The Ootsider

21/08/2026

Andy Burnham has just firmed up his pledge to end rough sleeping by Christmas. It’s a great and ambitious proposal. But what happens tonight? This type of change takes time and there are people freezing on the streets of the UK now. So, The Ootsider is making a pledge. We’ll provide a life-saving Sleeping Coat to every rough sleeper who wants one. We just need a tiny fraction of the money the PM is committing to make our pledge a reality. Come on Government leaders, we can make this happen!

You can help us too, please donate what you can: Donate - Ootsider www.theootsider.co.uk

23/07/2026

🫶Together we can achieve so much more 🫶

www.theootsider.co.uk

22/07/2026

📰🗞️ 📰🗞️ 9 Publications 🗞️📰🗞️📰

Thanks to the amazing support of Paul Kiddie at PK-Media and PR Ltd, we have appeared in 9 major publications this week … and it’s only Wednesday

Thanks so much Paul … it’s really so much appreciated 👏

In addition to West Lothian News which I’ve already posted about … we are also in the following 8. Take your pick and have a wee read:

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26295960.west-lothian-firm-donates-sleeping-coats-glasgow-homeless/

https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2026/07/west-lothian-charity-gifted-4000-to-help-homeless/

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/26296085.west-lothian-firm-donates-sleeping-coats-glasgow-homeless/

https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2026/07/20/west-lothian-charity-boosted-by-4k-donation/?amp=1

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-lothian-based-social-enterprise-37456174

https://midlothianview.com/news/social-enterprise-to-donate-25-sleeping-coats-to-glasgows-homeless

https://businessmondays.co.uk/4k-donation-to-help-glasgow-homeless/

https://www.glasgowview.com/social-enterprise-to-donate-25-sleeping-coats-to-glasgows-homeless/

“Together we can achieve so much more”. John.

West Lothian-based social enterprise The Ootsider has been boosted by a four-figure donation which will see 25 of the garments donated to Glasgow’s homeless community.

21/07/2026

Andy Burnham’s pledge is amazing news, but let’s make sure everyone survives the wait …here’s how The Ootsider is keeping people warm tonight.

www.theootsider.co.uk

20/07/2026

19/07/2026

“ … It’s moments like this that make it all worthwhile …”

17/07/2026

Funny Outtake from video for charity event for

£600 raised https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kirstie-iain (Still open for donations). A big thanks to https://rotaryraftrace.com who organised this and to who let us join their team. Find out more: https://theootsider.co.uk

09/07/2026

26/06/2026

End of an era, but the start of an exciting new chapter! ✨

After 18 incredible months, Gintare Surdokaite is moving on to pastures new. To say she’s been integral to how The Ootsider has grown would be a massive understatement. We are going to miss her so much!

When you’re a team of two, you have to wear a lot of hats. What I’ve admired most about Gintare is her incredible attitude—she was always happy to dive right in and get involved in whatever needed doing. It’s what made us such a great team.

Thank you for everything, Gintare! And everyone at The Ootsider is wishing you the absolute best in your new job and whatever the next chapters of life bring. 🥂💙

24/06/2026

Some people support The Ootsider by buying a coat. Others give their time, energy, and heart to help us grow.

Kirstie and Ian are doing exactly that. 💙

On the 28th of June, they’ll be taking part in the South Queensferry Raft Race to raise funds for The Ootsider, and we honestly couldn’t be more grateful for their support.

Every penny raised will help us make more Sleeping Coats, which we donate free of charge to people experiencing rough sleeping across the UK.

If you’d like to support their fundraising efforts, you can donate here:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kirstie-iain

Thank you, Kirstie and Ian. We’re so lucky to have you as part of the Ootsider community. 🙏

🚣‍♂️ Our amazing marketing volunteers, Kirstie and Ian, are taking ...