Deputy Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar MP praises William Hunter House

Ron Senior and Malcolm Page flank Anas Sarwar MP and Martin Graham, service user at William Hunter House

Anas Sarwar MP has praised a Salvation Army lifehouse in Glasgow for helping turn people’s lives around.

The Deputy Scottish Labour leader admitted he was impressed by the work of staff at William Hunter House in helping homeless men and women get back into independent living.

Malcolm Page, Ron Senior, Anas Sarwar MP, Angela Fegan - service user, and Helen McKay

Mr Sarwar, MP for Glasgow Central, also met residents at the lifehouse to hear first-hand the difference the service, which is more than just a bed for the night, had made to them. 

He said: “To listen to people who have had their lives transformed for the better by The Salvation Army here is very humbling.

“One of the residents I spoke to was very open about his own past, about the challenges he’s gone through and about what he’s aspiring to. The difference William Hunter House has made to his live has been amazing. If the service wasn’t here that individual might have suffered from very difficult life circumstances." 

The Standard of care within the Centre is underpinned by the Christian values of The Salvation Army. Staff provide a caring environment for clients to reach their own potential and offer support around life skills and work closely with other agencies to ensure support needs are met. The centre provides Housing advice surgeries, access to social workers and a programme of social activities. Additionally, clients can learn basic skills training, including literacy, numeracy and IT in partnership with local colleges.

Malcolm Page, Assistant Territorial Director of The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services, said: “It was good for Mr Sarwar to witness the amazing work at William Hunter House. We're delighted to be able to highlight to him the kind of stories of transformation that take place at each of our centres.”

Ron Senior, manager at William Hunter House said: “It was great to share our work with someone who may be able to influence future policy.” 

Audio recordings 

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