Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Charity marks anniversary with parliamentary praise
A national charity originally founded in Coatbridge is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Victim Support Scotland was first set up in the town by a group of volunteers including social worker John Graham, later growing to become the current Scotland- wide organisation.
It now provides community assistance, such as practical, financial, emotional and mental support, in every local authority area of Scotland, as well as having witness services in every high court and sheriff court in the country, plus some JP courts.
The organisation was praised at Holyrood by Fulton Macgregor, the Coatbridge MSP – who said its work over the decades is “another reminder of the phenomenal contributions of people from this constituency to the whole country”.
Victim Support Scotland chief executive Kate Wallace said: “Since the beginnings in 1985 as a team of volunteers committed to supporting vulnerable victims in Coatbridge, much has changed – but our dedicated teams across Scotland remain consistent in providing practical, financial and emotional support in the aftermath of crime.
“We have gone on to become Scotland’s leading support charity for victims and witnesses; and as a grassroots organisation, our volunteers remain the backbone of everything that we do.
“In recent years we’ve invested in new technology and training to ensure that our services can continue to respond to the changing nature of crime over the last 35 years.”
She added: “Undoubtedly 2020 has been an incredibly challenging time for many victims. Through the pandemic, we’ve managed to support hundreds of people affected by crime in new and innovative ways.
“I am immensely proud of the work we have done; and looking forward, we remain dedicated to our mission of putting victims first.”
John Jamieson, who has volunteered with the organisation for 31 years, added of the group’s formation: “It’s important that we acknowledge the founding role John Graham played in starting Victim Support Scotland.
“He was at a conference in England where he recognised the need to support people affected by crime in his local community, and Scotland-wide – this prompted him to establish a group of volunteers in Coatbridge, and from there the organisation has gone from strength to strength.”
Mr Macgregor lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament congratulating Victim Support Scotland on its 35th anniversary and highlighting that it was “established by a group of volunteers in Coatbridge who recognised a need to support people affected by crime in the local community”.
It added that the charity “provides thirdparty reporting services for anyone who does not feel comfortable reporting a crime to the police directly [and] continues to adapt to the changing nature of crime and meet the needs of victims.”
The Coatbridge MSP and his fellow politicians also “recognise the outstanding commitment of staff and volunteers over the last 35 years to support victims, witnesses and people affected by crime across Scotland; believe that this work is vital to ensure that [they] are able to access the support they need, and wish Victim Support Scotland all the best for the next 35 years and beyond”.
He told the Advertiser: “What many folk don’t realise is that Victim Support Scotland was founded in Coatbridge, and I was privileged to lodge this motion highlighting the amazing work of the organisation over these years.
“I’m proud to learn this invaluable organisation originated in Coatbridge, and would like to thank Victim Support Scotland’s staff and volunteers for the outstanding commitment they’ve given to supporting victims over the past 35 years.”
Victim Support Scotland’s free and confidential support for anyone affected by a crime can be accessed by visiting www. victimsupport.scot or calling 0800 160 1985.