HILLHOUSE

The Kilmarnock-based Charity with a Big Heart

Linda Brown

I arrive at Hillhouse distribution centre for a visit on a grim, grey morning, but the welcome inside is anything but. Hillhouse’s Operations Manager, Mairi McGill and Project Co-ordinator, Eileen McCluskey greet me with cheery smiles and within minutes I’m settled in Mairi’s warm office, coffee in hand. I’m here to learn about the Kilmarnock charity’s long-standing and vital work, supporting disadvantaged families across Ayrshire.

“Hillhouse began in 1975,” Mairi tells me. “It started with my gran, Mamie McKee, and Eileen’s mum, Helen McCluskey, running a telephone helpline for pregnant girls struggling with family issues. Eileen’s mum even took girls into her home, caring for young women whose family relationships had broken down because of their pregnancies.”

Goodness… Helen had a big heart.

During the 1980s, Hillhouse acquired its current premises on Kilmarnock’s Hill Street, operating it as a residential home for expectant mothers. By 2000, however, the women arriving at Hillhouse were facing increasingly complex challenges including mental health and addiction issues, while local authorities were offering improved social care provision. The residential facility was no longer appropriate. The home closed and Hillhouse adapted, repurposing the building as its distribution centre, where donations of both pre-loved baby equipment and children’s clothing, are collected and sorted by hardworking volunteers then passed to vulnerable families in need.

I enquire how people access Hillhouse’s support.

“Families are referred to us by social work, Barnardo’s, Women’s Aid, health visitors and schools,” Eileen explains. “Although we do get people who self-refer.”

When I ask if they’ve seen improvements to people’s day-to-day living situations during their time at Hillhouse – Eileen has worked here for 21 years, Mairi for 11 – Mairi doesn’t hesitate: “Oh no, things are much worse. There’s a lot of poverty in Ayrshire. Currently we have over 10,000 children on our database.”

It’s a sobering thought.

Mairi and Eileen give me a quick tour of the building. One room stores baby essentials including cots, prams and Moses baskets. Other rooms are lined with drawer units and rails storing donated children’s clothing. Jackets, T-shirts, jumpers, trousers, snowsuits, dresses are graded by age and hang in neat rows waiting to be passed on. As we chat, Linda, a volunteer who drives Hillhouse’s electric van, drops off a cot she’s collected from a donor.

“Our van allows us to pick up larger donations of baby equipment as well as make deliveries,” Eileen says. “But we’ve had it for a number of years and we’re presently looking for funding to replace it.”

Hillhouse also hopes to secure funding to build a rear extension, as the centre badly needs more storage space.

“We should have a warehouse rather than storing everything in rooms,” Mairi says. “We struggle for space, especially at Christmas.”

Hillhouse’s annual Christmas project is a massive operation. Last year, the charity supplied gifts to 1,644 children from all across Ayrshire.

“We gave new pyjamas and an age-appropriate toy to each child referred to us by their school or health visitor. That was over 3,200 parcels,” Mairi adds.

Imagine all the rolls of wrapping paper required! No wonder it’s all hands on Sellotape and scissors throughout November and December when volunteers from East Ayrshire Vibrant Communities and local businesses help wrap the presents.

All this fantastic work means Hillhouse must fundraise to keep its services running.

“We have three fundraisers planned for 2026,” Eileen says. “A Race Night in May, a Ladies Day on 5th September, with an afternoon tea and fashion show, and then our Christmas Fair in November.”

Mairi explains that companies often choose Hillhouse as their ‘Charity of the Year’, while individuals take part in marathons or Kilt Walks, donating sponsorship money raised through Hillhouse’s Just Giving Page. Local convenience stores and pubs display charity buckets on their counters.

“We get a lot of support from our local community. Tesco and Morrisons are good to us. Our neighbour Alan White Design contributes every year. But naturally, new supporters are always appreciated.”

Hillhouse’s two charity shops on Kilmarnock’s King Street – one sells womenswear, childrenswear, accessories etc, the other is a second-hand furniture shop – also help fund the projects. But the shops offer more than income – they give opportunities to unemployed people. Mairi works closely with the Job Centre and other employment agencies to encourage long-term unemployed people to volunteer. Many gain valuable and transferable skills working in the shop, and around ten people have moved on to paid jobs in security, retail and care work. Through a new connection with East Ayrshire Leisure, asylum seekers learning English can volunteer in the shops too, where they benefit from everyday language practice which they can then take back to their families and communities. Hillhouse isn’t just helping children – it’s assisting adults to rebuild confidence and learn new skills.

My time at Hillhouse comes to an end, but just before I leave, Mairi and Eileen show me two Mother and Baby Boxes awaiting collection. Hillhouse continues to work with pregnant women, providing them with essentials to take into hospital.

“There’s a nightie, slippers, toiletry bag for the mums and also first-size nappies, wipes, vests, babygros and…” Eileen points to two tiny, folded cardigans. “We have knitters who knit for us.”

The boxes are clearly packed with love and beautifully presented, tied up with blue ribbon.

As I stride off down Hill Street in the pouring rain, I feel uplifted by the kindness, determination, hope and community spirit I’ve heard about – and witnessed – today. I find myself wondering if I should dust off my old knitting needles, or perhaps volunteer for a day’s Christmas wrapping this December.

Hillhouse may be a small charity based in a modest building in Killie, but its impact is felt all across Ayrshire, powered by dedicated volunteers and generous donors, shop customers, fundraisers and good local folk who refuse to let families in need struggle.

Long may Hillhouse’s big heart beat on.

Please check out Hillhouse’s social media accounts and website to keep updated.

Facebook – Hillhouseayrshire
Instagram – Hillhouse_scio
Website – www.hillhousehelps.co.uk