Parliament

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the significant contribution that Jill Mackay has made to the success of North United Communities (NUC), as she celebrates 25 years at the much-loved organisation in north Glasgow; understands that Jill started as a street worker at the then-titled Ruchill Youth Project, and only two years later was managing the project; further understands that, under Jill’s leadership, the organisation identified the need to support parents who had been identified as struggling to manage challenging behaviour, and the project therefore moved towards a family support service; believes that the work of Jill and her team over many years has helped to tackle antisocial behaviour, gang culture, drugs and alcohol issues, teenage pregnancies, and has helped build the self-esteem of those they worked with, as well as improving life opportunities, including through apprenticeships, further education and full-time employment; commends the holiday experiences provided for local youths, including Highland breaks, canal trips and boating holidays; notes that, while Jill is the CEO of NUC, she is still very much on the front line, working with both teen groups and adult groups in three disadvantaged communities in north Glasgow, namely Ruchill, Milton and Wyndford/Maryhill; believes that the most telling testimony of Jill’s work is the extremely high regard that she is held in by young people and families that she has worked with over many years, and offers its heartfelt thanks to Jill and her committed staff members, past and present, for what it considers to be the very real difference that they have made to the lives of so many families in north Glasgow over the last 25 years.