Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth visited Muirhead Outreach today as part of Scotland’s Living Wage Week.
Muirhead Outreach are an early intervention charity and aim to reduce isolation, minimise the impact of childhood/family trauma and improve well-being and self-esteem of families across Glenrothes, Levenmouth and Kirkcaldy.
They prioritise giving children and families a sense of belonging, a sense of achievement and a realisation that life can be good.
By building positive relationships with people and teaching them how to do the same, they aim to help families achieve a sense of belonging within their communities.
The charity pays all of it’s staff at least the real Living Wage Rate of £10.90 per hour, which it does to honour the support their staff provide to the local community.
The Scottish Government was the first government in the UK to become an Accredited Living Wage Employer in 2015, and Scotland remains the best performing of all four UK countries with the highest proportion of employees (91.0%) paid the Real Living Wage or more.
Commenting, Jenny Gilruth MSP said:
“It was fantastic to get the opportunity to visit Muirhead Outreach as part of Living Wage Week, and listen to some of the great work they are doing for local families.
“From providing family days out, parental support and training as well as family packs this winter, Muirhead Outreach perform invaluable work across Glenrothes.
“I also welcomed their status as a Living Wage employer, which is a strong signal of their values.
“Research shows the real Living Wage can enhance productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve staff morale and I am pleased that Muirhead Outreach have embraced the Living Wage.
“Scotland has the highest proportion of Living Wage employees of any UK country, a testament to the Fair Work agenda at the heart of the Scottish Government.
“Amidst the current cost of living crisis, it is more important than ever that workers receive a fair wage.”
Also commenting, Ms Janine Norris, Charity Development Officer at Muirhead Outreach said:
“We are thrilled to be Living Wage Accredited as we value all the knowledge and skills our staff have. We were really excited to find out Jenny wanted to come down and meet us for Living Wage Week and hear about the important work we do, supporting our families.
“It was great to meet Ms Gilruth and know that our constituency has an MSP who shares our values of fair wages, compassion and caring in the local community “
