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Baby clothes: Strabane scheme offers helping hand to parents

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Baby clothes: Strabane scheme offers helping hand to parents


Keiron TourishBBC News NI north west reporter

BBC Karen Brown is standing in front of a rack of baby and toddler clothes. She wears black glasses and has bobbed hair. There's a clock on the wall behind her. BBC

Health visitor Karen Brown said the project will provide “anything really that a parent is going to need”

It’s not easy out there for families living through the cost-of-living crisis – and that’s why a new scheme in County Tyrone is offering free baby clothes in a bid to support people facing hardship.

The project in Strabane, funded by the Department for Communities, will be available to any family with children up to five years old.

It will also support people with nappies, baby and family toiletries for a nominal fee, but that can be waived in certain circumstances.

Karen Brown, a health visitor with the Western Trust, said the HiVe Baby Hub and free clothing exchange aims to support families in “one of the most socio-economically deprived areas in the entire UK”.

A building. The sign says Grass Roots Community Learning Hub. There's a board outside with an image of a bee.

The scheme will operate from the Grass Roots centre on John Wesley Street in Strabane

The project, which involves the Western Trust, the GP Federation and a local community project, will operate from the Grass Roots Centre on John Wesley Street.

Families can be referred to the service through their health visitor, family nurse and social workers or even call into the centre themselves.

The project also aims to reduce the environmental impact of clothing waste through recycling.

What does the Strabane baby clothes scheme offer?

Baby and children's clothes are folded on tables and hang on racks. Two women are standing next to nappies.

Families can be referred to the service through their health visitor, family nurse and social workers or even call into the centre themselves

Ms Brown, who came up with the idea, said she sees first-hand the needs of parents locally.

“The cost-of-living crisis has hit an awful lot of families hard, so this is a great initiative where we can help.

“Families who have that wee bit extra can also donate if they like.”

To support struggling families, the project already operates a wellness café and a social supermarket where people can purchase groceries at a discounted price if they are part of the membership scheme.

It also offers help with a range of services from money management to learning how to cook and grow your own vegetables.

Ms Brown said that as well as offering a free clothing exchange, it’s also a hygiene hub, which can “help with baby toiletries, nappies and anything really that a parent is going to need to look after their child”.

A children in needs blanket and a Bluey blanket are folded on a shelf.

The HiVe Baby Hub and free clothing exchange will be available to any family with children aged 0-5 years old

Ursula Doherty, from the Strabane Community Project, said people are struggling to meet the cost of baby hygiene products and clothes, and the exchange was a great initiative because it focuses on re-using and recycling.

“We do live in a very throw-away society, so it’s a great project in order to take it from landfill,” she said.

She added that people are going through real hardship.

“More and more families are finding it hard to make ends meet – food, fuel and even baby items.

“That’s right across the board. That’s people who are working and people who are on benefits. Everybody.

“In an ironic way it has equalised us all because everybody is suffering, so it’s always about looking at new initiatives.”

Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris is wearing her gold chain of office. She's standing in a room with baby and children's clothes folded on shelves.

“It’s amazing to see the good work they’re doing here” – Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris

Derry and Strabane Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris said it was an amazing initiative.

“They have things like the clothes exchange, which is taking things out of landfill and putting them back into the community for re-use.

“In the Baby Hub, young families can avail of nappies and hygiene products.

“Everything you need to take care of your child. And also hygiene products for the mammy as well, so I think that’s really important.

“It’s amazing to see the good work that they’re doing here.”



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Gold, Silver Prices Jump Sharply This Week; Yellow Metal Surges By Rs 4,000

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Gold, Silver Prices Jump Sharply This Week; Yellow Metal Surges By Rs 4,000


New Delhi: Gold and silver prices witnessed a sharp surge in the domestic market this week, tracking strong gains in global bullion markets. Gold prices rose by around Rs 4,000 per 10 grams, while silver prices jumped by nearly Rs 17,000 per kilogram. According to data from the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), the price of 24-karat gold increased by Rs 4,188 to Rs 1,32,710 per 10 grams, compared to Rs 1,28,592 a week ago.

The price of 22-karat gold climbed to Rs 1,21,562 per 10 grams from Rs 1,17,777, while 18-karat gold rose to Rs 99,533 per 10 grams from Rs 96,444. Silver prices outperformed gold, registering a sharper weekly rise. The price of silver surged by Rs 16,970 to Rs 1,95,180 per kilogram, up from Rs 1,78,210 per kilogram a week earlier.

Earlier on Friday, Silver touched the Rs 2 lakh mark to hit an all-time high of Rs 2,013,88 per kilogram on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) during the intraday trade. The price of the future contract expiring on March 5, 2026, rose over Rs 2,400 during the day before settling at Rs 2,00462, up Rs 1,520 against the previous session’s closing of Rs 1,98,942.

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“Gold and silver ETFs have been quiet heroes of the year, delivering standout returns even as equity markets saw bouts of volatility. Silver, especially, stole the spotlight — a rare combination of booming industrial demand from solar, EVs and electronics, alongside tightening global supply, pushed prices sharply higher,” said Nikunj Saraf, CEO, Choice Wealth.

Gold too held its ground and climbed steadily, supported by persistent central-bank buying and investors seeking safety amid geopolitical and inflation worries, he added. The gold future contract expiring on February 5 surged 1.87 per cent to close at Rs 1,34,948 per 10 grams on MCX on Friday. In the retail market, the 24-carat gold price settled at Rs 132,710 per 10 grams, up over Rs 4,600 from the previous day’s closing of Rs 1,28,596 per 10 grams, according to the IBJA.

The rally in domestic bullion prices is largely driven by continued strength in international markets, with both precious metals hovering close to their all-time highs. On the COMEX, gold was trading at $4,328 per ounce, while silver stood at $62 per ounce.



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Nifty 50, Nifty Midcap 150 Emerge As Top Indices In November: Report

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Nifty 50, Nifty Midcap 150 Emerge As Top Indices In November: Report


New Delhi: Nifty 50 and Nifty Midcap 150 emerged as best-performing indices in November, with a growth of 1.87 per cent and 1.59 per cent, respectively, a report said on Saturday. Meanwhile, Nifty 50 outperformed with a return of 7.27 per cent, 5.87 per cent, and 8.59 per cent over the last 3 months, 6 months, and 1-year period, respectively.

At the same time, the Nifty Midcap 150 continued to show steady traction with gains of 7.93 per cent, 6.01 per cent, and 7.12 per cent across the same 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year periods, Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund said in its report.

The broader market also delivered healthy gains, with the Nifty 500 gaining 0.94 per cent in the previous month, with large and midcap stocks up about 1-2 per cent and smallcaps corrected by around 1-3 per cent. Over the last 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, the index has consecutively given positive returns of 6.55 per cent, 4.96 per cent and 5.94 per cent, the report noted.

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The Nifty Smallcap 250 Index showed mixed momentum, declining 3.36 per cent during the month, while recording a moderate 1.37 per cent gain over the past 3 months. However, returns remained subdued over longer periods, with the index slipping 0.60 per cent over 6 months and 5.55 per cent over the 1-year horizon.

The Nifty Microcap 250 Index also reflected volatility, registering a 2.83 per cent decline in November. According to the report, the Nifty Next 50 Index ended the month with a marginal decline of 0.98 per cent but maintained positive momentum over the medium term with gains of 5.16 over 3 months and 3.56 per cent over 6 months, while delivering −2.25 per cent over the 1 year.

Sector performance remained mixed with IT delivering an increase of 4.74 per cent, Auto 3.60 per cent, Banks 3.42 per cent and Healthcare 2.30 per cent in November. The Defence sector delivered the strongest annual performance with an impressive 19.43 per cent return, emerging as the best-performing segment over the year.

The Auto sector followed closely at 18.85 per cent, the Banking sector also posted a healthy 14.79 per cent gain, and Metals also recorded a strong 13.94 per cent. Healthcare generated 6.40 per cent, indicating steady but moderate expansion.

Realty, on the other hand, slipped further by 4.69 per cent in November and 11.47 per cent in the past year. The broader trend shows a 1–4 per cent decline across these segments during November, reflecting sector-specific pressures and profit-taking after earlier rallies, the report highlighted.



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Maruti Suzuki To Launch 4 New Cars In 2026, Including 2 EVs And Brezza Facelift; Check Details

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Maruti Suzuki To Launch 4 New Cars In 2026, Including 2 EVs And Brezza Facelift; Check Details


Maruti Suzuki is preparing to expand its product lineup in India in 2026 with the launch of four new models. After introducing only one new car in 2025—the Victoris—the automobile company plans to add two electric vehicles, a flex-fuel model, and a refreshed version of the Brezza compact SUV next year.

In 2026, Maruti Suzuki will strengthen its portfolio by entering new segments and updating existing models. The planned launches include the e Vitara electric SUV, a flex-fuel version of the Fronx, an all-electric MPV codenamed YMC, and a facelifted Brezza.

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

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The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara is expected to be launched in January 2026. The e Vitara is expected to be offered with two battery options—49kWh and 61kWh—both paired with a front-mounted electric motor. Maruti Suzuki has claimed a driving range of up to 543 km. The electric SUV has also received a 5-star safety rating under the Bharat NCAP crash test programme.

This electric midsize SUV will compete with models such as the Mahindra BE 6, Hyundai Creta Electric, MG ZS EV, VinFast VF6, and Tata Curvv EV.

Fronx Flex Fuel 

Maruti Suzuki will introduce its first flex-fuel engine in the second half of 2026. This engine will debut in the Fronx compact SUV. The flex-fuel powertrain is expected to support ethanol-petrol blends of up to E85, which consists of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol.

(Also Read: Planning To Buy New Kia Seltos? Check Missing Features Offered By Rivals Before Bringing It Home)

Apart from the new engine, the Fronx Flex Fuel is expected to remain unchanged in terms of design and features when compared to the current petrol version.

Electric MPV Codenamed ‘YMC’

The company’s second electric vehicle for 2026 will be an all-electric MPV, codenamed YMC. It is scheduled to be launched towards the end of the year. The YMC will be based on the same platform as the e Vitara but will feature an MPV body style.

The YMC is likely to use the same 49kWh and 61kWh battery packs as the e Vitara, with an expected range of around 500–550 km.

Brezza Facelift

Maruti Suzuki is also preparing a facelift for the Brezza compact SUV, which is expected to arrive around mid-2026. Spy images suggest minor design updates, along with possible interior changes and additional features. The Brezza facelift is expected to come with the 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 103hp, along with manual, automatic, and CNG options.



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