‘A Community Place For You’ Event Planned to Improve Links for People with Disabilities

A free strategic Event entitled ‘A Community Place For You’ has been scheduled for October with a view to making key links for people with disabilities and complex needs in the Cumbernauld area.

The Event, which will take place on Thursday 24 October 2019 from 10.00am-12.30pm at Cornerstone House Centre, is being jointly organised by Cornerstone House Centre and Cumbernauld Community Forum, with an open invitation extended to all.

It is anticipated that the Event will of particular interest to individuals with physical disabilities or long term conditions, those facing mental health challenges, people with sensory impairments, carers and relatives, care support organisations and a range of service providers across the public, voluntary and private sectors. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, commented:

“It has been observed that in recent years a combination of social, economic and cultural factors have resulted in people with disabilities and complex needs finding it increasingly difficult to find suitable and regular services and places to go within Cumbernauld and the wider locality area.

“For example, reductions in public sector funding has seen a number of useful and valuable services either having to downsize or close in recent years in the Cumbernauld area. There has evidently been a knock on effect of this, particularly amongst vulnerable service users with disabilities and health conditions.

“One prime example is the closure of The Alpha Project, a long-established and important Cumbernauld charity which provided key day services for people with profound support needs. Removal of animals from Palacerigg Country Park, a proposed reduction of library opening times and less adult literacy and numeracy provision also present issues for this client group.

“Indeed, many retailers and local citizens have reported that the number of people with support needs generally trying to pass time or find something useful to do within Cumbernauld town centre has been on the increase over the last year.  

“Despite these challenges, there are still a number of excellent and appropriate services and places to go for people with disabilities in Cumbernauld. As such, the purpose of this Event is to explore this issue further, spotlight suitable services and places to go that are available and improve things for all those affected.”

Linking directly to the local reducing inequalities and challenging poverty agenda, a focused programme for the Event is being compiled which will include guest speakers, key discussions, information stalls, networking and a light lunch.

The Event is an activity of Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub, which was launched by Cornerstone House Centre on behalf of Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire in February 2019. This initiative aims to independently facilitate free information about and access to health and social care providers for citizens of Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and surrounding areas. 

Cornerstone House Centre is a local social enterprise charity with significant experience in connecting communities and working in partnership.

The organisation owns and operates a large, modern, multi-purpose community hub venue in the heart of Cumbernauld town centre, providing various services and access to facilities for community groups, businesses and citizens in the local area. The Centre operates as a Community Anchor Organisation which strives to benefit local people, notably those experiencing disadvantage and vulnerable groups.

If you would like to attend ‘A Community Place For You’, please telephone 01236 739220 or email events@cornerstone-house.org.uk. Alternatively, more details can be obtained by visiting The Centre at 1 Esk Walk, Town Centre, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ.

Additionally, individuals and organisations interested in hosting an information stall or being a guest speaker at the Event are also invited to contact Cornerstone House Centre through the above telephone number or email address.

Click Here to Download ‘A Community Place For You’ Event Information Poster