Regional champion and highly commended accolades from Scotland Loves Local campaign highlight remarkable dedication and efforts to help communities through Covid-19 pandemic
High Street Heroes from across Glasgow have been recognised for their remarkable work during the coronavirus crisis.
The tireless dedication of people to support those around them throughout the pandemic has been celebrated as part of the Scotland Loves Local campaign’s High Street Heroes Awards.
Scotland’s Communities Secretary, Aileen Campbell, has thanked everyone nominated for their efforts.
In the Glasgow city area, the Regional Champion award goes to Possibilities for Each & Every Kid (PEEK). A number of other people and businesses have been highly commended.
PEEK, which was founded in 2000, works to create opportunities for young people and is based on Springfield Road. It has led a huge Covid-19 crisis response, which has seen it work with in excess of 1,000 children and young people, more than 1,245 adults and deliver 24,000-plus meals.
Their nomination stated: “They provide healthy and practical food parcels, nappies, baby milk and toiletries to families on a weekly basis.
“Without the dedication, commitment and positive attitude of the PEEK team our community would not be receiving the support they need. This would lead to more critical or stressful situations. They certainly have helped us more than ever recently to help mitigate neglect in terms of food and energy poverty during these times and giving families the sense of hope and trust in local services.”
#TeamPEEK are a mixture of play rangers, community artists, youth workers, community chefs, coordinators and senior managers.
Head of operations Emma Hill said: “We are very proud of our team. They have consistently gone above and beyond to reach and support our families throughout the pandemic.
“We were able to change our operations overnight to begin preparing, cooking and delivering hot meals and food packages, source and distribute wellbeing and activity packs and deliver online sessions to families across Glasgow when they needed us most.
“We are over the moon to receive this award. We never do anything for recognition but we are very grateful to accept this High Street Heroes Award and are delighted to share this with our families.”
As part of the Scotland Loves Local campaign, the awards highlight the tremendous differences that local individuals and local businesses – as well as the safe support for them – has made to peoples’ lives throughout Covid-19. A roll of honour of all nominees has been published at www.lovelocal.scot.
Highly Commended awards in Glasgow go to:
Susan Wilson. Judges were told: “Susan has done so much for our community, whether it be from her role as Glasgow Parkhead Forge community champion or the work she does with the community allotment or just the other numerous charities she helps. An amazing woman. Susan helped redevelop our school grounds during lockdown by sharing donations from her allotment, providing us with her time and knowledge and arranging for donations of plants and paint for us from her company and other local stores. We managed to improve our grounds Ready for outdoor learning for pupils returning and the new normal.”
Lincoln Bar, Great Western Road. Judges were told: “The Lincoln Inn in Great Western Road is not just a public house, it is the centre of the Knightswood Community. Even during hospitality’s bleakest time, Lincoln landlady Denise Taylor and her team rallied round the community, and continued donating to the North West Food Bank – as they knew local families were struggling. Their friendship club The Lincoln Lovelies supplied afternoon tea boxes to our local pensioners and veterans with Glasgow’s Lord Provost visiting to say thanks! These are just examples of what traditional community values this business have been offering locals for the past few years.”
Kat Boyle, Knightswood Community Spirit. Judges were told: “Kat and her team have been doing a great job within the community before, during and after lockdown, from giving them somewhere to meet up and talk and play games to taking meals or essentials to picking up prescriptions during lockdown.”
Scotland Loves Local is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) with the support of the Scottish Government to help the country’s response to the pandemic by thinking local first for all shopping and service needs.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “I would like to thank these High Street Heroes for going the extra mile to help their communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am pleased the Scottish Government has been able to support these awards through our funding for Scotland’s Towns Partnership. They typify the kind of community spirit that has supported people and improved lives.
“This has been a difficult year for all of us, and the only way we will get through is by sticking together, being kind, and offering help where it is needed. The fact that these awards received more than 1,200 nominations just shows how much people have appreciated those who have pulled together to help one another.”
STP’s Chief Officer, Phil Prentice, said: “The dedication with which people across Glasgow have supported those around them during the pandemic has been remarkable. We’re delighted to shine a spotlight on the amazing difference that our High Street Heroes have made and thank them for all they have done.
“They are an inspiration – local people helping their communities and customers like never before. They highlight the vital part that high street businesses play in our lives and why we must support them to ensure they continue to be there for us.”
