News

Maree Todd MSP, the Scottish Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health & Sport visited the Rangers Charity Foundation today.

The Minister and her team were met by Foundation Director, Connal Cochrane, Club Managing Director Stewart Robertson and the Foundation’s Senior Executive Team in the Ibrox Community Hub for an overview presentation of the charity’s work before the Minister met directly with candidates and staff from the following 4 Foundation community programmes:

CashBack For Communities – a Scottish Government funded programme which aims to re-engage young people with current or past convictions or who may have experience of the criminal justice system and help them move towards a more positive future including working, volunteering or further education. Candidates may also have complex backgrounds and can access the support of our Trauma Counsellor. This season 75% of CashBack candidates reported increased confidence and resilience as a result of attending a course.

Recovery Drop In – Our weekly Recovery Drop In sessions provide a safe and friendly place to meet and sessions are free and open to anyone who is recovering from addiction.  They take place every Monday night from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the Ibrox Community Hub

Hub in the Community – a model currently being run in Govan High School, Knightswood and Drumchapel High where a full-time member of Foundation staff is based in each school. Pupils are mentored and offered a range of tailored support in relation to transitions, school attendance, attainment and wellbeing. The Foundation will soon be expanding this model to include a further two schools. 

Ready For Hospitality – an employability programme funded by the Department of Work and Pensions which aims to improve the job prospects of local people by delivering an individualised training programme to help develop their skills, confidence and relevant experience. Young people who may face barriers to employment are able to do SQA Qualifications and gain industry experience within the Hospitality Sector with a view to being matched to long term opportunities.

Ms Todd said:

“It has been absolutely amazing to see the transformative work the Rangers Charity Foundation does and meet people in person who are benefitting from it. You can actually see the impact on people’s lives in front of you.”

Foundation Director Connal Cochrane said:

“ We were delighted to welcome the Minister today and discuss the Foundation’s charitable and community work, of which we are immensely proud.

This season alone we have assisted over 80 young people to obtain jobs through our employability programmes and Ibrox Youth Hub initiative. As an accredited SQA Centre, we have also helped young people with a variety of barriers to employment achieve 300 SQA Qualifications; for many, the first qualifications they have attained.

We are a Foundation for Healthy Lives and it gives us a strong sense of pride to harness the power of of a football club-related charity such as ours and see these young people take the next steps towards reaching their potential. “

For more information about our community programmes, click here.