Music Broth is a trailblazing Scottish charity whose inspirational work provides access to a range of musical instruments. It works just like any library but with people instead hiring instruments ranging from tin whistles to pianos.

It is a remarkable concept and one which has caught the public’s imagination with Music Broth growing in popularity all the time.

The money has come from the government’s Supporting Communities Fund – designed to help communities across the nation cope with the pandemic.

Music Broth will use the funding to widen its reach to people in Renfrewshire who may be keen to access the library. It offers contact-free musical instrument delivery to their door and access to things like tuition books and recording equipment.

Astonishingly, Music Broth has amassed a library of over 1400 instruments which can be borrowed – made possible by generous donations of instruments from many communities and lovingly restored and repaired by Music Broth volunteers.

Music has been widely recognised as a powerful antidote to anxiety caused by the seemingly never-ending lockdown – and ideal for lifting people’s sprits and creating a sense of wellbeing.

With a firm emphasis on a collaborative approach, Music Broth is working with a number of other Renfrewshire creative organisations such as PACE Youth Theatre, arts organisation Create Paisley and Loud ‘N Proud – the music organisation for young people.

Adele Fraser, chief executive of Linstone Housing, said: “Paisley and the wider Renfrewshire community has a vibrant creative sector – essential to those who have a love of music. Music Broth is an inspiring and innovative social enterprise truly deserving of financial support so that its good work can reach more people.”