A 17-year-old girl living in Plymouth with her disabled mother and father, who is her full-time caregiver, shared her experience of struggling to afford winter clothing. Scarlet mentioned that her family relies on second-hand coats from charity shops and hand-me-downs to stay warm. She recalled going to school in inadequate clothing and highlighted the financial challenges of buying new coats as they grow older.
Scarlet also mentioned the difficulties her family faced in heating their home during the last winter, especially due to her mother’s disability worsening in the cold. She described the presence of mold and cold air entering the house through cracks in the loft. The family had to resort to using food banks for support, and Scarlet volunteered at a food bank in the past, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges many families face.
To address their needs, Scarlet receives support from Barnardo’s and attends cooking sessions to learn how to prepare affordable and nutritious meals for her family. Research indicates that many parents in the UK struggle to afford winter clothing for their children, with around 300,000 children potentially without a winter coat. The study also revealed concerns among children regarding the adequacy of their current winter clothing to keep them warm.
With the UK Health Security Agency issuing a Cold-Health Alert due to dropping temperatures, the importance of warm clothing for vulnerable families becomes even more critical. Barnardo’s has been instrumental in providing support, with half of the recipients of their child poverty fund between November 2024 and February 2025 related to clothing assistance.
Dame Helen Mirren, an actress and Barnardo’s ambassador, expressed sadness over the challenges children face in winter, emphasizing the importance of supporting families in need. Barnardo’s chief executive, Lynn Perry, highlighted the necessity of ensuring children have the essentials to stay warm and healthy, calling for public support to help families in distress. The public is encouraged to donate to Barnardo’s to assist in providing vital aid to those facing hardships.
A recent survey conducted by YouGov revealed insights into the struggles faced by parents and children regarding winter clothing, shedding light on the urgency of addressing these issues.