Broomhouse Health Strategy Group, a local charity health project in the South West of the city has more reason than most to celebrate. Not only has it reached the amazing milestone of running for 20 years, but it is a winner of the 2013 Active Citizens of Europe Award. The award recognises the invaluable contribution of individual volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations to social cohesion and Active Citizenship in Europe. It is being presented to the charity at the Award Ceremony in Bucharest this week.
The volunteer-led project held a free Street Party in Broomhouse in August to share its anniversary celebrations with the local community, and is this week having a reception in the City Chambers. The event is kindly hosted by the Lord Provost Donald Wilson, to say thank you to funders and volunteers, both past and present.
It was 20 years ago that three local women’s groups’ organised a Community Health Day in Broomhouse as they decided there wasn’t enough happening locally to support the health and wellbeing of local residents. This led to the setting up of Broomhouse Health Strategy Group and its volunteer-run fruit and veg shop, which has been open ever since!
Lucy Aitchison Project Co-ordinator said “We would not have lasted were it not for the support of many people over the last 20 years. It’s a great opportunity to share our thanks with all volunteers, funders and organisations that have helped us on our remarkable journey. We are a thriving organisation and love connecting with the local community, so they know how we can help them improve their health. Whether it’s through coming to one of our cookery classes, to learn to cook more healthily, or coming to the shop to pick up one of our Recipe Bags – there’s plenty we can do to support them.”
Lord Provost Donald Wilson added:- “They are to be hugely congratulated for receiving the Active Citizen of Europe Award – it reflects just how successful they are in working with local volunteers to help make positive changes in peoples’ lives.”
The local MSP Gordon MacDonald has lodged a motion at Holyrood to recognise the group’s work and achievements. It reads as follows:-
Motion Number: S4M-08041
Lodged By: Gordon MacDonald
Date Lodged: 17/10/2013Title: Broomhouse Health Strategy Group Wins European Award
Motion Text:
That the Parliament congratulates the Broomhouse Health Strategy Group on winning an Active Citizens of Europe Award 2013, which was presented at a ceremony in Bucharest in Romania on 17 October; understands that the award ceremony, organised by Volonteurope, recognises the invaluable contribution of individual volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations to social cohesion, improving the lives of their communities and promoting active citizenship in Europe, and considers the volunteers and staff of the Broomhouse Health Strategy Group to be worthy winners.
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