That the Parliament congratulates The Jeely Piece Club in Castlemilk, on turning 50 in 2025; acknowledges that the club was set up in 1975 by a group of mothers determined to fight back against the gang culture, which, it understands, had Castlemilk in its grip; believes that the club has transformed lives and played a huge part in restoring community spirit by providing play and learning opportunities for children of all ages from its centre on Machrie Drive, and through pop-up sessions in a variety of partner sites, outdoor spaces and schools; notes that its core Playzone service, which runs sessions throughout the week, on Saturdays and on bank holiday weekends, supports around 16,500 children and 6,000 adults each year; understands that in 2024, more than 2,200 children came through its holiday food programme, which is funded by Glasgow City Council, and that approximately 5,000 children benefitted from its free minibus service to help them attend sessions; further understands that the club has teamed up with Strathclyde University on an oral history and digital archive project, which will preserve the stories of "the Jeely weans" and their families for future generations, and understands that the Jeely Piece team is also introducing a new, vital fundraising campaign, "A Piece of the Future", in a similar way to "buy a brick" appeals, and is encouraging local businesses and residents to buy a piece, which will be included on a donation wall inside the centre.
Supported by:
Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Maggie Chapman, Sharon Dowey, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Kenneth Gibson, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Bill Kidd, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Alexander Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Sue Webber, Tess White, Brian Whittle