Wool drive aims to bring wintercomfort for those in need
Social support institute Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lagos, in collaboration with NPISA (Lagos Homeless Intervention Centre), is promoting a campaign to collect wool which will be transformed into hats and scarves by the elderly living in old people’s homes in the municipality. These items will then be donated to homeless people in the area.
As part of the 2025-2026 Action Plan of NPISA, which stands for Núcleo de Planeamento e Intervenção Sem-Abrigo de Lagos, the solidarity initiative, titled “Lãs Solidárias”, aims to use the skills of the elderly population to bring some comfort to those in need.
This initiative also aims to raise awareness in the local community about homelessness, promoting active and intergenerational involvement in favour of a more caring society.
Announcing the initiative, Lagos Council said: “The life experience and wisdom of the elderly are revealed in this selfless act, providing not only warmth to those in need, but also emotional comfort to the volunteers.
“In addition to its social impact, the initiative also contributes to the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the participants, promoting fine motor skills, cognitive stimulation, and combating social isolation.”
According to local data, by December 2024, 116 homeless people had been identified in the municipality of Lagos.
The “Lãs Solidárias” campaign calls on the local community to participate by donating wool (in various colours), which can be delivered to the homes of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lagos, Odiáxere, Bensafrim, Barão de São João, and Espiche.
