A lifeline charity is creating “heat packages” for Paisley families who can’t afford to keep their homes warm this winter.
The Star Project - which already offers food packages to those in financial crisis - came up with the idea in response to the soaring cost of energy.
It comes as desperate locals tell the charity they just “don’t want to be here anymore” as they are exhausted by the relentless struggle to make ends meet every single day.
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The packs will be made up to cater to people’s individual needs and will include items such as hot water bottles, flasks of hot water and blankets.
The scheme is, the charity says, a desperate attempt to help people they know will not be able to turn on the heating in the months ahead.
Heather Kay, manager at the Star Project, said the need for the packs is the “depressing reality” facing low-income families in Paisley this winter.
Their aim is to keep as many people as possible safe and warm.
“To be honest it’s depressing having to make these heat packs,” Kay said.
“We are so frustrated having to do it as there should not be a need for this in this day and age.
“It came about because we are trying to make sure we are as prepared as possible for when the weather turns.
“We are trying to get ahead of the curve. We have the contents of about 100 packs but we anticipate the demand will be much higher than that.
“The cost-of-living crisis is terrifying and it’s only going to get worse.
“The warm packs, they don’t feel anywhere near enough.”
The heat packages project comes just weeks after Star Project staff and members took part in a protest against the soaring cost of energy.
The antipoverty campaigners took their fight for fair prices to the energy regulator Ofgem and energy giant SSE.
Currently, families in Renfrewshire are facing a typical household energy bill of around £2,500 a year.
The new Prime Minister Liz Truss capped the price cap at £2,500 for the next two years.
But the cost is double that of this year - a bill that low-income families are already struggling to afford.
Kay added: “We have heard some comments from members who are struggling to the point that they don’t want to be here anymore. They just don’t know how much more they can take.
“This is the first time I have seen some of our members crying out of sheer frustration.People are worried about their kids and areconstantly thinking ‘How can I cope with this?’
“The reality is that we lost so many to covid - community members, friends, volunteers - and we just can’t go through that again as a result of a man-made pandemic.
“We want people to be as warm and safe as humanly possible while they are waiting for Westminster to fix this fiasco.”
The Star Project has already created cost-of-living workshops where they explore different ways people can reduce their outgoings. It looks at themes such as cooking on a budget and different ways to reduce waste.
Kay added: “We are constantly trying to come up with ideas to tackle the cost of living.
“I would say to anyone who is struggling to get in touch, we can support you.”
Neil Bibby, Labour MSP for West Scotland, praised the Star Project for its efforts but blasted governments for failing to support vulnerable families.
He told the Express: “I have visited the Star Project and seen the incredible work they do. These heat packages are another excellent initiative.
“But what a shocking state of affairs we are in that they are needed in the first place.
“This is Britain in 2022, with people facing real choices between heating and eating, and having to rely on the hard work of charities like the Star Project to help keep them warm.
“Our social contract is in tatters.”
He added: “We need real action from both governments. The Scottish Government needs to stop passing the buck to Westminster, and use the ample powers it already has.
“Meanwhile Liz Truss’ plans are a step in the right direction but they do not go far enough.
“They will not stop bills from rising still-further. We need a real energy price freeze, funded by a windfall tax on the energy giants who are currently posting massive profits.”
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