SCOTTISH hospitality group Manorview is looking to make a difference in some of the central belt’s most deprived areas with the launch of a new charity foundation.
A registered charity that will be operated separately from the core business, Manorview Foundation will provide services to deprived areas across west central Scotland, with an ambition to be active in 40 different areas by June 2026. This will include serving 100,000 meals to people in poverty within the next three years, as well as distributing a range of goods and products and hosting events.
“About a fifth of Scotland’s people are living in relative poverty,” said Manorview founder and chief executive, Steve Graham.
“And one in four children are affected, meaning they have limited or no access to life’s essentials like food, warm clothes, books and more – greatly disadvantaging them as they grow up.
“We have the people, resources, networks, and skills to make people’s lives better, so we absolutely must act.
“We know how to develop properties, operate venues, cook meals, host guests, and run events. And we know we could be using these skills to make a difference.”
The charity’s first project will be transforming Manorview’s function hire space in Coatbridge into a facility for delivering various services for people in the area.
Robert McHarg, an experienced charity sector operator who is running Manorview Foundation, said: “This October, we plan to open the space during the school holidays so that we can host kids and offer them meals and activities.
“We know school holidays can be especially tough for families in hardship, and it is difficult to afford day trips and activities to keep kids entertained too.
“Longer term, we plan to use the space for a community drop in, possible foodbank, and drop-off point for donations leading into winter and Christmas.
“The team at Manorview hotels will help deliver this activity through volunteering, and it’s amazing to have the resources and property available at Manorview to be able to do this.”
McHardy said the foundation’s mission “is to use hospitality to make life better for people living in poverty”.
The launch of Manorview Foundation was announced at a company-wide event in Glasgow which was attended by all 500 of the company’s staff and also saw Manorview unveil its new branding.
