Instant Neighbour is a charity established in 1984 that provides support to vulnerable people in Aberdeen, Scotland. It operates food banks and shops that provide affordable furniture and household items to those with low incomes. The number of people needing assistance from Instant Neighbour's food banks has doubled in recent years. The charity aims to offer immediate, responsive help to people in poverty through services like food aid, clothing, and assistance obtaining essential items. It also focuses on community engagement and providing hope for the future through volunteering opportunities.

1. Instant Neighbour
REAL HELP TODAY,
HOPE FOR TOMORROW

2. Aberdeen has one of the
biggest wealth gaps in the UK.

3. The relative wealth of many
people living in the area marks
a stark contrast for those living
on benefit or a low income and
have difficulty affording the
basic needs of daily living.

4. 1 in 10 people in the City of
Aberdeen live in poverty.

5. The number of food parcels
given out by Instant Neighbour
has doubled in recent years.

6. Established in 1984,
Instant Neighbour provides support to some of the poorest and most
vulnerable people and communities in the City of Aberdeen &
Aberdeenshire.

7. “We realised that many people in modern society no longer had the
same kind of immediate relationship with a neighbour. And so we
realised that people maybe needed an outside neighbour and
somebody who’d come quickly. So an ‘instant’ neighbour.”
Mike Mair
Founder

8. Instant Neighbour provides responsive help to those most in need, be it food,
clothing or practical help in providing furniture, carpets, and cooking equipment.

9. The Food bank
3,877 food parcels provided to 1,237 clients
thanks to the donation of 23 tonnes of food
2015!

14. The Shops
Instant Neighbour has recycled and
redistributed furniture and household
items to those on low incomes for
over 25 years and approximately
10,000 people per annum benefit.
Union Square
9 East Terrace
Aberdeen
AB11 5RB
Tel: 01224
954376
1-3 Great Western Road
Aberdeen
AB10 6PZ
Tel: 01224 586457
- Home Comforts
- HomeComfortsAbn

16. Carpetinc
Donations of good quality carpets are cleaned, cut, sold, and fitted in
clients’ homes at an affordable price for low income clients.

18. Giving Tree
Christmas gifts are distributed each year
to children of low income families thanks
to donations made by members of the
public, with approximately 6,000 gifts
distributed annually.

21. “The Giving Tree makes a help
because the people are friendly. They
are there for you when your are in a
situation. I don’t think they judge
you. So it’s a good thing. It can be
difficult to ask for help. Because
people can judge you.”
Beneficiary of the Giving Tree

22. “I stayed on as a volunteer because they treated
you like a big family. They really did. You can
approach them about anything. If you’ve got a
problem, they’ll try their hardest to sort it out.”
Volunteer

23. “If you’ve got any difficulties there’s
always someone around to speak to you.
You can really trust people. If you’re a
little upset and need somebody to chat
to, they’re just there for you. And you’re
there for them as well. That’s the best
thing about it. Its very family oriented.”
Former Volunteer

24. “They were willing to help and came
then to drop off all the stuff, it was just
perfect. They got me out of the
situation I was in. It’s great. It’s a good
charity.”
Previously homeless client

25. “The food bank was a lifesaver. They just
help you get back on your feet a bit. In
some situations I had nothing. If it hadn’t
been for them I wouldn’t have had
supper or a heater or hot water so it was
a lifesaver.”
Beneficiary

26. Instant Neighbour has been very successful in assisting people out of poverty
through other activities such as volunteering and work experience. We have
strong connections with some of the poorest communities in Aberdeen from
which a large proportion of dedicated volunteers take the lead on providing
different types of assistance.
REAL HELP TODAY,
HOPE FOR TOMORROW