Convener of CrossReach reports to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Dr Mike Cantlay gave a powerful and moving speech covering a range of topics beginning with our new 5 year strategy.

He said: “Let me start by highlighting that CrossReach has recently launched our five-year strategic plan. Ambitiously, boldly, and even emotively, that plan is titled ‘Love from CrossReach’. Its forward reminds us that caring for people in their communities has been at the very heart of the Church of Scotland for over 150 years.   

“Indeed, the call to love others, as we ourselves have been loved, is a theme as old as the gospel message itself.  So why, you may well ask, is the Social Care Council getting all excited about that ancient yet familiar concept, now? 

“The answer simply put, is because we believe that the people of Scotland. People cherished by our God need to know that we, at the Church of Scotland, also continue to love them. We continue to care about them and the things that matter to them, despite all that the Church is facing.”

Dr Cantlay also discussed our most recent impact report, which was published this week. The report helps to capture just some of that love in action which has been implemented in the last year.

He said: “The CrossReach impact report, features just some of the ways in which we have made a difference in the lives of thousands of people over the past year. People like Shwrenn, people like Jean and people like Rory, lives touched and transformed by Christ’s love coupled with our professional expertise.

“However, we know that for many people, things feel harder now than they have ever done, drugs deaths continue to be unacceptably high, there is a housing crisis, a mental health epidemic and over a million people are living in poverty, including around a quarter of a million children.  If we are to continue to offer love into places of hardship and hurt, and help turn that around, we need a strategy; a plan inspired by love, but grounded in the reality of austerity and financial insecurity.

READ MORE: King Charles III pays tribute to CrossReach in letter

The current financial issues facing the social care industry was a key part of Dr Cantlay’s speech as he highlighted the challenges this brought for CrossReach.

He said: "We care about the current underfunding of social care. Worryingly a recent survey carried out by the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland indicated comments highlighting the additional pressures that the employers national insurance bill has brought to all not-for-profit providers like ourselves. 

“We have also seen a number of funding cuts over the past few months, which means that many people will not get the full support that they need. And we are in the process of making some extremely difficult decisions this year, all necessary we believe, to ensure that we are financially viable into the future. 

“Working with the support of both the Assembly Trustees and the General Trustees, the Crossreach Board are charting a route to financial sustainability that continues to serve the most vulnerable in society.”

Our Chair concluded his speech by paying tribute to our staff and partners, highlighting their work over the past 12 months.

He concluded: “Despite all of the obstacles thrown at us over the past year we’ve been pleased to continue to offer the Living Wage as our base salary point and have improved both recruitment and retention, thanks to advertising help from you in our presbyteries 

“We’ve also invested in wellbeing initiatives and chaplaincy so that the CrossReach workforce are in the best possible shape to serve those….cherished by God but often overlooked by others.  Indeed we’ve seen some remarkable achievements, which we celebrated at our employee awards, with staff members and volunteers nominated by their peers, or those they support, for going the extra mile.

“And finally we care about our partnerships, and when better than this week to concentrate on our Church partnerships, including that with the Guild’s Let’s build a house initiative, which is most welcome.  I do hope that you’ve taken time to visit our stall in the Rainey Hall, to speak with some of our people and had a chance to think about how we at CrossReach can work in closer partnership with you in your various congregations. 

“I hope you can be proud of Crossreach and recognise the mission we carry out …. providing social care so that the Church of Scotland continues to play a part in demonstrating the power of Christ’s love across the nation.”