The National Lottery Community Fund, which supports communities to thrive, is distributing £344,922 between seven community groups across Renfrewshire North and West.

Erskine Hospital received a £192,833 grant which will go towards delivering services for veterans at the Erskine Reid Macewen Activities Centre in Bishopton.

Friends of Robertson House received £9,000. This grant will fund activities and classes in Robertson House - a sheltered housing complex in Erskine, serving older people with additional care needs.

£8,759 will be used by Renfrew Association of Growers and Gardeners to establish a weekly men's mental-health group held in Broadloan Community Gardens.

Renfrew Association of Growers and Gardeners received £114,970 which will be used by the group to develop their community-garden activities by retaining the services of a Seasonal Gardener and hiring a new Gardens Coordinator over the next two years. A portion of funding will go towards improving the facilities.

£9,960 has been awarded to Renfrew Care Home Activities Group to help tackle loneliness and isolation by creating a mixed programme of activity for their residents, their friends and family and the wider community including school children.

The Renfrew Over 50’s Swimming Club has received £3,800 to take their members to social dances and on bus trips.

The Welcoming Renfrewshire Families Group received a £5,600 grant which will help to bring local and new families together in a cultural showcase in Renfrew, enabling interactions between the new arrivals and local people, to improve the integration of new families.

Commenting, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“I am delighted that so many community groups in Renfrewshire have been successful in securing National Lottery funding.

“Each of the groups provide a wide range of invaluable support and services to communities within the constituency and I look forward to keeping up with the projects that these grants will fund.”