Future of Toryglen Hall secure

The future of a centre which tackles isolation amongst older people and provides an outlet for children has had its future secured for three years.

Toryglen Community Hall yesterday, Wednesday, received a £115,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

The cash will allow the hall at Prospecthill Circus to continue to deliver a range of activities for pensioners in the area including a weekly lunch club and art class.

It will fund the wages of four members of staff at the centre and contribute to the general running costs of the facility until 2019.

Linda Wilson, chairwoman of Toryglen Community Hall Committee, said the funding would allow the hall to cater to even more people as a number of the activities will be subsidised.

She said:“We see the facility as a valuable community asset and, as its guardians, we want to ensure that it is a sustainable facility that meets the needs of our diverse community.

“We believe that our organisation is at the heart of the community. The hall enriches the lives of individuals and communities through arts and dance and it is a social centre for a variety of activities, tackling social isolation and fostering inclusion through services provided.”

Eveline McNair, manager of Toryglen Community Hall, said the hall is currently used by approximately 275 people who attend events run by the centre, and organisations who host their own activities.

Explaining the offering at the centre will increase in the future, Eveline said:“We will continue to improve and adapt our services that meet the identified need of our community.”

Maureen McGinn, chairwoman of Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said:“I am delighted that Toryglen Community Hall is one of 60 groups sharing in our latest grants totalling over £17 million.

“This is life changing money which will support people and families facing challenging circumstances and I wish Toryglen Community Hall every success as it goes on to develop and expand this valuable project.”