Young apprentices complete community project to modernise homeless charity centre in Glasgow
Charity presents apprentices with inaugural award in recognition of their work.
Six young apprentices from Glasgow-based construction company City Building, have played their part in giving back to the community after completing work on a project to update a homeless charity centre, which offers vital support services to some of the city’s most vulnerable people.
The apprentices, who are learning skills in a number of trades, began work in December 2012 to renovate the Glasgow Simon Community centre based in the city’s east end and have recently completed the finishing touches.
Apprentices Thomas Henderson (20), Jonathan Potts (20), Paul O Donnell (20), Scot McKenzie (20), Kenneth Blair (20) and Chris Mulholland (19) used their collective skills in joinery, electrics and painting and decorating to update the interior of the centre, in order to make it a more pleasant and welcoming environment for people both coming into and working at the centre.
The Glasgow Simon Community charity has been helping homeless people in Glasgow for over 40 years, providing essential support to more than 3000 homeless men and women in the city, helping to address issues around social inclusion, mental health, employability and literacy and numeracy.
Lorraine McGrath, Chief Executive of the Glasgow Simon Community, said: “The work undertaken by City Building’s apprentices has made the environment a more welcoming and positive place to be in and it has helped to lift the spirits of everyone who comes here. The building hadn’t been decorated for some time and was in desperate need of an upgrade.
“”I can’t over-estimate the importance of what they’ve done – it’s been transformational and fully supports our plans to expand the services we currently provide – something that wouldn’t have been possible without the help of City Building.””
In recognition of their exemplary work on the project, the apprentices were presented with the inaugural Friends of Glasgow Simon Community Award by centre staff to demonstrate how delighted they were with the apprentices’ work. The Friends of Glasgow Simon Community gives organisations the opportunity to get involved and support the organisation in tackling the causes and effects of homelessness in the West of Scotland.
Lorraine added: “”I can’t give enough praise to the apprentices who worked on the project. They conducted themselves with such professionalism and their attitude towards their work was excellent. They were an absolute credit to City Building.””
Jonathan Potts, an apprentice painter, said: “”It was great to be involved in a project like the Glasgow Simon Community centre because it provided valuable opportunities to learn more about my trade. It also felt good to be part of a project that was giving something back to the community.””
Cllr Paul Carey, Chair of City Building LLP said: “”We are committed to engaging with local community groups like the Glasgow Simon Community that play an important role in helping the more vulnerable members of our society. I would like to congratulate all the apprentices involved with this project and thank them for all their hard work.””
City Building encourages its young apprentices to get involved with local community activities and contribute to community initiatives via its Apprentice Community Projects scheme. The scheme focuses on working with local communities to add value to facilities, as well as with local groups and events to enable others to deliver community benefits within their area.
