A BARRHEAD charity is providing a welcome boost to vulnerable people as they set up their own home.

Thanks to Helping Hands G78, starter packs containing household essentials such as cutlery, toasters, kettles and crockery are made available.

To be eligible for one of the subsidised starter packs, individuals or families must be referred through the likes of social services and Women’s Aid.

Helping Hands is run by Councillor Angela Convery, who represents Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor for the SNP.

And she is urging people to support the worthy cause to make sure it can continue to meet demand.

Councillor Convery said: “These starter packs contain the essentials but can only be accessed through referral.

“We realise there is a great need for items like these, especially for people who are homeless or for survivors of domestic abuse.

“The packs can make such a huge difference to people’s lives. If you flee a dangerous situation, you might only have the clothes on your back.

“We are giving people a chance to start again and alleviate the stress financially, especially for people with young kids who are trying to start over.”

Helping Hands G78 was founded with the intention of tackling inequality in the local area.

As well as starter packs, the group provides second-hand furniture, electrical goods and other household appliances.

Cllr Convery said: “At the moment, we have no funding as we were only recently registered as a charity.

“These starter packs can make a huge difference to people but we have run out, so we need to find more funding somehow.

“We’re talking £30 each for a starter pack and we sell them on for £5. There’s been great feedback, with people so grateful for the help.

“Simple items like these can get people on the road to recovery and they can then use the money they would have spent on other things they might need.

“We want to get to the point where, if people come to us looking for furniture or other help, everything is ready for them, including these packs.”