Bellsmyre Housing Association believes that an increasing part of its role is to help improve not only the houses that we own but also the Bellsmyre area as a whole both enviromentally and in terms of the facilities and opportunities for our residents.
We were instrumental in setting up the Community Advice Centre in Merkins Avenue.
We continue to support this, our flagship Wider Role Project, in its continued efforts to support the local community in addressing a number of social issues. The Advice Centre has become the catalyst for providing access to support, sign-posting services, workshop based activities, group work opportunities and has worked relentlessly in promoting strong partnership links with external youth agencies.
The Project Co-ordinator, Renzo Cardosi, and a team of devoted volunteers take advantage of the Centre's prime location by promoting local events, facilitating community Gala/Information Days and by organising varied summer programmes for young people.
These diversionary activities have built good relationships with the community and have ensured the Centre is recognised as a bustling hub of activity especially on youth nights.
In addition to this the Centre has provided money advice support workers, NHS healthy eating schemes and first aid training.
The Centre is used by agencies such as Action Team for Jobs, Community Literacy and Numeracy, the Healthy Living Initiative, Careers Scotland, Financial Inclusion and Skillseekers.
The Advice Centre has also enjoyed beneficial partnership work with Streetlinks, Community Learning and Development, Y-SORT-IT, PULSE, Sports Development, The Environment Trust, West Dunbartonshire Council and ONTOWORK.
It will continue to dynamically adjust its timetable to suit local needs.
Statistics and Achievements
740 young people dropped in to the Centre last year seeking assistance, advice, attending groups, PC access or after school clubs.
628 young people attended the Howatshaws Hall drop-in evening
55 young people were involved in the Youth Group and assisted in litter picks, tree planting and the refurbishment of a senior citizens care home
50 young people attended the Gala/Information Day
89 boys and girls enjoyed competitive football at the Midnight leagues
37 young people took part in the summer programme
If you would like to find out more about the services and activities provided by the Bellsmyre Community Advice Centre you can call in to see them at 7B Merkins Avenue or you can phone on 01389-730111.
The Bellsmyre Community Advice Centre Annual Report is also available on request.
Big Lottery Our Place Fund
We are actively involved in the process aimed at securing some £1.5 million of lottery funding for the area.
The Association's Committee and staff, together with the Advice Centre Co-ordinator, Renzo Cardozi, have been instrumental in the creation of the Bellsmyre Development Trust which will administer the Big Lottery funding.
Proposals for the regeneration of Bellsmyre include the acquisition and refurbishment of the Howatshaws Hall, the introduction of a Community Cinema , the creation of up to 5 new community development jobs as well as ensuring that a number of smaller community led ideas become a reality.
The staff team will be responsible for the creation of a programme of services and activities for all age groups within Bellsmyre.