Award nomination for Salvation Army refugee project
published on 3 Nov 2023
A Salvation Army project aimed at creating a safe environment for refugees has been recognised at a major housing awards ceremony.
The service at Barrack Street in Hamilton near Glasgow is run jointly with South Lanarkshire Council to provide housing support for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. It was nominated in the "Working in Partnership" category at the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland ‘Housing Awards 2023’ on 27 October.
Karen Good, who manages the service for The Salvation Army, said: "It has been our goal to make a home from home for people who have fled Ukraine in the most difficult circumstances. Since the Barrack Street project opened last year, we have helped men and women from Ukraine rebuild their lives. Some have found jobs in Scotland, including a few with The Salvation Army, and others have returned to their homeland with hope. This award recognises the dedication of everyone involved in the project. They have been compassionate and passionate, supporting 150 people in their time of need.
"We have worked closely with the council's resettlement team to help people access GPs, employment opportunities and full-time accommodation. For those still with us, we continue to provide extensive support, including group outings and cooking classes where we share Scottish and Ukrainian culture. That was something the people here asked for and we were happy to put in place."
The annual Scotland Housing Awards recognise and celebrate the creativity, passion, and innovation of housing organisations and individuals across the housing and related sectors in Scotland.
