New Glasgow HQ for Momentum

National not-for-profit organisation Momentum, officially opened its flagship Scottish headquarters last week.

One of the first organisations to receive the backing of the new Scottish Investment Fund. The premises, in the newbuild development at Watermark Park, Glasgow, were launched by Glasgow City Council Leader, Steven Purcell.

Momentum, which helps disabled and excluded people across the country to achieve their goals through training and employment, has been offered a £200,000 grant and £300,000 in loans from the Scottish Investment Fund to help fund its new headquarters.

The Scottish Government scheme is created to help enterprising Third Sector organisations become more efficient.

Every year, Momentum assists around 2200 disabled and excluded people to live independently, gain skills and secure and retain jobs, in more than 30 locations across Scotland, stretching from Aberdeen, to Glasgow, Ayrshire and the Scottish Borders.

Ian Welsh, Director of UK Services for Rehab Group, which incorporates Momentum, said: “We are delighted to officially launch our new headquarters a key investment which will in turn allow us to continue and extend the work that we do to support people across Scotland to identify and achieve their goals.

“Since 1990 we have continually expanded and developed new innovative services and thanks to this significant award from the Scottish Investment Fund we can continue to build equal chances, equal choices and equal futures Launch: for people in Scotland.” Momentum and its subsidiary organisations provide training, rehabilitation, employment, social care and social enterprise for a wide network of services across Scotland.

Councillor Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, who unveiled a plaque at the new HQ last Tuesday, said: “I am delighted the organisation has chosen Glasgow as its new Scottish headquarters.

“The Council has had a long relationship with Momentum on a range of initiatives. The work they do for some of the most vulnerable people of Glasgow and elsewhere in the UK is first class. Helping more people into employment will benefit the whole city.” Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather said, “It is especially important in the current climate that we harness the Third Sector’s ability to help increase sustainable economic growth, build on our economic recovery programme and help Scotland emerge faster and stronger from the downturn.” The £30 million investment fund was launched by Ministers last summer to support established Third Sector organisations with the potential to grow their turnover or become financially sustainable.

The fund is managed by Social Investment Scotland (SIS) on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Momentum, based at Watermark Park, Govan, has four subsidiaries delivering employment, training and supported living opportunities for more than 2000 people every year.

Visit:www.momentumscotland.