That the Parliament congratulates Forth Valley Welcome on celebrating its 10th anniversary; recognises that the organisation began in 2015 as Stirling Citizens for Sanctuary in response to the refugee crisis, before extending its work into Clackmannanshire in 2016 and, in 2018, becoming Forth Valley Welcome, to better reflect the geographical area it served; commends its decade of work supporting refugees and people seeking asylum to rebuild their lives and settle into communities across Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk; understands that this support includes practical assistance, home visiting and befriending, English language development, employability support and opportunities for people to build friendships and connections within their local communities; notes that the organisation was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020 in recognition of its work; pays particular tribute to the staff, trustees, volunteers, partner organisations and local communities whose kindness, generosity and commitment have sustained Forth Valley Welcome over the last decade; recognises the contribution that New Scots themselves make to the social, cultural and economic life of communities across the Forth Valley area, and across Scotland; wishes everyone involved a very successful 10th anniversary celebration at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum on 1 October 2026, and wishes Forth Valley Welcome every success as it continues its work to ensure that people seeking sanctuary are met with dignity, friendship and a warm welcome in the years ahead.
Supported by: Heather Anderson, Colin Beattie, Gary Bouse, Jackie Dunbar, Fulton MacGregor, Stuart McMillan, Collette Stevenson, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance