MSP and group team up to tackle loneliness
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A Rutherglen community group was praised at the Scottish Parliament for their work to address loneliness and isolation.
During a debate at Holyrood on January 18, Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey referenced the tremendous work of Grow 73.
Ms Haughey hailed volunteer Gordon MacLean, who runs various programmes, as she called on constituents to contribute to the Scottish Government’s new consultation, which will look at what causes social isolation and loneliness and how it can be addressed.
Gordon MacLean wants to encourage as many people across Rutherglen and Cambuslang to take part in the consultation.
He said: “Dealing with loneliness and isolation can be incredibly difficult – but by reaching out to our neighbours or anyone we think may be at risk of becoming isolated or lonely can have a hugely positive impact.
“Young or old - loneliness doesn’t discriminate and it is linked to both poor physical and mental health, and can have wideranging consequences on so many aspects of our lives.
“At Grow 73, we have a weekly get-together on a Monday in Overtoun Park and all are welcome to join. We have a great turnout every week from the community, and we usually have a real mix of people – from school pupils up to retirees.”
The consultation will run until April 30 and will thereafter feed into a new national strategy, one of the first in the world, to tackle loneliness and isolation.
Clare Haughey MSP said: “It’s important that voices from across Rutherglen get involved in the Scottish Government’s consultation to help shape the new loneliness and isolation strategy, especially since each and every one of us has a role to play in reducing loneliness in Scotland.”