Cambuslang manager honoured by Salvation Army

The manager of Cambuslang’s Eva Burrows Centre has been honoured by the Salvation Army.

Helen McKay was one of 13 dedicated workers from across the UK who picked up an award at the organisation’s Social Services Conference at The Hayes Centre in Derbyshire.

Helen won the Manager of the Year Award for Homelessness Services.

But the modest 36-year-old this week dedicated her victory to her fellow staff at Eva Burrows.

She told the Reformer: “I was delighted, thrilled and surprised. It’s a real privilege to be recognised.

“But there is no single person who works on their own, our success has been down to teamwork and the staff who work to make the community a better place.

“The reason I won the award was the staff we have here. It’s a real family atmosphere at the centre.

“They are fantastic and 100 per cent committed to working with the service users and supporting them to help change their lives.” When accepting the award, Helen admitted: “I don’t have a lot to say, which is unusual.”

But there is no denying that her achievements in her role at the Eva Burrows Centre which provides accommodation and support for adults who are homeless.

Helen arrived at Eva Burrows when the First Stop Accommodation Project started in 2010.

Through her leadership the centre has developed community groups such as the Cambuslang Allotment Group which has enabled service users to learn new skills.

The centre is a key player in the Participate Overton group and organises special events at Christmas and other times.

The Salvation Army say Helen “leads by example and always goes the extra mile, and by undertaking additional responsibilities within Homeless Services, has demonstrated the power of leadership by example.”

Helen says she doesn’t do the work for awards, but admits it was nice to win: “You don’t do a job like this for the recognition.

“I am here to make a difference to people’s lives.

“But it’s nice to be recognised. We are very much part of the community and that’s how we see our role.

“We want to create a real sense of community.”

Helen wants to keep the good work of the Salvation Army continuing in Cambuslang and said: “I love my job and I just hope that I can continue to be privileged and blessed enough to keep doing it.”

The Eva Burrows Centre was originally opened in August 2000 as a purpose built Nursing, Residential Day Care Unit.