Over 200 jackets have been donated to help those less fortunate during an annual appeal by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC).
The Winter Jacket project is a collaboration with local schools that involves laundered and redistributed jackets donated to children and families who need them most. This initiative, led by the Council’s Justice Unpaid Work Service, exemplifies the community-focused ethos of South Lanarkshire Social Work Justice Services.
This was just one of the initiatives highlighted during a recent visit to Blantyre, where the Social Work Justice Services welcomed esteemed guests to showcase examples of best practice, including enhancing early intervention and alternatives to custody, ensuring those given community sentences are supervised and supported, and enabling rehabilitation.
The visit included an overview of the innovative Whole System Approach service for 16-18 year olds, the leading-edge collaboration with Hamilton Sheriff Court to establish a dedicated Alcohol and Drug Problems Solving court, the award-winning Recovery Oriented Justice Service, and a range of supports provided by the local Unpaid Work Service.
Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, Liam Purdie, Chief Social Work Officer, and Gillian Booth, Justice Service Manager welcomed the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance MSP, Councillor Joe Fagan, Leader of South Lanarkshire Council and Councillor Kirsty Williams, Deputy Chair of the council’s Social Work Resources Committee.
Staff from the Social Work Justice Team were joined by colleagues from Sacro.
Councillor Fagan said: “South Lanarkshire is leading the way in demonstrating how justice services can combine care and accountability to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
“From early intervention to the essential work of the Unpaid Work Service, the dedication and professionalism of our staff are making a lasting difference. This visit reinforced the vital role of justice services in promoting rehabilitation, reducing reoffending, and building stronger, safer communities.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance said:
“The Winter Jacket Project is an excellent example of improving lives; helping those in need stay warm while helping to reduce reoffending through unpaid work and supporting effective rehabilitation in the community.
“Community justice makes a tangible difference to individuals lives while providing support and compassionate rehabilitation. We know that community sentences can be more effective in reducing reoffending and assisting with rehabilitation than short-term custodial sentences, leading to fewer victims and safer communities.”
On the success of the Winter Jacket project, Professor Sengupta added: “We know this is a particularly challenging winter for many people and families right across our communities.
“That’s why I am delighted once again at the generosity of people and schools from across South Lanarkshire who have gone out of their way to contribute to our campaign.
“The commitment of our social care staff and professionalism of the Unpaid Work Service to ensure the jackets are washed and ready to be donated to those who need them has also been first-class.
“A huge thank you to everyone involved – that kindness and willingness to help others is another example of South Lanarkshire at its best.”
Note to editors
Below is a list of the schools involved in the project:
Larkhall & Lanark Locality:
Lesmahagow High School
Law Primary School
St Mary’s Primary School
Woodpark Primary School
Hamilton Locality:
Muiredge Primary School
Cambuslang/Rutherglen Locality:
Stonelaw High School
Rutherglen High School
Spittal Primary School
East Kilbride Locality:
Blacklaw Primary School
Duncanrig High School
Picture caption: Councillor Joe Fagan (second from left), Angela Constance MSP (third from left), Professor Soumen Sengupta (third from right) and Councillor Kirsty Williams (second from right) are welcomed by the Social Work Justice Services team.
