‘Winter Warmer’ event returns
In December 2024 we held our first ‘Big Winter Warmer’ event for care-experienced young people, inviting them to Kilmarnock’s SL33 hub for free information and advice on a range of supports available over the winter months.
Last month the event returned, this time to Kilmarnock’s Dick Institute, with even more stallholders and local organisations providing guidance on home energy, housing, finances and more.
The event was organised by Ling Liao, Participation and Engagement Graduate Intern, who was also in attendance:
“The afternoon was a great success, with all young people going home with bags full of freebies and gifts.”
A wide variety of market stalls were set up in the Dick Institute event space to provide on-the-spot advice, including our Oral Health Improvement Team, Housing, Community Waste, Home Energy Scotland, Welfare Rights Supports and many more. There was also information available on Illegal money lending, the Health and Social Care partnership and East Ayrshire Tenants Federation.
Among various activities on offer, the event held a raffle with a range of prizes, from cuddly plushies and fidget toys to soap gift sets and home cleaning items. There was also a clothing bank with two rails and a table of clothes, offering pyjamas, jumpers and hoodies, t-shirts and shoes.
Representatives of CVO Foodbank brought over 25 parcels of food to hand out, taking details from young people who required a hot meal on Christmas Day.
A ‘Book Nook’ section offered a range of free books, available to take home and keep, including healthy recipe cookbooks, comfort romance novels and thrillers. There was also a ‘Free Zone’ table with arts and craft supplies, where young people could take time out or make Christmas cards for loved ones.
Lastly, but by no means least, Pets as Therapy Scotland attended with two beautifully calm and gentle Great Danes, answering questions and providing young people with information on the mental health benefits of pets. Ling reported that “all the young people gravitated towards them”, with one young person sitting with the dogs as “they felt it helped calm their anxiety”.
There was also a food stall offering tea, coffee and hot chocolate alongside festive sweet treats, including homemade truffles and crispy cakes, and a range of fresh fruit.
Young people were invited to visit every stall at the event, with a ‘passport’ style sheet which each stallholder then marked off following their visit. The completed sheet could then be entered into a prize draw to win two pantomime tickets and a £30 gift card for Farm Foods. Every young person who attended also received a selection box.
Ling was delighted with the event’s repeat success, speaking of the visible impact it made on those who attended:
“Seeing the friendships and connections form as some of the young people went round the room together, hearing the different conversations and laughter in the room and spotting the smiles on young people’s faces was such a joy.
“I’d like to thank all staff who came to the Winter Wamer event and devoted their time and resources to support and assist young people during the festive period.
“I’d also like to thank all of the young people who came and made it round the stalls to take part in the activities.”
