Pulteneytown People’s Project in Wick

That the Parliament congratulates Pulteneytown People’s Project in Wick on its fantastic contributions to the local community; notes that the social enterprise assists in areas such as employability, welfare rights and housing, and offers support to local people with childcare services, loneliness and mental health wellbeing; commends the three longest-serving staff members, Lynn Bain, Jennifer Harvey and Julie Cassidy; notes that Lynn  joined Pulteneytown People’s Project in 2004 and has progressed through a wide range of roles, including being a registered manager of both adult and children’s services; further notes that she holds multiple qualifications including SVQ4 in Management and SCQF9 in Health and Social Care, is a qualified SQA assessor, and verifier and that for over 21 years she has contributed to Pulteneytown People’s Project’s growth and is passionate about developing staff and supporting families at the heart of the community; notes that Jennifer has worked in welfare and community services for over 26 years, joining Pulteneytown People’s Project after previous experience with Citizens Advice, that she has led outreach, tribunals, crisis support and volunteer-led services, including Pulteneytown People’s Project’s lunch club and thriving café, and coordinated Pulteneytown People’s Project’s COVID-19 response, delivering to over 250 homes daily; believes that Jennifer is a natural leader in bringing people together and ensuring everyone, especially the most isolated, feels supported and connected; notes that Julie has over 25 years of management experience, with 18 years at Pulteneytown People’s Project, that she led the development of Pulteneytown People’s Project’s £3.8 million community centre and is responsible for managing contracts, funding and compliance; recognises that as a qualified SQA assessor and verifier, she also supports staff development and is proud of the project's resilience and success, driven by its adaptability and deep community roots; notes that her work is central to Pulteneytown People’s Project’s long-term impact; believes that the success of the project prevents a number of increased costs for government further down the line, on a whole range of social and economic issues; calls on the Scottish Government to continue to fund such a vital project through the Investing in Communities Fund, and wishes all the staff and everyone involved in Pulteneytown People’s Project every success for the future.