MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, has today offered his support to the owner of Juniors Play Café in Hamilton after the Scottish Government pulled their funding.
Mr Simpson met with Lesley Robertson, the owner and manager of Juniors, at the charity’s site in Hamilton town centre to hear about their work and discuss funding options going forward.
Juniors, which was set up by Lesley back in 2017 with the full support of the Scottish Government, operates primarily as a soft play centre but it also supports over 300 families a week through a range of support schemes including: child milestone sessions, money management classes and a free Community Supermarket.
Having received funding from the Scottish Government for the last six years, the charity was shocked when the Scottish Government confirmed that their application for the next round of funding (which would have lasted them for three years) was rejected.
Mr Simpson described the Scottish Government’s decision to pull the funding as “baffling” and said it’s “vital” the charity remains in operation to support families across the community.
He added that he will join other MSPs from the area in “looking into alternative funding streams” and has called on local residents to “back the various fundraisers” which have been set up to keep the charity going.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson said: “The Scottish Government’s decision to reject Lesley’s application for additional funding for Juniors through the ‘Investing in Communities Fund’ is baffling and has come as a huge shock to the community.
“Locals, and many from further afield, rely on Juniors for a range of services like money management and the free community supermarket, so keeping this facility open is vital.
“I like many of my MSP colleagues will look into what alternative funding streams are available but in the meantime I would encourage everyone to support the various fundraising events which are taking place to keep the facility operational.”
