Harper Promotes The Usual Place at Parliament

Posted on: July 20, 2022, by :

South Scotland SNP MSP, Emma Harper, has promoted The Usual Place in Dumfries at the Scottish Parliament, following a ministerial visit last week.

 

The MSP accompanied Minister for Transition, Employment and Fair Work, Richard Lochhead on Friday (8 July) and following the visit to the social enterprise, and has raised a parliamentary motion to raise awareness of the success of the Usual Place which provides training, education and employability skills for young people with additional support needs.

 

The Usual Place first opened its doors in a historic former church building near Dumfries town centre in 2015 offering a community café and events space with an ethos of support for all young people who were previously invisible, excluded, at risk of isolation and loneliness, with the aim of helping these young people to fulfil their potential as valuable, active citizens contributing positively to their community.

 

Ms Harper’s motion details that The Usual Place have received many awards, including being a Disability Confident Leader, a World Host Destination and the SQA Star Award.

 

Ms Harper commented;

 

“It was fantastic to visit the Usual Place with the Minister for Employment and Fair Work, Richard Lochhead last Friday. I was impressed with the fantastic customer service from the staff, as well as with the opportunities this social enterprise offers to young people with additional support need.

 

“During my visit with the Minister we heard that The Usual Place has achieved many awards including Disability Confident Leader, a World Host Destination and the SQA Star Award which is testament to the fantastic Usual Place staff and volunteers. The motion I have raised in parliament notes the invaluable contribution of The Usual Place to people and families across the Dumfries and Galloway local authority area and promotes this leading light at a national level.

 

“I would encourage those living in Dumfries, as well as anyone visiting, to stop in at the Usual Place for a coffee, scone or lunch – the food was tasty and prepared with love. I wish everyone at the Usual Place every success for the future.”

 

Heather Hall, CEO of The Usual Place, commented;

 

“Our young people were absolutely delighted to welcome the Minister for Employment and Fair Work, Richard Lochhead and local MSP, Emma Harper and share their achievements.

 

“Young people said that both MSPs had listened to them with great interest in their wellbeing and successes.

The Usual Place works in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Councils Employability and Skills Team, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway and Dumfries and Galloway College, along with many local businesses and other organisations to create opportunities for young people with additional support needs to be fully included economically and socially in creating a Fairer region and a Fairer Scotland.

 

“The Usual Place is well supported by the public and we look forward to continuing to enable the successes of our young people in the months and years ahead”.

 

Emma Harper MSP accompanies Minister for Transition, Employment and Fair Work, Richard Lochhead with his visit to meet staff at The Usual Place – a successful social enterprise which provides training, education and employability skills for young people with additional support needs.