Strabane scheme gives serving to hand to oldsters | EUROtoday

On Oct 29, 2025

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Keiron TourishBBC News NI north west reporter

Health customer Karen Brown mentioned the challenge will present “anything really that a parent is going to need”

BBC Karen Brown is standing in front of a rack of baby and toddler clothes. She wears black glasses and has bobbed hair. There's a clock on the wall behind her. — Health customer Karen Brown mentioned the challenge will present “anything really that a parent is going to need”

It’s not straightforward on the market for households residing by way of the cost-of-living disaster – and that is why a brand new scheme in County Tyrone is providing free child garments in a bid to help folks dealing with hardship.

The challenge in Strabane, funded by the Department for Communities, might be out there to any household with kids as much as 5 years previous.

It may even help folks with nappies, child and household toiletries for a nominal price, however that may be waived in sure circumstances.

Karen Brown, a well being customer with the Western Trust, mentioned the HiVe Baby Hub and free clothes alternate goals to help households in “one of the most socio-economically deprived areas in the entire UK”.

The scheme will function from the Grass Roots centre on John Wesley Street in Strabane

A building. The sign says Grass Roots Community Learning Hub. There's a board outside with an image of a bee. — The scheme will function from the Grass Roots centre on John Wesley Street in Strabane

The challenge, which entails the Western Trust, the GP Federation and a local people challenge, will function from the Grass Roots Centre on John Wesley Street.

Families will be referred to the service by way of their well being customer, household nurse and social staff and even name into the centre themselves.

The challenge additionally goals to scale back the environmental influence of clothes waste by way of recycling.

What does the Strabane child garments scheme supply?

Families will be referred to the service by way of their well being customer, household nurse and social staff and even name into the centre themselves

Baby and children's clothes are folded on tables and hang on racks. Two women are standing next to nappies. — Families will be referred to the service by way of their well being customer, household nurse and social staff and even name into the centre themselves

Ms Brown, who got here up with the thought, mentioned she sees first-hand the wants of fogeys regionally.

“The cost-of-living crisis has hit an awful lot of families hard, so this is a great initiative where we can help.

“Families who’ve that wee bit further may donate in the event that they like.”

To support struggling families, the project already operates a wellness café and a social supermarket where people can purchase groceries at a discounted price if they are part of the membership scheme.

It also offers help with a range of services from money management to learning how to cook and grow your own vegetables.

Ms Brown said that as well as offering a free clothing exchange, it’s also a hygiene hub, which can “assist with child toiletries, nappies and something actually {that a} dad or mum goes to want to take care of their little one”.

The HiVe Baby Hub and free clothing exchange will be available to any family with children aged 0-5 years old

A children in needs blanket and a Bluey blanket are folded on a shelf. — The HiVe Baby Hub and free clothing exchange will be available to any family with children aged 0-5 years old

Ursula Doherty, from the Strabane Community Project, said people are struggling to meet the cost of baby hygiene products and clothes, and the exchange was a great initiative because it focuses on re-using and recycling.

“We do stay in a really throw-away society, so it is an excellent challenge so as to take it from landfill,” she said.

She added that people are going through real hardship.

“More and extra households are discovering it laborious to make ends meet – meals, gasoline and even child gadgets.

“That’s right across the board. That’s people who are working and people who are on benefits. Everybody.

“In an ironic means it has equalised us all as a result of all people is struggling, so it is all the time about new initiatives.”

“It’s superb to see the great work they’re doing right here” – Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris

Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris is wearing her gold chain of office. She's standing in a room with baby and children's clothes folded on shelves. — “It’s superb to see the great work they’re doing right here” – Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris

Derry and Strabane Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris said it was an amazing initiative.

“They have issues like the garments alternate, which is taking issues out of landfill and placing them again into the group for re-use.

“In the Baby Hub, young families can avail of nappies and hygiene products.

“Everything you want to maintain your little one. And additionally hygiene merchandise for the mammy as properly, so I believe that is actually necessary.

“It’s amazing to see the good work that they’re doing here.”

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyp5dxwne9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss