POTS OF FUN FOR EVERYONE
Two communities have earned huge praise for helping others during the coronavirus pandemic.
Neighbourhood heroes in Corseford and Spateston, both Johnstone, swung into action and succeeded in getting emergency funding to turbocharge their voluntary work.
Linstone Housing Associationa has praised people living in both areas for their “inspirational efforts” during lockdown.
Corseford Tenants and Residents Association and Spateston Tenants and Residents Association successfully applied for Scottish Government funding to help their communities weather the storm of coronavirus.
The money has been put to good use in a range of ways – all with one important goal: to make life easier for local people who struggled during the health emergency.
Both organisations applied to Linstone Housing for funding as a result of its role as a “community anchor” tasked by the Scottish Government with distributing the money.
Many organisations across Renfrewshire have benefited from the cash. Spateston received £3,932 while Corseford was granted £5,000.
In Spateston, an emergency food bank service was set up to help people struggling financially.
Money was set aside for play and leisure equipment for youngsters along with stationery to help with home schooling.
In Corseford, the association provided emergency food supplies as well as paying for energy and phone top- ups for people struggling to pay bills.
A household appliance emergency fund was created to replace broken washing machines and other items along with games and activities for residents plus garden growing kits.
Linstone chief executive Adele Fraser said: “During this emergency we have seen the best of these two communities, with residents working flat out to offer a helping hand to those in real need.
“The Scottish Government money has come from the Supporting Communities Fund, which was set up to alleviate the difficulties communities across Scotland face due to coronavirus
“What both associations have done is to show the real meaning of community endeavour when faced with an emergency.
“They deserve huge praise for their inspirational efforts.”
George MacDonald, secretary of Corseford Tenants’ and Residents’ Association said: “We are proud to have been able to help so many members of both our own community and surrounding areas throughout the Covid-19 crisis.
“Prioritising the physical and mental well- being of our community, we assisted in garden maintenance, provided resources for children and adults, supported residents financially and brought the community together through a knitting project that provided 250 hats and 41 blankets to our local neo-natal unit.
“An added benefit to this is the relationships we have built with other community organisations in the area such as Johnstone Community Council, Digging It Lochwinnoch, Create Paisley and Darkwood Crew.
“We are looking forward to some exciting collaborations with these groups in the near future.
“None of this would have been possible without the incredible support we have received from Linstone Housing Association, both financially and in helping us to create these networks.”
Lewis Nesbitt, chairperson of Spateston Tenants’ and Residents’ Association added: “Thanks to this funding we have been able to reach deep into our diverse community and ensure that our children and young people have been able to keep healthy.
“We have also been able to offer financial support to families affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic such as through our food bank.
“We are so proud of our community for rallying round our elderly, ensuring they all had help, support and even company during this deeply challenging time.
This pandemic has brought great tragedy to our community but also highlighted invaluable community spirit when we most needed it.”
Residents have been working flat out to offer a helping hand to those in real need