The Preshal Trust, a charity providing locally-based care to individuals and families in South West Glasgow, has reinvented itself to best offer support and comfort during the coronavirus outbreak.
CEO Alan Nicholson, 40, has worked for the past 20 years helping the people of Govan, an area of economic and social deprivation with high levels of unemployment.
When lockdown began, Alan and his team began focusing their attention on preparing food for the most vulnerable people in the community; those self-isolating or in social and financial hardship.
READ MORE: Herald Heroes: Your nominated key workers of the week
Although the Trust’s day-to-day operations had to close in order to reduce social contact and protect its volunteers, Alan and his colleague Steven Mackin, 54, set about preparing stovies, soup and sausage rolls to hand out through the front window of the charity’s building.
Alan and Steven are now serving up to 200 hot meals and delivering 50 food parcels every week – no mean feat for a team of just two individuals preparing, packaging and serving the food.
To date they have served around 1200 hot meals from the Preshal Trust’s premises and have delivered over 400 food parcels to those who most greatly need them in the local community.
Charity Chair Brett Nicholls was impressed with Alan’s flexibility when lockdown began. He said:
“Alan started thinking outside the box to find a creative way to continue helping local people. Now he’s working seven days a week, he’s really working hard to make sure those are socially or economically disadvantaged can come in for a hot meal.
“I’m quite encouraged by human nature during the pandemic, it’s bringing out our better side.”
The Preshal Trust also provides a 24-hour support line, so that members of the community can check in at any time with their concerns or problems. During lockdown, all incoming calls are being diverted to Alan’s phone number so that support is available 24/7.
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