Edinburgh Families Sleeping in Layers of Coats as The Leith Collective Expands Its Winter Coat Exchange
As temperatures begin to drop and energy prices continue to rise, one local organisation is sounding the alarm on the desperate measures some families in Edinburgh are taking just to stay warm.
Last year, The Leith Collective helped redistribute over 11,000 coats to people in need through its annual Winter Coat Exchange, after hearing stories from families forced to sleep in multiple layers of coats because they couldn’t afford to switch on their heating. This year, the award-winning Community Interest Company is expanding the initiative — calling on businesses, organisations, charities, and individuals to get behind the campaign and help bring warmth, comfort, and dignity to more people than ever.
Launching on 1st October, the Winter Coat Exchange will see new collection points open across Scotland, offering an accessible way for anyone to donate a good-quality coat — and for those in need to take one, free of charge and without judgement.
“The number of families struggling to afford even basic essentials such as a warm winter coat is heartbreaking,” said Sara Thomson, founder of The Leith Collective. “This year we want our Winter Coat Exchange to be more accessible than ever — with official collection points in every town and city across Scotland. It’s a simple way to keep coats out of landfill and pass them on to those who truly need them.”
Community organisations like Let the People Sing, an Edinburgh-based CIC, are already pledging support. Founder Vicky Scoular said: “Many people struggling to make ends meet can’t afford to travel to pick up a coat, so it’s vital that as many organisations as possible sign up. We all have a part to play in the fight against poverty.”
To become an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point, visit www.we-relove.com. The site also allows individuals to search by postcode to find their nearest drop-off or pick-up location.
The Leith Collective now operates stores at Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird in Edinburgh and Overgate in Dundee — all dedicated to sustainability and supporting more than 400 Scottish artists and makers. Each store serves as a creative hub, hosting workshops that bring people together to learn, share, and create for a more sustainable future.