Local people living in Corseford and Spateston – both in Johnstone - swung into action and succeeded in obtaining emergency funding to turbo-charge their voluntary work.

Corseford Tenants and Residents Association and Spateston Tenants and Residents Association successfully obtained Scottish Government funding to help their communities weather the storm of coronavirus.

The money has been put to good use in a range of ways – all with one important goal: to make life easier for local people who, like so many, struggled during the health emergency.

Both organisations applied to Linstone Housing for funding as a result of its role as a “community anchor” - tasked by the Scottish Government with distributing the money.

Organisations across Renfrewshire have benefited from the cash with many of them applying for the funding. Spateston received £3932 and Corseford was granted £5000.

In Spateston, an emergency foodbank service was set up with a hardship fund to help people who, for one reason or another, are struggling financially. Money was set aside for play and leisure equipment for youngsters along with stationery to help with home schooling.

In Corseford, the association provided emergency food supplies with emergency energy and phone top-ups for people struggling to pay bills. A ‘household appliance emergency fund” was created to replace such things as a broken washing machine along with games and activities for residents plus garden growing kits.

Adele Fraser, Linstone chief executive, said: “During this emergency, we have seen the best of these two communities with local residents working flat out to offer a helping hand to those in real need.

“The Scottish Government money has come from the Supporting Communities Fund which was set up to alleviate the difficulties communities across Scotland face due to coronavirus

“What Spateston and Corseford Tenants and Residents Associations have done is to show the real meaning of community endeavour when faced with an emergency. They deserve huge praise for their inspirational efforts.”

George MacDonald, secretary of Corseford Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, added: “Corseford TARA is proud to have been able to help so many members of both our own community and surrounding areas throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

“Prioritising the physical and mental wellbeing of our community, we assisted in garden maintenance, provided resources for children and adults, supported residents financially and brought the community together through a knitting project which provided 250 hats and 41 blankets to our local neo-natal unit.

“An added benefit to this is the relationships we have built with other community organisations in the area such as Johnstone Community Council, Digging It Lochwinnoch, Create Paisley and Darkwood Crew. We are looking forward to some exciting collaborations with these groups in the near future. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support we have received from Linstone Housing Association both financially and in helping us to create these networks.”

Lewis Nesbitt, chairperson of Spateston Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said: “Thanks to this funding, administered by Linstone, Spateston TARA have been able to reach deep into our diverse community and ensure that our children and young people have been able to keep healthy.

“We have also been able to offer financial support to families affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic such as through our food bank. We are so proud of our community for rallying round our elderly, ensuring they all had help, support and even company during this deeply challenging time. This pandemic has brought great tragedy to our community but also highlighted invaluable community spirit when we most needed it!”