Latest news with #GaryMeek
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow homelessness charity marks 50 year anniversary
Blue Triangle, founded in Glasgow and now operating across Scotland, was originally established as a refuge for young women experiencing homelessness in 1975. It has since grown into a national housing and social care provider, running 29 services across 10 local authority areas. The charity currently supports more than 400 people each day, including young people, families, asylum seekers, and individuals in recovery. Blue Triangle CEO Gary Meek with Bailee Eva Murray and BT Chairman Jonathan McNaughton (Image: Alasdair Watson Photography.) Read more: Scots are being offered physical 'rain cheques' to help keep their spirits up Gary Meek, chief executive of Blue Triangle, said: "We started with one service here in Glasgow and we've expanded because the need has grown. "But our focus has always been the same—helping people who are struggling to get the support and stability they need to move forward." Of those supported in 2023–24, 41 per cent were under the age of 25, 35 per cent had previously slept rough, 30 per cent had faced eviction in their last tenancy, and 15 per cent were fleeing violence. The charity marked its 50th anniversary on June 5 with a civic reception at Glasgow City Chambers. Gary said: "This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our compassionate team who go above and beyond every day to support people through some of the most difficult times in their lives. "We're proud of our history but more importantly, we're focused on the future and how we keep stepping up to meet the needs of communities across Scotland." Originally founded at Somerset Place in Glasgow, the service remains open today as supported accommodation for young people aged 16 to 26. Many of those supported have grown up in care or faced significant adversity. Blue Triangle offers a range of services beyond housing built on a trauma-informed approach, including outreach, recovery housing, and floating support. The charity was recently named a finalist in both the Charity of the Year and People's Choice categories at the SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2025. Blue Triangle held a civic reception at Glasgow City Chambers to mark the occasion (Image: Alasdair Watson Photography.) Read more: Glasgow workshop aims to inspire potential community organisers Blue Triangle is responding to the ongoing housing crisis with a £5 million investment from Social and Sustainable Capital's SASH II fund to purchase additional properties and expand its services. Gary said: "Homelessness isn't just about housing, it's about people. "If we want to tackle this crisis, we need more than bricks and mortar. "We need services that recognise the complexity of people's lives, and we need to keep listening to those who've been through it. "That's the only way we build lasting change."
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
50 years of Glasgow charity's 'vital work' celebrated
The charity's first site, Somerset Place, served as a refuge for young women facing homelessness - one of the first of its kind. Today, the charity reaches across the nation, operating 29 services across ten local authorities, which include sheltered accommodation for young people, addiction recovery centres, and a range of social housing. With a rising housing crisis and more than 6,000 people waiting for homes in Glasgow, charity bosses say the need is greater than ever. Blue Triangle CEO Gary Meek (L) with Bailie Eva Murray and BT Chairman Jonathon McNaughton (Image: Alasdair Watson) Blue Triangle CEO Gary Meek said: 'We started with one service here in Glasgow and we've expanded because the need has grown. But our focus has always been the same - helping people who are struggling to get the support and stability they need to move forward. 'This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our compassionate team who go above and beyond every day to support people through some of the most difficult times in their lives. 'We're proud of our history but more importantly, we're focused on the future and how we keep stepping up to meet the needs of communities across Scotland.' Read more: "Urgent and targeted": charities call for council action on homelessness 'Can't cope': Two thirds of homeless children in housing emergency digs are refugees 'Boils the blood': 30,000 demand women-only Scots homeless refuge as deaths rise Currently, the charity helps more than 400 people every day through outreach and services, and plans to use a £5m investment from the Scottish Government to purchase more properties and expand their work. Meek added: 'Homelessness isn't just about housing, it's about people. If we want to tackle this crisis, we need more than bricks and mortar. We need services that recognise the complexity of people's lives, and we need to keep listening to those who've been through it. That's the only way we build lasting change.'
