A helping hand to be found in Merkinch every Tuesday

MERKINCH Partnership has awarded Community Regeneration Funding of £6,000 to Citizens Advice Bureau to do outreach work in Merkinch.

The weekly advice sessions will take place on a Tuesday in the community room of the Housing Office in Craigton Avenue and will offer both appointments and drop-in emergency facilities, starting on 10th July.

The outreach will be available from 10am to 3pm and appointments can be made by contacting the CAB office in Academy Street on 01463 237664 between 10am and 2pm.

Citizens Advice deal with issues such as debt, housing, benefits, mental health and relationships and work closely with other agencies and organisations to help people address and deal with their problems.

Merkinch Partnership Officer Anne Sutherland, who was involved in co-ordinating the outreach service, said, "Citizens Advice is doing fantastic work and the Partnership was delighted to approve the funding application, which will allow the Merkinch community better and easier access to advice facilities"

CAB Manager Alasdair Christie worked closely with the Partnership Officer on the development of this project. He said, "CAB is looking forward to working together with Merkinch Partnership on this new service, which will be of benefit to the whole Merkinch community". The Housing Officers based in Craigton Avenue welcomed the new service, which they are sure will be well used by the local community.

• Merkinch Partnership has also approved funding for Fliperz childcare centre and the Trinity Church artist-in-residency project. Fliperz has been awarded £3,500 to upgrade their garden area - the funding will be used to purchase artificial grass, a new shed and new play equipment.

 

• The artist-in-residency project has been awarded £5,000. The artist, a Glasgow based sculptor, has been appointed and will be meeting with local community representatives in the next few weeks.
  He will be working closely with the Merkinch community on a short-term art project, but the steering group hopes to extend the residency for a 3-year-period and is currently looking into potential funding sources.

 

• The Partnership will be holding their next meeting on 5th July, when they will be addressing their overall plan for the coming year. Priorities are sports development and the establishment of a Local Nature Reserve in the Westfield area.

 

• The Community Regeneration Fund is open to applications from groups and organisations working in the Merkinch area, which contribute to the regeneration of the area - getting people into work, engaging with young people, promoting healthy living, improving the local environment/local facilities.
  Applications need to be with the Partnership.