Buckie Community Hub basks in royal praise
The sterling work of a volunteer-run community hub has come to royal attention.
For the last two years, Buckie Community Hub - which was set up by Buckie Area Forum (BAF) - has been helping local people in need, especially those impacted in a variety of ways by the cost of living crisis.
In addition to providing a warm space for those struggling to heat their homes, the Hub has been offering a range of services, including signposting people to agencies which may be able to help.
In recognition of the work done, BAF chairman Gordon McDonald was nominated as Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Karen Adam’s local hero for her constituency. As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Scottish Parliament, all 129 MSPs were asked to nominate a constituent who has made a positive difference to the lives of others.
Mr McDonald joined the other local heroes at Holyrood on Saturday, September 28 for a special day of celebration, which included the opportunity to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Speaking afterwards, the BAF chairman said he used the opportunity when he met the Queen to raise the profile of the Hub and its work.
He said: “First of all we listened to speeches by the King, First Minister John Swinney and Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, then we had the chance to meet Charles or Camilla.
“Basically we were split into two groups, with Charles talking to one and Camilla talking to the one I was in. I’ve met Charles before, many years ago, when I was the convener of Grampian Regional Council, but I’ve never met Camilla.
“I was introduced to her by Deputy Presiding Officer Annabelle Ewing and I took the opportunity to talk about the Hub, the vital work we do to help counter the cost of living crisis for local people and the fact that it was run purely by volunteers.
“She seemed impressed and voiced her thanks for all the work the volunteers do for the community.
“It was also a good opportunity to show MSPs what the Hub was about.”
With winter rapidly approaching, accompanied by the double whammy of many pensioners losing their winter fuel allowance payment and the energy price cap rising by 10 per cent, Mr McDonald predicted a busy time ahead for the Hub and its volunteer team.
All of the local heroes have been mentioned in a special booklet commissioned to mark the Scottish Parliament’s milestone anniversary.
Ms Adam said: “I was delighted to be able to promote the work of the Buckie Community Hub in the Scottish Parliament.
“The Scottish Parliament 25th anniversary celebrations were a perfect opportunity to recognise those in our local communities doing the most important, often overlooked work, which is on the ground helping people directly.
“Gordon McDonald was able to attend the event and take part in the special proceedings because of the help and support he and his team deliver to the Buckie area. The community hub has been a life line for so many people since it opened, and as the MSP I extend my gratitude for the work and commitment to the people of Buckie through some of our most challenging times.”
To find out more about the range of services offered by Buckie Community Hub, plus its opening times, visit the organisation’s Facebook page.
