Glasgow Times

£100k funding for vital Govan groups

- BY HEATHER CARRICK

We tried to strike a balance

GOVAN groups have been given a huge £100,000 boost to help fund services during the coronaviru­s crisis.

The Govan Covid-19 Temporary Emergency Funding Group, made up of Linthouse, Govan and Elderpark housing associatio­ns and Govan Thriving Places, has been given the grant from the Scottish Government to continue vital service during lockdown.

The funding will help to deliver services such as providing hot meals for the community, support for young people and families with financial difficulty and online classes.

Fiona McTaggart, chief executive of Govan Housing Associatio­n, said: “In determinin­g where this money should go we have tried to strike a balance between what is needed now by local people in terms of dayto-day living and how we can help mitigate the lasting effects of the coronaviru­s emergency which has huge implicatio­ns for people’s employment.”

Irene Campbell, chief executive of Linthouse Housing Associatio­n, added: “It is vitally important to get this money to the organisati­ons on the ground who are doing such an incredible job.

“We applaud their efforts and know full well how committed they are to our fantastic communitie­s.”

Benefiting from the huge grant will be groups including Unlock Employment, an organisati­on set to receive £5000 in funding.

Gerry Keogh, founder of Unlock Employment, said: “The coronaviru­s pandemic has far-reaching implicatio­ns for communitie­s like Govan – not just currently but in the longer term.

“Jobs remain at risk and this, of course, has the potential to affect people’s livelihood­s. We are here to help the community overcome the challenges of the health emergency.

“At Unlock Employment, we know that looking for or getting back into work can be a difficult and confusing process, so we have a dedicated team of advisers who are there to provide help, advice and support.

“We can help people find a job, provide employment training, find learning and developmen­t courses and offer career advice.”

 ??  ?? Gerry Keogh and Samantha McDonald from Unlock Employment
Gerry Keogh and Samantha McDonald from Unlock Employment

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