Party celebrates year of community hub
A SPECIAL birthday party was held to mark the successful first year of the thriving South West Community Hub in Greenock.
Local residents, councillors and special guests were invited to the bash at the Grieve Road facility.
They tucked into a buffet and enjoyed music and song by talented musicians from the Your Voice Recovery Cafe.
Veronica Doherty, chair of the community hub, said: “We opened up a year ago and it exceeded all our expectations.
“We want to thank everyone for making it such a success.”
The hub started by running free lunches every Thursday through the council’s Warm Hand of Friendship scheme and the National Lottery.
Greenock South West Community Council also gave the group funding and joined in with the celebrations.
Veronica said: “In the first week we started with 13 people, then 45 and our average numbers are now 76 every week although last week we had 93 people coming along to the hall. We want to thank the community council, the council and the National Lottery.
“We hope to continue to get funding to keep these community events going, as there is a clear need for it in this area.
Elizabeth Renfrew, 74, who goes along to the hub every week, said: “It’s great here, absolutely terrific. They put on a spread every week and the school kids come in after school and get hot dogs, lemonade and noodles. It’s for everyone, of all ages. It keeps you young, especially in the winter.
“The people from the hall are so nice and friendly, they can’t do enough for you. It’s great they are bringing the community together like this.”
Councillors Tommy McVey, Natasha McGuire and John Crowther attended the party.
Cllr McVey said: “Great credit goes to Veronica Doherty, Paul Travers and all the team of volunteers here who have got things to this stage.
“Joe McIlwee and the Greenock South West Community Council have also been very supportive of the hall committee.
“The centre is now embedded into the heart of the community and is a great asset for the people of the ward.
“It is there for everyone to use, so please come along and visit.”
Joe Cannon, recovery outreach and peer support worker with Your Voice, also hopes more people will make use of the hub.
He said: “It’s a first class facility with lovely people, a community and great food.”
Other guests included Julie McEwan, director of housing with Oak Tree Housing and Inverclyde Council’s culture services manager Sarah Christie, who praised the impact made by the hub over its first 12 months.
Sarah said: “I think it is an inspiring example of community empowerment.”
Nicole Bradley, of the community learning and development team says the hub has made great strides since being set up.
She said: “I love it here. I am blown away by the volunteers and all their hard work. We have come a long way in a year.”