Former UK prime minister visits Salvation Army in Kirkcaldy

Visitors, volunteers and staff at The Salvation Army in Kirkcaldy met Gordon Brown this week when the former UK Prime Minister visited a breakfast club in his hometown to mark Warm Welcome Week.

Mr Brown is patron of the charity Warm Welcome, which arranged the visit to recognise the role played by The Salvation Army in providing a friendly meeting place for local people. The breakfast club is an opportunity to have a natter and find out about support that is available, while enjoying a full breakfast or filled roll and tea or coffee served by volunteers at Hayfield Road community church. 

Captain Andrew Manley, leader of The Salvation Army in Kirkcaldy, joined Warm Welcome’s development director Ellie Palmer to welcome Mr Brown as he met guests and volunteers sharing a hearty and warming community meal.

Gordon Brown said: "Warm Welcome Week is a time to celebrate the creation of hubs of good neighbourliness, compassion, and kindness in our communities. I have shared the warmest of welcomes at my local Salvation Army Warm Space in Kirkcaldy, where, like all the 5,000 Warm Welcome Spaces across the UK, good-hearted neighbours come together to brighten each other’s days. These spaces are powered by human kindness, companionship, and, of course, a good cup of tea or coffee and fantastic cakes and biscuits."

Captain Andrew Manley said: "Providing warm, welcoming spaces is part of what The Salvation Army does. It’s especially important to welcome the community in as temperatures drop, as we know many are struggling to manage their heating bills. It was a pleasure to welcome Gordon Brown to our community church, not only as a former Prime Minister but also as someone with strong family ties to the town. At The Salvation Army, we are part of the communities we serve, and bringing people together to share food, stories, and faith helps deepen connections."

The Salvation Army is at Hayfield Road, Kirkcaldy KY2 5DG and the breakfast club runs every Thursday from 9.30am. The church can be contacted by email at: kirkcaldy@salvationarmy.org.uk