JENNY GILRUTH MSP HOSTS PARLIAMENTARY RECEPTION FOR FIFE GINGERBREAD
Published date : 08 Sep 2017
30th ANNIVERSARY OF LOCAL CHARITY CELEBRATED AT SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
Jenny Gilruth MSP this week welcomed staff, volunteers, stakeholders and families supported by Fife Gingerbread to the Scottish Parliament this week, as they celebrated 30 years as an organisation providing a vital service to families across Fife.
The Mid Fife & Glenrothes MSP commented:
“I was delighted to be asked to sponsor this event on behalf of Fife Gingerbread. Since my election last May I have supported Fife Gingerbread at a number of events, including meeting with mums at the Fife Teen Parent Forum at Poppyview Family Centre in Methil, meeting families and volunteers at the Greig Institute along with pupils from Parkhill Primary School and the Minister for Early Years, Mark McDonald MSP.”
Fife Gingerbread was founded in 1987 as the ‘Fife Federation of Gingerbread’, which became Fife Gingerbread in 2002. The charity aims to support lone parent families in Fife through a number of projects, such as The Gateway, Making it Work and the Fife Teen Parent Project. In 2015, Fife Gingerbread moved to its new headquarters at the Greig Institute in Leven. The charity has previously been shortlisted for the SCVO’s Charity of the Year Award.
Jenny Gilruth MSP added:
“When Fife Gingerbread was first established in 1987 family structures were very different. Over the past 30 years the organisation has had to work hard to adapt to the changing needs of its service users. Between December 2015 and November 2016, Fife Gingerbread supported over 1,500 families.
“In Levenmouth today, 1 in 3 children live in poverty. Draconian Conservative welfare reforms are pushing more and more families into poverty. Just last month the United Nation’s Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights confirmed that the UK government’s austerity measures and social security reforms, are in breach of human rights. We need a system which looks after those in need. That’s why I am delighted that the Scottish Government’s new welfare delivery agency will have fairness and dignity at its heart.
“As Rhona Cunningham has said, she hopes there won’t be a need for Fife Gingerbread in another 30 years. I whole heartedly agree with that sentiment and will continue to do my utmost to support the vital work of Fife Gingerbread, as the constituency MSP for Levenmouth.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
First Picture: Jenny Gilruth MSP joins volunteers, service users and Fife Gingerbread mascot “Gingey” in the Scottish Parliament chamber.
Second Picture: Jenny Gilruth MSP and Early Years & Childcare Minister Mark McDonald MSP with “Gingey”. Mark McDonald was the keynote speaker along with the Children’s Commissioner, Bruce Adamson.
For more information on Fife Gingerbread, please visit:
http://www.fifegingerbread.org.uk/
CONTACT DETAILS
Gavin Hugh
Researcher for Jenny Gilruth MSP
E-mail: Gavin.Hugh@parliament.scot
Phone: 01592 764815
Local Reporters, HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE, COMMUNITY, CHARITIES, LOCAL GROUPS
