A CRISIS support centre that provides emergency aid to the deprived and vulnerable has told how it has helped more than 40,000 people in Glasgow in just seven months. 

The Gowanbank Hub launched in February this year after a group of parents from Gowanbank Primary School's parent council identified a need for food and further support in the local area.

Since then, the Pollok facility has offered humanitarian aid, advice and compassionate support to a total of 42,937 residents in the South Side. 

Glasgow Times:

Billy Coull, one of the three trustees and co-founders of the organisation, said: "When the Gowanbank hub opened our doors we committed ourselves to provide humanitarian aid and support to the people of our own community and the wider area.

“We have grown and flourished rom nothing more than a £100 gift card from Tesco and a cloakroom at a local facility."

The volunteer group also runs a foodbank that relies on donations from members of the public, Morrison's Cardonald and Newlands, and charity HiS Church among others.

In figures seen by the Glasgow Times, more than half of those who were helped since February were supplied with emergency food.

Billy added: "We work quickly, effectively and efficiently to support our service users. We don’t think it's fair to have people waiting around for days or weeks on end.

"We try to solve our service users' problems on the first point of contact where we can. Our approach is to be aware, to be focused and act only in the best interest of our service users."

Glasgow Times:

A service user, who wished not to be named, said: “I first contacted the hub when I moved into the area and was helped with filling out important confusing forms.

"I was given use of the foodbank and help with furniture that has made my home feel a lot more homely.

"In these difficult times, it's good to know that this hard-working team is there with help and advice for the community."

With a looming cut to Universal Credit, the organisation previously warned that it expects to see a spike among service users when the change comes into effect on October 6. 

Billy said: "It will be another blow for them. People use that money to buy food for their kids and for bills. It will be a struggle for them to live without it. It is going to push people even further and further into the poverty trap."

Those who wish to make a food donation can do so by dropping off goods at the facility on 415A-415B Peat Road, G53 6SG.

Otherwise, cash donations can be made on an online fundraiser at gofundme.com/f/Thegowanbankhub