Celebrity duo praise new Glasgow homelessness village

Sir Bob Geldof and Rob Brydon were in Scotland this week to see how a pioneering supported living community is helping people break the cycle of homelessness.

Harriet Gardens in Rutherglen, near Glasgow, was launched last month by Social Bite in partnership with The Salvation Army and South Lanarkshire Council.

The village has 15 modular nest houses and a community hub with shared cooking facilities, spaces for group activities, therapeutic support, and areas for social connection. The site is provided by South Lanarkshire Council, the accommodation by Social Bite and the specialist, round-the-clock support by The Salvation Army. 

The celebrity duo spent time on Wednesday speaking to residents - and said they were impressed by the support being provided by The Salvation Army's team of specialist staff.

Karen Good, Contract Manager for The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services, said: “Harriet Gardens is a brilliant opportunity to provide consistent, person-centred support that helps people feel valued and able move forward at their own pace. By working alongside Social Bite and South Lanarkshire Council, we aim to create a safe and supportive place where people are encouraged to take steps towards independent living."