Austerity has hit this area hard, and I have become all too
familiar with the consequences it has had on the community.
It has forced families to rely on food banks, diverted money
which would be spent at small, local, family-owned businesses down to big banks
in London, and has threatened the existence of community organisations which
make substantial contributions to the local area.
However, I have been inspired by the resilience shown by those
in the area during these difficult times, and have been hugely impressed by the
innovative ways those at the sharp end of austerity have navigated these
challenges.
One such organisation which I have had the pleasure of
visiting on multiple occasions is the Kirkshaws play area run by Parent Action
for Safe Play.
Parent Action for Safe Play (PASP) is a small organisation
local to Coatbridge which over the last 15 years has worked alongside North
Lanarkshire Council’s Learning and Leisure Service to improve youth and sport
services for the local community.
PASP has prospered in spite of the tough funding regime
austerity has imposed largely due to the hard work of those paid staff and
unpaid volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make this innovative community
organisation flourish.
Although best practice is not rocket science it is extremely
useful for other potential new organisations in our constituency, such as a new
organisation in Viewpark, which is trying to repeat the lessons learnt in
Coatbridge, and is a key component for success for new ventures in other parts
of the Constituency.
What strikes me about PASP, and other similar projects, is
the passion and good practice involved in organisations right on your doorstep,
which many of us often do not recognise or appreciate, for that matter.
I can only imagine this is due to the close-knit nature of
this area that I am so proud to have the opportunity to represent. It also highlights to me the diverse nature
of the Constituency, and I feel that it is incredibly important to recognise
that there are a variety of ways and means to face these challenges, rather
than a one-size-fits-all approach.
While I continue to fight to reverse the austerity which has
caused great hardship to many of our constituents, I have been humbled by the
resilience shown by so many organisations, businesses, and people living
throughout our constituency.