Leeds mum sets up Crisp Packet Project Leeds to make blankets for the homeless

Emma Robinson, of Belle Isle, was inspired after hearing of the Crisp Packet Project in Hastings, East Sussex.

The mum of four collects, washes and irons together crisps packets in her kitchen before distributing them with the group Hidden Homeless.

Emma, 38, said: "I saw it and thought it was a great idea.

"You don't see the homeless as much in the day, especially not during this time we are in, but there are more people out there than you think.

"People are losing their jobs and homes and people are still being evicted, and they have nowhere else to go."

It takes 44 packets to make one of the smaller blankets, with plastic sheeting around to make them waterproof.

Emma, who has made more than 30 blankets with help from another volunteer from north Leeds, said she had been sent "parcel after parcel" of crisp packets since setting up the Facebook page CPP Leeds.

She also creates larger bivvy bags and has even created a blanket for dogs on the streets, a design she calls "pal and pooch".

Emma added: "The weather is horrendous at the moment. I couldn't last fives minutes, let alone four plus hours.

"I can't keep up with the demand, but it shouldn't really be needed in this day and age.

"There are lots of places out there where you could put people, but they just don't."

Emma is used to voluntary work, having helped out at food banks before, and her husband Jason manages Cafe Oasis at the Bridge Community Church in Burmantofts.

She added: "They may not be getting the food from the packaging, but it is another source of help they need.

"It has three purposes really - packaging for the food, then giving somebody that bit of warmth and comfort, and it's also stopping the stuff going to landfill."

Emma, who is originally from Doncaster but moved to Leeds in 2007, has been helping dish out her creations during outreach sessions held by Hidden Homeless.

"The homeless have been really appreciative," she added. "It's not just the blanket - they are interested in who's made it and how it's done, and it's an opportunity to just enjoy a chat."

Crisp Packet Project Leeds will keep running through summer to build up stockpiles for next winter and to donate to any neighbouring areas if needed.

Until then Emma is looking to see whether she could find some storage space outside of her home to scale up the work.

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