Community members come out in force in South Lanarkshire

Hundreds of local residents in South Lanarkshire attended a number of ‘Community Decision Making Days’ to have their say on how funding should be allocated in their local area.
 
Organised by South Lanarkshire Council Tackling Poverty Team in partnership with Community Links, five events were held in their key community development areas; Fairhill, High Blantyre, Hillhouse, Strutherhill and Westburn. The purpose of the events was to allow residents to identify community-led projects that promote the well-being of children, young people and families.
 
‘People and Places Participate’ funding from South Lanarkshire Council’s Tackling Poverty Programme has enabled eight areas to benefit from Participatory Budgeting activities. 

32 projects across South Lanarkshire will shortly receive funding to help support activities for children and families enabling them to get more involved in their local community.
 
In Hillhouse, the 2nd Hamilton Girls Brigade will receive funding to help deliver activities that will encourage young people to become more physically active and enable members to take part in new activities including team pursuits. The Hamilton Backhold Wrestling Club and The Harvest Christian Fellowship Group, both based in Hillhouse, will also receive ‘People and Places Participate’ funding to help continue run activities and events for young people living in the local area.

In Westburn, the Prince and Princess Baby and Toddler Group will receive funding to deliver two 15-week programmes for under-fives for tiny tots dance and football sessions. The Westburn Youth Club will use monies to set up a Tuesday night ‘Cyber Café’ for young people aged 13 years+. UTD Sports LTD – on behalf of the young people from Westburn – will purchase mobile floodlights and supply sports coaches to enable children and young people to use the Venchie during the winter months. Local young people of Westburn will also benefit from receiving football strips and The Venchie pitch being lined by South Lanarkshire Council Land Services - making it more accessible for the local community.              

The other area recipients will be announced soon.

Francesca Lynch, Community Involvement Officer for Community Links, said: “The decision making days were very well received by local residents who attended to have their say in what they would like to see operating in their communities.”
 
“Hillhouse was the highest attended event of the eight identified areas, with 141 people casting their vote which was a fantastic show of support”.
 
For more information about the outcome of the Community Decision Making day, please contact Paul Hayward, Community Links South Lanarkshire.