Glasgow homeless charity wins prestigious UK health award
The Glasgow charity was praised for its "holistic approach" to tackling poverty, trauma, and the challenges homeless people face when trying to access help.
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The judges were particularly impressed by the charity's counselling and psychotherapy service, which aids people with acute challenges, including active addictions.
The service, which does not require formal referral, is also offered at HMP Barlinnie and the city council's women's homeless assessment service.
As a winner, The Marie Trust will receive £40,000 in unrestricted funding and a place on a leadership development programme provided by The King's Fund.
Frances McKinlay, chief executive of The Marie Trust, said: "We are delighted The Marie Trust has been acknowledged by this prestige award.
"As a frontline homeless charity, our work is fast-paced and responsive for the people we support who are living with multiple challenges every day.
"I am extremely proud of our teams who work tirelessly to support people through this.
"This achievement has come at a time when the third sector is facing unprecedented funding challenges and now more than ever we need to be ambitious for the people we support in making services accessible and relevant in tackling poverty and health inequalities."
The Marie Trust started in 2009 as a crisis intervention and education service.
It now operates as a walk-in centre where people are able to access immediate support.
In the year ending March 2024, the charity's crisis intervention service saw more than 1,000 people and provided more than 7,500 hours of one-to-one support.
It also runs a healthy living café, a digital literacy project, an education service, and a volunteering programme.
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Lisa Weaks, senior associate at The King's Fund, said: "The Marie Trust provides a range of essential support services to homeless people, who are often in crisis, have complex needs or are otherwise without access to health care services.
"As well as helping people be safe and fed, they also reduce pressures on local NHS hospitals.
"Their innovations, partnerships and holistic approach are impressive."
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