New beginning for Selkirk's Fresh Start charity

The Selkirk-based charity Fresh Start is certainly living up to its name, following a move to new premises at Tweed Mills in the town’s Dunsdale Road.
Helpers on hand to receive goods at Fresh Start’s new Tweed Mill premises.Helpers on hand to receive goods at Fresh Start’s new Tweed Mill premises.
Helpers on hand to receive goods at Fresh Start’s new Tweed Mill premises.

Established 11 years ago, Fresh Start provides comprehensive starter packs for people referred to the charity, who have either been in a homeless situation or in temporary accommodation.

Irene McFadzen, the organisation’s chairperson, told us: “When they get a tenancy a lot of these people do not have any household goods at all, so we supply starter packs which include things like crockery, cutlery, bedding and cleaning materials.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Up until this month we’ve been operating from Shepherds Mill, but when a more modern unit became available at Tweed Mills we decided to transfer our base to what is a much better equipped building.”

Irene McFadzen, chairperson of Fresh Start.Irene McFadzen, chairperson of Fresh Start.
Irene McFadzen, chairperson of Fresh Start.

The charity has received help with the move from a variety of organisations. Borders company Love My Beds, which occupies a unit directly across from Fresh Start’s new base, agreed to donate wooden shelving stacks surplus to its requirements.

These units were dismantled and then re-assembled in Fresh Start’s new base by volunteers from Selkirk Rugby Club, and last Wednesday a contingent of helpers from the Rotary Club of Selkirk assisted the move.

“We’re very pleased to have been able to help out,” said Selkirk Rotary past-president Graham Easton. “If there’s something that requires a bit of manpower or a bit of help to move then we’ll do it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Current circumstances are a bit trickier because of Covid 19, but the club still holds meetings on a weekly basis via Zoom, so we’re still together as a group and therefore able to come along and help with Fresh Start’s relocation.”

Selkirk Rotary’s Grant Gill has his hands full at Fresh Start’s new base.Selkirk Rotary’s Grant Gill has his hands full at Fresh Start’s new base.
Selkirk Rotary’s Grant Gill has his hands full at Fresh Start’s new base.

Other Rotary members who helped with Wednesday’s move were Jim McPherson, David Smith, Kenny Baillie, Doug Forsyth and Grant Gill.

“Fresh Start owes a huge debt of gratitude to the Rotary Club of Selkirk and Selkirk Rugby Club for all their kind assistance,” said Irene McFadzen, “while fantastic support has also come from both Love My Beds and Home Basics.

“We’ve given ourselves until the New Year to get properly settled in,” she added, “so we won’t be accepting any more donations until that time.”

Related topics: