AN East Lothian Café has been praised by MSPs for helping to tackle suicide, social isolation and loneliness in the county.
The Keep the Heid Café in Haddington received praise from politicians after Craig Hoy MSP submitted a motion recognising the café’s success in Haddington and congratulating it for receiving a £14,000 investment to open a second café in Tranent.
The Conservative MSP said: “Emma Jackson has been doing a wonderful job in raising awareness for the café and working to tackle suicide and loneliness in Haddington and the surrounding area.
“I was very pleased to learn that a second café will be starting in Tranent to provide more people with a safe space to talk and listen, and I wish Emma all the best.”
Keep the Heid café founder Emma Jackson said: “The cafe in Haddington has been running for a year now and we are making a real difference to people's lives with attendees reporting that they feel safe and supported and that the cafe has helped lift their mood. We are very excited about expanding the cafe to Tranent and have plans to set up additional cafes in Midlothian when funding allows.”
The motion, which will be presented to Members of the Scottish Parliament, reads: “That the Parliament welcomes the opening of a second Keep the Heid Café in Tranent; understands that the Keep the Heid Café has played a pivotal role in tackling suicide, social isolation and loneliness in Haddington following on from the COVID-19 pandemic; recognises what it sees as the outstanding investment of up to £14,000 from Fa'side Local Area Partnership and the National Lottery Community Fund, which it understands has made the opening of the second café possible, and acknowledges what it considers the great impact on the East Lothian community from these ventures and the care being given towards mental wellness.”
