Irvine’s community hub volunteers have been praised in parliament for their ongoing efforts to help those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, the SNP MSP Ruth Maguire said that many organisations made up of dedicated volunteers have been working constantly to provide food, shopping and prescription services for people in need throughout Irvine.

The Cunninghame South MSP said: “They are absolutely knocking their pans in, seven days a week. Fullarton and the other Hubs in North Ayrshire have stepped up and provided for the community.

“They are at the heart of the community, they are the community and they know what is needed and the priority is food and tackling isolation and they are delivering and have been since the start of this crisis.

“They are also reaching folk who need support but have not been involved with statutory services, connections that can be literally lifesaving.”

“This health crisis has highlighted and, in many cases, exacerbated deep, existing inequalities, which have persisted stubbornly over decades.”

“The harms caused by the pandemic and the harms of the measures put in place to manage it and save lives are not felt equally and Government responses should reflect that in making decisions.

“Fairness and quality of life for all our citizens must not only be considered but also acted upon.

“It will be to all our shame if these gains in inclusion and justice are lost.”

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