The Urban Green initiative, delivered in partnership with community arts charity Impact Arts, has won a £150,000 grant from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund until next Spring.

Its objectives are to encourage community food growing, deliver energy advice and help people gain access to energy-saving grants, and provide arts workshops with a climate change theme for both adults and children.

Lawrence McCabe, community regeneration manager at Thenue Housing, explained: “The community food growing initiative will transform the garden at Cranhill Development Trust allowing local residents to get involved in growing their own food as well as providing support for those who want to grow food in their own gardens.

“A dedicated Energy Efficiency and Environmental Advisor is now assisting local people in reducing their energy bills and crucially, accessing grants which can help this energy efficiency.

“There will be opportunities for the whole community to get involved and have fun while helping to reduce their carbon emissions. It is also helping nine Cranhill young people who have been recruited by Urban Green by enhancing their skills and improving their chances of employability.”

Newly-appointed energy efficiency advisor Ruskin Gammon is set to embark on a series of visits to local residents.

Charlie Turner, chief executive of Thenue, added: “Urban Green Cranhill is a good example of a locally-delivered community initiative where people can really get involved.

“Growing your own food has the benefit of bringing people together and receiving energy advice from the project is always valuable especially at a time when fuel bills remain high. Thenue Housing is very pleased to be making a difference in Cranhill.”