Home > Talking Pants > Talking Pants – December 2020

Total underwear collected is 1,541,991

While Covid will have affected everyone differently, I can’t imagine there is anyone who hasn’t been impacted in some way, shape or form. Our lives have been disrupted in 2020 in ways nobody could have foreseen this time last year. Some people will have suffered personal loss, others perhaps have health and economic worries.

This Christmas may not look or feel the same as previous Christmases, or the one we thought we’d have. But in a year where we’ve all experienced major changes and disruption, what hasn’t changed is the support for Smalls, and for that I’m so very grateful. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has sent an underwear or monetary donation, given up your time to volunteer with us, raised awareness of what we do or simply sent kind words of support when things looked a little bleak during the period our warehouse was closed.

Ideally we would live in a world where Smalls didn’t need to exist, but we don’t. The need for underwear is very real, and this year we’ve seen an increase in requests from organisations here in the UK. During 2020, 20 of the 52 requests we received were from organisations in the UK supporting people who are homeless, running baby and uniform banks and women’s aid shelters. I thought I would share some feedback we received from a UK organisation we supplied underwear to this month.

Dundee International Women’s Centre (DIWC) supports migrants and refugees with health, social and educational needs as they settle into Dundee. Contacting Smalls on behalf of DIWC, Emma Wilson of NHS Tayside Public Health reported that, “Eleven months into Covid-19 and associated restrictions, it has become apparent that some migrant and refugee women living in our community here in Dundee are facing numerous barriers in accessing personal hygiene items, including underwear. Without meeting this need there are risks to the mental wellbeing, dignity and personal hygiene of these women, many of whom are not financially independent or have competing financial expenses, particularly in the weeks leading to Christmas. Thank you to everyone at Smalls for All for partnering with us to address an impact of Covid-19 that risked being hidden and unaddressed”.

As part of an ongoing collaboration, NHS Tayside Public Health works in partnership with DIWC to address the health needs and inequalities where they exist within the Dundee migrant community. Salma Hanif Gani, Family Learning Project Worker at DIWC, says, “I wanted to say a big thank you for your kind support for the vulnerable families that come to our Women’s Centre, it is difficult times for many just now. All at Dundee International Women’s Centre are so grateful to Smalls for All. It means a lot to the women who find it difficult to ask for help regarding these items.”

We’ve given 57,995 pairs of new pants and new and gently worn bras to 7 organisations since our last Talking Pants. Our thanks to:

  • Jillian Thompson for collecting 1,150 pairs of pants for the Baby Bank Scotland based in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.
  • Baby Bank Network Exeter who received 1,300 pairs of pants.
  • Action in Africa who received 400 pairs of pants for their hygiene kits. These kits will be going to Nyaishozi, Tanzania.
  • Day for Girls who received 300 pairs of pants for their hygiene kits going to Ethiopia.
  • Emma Wilson for collecting 640 pairs of pants for the Dundee International Women’s Centre in Dundee.
  • Tracey Harper who will be taking 305 pairs of pants to the Bandari School in Arusha, Tanzania.
  • NPAC for collecting 53,900 pairs of pants and bras.

Wishing you all a safe, wonderful Christmas wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.

With very best wishes for a happy, healthy 2021.

Maria