Information about the churches’ work in the community.
Hamilton Homeless Drop-in Centre
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rev David Lunan, visited the Hamilton Churches Drop-in-Centre in November 2008 as part of his visit to the Hamilton Presbytery.
He was accompanied by his wife Maggie and several clergy from the presbytery.
They spent the evening talking to volunteers from the Salvation Army, the Church of Scotland and St Mary’s Episcopal Church, and shared a meal and chat with the visitors.
The Moderator said: “Real inspiration came from the church at work. We had a meal at the Hamilton Churches’ Drop-In Centre for the Homeless, which opened in 1995 and has only missed thirteen nights since then. Staffed by over 200 volunteers from across all the churches in Hamilton, they provide every evening a three course meal, shower and washing facilities, a clothing store - but most of all friendship. The majority of their work is funded by donations from churches, schools and individuals.”
St Mark’s, East Kilbride
A local befriending and visiting service for the elderly operates with volunteers. All St. Mark’s befrienders go through Disclosure Scotland procedures and an induction programme introducing listening skills. The work is to help those lonely or housebound.
St Mary’s, Hamilton
Volunteers are welcome to help Hyzone Youth Project, a partnership between South Lanarkshire Youth Services and five local churches. A Sunday evening night drop-in operates weekly, attracting between 40 and 50 young people.
Hamilton Child Contact Centre operates each Saturday from St. Mary’s Flat and volunteers are welcome to help provide the service, which allows children to meet their non-resident parent. The service is affiliated to the Scottish Association of Child Contact Centres.
Circle Scotland supports families and children in Lanarkshire based at St. Mary’s. A team of family support workers are available to work with the whole family through issues of drug / alcohol addiction, family school/ liaison, and female prisoner through-care.
St Paul & St John, Airdrie
Church members participate in ‘Helping Hands’, a soup kitchen in Whifflet, North Lanarkshire, for those who are homeless. For more information contact Alec Harbison on 01236 768331.
Christ Church, Lanark
A Lunch Club not restricted by age is run by church members in the Church Hall on Hope Street every Tuesday from 12.30 pm. For more information contact Dan Gaffert on 01555 663065.
St Andrew’s, Uddingston
Sunshine Nursery (private) operates from the Church Hall and has places for twenty five children aged under five years.
Local Contacts
Assisting Projects
Local Government
Other Local Agencies
Fairtrade
Lanarkshire is home to some of Scotland’s first Fairtrade Towns, a status awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation describing an area which is committed to the promotion of Fairtrade-labelled goods. Hamilton and Strathaven have already been declared Fairtrade Towns and Motherwell is working towards receiving Fairtrade status.
The Coach House Charity Craft Shop,Viewfield, Balmore, Torrance, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G64 4AE, supplies Fair Trade goods. Phone 01360 620742.
