The Merchants House of Glasgow has awarded a £5,000 grant to Skills Exchange in support of its Skills for a Stronger Wellbeing project. The funding will help create a safe and welcoming space where people from diverse backgrounds can come together, build meaningful relationships, and feel part of a supportive community.

Through a structured 13-week programme, participants engage in practical activities such as community gardening and other wellbeing-focused projects, which encourage social interaction, teamwork, and connection with nature. Alongside this, group sessions focus on building confidence, motivation, communication and coping skills, while also supporting the development of digital skills to help participants engage more confidently with learning, work and social connection. Participants are supported to improve their overall wellbeing while strengthening social networks and developing life skills that can have a lasting positive impact.

A representative said “By nurturing a sense of belonging and purpose, the project helps reduce social isolation, strengthens emotional resilience, and promotes overall wellbeing. The support from Merchants House will enable us to reach more people, foster stronger social networks, and create a lasting positive impact on individuals and the wider community. We are extremely grateful for this generous support.”

Skills Exchange SCIO supports people to build confidence, improve wellbeing and connect with their community, providing the tools and encouragement needed to thrive in life and work. Formerly known as Skills Exchange Scotland, the organisation was established in December 2013 by three colleagues with a shared vision of delivering high-quality, personalised support to unemployed young people in East Kilbride. The organisation now works across East Kilbride and South Lanarkshire.

In June 2018, Skills Exchange became a charitable organisation, reflecting its ethos, mission and the nature of its work. The establishment of a board of trustees brought new skills and strategic direction, enabling the charity to build stronger partnerships across the third sector and expand its volunteer base. In February 2019, Skills Exchange achieved SQA Centre approval, allowing it to broaden its training offer and better meet the needs of participants. Its work increasingly focuses on supporting disadvantaged and harder-to-reach young people, ensuring programmes respond directly to the needs of the local community and local labour market.

If you would like to support our charitable work why not consider setting up a regular donation?