Cornerstone House Centre a Leading Light in Quest to Challenge Poverty in Cumbernauld

With Challenge Poverty Week taking place this October, Cornerstone House Centre is recognisable as a leading local provider of services which aim to reduce inequalities and combat poverty.

The recently published Plan for North Lanarkshire outlines that while trends show strong improvements in a number of key indicators relating to economic growth, investment, employment and educational attainment, there are still unacceptably high levels of deprivation and child poverty and clear areas of inequity and inequality remaining. Notable local areas of deprivation include Carbrain, Seafar and Central Cumbernauld.

This means that not all of Cumbernauld’s people share equally in the improving picture and there is an element of social exclusion across some of our communities. As a result, the provisions of social enterprise charity Cornerstone House Centre have provided a lifeline for many families and citizens on lower incomes.  

As a Community Anchor Organisation for the Cumbernauld area, the organisation  has been proactive in initiating free and low cost interventions which benefit local people experiencing disadvantage. These include Cumbernauld Family Hub, Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub, Cornerstone Community Tea Dances, a Community Space facility, bespoke Training Services and Employability Services.  

The subject of poverty within the Cumbernauld area will be a key focus on the next  local Community Matters (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Locality Partnership) meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 9 October 2019 at Cumbernauld New Town Hall.

Taking place during Challenge Poverty Week (7-13 October 2019), the meeting will be preceded by a special market place from 4.00pm-6.00pm at which a number of stall holders with be present and able to provide confidential and impartial support and advice in challenging the stigma of poverty. The Community Matters meeting itself commences at 6.30pm, with an open invitation extended to local citizens.

Enquiries relating to the Community Matters Challenge Poverty Event or business meeting can be directed to Colin Bruce of North Lanarkshire Council’s Community Partnership Team on 01236 632874 or via email at brucec@northlan.gov.uk.

For further information on the services which Cornerstone House Centre provide for people experiencing relative poverty, please contact 01236 739220 or email health@cornerstone-house.org.uk.