Date: Friday, 27 January 2006

For Immediate Release

Based at 41 Burleigh Street, Govan, Starter Packs has been providing services to homeless persons in Glasgow since 1998.

Starter Packs provides single people, couples and families with children with the basic necessities to enable them to equip their new tenancies in the social housing sector.

Starter Packs provides the following:

Bedding Pack (Single/Double Duvets, Pillows, Bed linen, Towels, Blanket)

Utilities Pack (Cleaning Materials, Kitchen Utensils, Toiletries, Shampoo, Soap)

Pots Pack (Frying Pan, Saucepans, Casserole Dishes)

Crockery Pack (Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Cutlery, Tea Towels, Basin, Tumblers)

In addition, Starter Packs provides at no charge, small electrical items which have been tested and passed at the Burleigh Street premises. Items include, kettles, toasters, irons, lamps and microwaves.

During 2005, Starter Packs assisted 491 families and individuals with packs. In the same year Starter Packs assisted over 300 children.

62.5% of packs issued in 2005 were to clients moving into Glasgow Housing Association tenancies. Local neighbourhood associations in Glasgow accounted for most of the remainder of the packs, although the charity has assisted clients moving into accommodation in North and South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire/East Renfrewshire, East and West Dunbartonshire

Starter Packs receives no financial assistance at all from Glasgow City Council and no

direct funding from the Scottish Executive.

Hugh Kelly, Chairman of Starter Packs together with Sarah Findlay, Project Administrator, will show the Depute Minister round the Burleigh Street Premises.