OKFP - Sponsored Editorial
– 2 min read
“This year is all about collaboration.”
Maureen Cummings, founder of Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels (OKFP) charity, is excited about the year ahead.
After a busy and emotionally challenging 2025, Maureen and OKFP start the new year building new partnerships - and friendships - which will help sustain Napier Hall as a community hub.
Maureen explained: “At the end of 2025 I was tired, running a charity like OKFP is much more than a day job. You don’t clock on at 9am and finish at 5pm, my brain is always ticking through a never-ending to-do list.
“I love what we have created here, together with our volunteers and the local community, but sustaining this long-term is a challenge, and that takes its toll.”
After sharing her concerns with Jim McLaren, founder of Golden Friendships charity, an exciting new community collaboration began to unfold.
Scott Brown, chairman of Play and Learning Support (PALS) group, had also been talking to Jim about his worries - that PALS was without a base.
One phone call later and the link between OKFP and PALS was made.
Both Maureen and Scott believe in working quickly, so by February 1 2026, plans were in place, paperwork signed, and the OKFP/PALS community collaboration began.
This will see PALS taking on and refurbishing the small hall (now renamed the Kilpatricks Suite) for their headquarters, transforming the Board Room into an inclusive sensory room and renovating the disabled toilets into a fully accessible changing room/toilet with hoist.
Scott explained what the partnership means for PALS and for families like his own.
He said: “The PALS group was set up in 1988 to support families of children from Kilpatricks School and provides a range of groups and activities.
“Our biggest challenge is finding accessible spaces we can make fully inclusive for our families.
“This collaboration with OKFP means PALS now has a future. Our children and families have somewhere to call home which will be accessible for all.
“We have been overwhelmed by the interest and support we received since sharing the news on our social media - they are all messages of hope.”
This new collaboration also sees OKFP’s Chatty Cafe open every Monday exclusively for families and carers supporting someone with Additional Support Needs.
Maureen added: “Monday was always our quiet day and our committee was planning to operate a four-day week during the winter as there was not enough customers to cover heating and running costs.
“So we’re delighted to instead make this a time and space where ASN families can pop in for a cuppa, a bite to eat and know they will be given a big OKFP welcome at our Chatty Cafe.
“The hall has ramp access, disabled toilets and various seating options including a chill-out zone with comfortable sofas.
“We are also working with OK Stay and Play this year and looking to collaborate with other groups needing access to the ASN services within our building.
“It looks like 2026 is going to be an exciting year for us all.”
To find out more about collaborating with OKFP call 07916 310806 or email [email protected]
