Thursday July 23rd 2026
Carol Mochan MSP visits Works+
Carol Mochan MSP, South Scotland, writes her monthly column for the Midlothian View
I would like to begin by thanking the people of South Scotland for placing their trust in me and for giving me the opportunity to represent them in our national parliament once again. It is an absolute pleasure to represent the South Scotland region, with its beautiful landscapes, historical towns and vibrant communities.
South Scotland has so much to offer and vast potential to promote economic growth and attract tourism. However, I know that for many living in the region right now, it can often feel like the forgotten corner of Scotland, failing to receive the proper recognition and attention it deserves. I understand that in order to help unlock this potential, we need to get the basics right and focus on tackling the daily challenges that constituents face. I will use my time in Holyrood to make the case for tangible change delivered with purpose, aimed at improving our region and the lives of those who live and work in it.
With Parliament going into recess for summer, I have begun my annual summer tour of the region, visiting local groups, initiatives and charities and learning about all thei fantastic work.
I recently met with Works+, an employability project that supports young people in Galashiels and Eyemouth. The project runs employability courses that prioritise confidence and wellbeing alongside the development of employability skills. After meeting with the project’s manager, it’s clear that this initiative plays an important role in supporting employment in the local community and supports young people, and parents and carers with the necessary skills required to progress and excel in employment.
I also had the pleasure of visiting Café Recharge, a surplus food café that uses unsold supermarket produce to prepare fresh meals at reasonable prices, focusing on reducing the gap between food poverty and food waste. The café’s sustainability initiatives are exemplary, and its welcoming, family-friendly environment makes it a true treasure in the community.
It’s always heartening to visit and hear about the significant impact that local projects and groups are having in communities. The initiatives being taken forward at Works+ and Café Recharge demonstrate the meaningful change and outcomes that grassroots projects can create, and I look forward to continuing to engage with more groups and promote their work throughout the session.
It’s vital that these local groups continue to be supported and well-funded to carry out their work. I recently participated in a Parliamentary debate which discussed the funding of the Third Sector and, critically, how we can best support real grassroots projects to help them thrive in communities. As the Third Sector Partnership agreement is developed, I will continue to urge government to consider how the voices of smaller charities and projects are included in the discussion.
Throughout the next five years, the cost of living, healthcare, and inequalities will be among my top priorities in the new session of Parliament. The state of public services, rising energy costs, and the performance of government in general are all issues that I know constituents in Midlothian are rightly concerned about.
It’s clear that work needs to be done to not only rebuild services but also rebuild the public’s trust in politics. As your Scottish Labour representative, I will continue to hold the Scottish Government to account and promote the value of South Scotland and all that it has to offer, while continuously arguing that Scotland would be far better off if its government recognises and invests in South Scotland’s and Midlothian’s potential.
I look forward to serving you in these coming years, and as ever, please do not hesitate to contact me on carol.mochan.MSP@parliament.scot or 0131 348 6993.
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