The Donate a Coat Campaign is returning this year to help vulnerable individuals find a warm coat without any cost!
Over the past few years, Willmott Dixon has worked with Julian House to sponsor and distribute coat rails to multiple libraries across Devon and called on the community to donate unwanted coats to their local participating library. After great success over the past few winters, over 18 Devon libraries, (listed here) will be taking part again in 2023.
Daffne Aguilar, Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon, says: “We are proud to support the Donate a Coat Campaign for the third year running, and hopefully for many years to come. As a company Willmott Dixon is committed to supporting important community initiatives such as this, and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.”
“The Donate a Coat Campaign means that unwanted items can be donated and then reused and recycled, and will offer much-needed help and support this winter. Working alongside Julian House and Libraries Unlimited on this campaign means that we can support as many people as possible.”
This winter, the campaign will be included as part of a wider initiative of Devon Libraries to offer warm and welcoming spaces during the cost-of-living crisis. The new Libraries for Life campaign launched in October and will run until March 2024. It will highlight the numerous ways libraries offer help, primarily for free.
Libraries Unlimited Business Development Officer, Rachel Payne, says: “Everyone is welcome to join and spend time in the library, including use of the free Wi-Fi and computers. There are numerous free events and groups including Bounce & Rhyme for babies and toddlers, book clubs, scrabble, Lego clubs, craft sessions and many more. During the winter months libraries will also working with partners to host sessions supporting energy efficiency, debt advice and other important topics.”
Libraries Unlimited Centre Manager for Torbay, Eve Ashton said: “The Donate a Coat campaign by Julian House is a wonderful project, supporting several communities in several location across Devon, through library services. Many individuals benefit from the rails, being able to take warm clothes to use throughout the colder months, supporting both health and wellbeing. We feel very passionate about this cause and supporting Julian House to make a difference to those who are vulnerable within our community.”
If you would like to find out more about this campaign and the libraries involved in the scheme, please click here or contact: annabelle.lowes@julianhouse.org.uk
