A NEW initiative that provides free coats to people in need during the winter months has launched in Frome.
The Frome Coat Rack, housed at the ‘Loop de Loop’ building in the Market Yard car park, allows people to help themselves to coats that have been donated by members of the public.
Former Frome resident, Sharon Wakefield, who launched the initiative told Frome Times, “There are coats for men, women and children – the Frome Coat Rack is for anyone. Obviously, the first thought is that this is something for homeless people, but it can be for anyone – it’s to help everyone, the whole community.
“So many people in Frome pulled together to make this happen. Katy Duke, who manages the ‘Loop de Loop’ project in the Market Yard, also got on board with the idea. The ‘Loop de Loop’ is also home to the Community Fridge and the Community Larder and Katy felt that the initiative would sit well next them – so she has let us have the space for three months, free of charge. Local electricians and carpenters have also donated their time to get the project up and running.
“The kindness of the people of Frome has knocked me sideways – it’s what Frome does best. Frome has really embraced the idea. We have had so many donations of coats, gloves and scarves – someone even knitted hats to donate. The rack is checked daily by volunteers to keep it tidy – it’s all going well.”
About the inspiration behind the idea for Frome Coat Rack, Sharon explained, “I read a story online about a woman in Lampeter in Wales, Laura Jones, who had done something similar. I shared the story on the ‘Frome’ Facebook group page and it got hundreds of ‘likes’. I made the suggestion that Frome should do something similar and offers of help and donations began to flood in.
“Once the Frome Coat Rack was up and running, I got in contact with Laura Jones on Facebook, and she could not believe how well it was going, she was amazed by the response.”
The Frome Coat Rack is located at the ‘Loop de Loop’ building in the Market Yard car park. It is open daily from 8am to 8pm for donations and for people to help themselves to a coat if they need one. The project is expected to run through the remainder of the winter months until the end of March.