17 Dec 2001
George Foulkes, Minister of State for Scotland, today welcomed the unique partnership between Jewish Care Scotland and East Renfrewshire Council in providing social work services to the Jewish community.
The Minister visited The Walton Community Care Centre in Giffnock, on the south side of Glasgow. The centre was opened after a fundraising drive which raised more than £2 million from Jewish charitable sources, the community and a grant of £170,000 from the National Lottery Charities Board, now the Community Fund.
Speaking during the visit George Foulkes said:
"An essential element of the work carried out here is the partnership with East Renfrewshire Council. This enables professional social work staff to work in the centre and for a full range of social work services to be available. This is partnership at work and an example for others to follow".
On average, around 60 people a day receive services through this centre. These services are provided in a way that is sensitive to the needs of people from the Jewish community. The services offered include day social work support,care, meals on wheels, social clubs, convalescent holiday grants, support for carers, support for people with mental health problems and advice on benefits.
One of the service users to the centre said how it has helped her. Gladys Haniford (76) from Giffnock said: "I had not been out of my house for 20 years because I had suffered from agoraphobia. For me Jewish Care has been a life saver, and has given me confidence. I have even been able to go and visit my daughter in Liverpool. Jewish Care makes me feel part of a wider family. I only wish they did bed and breakfast so that I could stay here all the time!"