothing sit within the car park (Image: Newsquest) Shelves bought with funding hold items ready for redistribution (Image: Newsquest) Following the funding boost, the group says they will continue to take in and redistribute whatever they can using Facebook as their main avenue of contacting those in need.

The online platform helps the volunteers ask for items in need as well as get in contact with those who will be able to receive them.

Reverend Gregor McIntyre and volunteer Sheila Farquharson (Image: Newsquest) Sheila Farquharson, a volunteer, said "It’s busy, we have tables sorting all the donations. It can take half an hour to set up.

"We give out free teas and coffee so people don’t have to stand outside and wait.

"Now, we have started going for funding and the lottery has been great as well as the Robertson Trust. Sometimes the Co-op will give us vouchers too.

"A lot of folks are working but they are finding it hard and needing a bit of extra help."

This funding from the lottery along with that from other organisations is enabling the group to broaden how they can help the community.

Sheila added: "We want to buy Chromebooks to help people get on the internet. Coming here, people don’t feel embarrassed asking for help or applying for things. We have helped people apply for bus passes."

With the most recent donation, the group has been able to host a barbecue.

Reverend Gregor McIntyre of Faifley Parish Church says donations to the group are often very generous.

He said: "The grants allowed more to be done but we are always here. Donors have been very generous with the quality of what they give. It can be quality furniture or other appliances.

"A lot of the time donors just want it to go to someone who will use it.

"We are similar to a church fair but it's every Tuesday and we are not taking any money, we are just giving things away.

"A lot of parents come for uniforms because they don’t last long and a couple of extra pairs help. It means the kids don’t feel different to others.

"My impression is that more folks know they can depend on us."

The group runs every Tuesday and Friday between 10 and 11am alongside their work with other services in the church.