About us

The Community One Stop Shop was launched in 2002, known initially as Broomhouse Empowerment Project. Its purpose was to support the local community by offering an advice service.

We have grown our services in response to needs we see that our clients have. In 2011 we established the employability service, with the foodbank following the year after. 

It is the relationship between staff, volunteers and clients that enables our project to grow in a way that is relevant to our community, and sustainable in terms of our delivery. 

Our staff and volunteers take the time to get to know people that come in to use our services, and listen to the issues they face. They look for creative ways to meet customers’ needs, always ensuring they are treated with respect, dignity and discretion.

As we have learnt more about our clients, we have tailored the services we offer. We have introduced community days such as afternoon teas, and days out to local tourist attractions.

We have established outreach projects in hard to reach areas such as Calders, and set up a community table offering household items which have been donated to us.

The most recent addition to our spectrum of services is The Pantry which opened in 2021. Our foodbank regulars told us that they wanted to feel like they were making a contribution to the groceries they were being given. The Pantry enables them to pay for the items they receive at a subsidised rate. 

Over two decades, we have built a strong reputation, both in the community and with our supporters. We are enormously grateful to those who freely share their time and resources with us. We couldn’t do what we do without them.

To find out more about COSS services and activities, have a read through our Impact reports.