Latest news with #MarieTrust
Glasgow Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow's homeless face ‘going hungry' after cash blow to charity
City centre-based The Marie Trust will no longer be able to offer crisis intervention housing support or hot meals from their café in Albion Street from July 25. The devastating blow comes after the organisation, which supports those dealing with financial hardship and struggling to keep a roof over their heads, missed out on a crucial tender to keep some of its much-needed services afloat. One source told the Glasgow Times: 'This is heartbreaking for those coping with homelessness, so many people rely on being able to come into the café daily as it's often the only cooked meal they get. 'Everyone is gutted by the news around the contract, it means around 200 homeless people a day will miss out on getting breakfast, lunch or dinner. It will hit the most vulnerable incredibly hard and there's genuine concern about the impact this will have and how people will survive without this service.' Our source added: 'The charity does fantastic work and even has a training kitchen to teach people the importance of eating a healthy nutritious meal, but now the funding is no longer in place, it's unable to operate. 'Staff and the people who come through the doors are in bits. This is a huge blow that nobody expected. Where will people turn to for help, especially with the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city rising year after year?' (Image: NQ) The Marie Trust also provides dental health checks, laundry services and seven-day emergency food parcels to those experiencing financial hardship. It is unclear if these will be impacted by the changes. A statement from the charity reads: 'We regret to inform you that we will no longer be offering our housing and welfare service or our training kitchen and café service after July 25. 'This change is due to the Wayfinder Outreach Services Contract, commissioned by Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, which will commence on August 7. Unfortunately, we have been informed that the Marie Trust was unsuccessful in tendering for this. 'The trust will however continue to deliver our Hospital Outreach Service, counselling and psychotherapy and education service. We would like to thank all our service users, supporters and partners for all their support and trust over the years.' READ NEXT: Theft from Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital sparks probe It continues: 'We understand that this may impact those currently using our services, and we are committed to supporting individuals through this transition as best we can.' A Glasgow man spoke to us about how he was able to transform his life after turning to the Marie Trust when he hit rock bottom. He said: 'I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the support, care and compassion shown to me. The charity basically brought me back from the brink and helped me to get back on my feet. 'It means so much to so many people. The work they do is invaluable and knowing that people will miss out on a hot meal because of these changes is soul destroying. So many vulnerable people could potentially slip through the net, and that is a major worry.'
Glasgow Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow homeless charity wins prestigious UK health award
The Marie Trust was one of 10 winners of the 2025 GSK Impact Awards, which recognise outstanding small and medium-sized charities working to improve people's health and wellbeing in the UK. The Glasgow charity was praised for its "holistic approach" to tackling poverty, trauma, and the challenges homeless people face when trying to access help. Read more: Meet the amazing primary school pupil making children feel less lonely 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. Read more: 'There is so much more to the sport': Scottish boxing champ hails new pilot scheme 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."
