Charity former PM Gordon Brown helped create gives 1.5 million products to people in need

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has said that without support from the charity he helped found, families would've been forced to put their children into care.

A survey's revealed that just over one in 10 say support from the Multibank was the difference between keeping and splitting up their family.

Over half say it helped them avoid a crisis whilst 90% say it allowed them to spend money on heating and food.

He explains the reality facing some families before they go to the Multibank for help, many of whom are still struggling with the cost of living crisis.

It comes on the day the project marks more than 1.5 million items donated to people in need in its first year.

It's Fife base is in Cartmore Industrial Estate in Lochgelly, in a building donated by Robert Purvis. Just this year it launched second location in Wigan and Leigh in Greater Manchester.

Mr Brown is looking to expand the service this winter on what he predicts is going to be even even tougher one for many.

Fife Amazon employees have developed new software to allow volunteers to keep up with demand. People using the Multibank to get a real-time snapshot of the goods available and can order what they need.

The former politician helped create the Multibank project alongside Amazon and the Cottage Family Centre in Kirkcaldy.

It receives donations of surplus goods from companies including Morrisons, Tesco, SemiChem and Heinz. Amazon and 30 other companies hand over goods they can no longer sell, saving them from landfill.

It gives them out to people who are referred to them through places such as other charities or social work.

Charities and local professionals, including midwives and teachers, are able to receive a range of items, including food, toiletries, electrical products and home furnishings through a click and collect style service.

Pauline Buchan, the Cottage's strategic manager, said: “This evaluation has allowed us to break down the statistics and see the real impact of poverty on families lives every day. We know that where poverty exists, it comes with a multitude of other challenges which create vulnerability, trauma, abuse and an existence for those experiencing it rather than an ability to lead a fulfilling and healthy life.

“The effects are also felt on a daily basis by the staff who provide support to families in services, schools and charities across the country as they battle every day to stay in a sector they love and care for while not having the means to make a difference to those they are supporting because the resources to do so simply aren’t there.

“I want to personally thank the families across Fife for their honesty and trust in us during the evaluation process, I know this could not have been easy for any of them and for them to know that we will continue to do everything we can to meet their needs in their time of need.”

Chairperson of the Cottage Family Centre Marilyn Livingstone said: “The Big Hoose project has played a crucial role over the past months in supporting the most vulnerable in our communities and has allowed many families to better weather this terrible cost of living crisis, which has impacted on every aspect of their lives. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the amazing success of this project.”

Mr Brown says the need for the Multibank exposes the harsh reality of poverty on Britain today.

He says he has big plans for the project to ensure as many families as possible get the help and support they need.

Anyone looking to donate items or find out more information can contact the Cottage Family Centre.