First Minister Shown Community Impact and £2 Million Development Plans During Montrose Community Trust Visit

Montrose Community Trust (MCT) on Saturday welcomed First Minister John Swinney to Links Park Stadium for a showcase of its impactful work in health, employability, climate and community. From its beginnings as a football-focused initiative, the Trust has gone through a remarkable period of growth to become one of the North East’s most impactful charities, now delivering more than 35 programmes that reach every corner of the local community.

The Trust’s £2million Gable End development was a key highlight of the visit, as CEO Chris Platt gave the First Minister an overview of the facility, which has raised £800,000 in funding to date and will begin construction in September. The building will house a nationally-leading dementia centre, which will act as the new base for the Montrose Connections meeting group, which was visited more than 1,500 times in the past year by those suffering from dementia and their family carers.

The Gable End will also encompass a community hub, a digital lab and a new office for the MCT’s staff, who currently work from a small, windowless space within the main stand at Links Park. After delivering more than 22,000 engagements in the last year, the new facility will power the continued growth of the Trust and enhance its capacity to deliver impact within the local community.

Focusing on community-led, preventative approaches to issues such as social isolation and integration, physical and mental health, and employment, the Trust brings together local people from all walks of life, and is led by a team of 19 permanent staff, who are supported by a 120-strong group of local volunteers.

In Links Park’s designated Fan Zone the First Minister met with staff and volunteers, along with programme participants, to learn more about and celebrate the impact that has been made. Programmes represented included the International Speaking Club – a group that builds social cohesion, community spirit, and integration for New Scots through inclusive English-language speaking sessions.

Breakfast in the Box, a cost-of-living food programme that supports those impacted by deprivation, was also highlighted during the visit. The programme serves more than 150 breakfasts each month to local people, showcasing the trust’s efforts to tackle poverty and social isolation in the local community and commitment to giving hope to those in need.

The Trust’s efforts in climate action were also demonstrated, as members from the charity’s Half-Time Hub programme highlighted its mission to reduce food waste and increase environmental awareness through practical advice.

Football is the backbone of MCT, and the charity’s strong links with Montrose FC allows both organisations to make wider impact, utilising the unique power of football as a community connector. Championing this connection, the visit concluded with an opportunity for representatives from Montrose FC to meet with First Minister Swinney as they arrived for the afternoon’s game against Hamilton Academical.

The visit ultimately highlighted the role that charities like Montrose Community Trust play across Scotland. While the focus may be on football, climate, language learning or employability, the Trust helps to build stronger communities by facilitating spaces for people to connect, while championing hope, resilience and community spirit.

MCT’s CEO Chris Platt commented:

“It was a pleasure to welcome the First Minister to Montrose and highlight the impact that we’re having in our community. The Gable End is a huge development for us, but today wasn’t just about one project. It was about highlighting the real impact we’re having on lives in Montrose and hearing the inspiring stories of our amazing participants and volunteers.” Mr. Platt continued: “We are particularly fortunate to have strong links with Montrose FC, who share our ethos of community cohesion and inclusion, and it was brilliant to have representatives from the club supporting us today”.

Following his visit First Minister John Swinney said:

“It was brilliant to visit Links Park and see first-hand the top class work being done through Montrose Community Trust to support the local community. Football clubs are at the heart of so many communities across Scotland and the impact they can make is something that quite often only football can do. Be that their work to support those living with Dementia or their ‘ Breakfast in a Box’ programme, Montrose Community Trust is bringing people together through some superb initiatives. The wonderful staff and volunteers are a credit to their town.”