As part of our ‘Support in the Community’ initiative, we are delighted to announce the first charity we are supporting this year is Livingston-based, Dignity Boxes, which was founded six years ago to provide free toiletries for people in need.
The ‘Support in the Community’ initiative helps charities and social enterprises by providing awareness-raising and fundraising opportunities, including free pop-up space in the mall, a £250 Gift Card donation and marketing support.
Over the years, we’ve supported lots of organisations, including Kidzeco, based at the shopping centre, West Lothian Youth Foundation, West Lothian Diabetes Scotland Group, Carers of West Lothian, West Lothian Youth Action Project, Spark, River Kids and The Bridge Community Project.
This year four organisations will be supported for a period of three months each and will receive free pop-up space for a weekend to help raise awareness and appeal for donations, including food, books, toys, pre-loved clothing and funds.
Our first partnership is with Livingston-based Dignity Boxes, which was founded by Isabel Dosser who qualified as a registered nurse in 1976 and worked in various hospital departments before moving into palliative care in 1996 and then nursing education at Edinburgh Napier University in 2004.
Isabel, who recently received the Edinburgh Napier 2023 Alumni Impact Award in recognition of epitomising Edinburgh Napier’s values as an inspiration and role model, had a growing concern about the impact of poverty in health and wellbeing and in 2018 she established Dignity Boxes to provide free toiletries to those in need.
Her initiative was based around the principle of preserving and promoting the dignity of all individuals.
The charity currently has over 32 volunteers, and is always on the search for more, and 43 sites in the Lothians and Edinburgh where people can pick up free toiletries from places including Polbeth Community Hub and various schools and universities.
Shoppers can find out more about the charity at their pop ups in the shopping centre, located near New Look, on the first and last weekends in March, (2nd & 3rd and 30th & 31st), and also drop off donations of various toiletries including toothbrushes, shampoo and deodorants.
To nominate a charity or organisation, download the application form here and email the completed form to [email protected].
To find out more about Dignity Boxes, check out the website - www.dignityboxes.co.uk
