Scottish Labour's Pam Duncan-Glancy has asked the Scottish Government to intervene to support Patrick Thistle Community Trust as rising costs and the removal of council funding threaten its programmes.
The Glasgow regional MSP put the question to the First Minister during Thursday's First Minister's Questions session and also raised it with Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government during this week’s session of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee.
The Accepting Activity programme which is run by the trust provides support for homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers and people with ill mental health. The project provides a space for people to come together, play football and get a hot meal every Monday and Thursday evening, and is based at Petershill Park which the Trust acquired in 2020.
Commenting, Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP said:
"I was proud to host participants of Partick Thistle Community Trust's 'Accepting Activity' programme in parliament this week, and have also had the privilege of visiting them at Petershill Park - the impact of this project on the people who take part in it cannot be understated.
"I have seen first-hand how it has changed lives and provided support when it’s participants didn’t know where else to turn. Those involved have told me it feels like a family.
"It's disheartening that the council have chosen not to renew funding for the project, which coupled with rising costs is threatening its continuation, and that of other valuable projects run by the trust.
"Organisations like this are under more pressure than ever before and they are trying their hardest to maintain their services in the face of increasing financial challenges.
“We cannot allow lifeline support to be put at risk, which is why I am urging the Scottish Government to do whatever it can to ensure that these programmes can continue.”
ENDS
Notes:
Attached: Photo of Pam Duncan Glancy MSP, Participants of the Accepting Activity Programme and Jags for Good
FMQs transcript
Partick Thistle Charitable Trust (Programme Funding)
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Yesterday in Parliament, I met a group of people from Partick Thistle Charitable Trust’s “Accepting activity” programme. Every day, the programme supports homeless people, refugees, asylum seekers and people who are living with mental ill health. The group told me that the project has been a lifeline and, quoting their late friend, they said that it is often the reason why they believe in the goodness of others. They also told me that the trust is facing unprecedented energy costs and they worry that it will no longer be able to provide its current support without more help. Is there anything that the First Minister can do, and will she work with me to help them?
The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon)
I understand that the issue was raised with the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison, at committee today and that she has undertaken to look into the issue and to write to Pam Duncan-Glancy. I suggest that that is the appropriate way to proceed for now.
Scottish Labour's Pam Duncan-Glancy has asked the Scottish Government to intervene to support Patrick Thistle Community Trust as rising costs and the removal of council funding threaten its programmes.
The Glasgow regional MSP put the question to the First Minister during Thursday's First Minister's Questions session and also raised it with Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government during this week’s session of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee.
The Accepting Activity programme which is run by the trust provides support for homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers and people with ill mental health. The project provides a space for people to come together, play football and get a hot meal every Monday and Thursday evening, and is based at Petershill Park which the Trust acquired in 2020.
Commenting, Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP said:
"I was proud to host participants of Partick Thistle Community Trust's 'Accepting Activity' programme in parliament this week, and have also had the privilege of visiting them at Petershill Park - the impact of this project on the people who take part in it cannot be understated.
"I have seen first-hand how it has changed lives and provided support when it’s participants didn’t know where else to turn. Those involved have told me it feels like a family.
"It's disheartening that the council have chosen not to renew funding for the project, which coupled with rising costs is threatening its continuation, and that of other valuable projects run by the trust.
"Organisations like this are under more pressure than ever before and they are trying their hardest to maintain their services in the face of increasing financial challenges.
“We cannot allow lifeline support to be put at risk, which is why I am urging the Scottish Government to do whatever it can to ensure that these programmes can continue.”
ENDS
Notes:
Attached: Photo of Pam Duncan Glancy MSP, Participants of the Accepting Activity Programme and Jags for Good
FMQs transcript
Partick Thistle Charitable Trust (Programme Funding)
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Yesterday in Parliament, I met a group of people from Partick Thistle Charitable Trust’s “Accepting activity” programme. Every day, the programme supports homeless people, refugees, asylum seekers and people who are living with mental ill health. The group told me that the project has been a lifeline and, quoting their late friend, they said that it is often the reason why they believe in the goodness of others. They also told me that the trust is facing unprecedented energy costs and they worry that it will no longer be able to provide its current support without more help. Is there anything that the First Minister can do, and will she work with me to help them?
The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon)
I understand that the issue was raised with the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison, at committee today and that she has undertaken to look into the issue and to write to Pam Duncan-Glancy. I suggest that that is the appropriate way to proceed for now.