
Loaves and Fishes welcome Kilbryde Hospice wellbeing hub to new base
'A Safe Space to Talk' has found a new home at Loaves and Fishes as the hospice and multibank unite to deliver community-led support in East Kilbride.
A Safe Space to Talk - East Kilbride's innovative drop-in wellbeing hub - is entering an exciting new chapter as it transitions from Kilbryde Hospice to a new community location at Loaves and Fishes.
From July, the initiative will be hosted by Kilbryde Hospice on the first Tuesday of each month, with remaining weekly sessions taking place at Loaves and Fishes in the former Greenhills Library.
Kilbryde say this move reflects the strength of collaborative partnership working across East Kilbride, uniting third sector organisations and public services to meet the wider needs of local people.
The model is underpinned by the principles of Community-Led Support (CLS) and the Marmot Place approach - recognising that good health and wellbeing are shaped not just by clinical care, but by the social conditions in which people live.
"'A Safe Space to Talk' has shown the power of local collaboration," said Gordon McHugh, chief executive of Kilbryde Hospice.
'This isn't about any one organisation - it's about working together, listening to local people, and responding with real, human support where it's needed most.'
Since launching earlier this year, the initiative has offered a warm, welcoming space where residents can drop in and access support for: health and emotional wellbeing, caring responsibilities and bereavement, housing, financial stress, and social isolation and relaxation therapies and creative sessions.
The shift into Greenhills - one of East Kilbride's most socially and economically disadvantaged areas - allows the hub to connect with even more people in a place-based and inclusive way.
Kilbryde say this approach serves as a test of change that could inform the development of a wider network of community hubs shaped by what matters most to local people.
The success of 'A Safe Space to Talk' is built on strong partnership working between Kilbryde Hospice, Loaves and Fishes, Healthy and Active, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire Health Improvement Team, and a range of community organisations.
'This is about meeting people where they are - in every sense,' said Ann McLaughlin, Senior Health Improvement Manager, South Lanarkshire HSCP.
'Through partnership, shared learning, and trust, we're building something that truly belongs to the community.'
A public community event will mark the hub's official launch at Loaves and Fishes later this summer.
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Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Loaves and Fishes welcome Kilbryde Hospice wellbeing hub to new base
'A Safe Space to Talk' has found a new home at Loaves and Fishes as the hospice and multibank unite to deliver community-led support in East Kilbride. A Safe Space to Talk - East Kilbride's innovative drop-in wellbeing hub - is entering an exciting new chapter as it transitions from Kilbryde Hospice to a new community location at Loaves and Fishes. From July, the initiative will be hosted by Kilbryde Hospice on the first Tuesday of each month, with remaining weekly sessions taking place at Loaves and Fishes in the former Greenhills Library. Kilbryde say this move reflects the strength of collaborative partnership working across East Kilbride, uniting third sector organisations and public services to meet the wider needs of local people. The model is underpinned by the principles of Community-Led Support (CLS) and the Marmot Place approach - recognising that good health and wellbeing are shaped not just by clinical care, but by the social conditions in which people live. "'A Safe Space to Talk' has shown the power of local collaboration," said Gordon McHugh, chief executive of Kilbryde Hospice. 'This isn't about any one organisation - it's about working together, listening to local people, and responding with real, human support where it's needed most.' Since launching earlier this year, the initiative has offered a warm, welcoming space where residents can drop in and access support for: health and emotional wellbeing, caring responsibilities and bereavement, housing, financial stress, and social isolation and relaxation therapies and creative sessions. The shift into Greenhills - one of East Kilbride's most socially and economically disadvantaged areas - allows the hub to connect with even more people in a place-based and inclusive way. Kilbryde say this approach serves as a test of change that could inform the development of a wider network of community hubs shaped by what matters most to local people. The success of 'A Safe Space to Talk' is built on strong partnership working between Kilbryde Hospice, Loaves and Fishes, Healthy and Active, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire Health Improvement Team, and a range of community organisations. 'This is about meeting people where they are - in every sense,' said Ann McLaughlin, Senior Health Improvement Manager, South Lanarkshire HSCP. 'Through partnership, shared learning, and trust, we're building something that truly belongs to the community.' A public community event will mark the hub's official launch at Loaves and Fishes later this summer.


Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Daily Record
Kilbryde Hospice to stage community roadshows across South Lanarkshire to hear local views
Kilbryde Hospice are opening their doors and hitting the road to hear what the people of South Lanarkshire want from their hospice. The East Kilbride-based palliative care centre is to host a series of community roadshows in East Kilbride, Hamilton and Rutherglen/Cambuslang to let locals have their say. Adopting a compassionate community approach, Gordon McHugh, Chief Executive of the hospice, said "compassion does not stop at the front door". 'We are listening", he said. "This is not just about patients — it's about everyone in South Lanarkshire who cares about community, dignity, and compassion. 'Opening our ears at Kilbryde Hospice is very much about letting people know that compassion does not stop at the front door. 'It is the community's hospice and they must have a say – we have always listened, otherwise the hospice would not be here.' Kilbryde Hospice has been providing end-of-life care to the people of South Lanarkshire for 22 years, with the facility in McGuiness Way established in 2015. Mr McHugh added that, though they have always listened, they now want to make Kilbryde more widely known while raising a greater awareness in a wider community. He added: 'South Lanarkshire is a big place with the localities we have. Even if you take East Kilbride alone, with a population of 90,000. 'We have brought the hospice a long our future? That will be decided by the people of South Lanarkshire. 'To hear their voices, we are staging several locality roadshows in East Kilbride, Hamilton and Cambuslang/Rutherglen. 'This will bring the hospice to the people, in their own localities, in an environment that suits them on an open forum/open door basis.' People from all walks of life will be encouraged and welcomed but, in particular, Kilbryde's staff and volunteers will aim to connect with 'hardest-to-reach' groups. 'They may be experiencing poverty and see themselves as not being able to give their input, but we know we can give them valued support and we want to hear from them", said Mr McHugh. 'People from the travelling community, ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities across South Lanarkshire - Kilbryde Hospice is for everyone and we need to hear everyone's voice. 'To offer that to the community, we must do it in the most accessible way and people who can't make the events will be able to take part. 'We can send out a survey, have it on social media or post paper copies to people so they can tell us that 'this is what we want for our hospice'. 'Just now, we are in the final year of our Strategy 2023/2026 and these locality roadshows will help us put together a strategy going forward for 2026/2030. 'So, in those four years Kilbryde will be shaped by the community of South Lanarkshire and will strive to give what people ask for." Venues are still to be secured but all three roadshows are scheduled for October, following the hospice's September AGM.


BBC News
16-10-2024
- BBC News
Obesity not an issue for job-seekers, say charities
Charities in Greater Manchester where a trial will test the effect of weight loss jabs on employment have said obesity is "not a common problem" for those seeking a job. The five-year clinical trial will see thousands of patients given the drug tirzepatide to measure its health effects, alongside other metrics like changes in job status and sick days. Adam Green, chief executive of unemployment charity Yes Manchester, said obesity was low on the list of reasons why some people were struggling to get a job. A spokesman for Health Innovation Manchester, which is running the study for US Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, said: "This is not about getting unemployed people back to work". However, there was a "clear link" between conditions like obesity that cause people to be too ill to work or stay in a job and a fall in overall productivity, he added. A study commissioned by the trial's backers estimated obesity cost Greater Manchester £3.21bn in 2023, in the cost of care provided by the NHS, social services, and family £1.7bn of the estimated sum was attributed to sick-days and "economic inactivity", with NHS data showing about 600,00 people in the region live with Innovation Manchester is a body made up of academics, clinicians and corporate staff that reports to NHS Greater Manchester's Integrated Care Board to encourage innovation in the region and improve public 3,000 people across Greater Manchester are set to be involved in the study, but the exact details of how it will be run have yet to be revealed. It is primary aim is to analyse how tirzepatide, sold by Eli Lilly under the brand name Mounjaro, reduces obesity and other health-related illnesses in the "real world". 'Barriers' Researchers will also monitor how it effects a patients job announcement of the trial came after Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the drugs could be given to help people get back into front line charities in Greater Manchester said they receive few cases of people living with obesity struggling to get and hold down a Smith, chief executive officer of Salford charity Loaves and Fishes, said fewer than 500 of their 6,000 users struggled with the condition. She said the main obstacles for those out of work was a "tick-box" model at the job centre which meant those with specific needs could not get support. "To be honest it's not something that presents as a barrier to employment, unlike mental health, digital exclusion, living in poverty or insecure housing", Mr Green said. "We support residents with multiple-barriers, when they tell us what's standing in their way it's those issues" and not obesity, he said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.