£30,000 split between local community projects

Seven community projects will receive a share of almost £30,000 thanks to the Association's participatory budgeting project, Queens Cross Connected.

Supported by Glasgow City Council and our Community Involvement Groups, funding was available for community projects that would benefit the localy community that Queens Cross serves.

Nine projects were put forward to a public vote which took place last month and over 300 votes were cast in an online ballot. The successful organisations were:

1. Braeside Community Garden
   Garden Improvement Works
   
   Funding will allow further improvements to improve accessibility and appearance of the growing space at their community garden at Maryhill Road. New slabs, fence posts and topsoil will be provided by skilled volunteers. 

2. Community Central Halls
   Community Fridge to tackle food poverty
   
   A community fridge will be placed in the foyer of 304 Maryhill Road, located next to the existing “giving table” which provides free access to food products. The fridge will help tackle food poverty and reduce food waste, as it will provide a distribution point for food that has a short shelf life and would otherwise be destroyed.  Funding will pay for fridges, shelving and food grade containers.

3. The Courtyard Pantry, run by Flourish House
   Festive Fun at the Courtyard
   

   A festive fair in the Courtyard providing homemade pizzas, hot chocolate and soft drinks. Santa will also make an appearance to hand out small gifts to the local children. This will be an open air event with Gazebos for cover should the weather be inclement. This project is intended to bring people together and enhance community wellbeing. NB this project was conceived and voted on before the rise of the new covid variant, this organisation has advised they are actively exploring covid safe alternatives.  

4. The Firhill Youth Project and Community Sports Hub
   Free Rowing
   

   The Youth Project are looking for funding that would allow them to double the amount of free rowing activity they offer the local community of North Glasgow. This funding would pay for an additional 200 young people to try out rowing and who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate. The funds will pay for staff time to deliver this activity

5. The Froglife Trust
   Woodside Garden After School Outdoor Learning

   Deliver a series of 15 after school outdoor learning sessions at Woodside Community Gardens on Cedar Street for young people aged 5 to 12. The sessions will cover wildlife education, gardening, cooking and trying vegetables they are involved in preparing. The aim is to also re-build links between people following restricted living caused by the pandemic.

6. Claypits Nature Reserve Management Group
   The Claypits 5 Points Project

   The Claypits have 5 points of entry to the nature reserve (Ellesmere, Applecross, Westercommon, Garscube Link and Panmure Gate). This project will see events and activity focused on each separate entrance point. 5 separate events will be held promoting access to the space, connecting with nature, building community spirit and providing education in arts and heritage. These events will be delivered over the course of 2022

7. Woodlands Community Development Trust
   Woodlands Community Pop Up Café

   An outdoor Community café that will run over Spring and Summer 2022 promoting wellbeing and tackling isolation. The café will be open to all and will take place at Woodland’s outdoor event space on Ashley Street. The café will promote healthy eating, tackle food poverty and be a place where people can meet and interact. Funding will pay for food and staff to cook and serve at the café once weekly for 15 weeks.