The event was part of a commitment to engage the community through Particapatory Budgeting (funded by the Scottish Government) and received a “wonderful response” from the residents of Barrhead, Neilston, and the wider community of East Renfrewshire.

A total of 22 fantastic projects were shortlisted and represented on the day in the market place and competed for the votes of the community. In 2.5 hours, 2880 votes were cast and approximately 700 members of the community passed through the market place.

With match funding from the Association, the total pot of £30,000.00 was awarded on the day to seven successful projects – the Barrhead Men’s Shed, Levern Valley Brass Band, Neilston Wasps Football Club, Neilston Scout Group, Include Me2Club, East Renfrewshire Good Causes and Yoga Untangled.

Councillor Annette Ireland, Barrhead Housing Association Board member and member of the Steering Group set up to oversee the project, said: “This is my first event representing the Association and I was delighted to take part in such a successful day. I look forward to hearing how the funding will be spent by the successful groups.”

Chief executive Shirley Robison added: “I’d like to thank the local community and our staff for making this a very successful event for the Association.”

Each of the successful projects will be presented with their cheques on March 22 by the Steering Group. The projects will be delivered across the next 12 months and Barrhead Housing Association will work in partnership with these organisations to support the success of the individual projects and deliver the evaluation of each project.

This event is one of a number of initiatives that Barrhead Housing Association is committed to delivering through a new Community Regeneration Strategy which has been created to increase opportunities for tenants and the wider community.