SIMON Community Scotland has launched accreditation as a Scottish Living Wage employer, in a milestone move marking their recovery from significant funding pressures during the last seven years.
The move means the organisation, which already supports more than 2,500 people each year, is ensuring that every member of their 217-strong workforce, even those who provide occasional sessional support, will be rewarded with a fair hourly rate for their commitment to providing care, support for the most vulnerable homeless people.
Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister for Scotland, marked the launch today (21st August) for Simon Community Scotland today by speaking at a celebration event for one of their women’s services – in Pollokshields, Glasgow.
The organisation works to ensure everyone has a safe place to live and access to the support they need; pursues new ways of developing settled accommodation, including shared living options; and collaborates with other organisations across Scotland to develop resources that stop people becoming homeless.
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “I’m delighted to help the Simon Community Scotland launch their accreditation as a Scottish Living Wage employer. The Simon Community provides an important and valuable service in our communities. It’s great to see every member of staff getting a fair rate of pay for the fantastic work that they do with very vulnerable people.”
Lorraine McGrath, CEO, Simon Community Scotland, said: “Our staff are our most important resource; we have a very committed and skilled team and we are delighted to be directing our resources by investing in our staff through adopting the Scottish Living Wage for everyone we employ.
“Overcoming the difficulties of funding cuts was definitely our biggest challenge but it was also particularly vital that even our sessional relief staff were included.
“We are wholly committed to ensuring our staff are fairly rewarded for the very skilled and important role they play, on behalf of all of us in Scottish society, in working alongside some of the most vulnerable people in our country to find a safe home and access to the support they need.”
Notes for editor:
The Simon Community Scotland, formerly Glasgow Simon Community, has been working alongside people who experience homelessness in Scotland since 1966 and was formed on the same principles as the ground-breaking work of Anton Wallich Clifford in London in the early ’60s.
It now supports more than 2,300 people per year, with accommodation, personalised support and intensive outreach to prevent rough sleeping and provide assertive interventions for people who are highly vulnerable to complex needs and multiple exclusion.
www.SimonScotland.org @SimonCommScot SimonCommScot
Contact details: Lorraine McGrath, chief executive,
0141 418 6980
Lorraine.mcgrath@simonscotland.org
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Simon Community Scotland contact details…
Contact: Lorraine McGrath
Phone: 01414186980
Email: lorraine.mcgrath@simonscotland.org
Website: http://www.simonscotland.org
