The Dumbarton Road Corridor Environment Trust (DRCET) is calling on local people to get involved in an attempt to make its community greener.

Established in 2004 DRCET is involved in schemes in Scotstoun, Yoker and Whiteinch to help people get active and involved in their area.

Neil Lovelock, project manager of DRCET, told the Post: “We could not do what we do without volunteers. New Year’s resolutions are often a time when people decide to give up some of their time.

“We have retired people, those who are coming back from maternity leave and younger people who are looking to develop skills for their CV.

“I think volunteering means they can make a positive contribution to the local community. People benefit from personal development and feel great about the fact they are giving something back.” DRCET works with its partners on a range of key community initiatives including the £1.7 million construction of the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in which it is based.

Other schemes include De’ils On Wheels. The community bike workshop receives donations of unwanted bicycles, fixing and recycling them as well as providing Dr Bike MOT checks. People are given the training to carry out their own repairs and build on their cycling skills.

The trust has also been involved in developing community garden projects at Kingsway Court and Heart of Scotstoun, as well as food waste collection programmes. It works with local community councils, primary schools and organisations like Friends of Victoria Park (FoVP) in a bid to maximise the benefit to the area.

Mr Lovelock continued: “We have the resources and the experience. That means we can work in partnership with others to have a bigger impact in the local community.

“We are always keen to hear from more organisations that may be keen to work with us for the benefit of people in Scotstoun, Yoker and Whiteinch.” Information on volunteering can be found from Katherine Mackinnon: katherine@dumbartonroad.com or by calling 07943 080 593.

More details on the work of DRCET are on its Facebook page, Twitter handle @drcet or on its blog: www.dumbartonroad.wordpress.com.