A mum from Pollok is being celebrated for her contribution to her local community during the coronavirus pandemic through a mural.
Donna Foote was chosen by Amazon Handmade as the star of a mural as a celebration of those who have ‘mothered the nation’ through the crisis ahead of Mother’s Day.
The 52-year-old is being honoured for her work in founding Greater Pollok Services CIC, an organisation that offers food, prescriptions and mental health support for people living in the area.
Over the past 12 months, the mum-of-five recruited and trained local volunteers, set up services to transport vulnerable people, and ensured they arrived at their appointments, in addition to establishing a befriending service for those who were shielding.
Donna, who works as a library assistant, also organised donations for the vulnerable during the summer to ensure her community felt supported by one of their own.
Originally hailing from the east end, Donna spent six years being looked after in a children's home and was homeless for several years before having her five children.
The family eventually settled in the south side, prompting her to join local groups to help her children integrate into the local area.
She told Glasgow Live: “When I first moved to the south I wanted my children to fit in quickly, so I joined the local Playscheme and because one of my children needed support I had to stay at every club. So it felt natural to stay and help and I saw the need in other families and understood the support they required and provided that when I could. As a result of this, I set up PARENTSTOP, a family support group for families with children who had behavioural difficulties/ADHD etc.
“Greater Pollok Services CIC came about because community support in the area was getting thinner, so a few residents including myself decided to change that, and I set up an organisation that would flow with demand from the community.
“The priority at the time was accessing support around employment, so we set up a job club at Cineworld in Silverburn and a Facebook Page called “Greater Pollok Vacancies”. Greater Pollok Services CIC was a natural platform to support volunteers who stepped forward during the pandemic. Now we have a thriving volunteer programme developing in the area.
“I’ve felt at home from the first day I moved into Priesthill and knew from the first week I’d never move away. There is a great community spirit.”
Through her work, Donna has improved the lives of people of all ages in her community buts he says her most rewarding experience was with a group of teenagers.
She explains: “I heard a positive remark from a group of 13 and 14-year-olds who thought I couldn’t hear them - the comment I can’t repeat but basically translated to “no one has ever done anything like this for us up here”, and that was in Nitshill at a time when I was becoming disheartened because services were becoming less available and the need in the area felt more.”
Donna's mural has been commissioned by Amazon and depicts her incredible work in the community.
The mum hopes that it shows that anyone can make a difference to those around them.
She adds: “It’s incredible to be honoured by Amazon Handmade with this mural in Glasgow, and I hope it shines a light that anyone can make a difference if they pull up their sleeves and put their mind to it. When I saw it I was overwhelmed and felt so proud of myself, Greater Pollok Volunteers and Glasgow for the difference we have made during the pandemic.
"Glasgow has shown that even in a pandemic we will find a way to support our neighbours. The people definitely make Glasgow.
"No matter where you have come from or what you have done, help others when you can as we are all in this together.”
