Superglass has pledged to cover 50% of the costs of Start Up Stirling’s Home Starter pack programme during the winter months. This will help hundreds of people living in hardship throughout the Stirling Council area, remain warm while saving money on energy bills.

The financial support from Stirling-based Superglass will help create additional tenancy packs with weighted blankets, warm socks, hot water bottles and flasks. The packs are designed to help local people moving into new accommodation, to make their new house a home, as well as helping them to save money on their fuel bills.

Some of the items in the pack will be provided by Superglass themselves alongside the financial support.

With the sharp rise in energy prices in the last 12 months, the two organisations have brought together their shared values and sector experience to bring help to those in need. Start Up Stirling’s Home Starter packs help give people the best chance of succeeding in new tenancies. The additional tenancy packs will include a guide of practical steps, provided by Superglass, to help tenants keep energy bills down.

The guide is publicly available on the Superglass website.

Superglass staff will also support Start Up Stirling through a volunteering programme.

Research has shown that people in rural locations spend between 10 and 20% more on everyday requirements than urban areas. This means rising fuel, energy and supermarket costs have a disproportionate effect on them. Through targeting support in the city of Stirling and rural towns and villages throughout the Stirling Council area, both Superglass and Start Up Stirling hope to mitigate this for local communities.

Theresa McLean, CEO of Superglass, said: “Superglass has been a major employer in Stirling for decades and we are committed to supporting our local community. The work that Start Up Stirling does is vital in supporting people in our area and we’re very proud to support them.

“Our expertise lies in keeping buildings warm and energy bills low. It’s important that in these times of spiralling energy cost, we make sure the most vulnerable people in our community can keep warm this winter.

“The guide we have produced is available on our website for anybody who needs it.”

Julie Christie, communities and fundraising manager for Start Up Stirling, added: “Since the charity’s formation in 1994, our focus has been on helping people who are experiencing hardship throughout the Stirling Council area with our services. We are extremely grateful for the support of businesses like Superglass, particularly in terms of helping people keep warm over what will be a very challenging winter for many people.”