Uddingston to benefit from partnership

Scottish Gas unveiled its plans, aimed at helping children, young people and their families, at Uddingston Grammar on Monday (March 21).

Douglas O’Neil, head of customer services at Scottish Gas Services, launched the programme with support from Uddingston and Bellshill MSP Michael McMahon.

The Uddingston Community Partnership has two key aims - to help children improve their reading at an early stage, and to inspire them to think about their future careers.

Business in the Community Scotland, local schools and community groups will work together on the project.

More than 100 Scottish Gas volunteers will support groups including Uddingston Grammar, Muiredge Primary, Blue Triangle and Age UK with activities such as paired reading sessions, energy education workshops, and mentoring and employability sessions.

The partnership will also work with homeless charity Shelter, ‘adopting’ a Shelter shop and running crisis workshops.

It also plans to make donations to the Hamilton Foodbank.

Mr O’Neil said: “We’re working with some amazing organisations that make a real difference to the people they support, and through the Uddingston Community Partnership we hope we can make a difference too.”

Mr McMahon added: “It’s been great to find out about the Uddingston Community Partnership and see what is being done to help the young people involved at Uddingston Grammar, Muiredge Primary School and Blue Triangle, as well as the other groups involved throughout the area.”

Uddingston Grammar depute head Alison McGuigan is delighted to be part of the programme.

She said: “We’re extremely excited to be a part of this initiative and look forward to seeing how our young people respond to the programmes being run in our school as well as the wider community where our pupils and their families live.”