Start Up Stirling receives Provost’s backing
Stirling Council’s Provost’s Panel has donated £1,000 to Start Up Stirling as the organization marks more than 25 years of helping people in times of hardship.
The local action group focuses on alleviating poverty, suffering and distress by providing foodbanks, helper packs for new tenants and start up support to people looking to improve their lives through local services.
Each year the Provost picks a local charity to help raise awareness of their efforts and provide funding support for worthy causes across Stirling.
Start Up Stirling was selected by the Provost at a Civic meeting in August for her Charity of the Year for 2019/20 and officially approved at a recent meeting of the Provost’s Panel.
Tackling poverty is a key Council priority
Provost Christine Simpson said: “Tackling poverty across Stirling is one of this Council’s Key Priorities, so Start Up Stirling was a worthy cause to be named Charity of the Year.
“It is heartbreaking to think that people in 2020 need access to foodbanks or simple everyday items like pots and pans or cutlery just to get started in a new tenancy.
“However, that’s the reality we live in and Start Up Stirling do an absolutely vital job in helping the most vulnerable in our society access the correct supports they need to get ahead.”
Helping Stirling residents since 1994
Start Up Stirling has been supporting local people in need since 1994, the organization is funded through the generous public in Stirling, local companies and a number of Trusts and Funders, including Stirling Council, The Robertson Trust, Scottish Government, Voluntary Action Fund and Faith in the Community Scotland.
In 2019, Start Up Stirling helped provide:
- Over 102,000 meals, primarily at their foodbanks but also through their rural transport service which delivered over 26,000 meals to those who could not access foodbanks due to ill health or rural location.
- This supported 2607 individuals, 1694 Adults & 913 Children.
- 174 Starter Packs to help people entering new tenancies.
- 241 Welcome Packs to help those in temporary housing and 715 Toiletry Packs to help the temporary homeless.
- Weekly Support Service sessions in urban and rural Stirlingshire, along with home visits to people unable to access the sessions.
The Provost added: “For more than 25 years, Start Up Stirling has been providing support to local people in times of need, helping relieve poverty and suffering, and assisting individuals to make positive changes in their lives.
“I look forward to highlighting their important service to the people of Stirling in the forthcoming year.”
Donation will help staff and volunteers
Treasurer at Start Up Stirling, Nick Reed, said: “It is with immense gratitude that we accept the Provost’s donation of £1,000 as her chosen Charity of the Year for 2019/20. The generous donation will help our staff and volunteers continue to undertake their life-changing work helping people in need.
“Stirling Council is a vital partner and supporter of the work the charity undertakes in the local area. We are confident that in achieving Charity of the Year status it will help enhance local community awareness and support for our services.”