Maree Todd, MSP Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport met with local charity Cosgrove Care recently to hear about the work that the charity has done in relation to the Ukrainian Community in East Renfrewshire and Glasgow and how this work is helping Cosgrove Care address the recruitment challenges in the social care sector. The Minister met with Ukrainian staff, Cosgrove Team members and family members at their base in Giffnock.
Cosgrove Care employ more that 220 local people but the challenges in social care recruitment and pay have in recent times been very difficult to address. An innovative pilot project where the organisation have worked closely with DWP, East Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow Clyde College has seen the organisation training and recruiting 24 Ukrainian people and providing volunteering and skills development opportunities for others.
Cosgrove Care have worked closely with Ukrainian HR specialist Andrii Strekhaluik and community support worker, Yuliia Kohut to support refugees into training and employment. They presented the history and impact of the work to the Minister during the visit. Maree Todd, MSP congratulated Cosgrove Care on its approach and spent time talking to parents, Board members and staff.
The challenges of low pay and recruitment of skilled social care workers is impacting greatly on services across Scotland. We want to share a positive piece of work that is supporting our Ukrainian friends, helping social care in Scotland and highlights the positive work going on in East Renfrewshire.
Heather Gray, Cosgrove Care CEO
