Impact of food bank use
Dear Editor,
It is so sad to read each week about the increasing use of food banks and the requests to keep their shelves stocked.
What are we doing wrong that a mum can’t even feed her kids and has to take them with her and ask total strangers for food?
I can’t imagine what that does to your self worth as a mum and as a human being – but there the slippery slope begins; anxiety over it all, depression and worry. No wonder our mental health is getting worse. Now I feel more angry than sad. I am helping out a friend who lost their job and needs to claim Universal Credit.
What an onerous, difficult system that is and they were told to go to money matters for advice (get that sorted South Lanarkshire Council) to be told first appointment is six weeks!
Sorry, you will need to starve until your appointment. That is the best our council are doing for the most vulnerable among us. Disgusted. I am going to fight for my friend. They deserve a fair hearing at least. P P Dyer, via email
Community’ s support
Dear Editor,
We at Kiwi pre-school Playgroup have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from the community since the sad news of our closure in August.
A big thank you to all those who have contacted us and Dr Lisa Cameron MP for her continued support and advice as we attempt to find out from the politicians why the closure was allowed to happen, especially since the Scottish Government and South Lanarkshire Council have continually pledged to work with the voluntary sector on the 1140 hours project.
Dr Cameron kindly organised for an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons to mark the group’s work.
In a bid to wind up the charity and raise money to pay off our debts and provide redundancy for our loyal staff, we have organised an equipment sale at the nursery in St Kenneth’s Primary School, West Mains Road, on Tuesday, October 23 from 10am until 2pm and from 3.30pm until 5pm.
The sale is open to anyone interested in buying equipment suitable for preschool children and a full inventory is available from myself by emailing travel2pud@hotmail.com or ringing 07977 611947.
We also thank ScotRail who marked the contribution Kiwi made as their youngest station adopters by arranging for a plaque commemorating the recent 150th anniversary of the electrification of the Busby to East Kilbride line.
This was unveiled by former play leaders Arlette Robinson and Doris Donnelly together with deputy provost Collette Stevenson at the station, as a permanent reminder of the nursery.
Arlette and Doris were also guests at the ACORP national rail awards hosted by ScotRail after Kiwi was nominated for its contribution to working with young people in the community. Rebecca Hay, Chairman, Kiwi pre-school Playgroup, East Kilbride
Admiring group’ s effort
Dear Editor,
The task facing the Calderglen Heritage Group is daunting but one to be greatly admired (Heritage group want to restore local beauty spot, October 10).
Chris Ladds has already spoken to East Kilbride History Society and we will be in touch with them again to see what can be done to help.
Joe Allan, East Kilbride History Society