Hosted by Glasgow Life’s “Artists In Communities” and Thenue Communities it was designed to celebrate creativity and bring people together.

A range of activities was laid on offering a firm focus on having fun with Thenue Communities providing, among other things, a free lunch for the 160 people who attended.

A particular feature of the occasion was the opportunity to obtain free school uniforms at a specially-erected pop up shop organised by The Halliday Foundation.

Thenue Housing used funding from the national lottery to pay for the free uniforms – ideally timed for the return of schools this week.

Rosie Robertson of Thenue Communities said: “We were delighted with the turnout from local people and the emphasis was firmly on an afternoon of family fun. It was great to be working with Glasgow Life Artists In Communities once again and the free school uniforms opportunity proved very popular.

“The event was a successful addition to our ongoing programme of summer activities. We also want to say a big thank you to the volunteers from the Roots to Recovery gardening project who helped with the organisation of the event and the families from Bridgeton Family Learning Centre.”

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service sent along a fire engine and there were crafts, drawing activities, Gaelic singing and drumming for everyone. Glasgow Life has been running the Artists in Communities initiative very successfully which has encouraged local people to become engaged in creative activities including music, singing, writing and art with a clear focus on achievement.

Senior staff and members of the Board of Glasgow Life also came along to see first hand the good work that the organisation does in communities like Calton.
Glasgow Life is a charity which describes its work as “inspiring every citizen and visitor to become engaged and active”.

Ruth Adam, community regeneration manager at Thenue Housing, said: “We were very pleased indeed to be working with others and particularly The Halliday Foundation who helped us offer free school uniforms for local children. It is just one way we are endeavouring to help with the ongoing cost of living crisis.”

Lead artist John Binnie said: “Elcho Gardens is such an ideal setting to bring so many community groups together that we have been engaging with over the last six months including Singing For Fun, NHS Restart, Bridgeton Family Learning Centre and Lodging House Mission.”