Glasgow's homeless face ‘going hungry' after cash blow to charity

Glasgow Times

2 days ago

City centre-based The Marie Trust will no longer be able to offer crisis intervention housing support or hot meals from their café in Albion Street from July 25.
The devastating blow comes after the organisation, which supports those dealing with financial hardship and struggling to keep a roof over their heads, missed out on a crucial tender to keep some of its much-needed services afloat.
One source told the Glasgow Times: 'This is heartbreaking for those coping with homelessness, so many people rely on being able to come into the café daily as it's often the only cooked meal they get.
'Everyone is gutted by the news around the contract, it means around 200 homeless people a day will miss out on getting breakfast, lunch or dinner. It will hit the most vulnerable incredibly hard and there's genuine concern about the impact this will have and how people will survive without this service.'
Our source added: 'The charity does fantastic work and even has a training kitchen to teach people the importance of eating a healthy nutritious meal, but now the funding is no longer in place, it's unable to operate.
'Staff and the people who come through the doors are in bits. This is a huge blow that nobody expected. Where will people turn to for help, especially with the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city rising year after year?'
(Image: NQ) The Marie Trust also provides dental health checks, laundry services and seven-day emergency food parcels to those experiencing financial hardship. It is unclear if these will be impacted by the changes.
A statement from the charity reads: 'We regret to inform you that we will no longer be offering our housing and welfare service or our training kitchen and café service after July 25.
'This change is due to the Wayfinder Outreach Services Contract, commissioned by Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, which will commence on August 7. Unfortunately, we have been informed that the Marie Trust was unsuccessful in tendering for this.
'The trust will however continue to deliver our Hospital Outreach Service, counselling and psychotherapy and education service. We would like to thank all our service users, supporters and partners for all their support and trust over the years.'
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It continues: 'We understand that this may impact those currently using our services, and we are committed to supporting individuals through this transition as best we can.'
A Glasgow man spoke to us about how he was able to transform his life after turning to the Marie Trust when he hit rock bottom.
He said: 'I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the support, care and compassion shown to me. The charity basically brought me back from the brink and helped me to get back on my feet.
'It means so much to so many people. The work they do is invaluable and knowing that people will miss out on a hot meal because of these changes is soul destroying. So many vulnerable people could potentially slip through the net, and that is a major worry.'