ALISON RENNIE

A centre at the heart of the community is heading out on tour to hear directly from the people it serves.

The Tannahill Centre, in Ferguslie Park, has been closed to the public throughout the pandemic.

And, as it prepares to open back up, staff have decided to hold ‘Tanny on Tour’ sessions throughout Ferguslie to find out what folk want from the centre.

So far, there have been craft activities, darts and picnic lunches, while Darkwood Crew has also joined in with their popular Bingo Bus.

Jamie Mallan, business transformation manager at the Tannahill Centre, explained: “While the centre is still closed to the public, Covid-19 guidance has changed, meaning we can get out and about in the community, speaking to everyone again.

“All our staff and volunteers are really looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces.

“During lockdown, the community has done an amazing job cleaning up spare ground and open spaces, so we will be able to use these spaces over the coming weeks to meet up with people once again.

“As well as fun activities, we will have questionnaires and focus groups, giving local people the opportunity to shape what services we deliver in the centre moving forward, and there will be a prize draw for those who get involved.”

As recognition of the tireless work staff and volunteers have undertaken to support residents, the Tannahill Centre won in the community-led regeneration category at the SURF good practice in regeneration awards earlier this year.

Staff and volunteers at the Tannahill Centre have been working around the clock since the beginning of the pandemic to ensure those who need help in the community are looked after.

The team has taken on a number of initiatives since March last year to support families and those in need by delivering over 5,000 meals to people in Ferguslie and the surrounding areas.

Volunteers also designed and delivered activity packs for families which were delivered to people’s doors to help them keep children occupied.

They have worked hand in hand with smaller community groups, such as Own Yer Bike and Darkwood Crew to make sure they reached out to as many people as possible.

Most recently, the centre helped provide 50 families with Google Chromebooks to ensure they had proper access to digital devices at home during the pandemic.

Last year, it celebrated its 25th anniversary by holding a week of celebrations, sending out activity packs and encouraging residents to hold street parties to mark the occasion.

● The Tanny on Tour sessions are taking place every Saturday in May.

To find out more about where and when you can get involved, check the Tannahill Centre’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/tannahillcentre