Builder Gives £25K to End Homelessness in Scotland

McTaggart Construction just turned 80, and instead of throwing a party, the Glasgow-based builder decided to change lives.

The social housing contractor donated £25,000 to Simon Community Scotland, a charity providing safe places and support for people experiencing homelessness. The gift targets programs helping some of Scotland's most vulnerable residents rebuild their lives.

A major chunk of the funding will keep Glasgow's Connect Hub running for two full weeks. The Hub serves as a safe space specifically for homeless women, offering shelter and support in a protected environment.

The donation also supports the Make a House a Home initiative, which helps people transitioning from homelessness into their own settled accommodation. Additional funds will create opportunity and experience days in North Lanarkshire, giving homeless individuals skills and confidence for their next chapter.

Part of the money went toward refreshing community gardens at Scotland's first Managed Alcohol Programme. The gardens provide therapeutic outdoor spaces for people working through addiction and housing challenges.

Janice Russell, McTaggart's managing director, said the donation reflects on eight decades of building communities. "Supporting Simon Community Scotland's work feels like the right thing to do," she explained. "The services they provide, particularly for women experiencing homelessness, make a real and lasting difference."

The Ripple Effect

This donation represents more than just financial support. By funding two weeks of operations at the Connect Hub, McTaggart ensures dozens of women will have safe beds, warm meals, and professional guidance during that period. Those two weeks could be the turning point someone needs to escape homelessness permanently.

The Make a House a Home program addresses a challenge many overlook: having keys to an apartment means nothing without furniture, kitchen supplies, or bedding. This funding helps people transform empty spaces into actual homes where they can start fresh.

Simon Community Scotland CEO Lorraine McGrath praised McTaggart's understanding of where money makes the biggest impact. The company didn't just write a check but worked with the charity to identify the most critical needs.

The £25,000 forms part of McTaggart's larger 80th anniversary pledge to donate £80,000 across three Scottish organizations throughout 2026. Building homes has been their business for eight decades, but now they're helping build hope too.