Volunteers from across the community will be celebrating alongside their friends, families and neighbours at the Tannahill Centre on Thursday, 2nd June 2022 at a Platinum Tea Party.

The event marks the return of the Tannahill Centre’s Big Lunch, which was held on an annual basis before lockdown and brought members of the community together to make new connections and share friendship across all faiths, ages and backgrounds. This year’s event will be extra special as it also marks the beginning of Volunteer’s Week and is part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration.

As well as bringing neighbours together for a community lunch, the event will be visited by Ferguslie’s very own Queen who will bestow honours to volunteers who have made a significant contribution to Ferguslie over the past year.

Josie Drage Draws, a much-loved volunteer in Ferguslie, will be dressing up in regal attire to hand out certificates Joise said: “I can’t wait to inject a bit of fun into our tea party whilst also thanking the people in Ferguslie who give up their time to support others. Volunteers have done a power of work to support others in Ferguslie, and they do it all in their own time, which makes it even more amazing!”

Since the beginning of the pandemic the Tannahill Centre has worked with nearly 250 volunteers who have given up their time to support their community. This includes: running support groups for local people, delivering and serving meals to older and vulnerable people, and transforming green spaces from dumping grounds into much loved community assets.

The community hub also provides training to volunteers so they have the skills and confidence needed to volunteer, or pursue things like employment and training

Bobbie McCabe, volunteer co-ordinator said: “I’m so lucky that I get to work with so many inspiring volunteers on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s an hour every so often, or several hours a week, the time volunteers give up for their community is so precious it’s only right we say thank you. I’m really looking forward to the event and saying thank you to our volunteers in a very unique way.”