Public Health Minister Visits Glasgow Employment Services
Tuesday, 25 November 2008: Momentum Skills, the social renewal arm of Scottish charity, Momentum, welcomed Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison MSP, to its services at the Savoy Tower in Glasgow today (25 November, 2008).
The Minister was shown around the centre, which is home to a number of services that assist people who are disabled, or who have been long-term unemployed due to ill health, to break into the world of work as well as providing job retention services. Around 500 people access the services at the centre each year.
During the visit, Ms. Robison spoke with service users and staff and viewed a community arts project undertaken by service users depicting the rollercoaster ride experienced by people who have sustained a brain injury. Around 45% of the people who attend the centre have an acquired brain injury.
Momentum Skills has also recently achieved the quality hallmark, Investors in People.
Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health said: “Being in employment contributes to good quality of life, giving people a wider social network and enhanced self-esteem, vital to their good health and wellbeing. Supporting people to stay in or return to work is essential if we are to secure a wealthier and fairer Scotland, with a fit and healthy workforce. “In order to do this we need integrated vocational rehabilitation services to help people improve their health as part of a journey back or into work. This is why I am pleased to be able to visit the Brain Injuries Unit today and take the opportunity to see first-hand some of the excellent services provided by Momentum. It is important that we continue to work with others including NHS Boards, local authorities, charities and voluntary organisations to provide patients with better access to rehabilitation services.”
Area Manager, Alistair Kerr said: “We are delighted that the Minister for Public Health could join us today and see first hand the work that we do at our centre. Our services assist disabled and excluded people from Glasgow to gain confidence and the skills necessary to enable them to move forward with their lives and gain employment.”
For more information about Momentum’s services visit www.momentumscotland.org.
-ENDS-
Notes for Editor:
• Momentum promotes equal chances, equal choices and equal futures to over 2,000 people every year throughout Scotland.
• Momentum is part of the international Rehab Group. Rehab Group in the UK delivers a range of innovative training and employment solutions and social care and community outreach services throughout the UK, from Eastbourne to Inverness. Rehab Group in the UK incorporates Momentum Skills, Momentum Care and Haven Products in Scotland and Rehab UK, TBG Learning and the Chaseley Trust in England.