GROUPS from across Clydebank recently took part in an event that enabled one of them to win money for their community project.

The very first Community Soup event in the town was held in Centre81 on April 23.

Local people were asked to turn up on the night, donate what they can afford to gain entry at the door, enjoy a bowl of soup that was provided by Café81, listen to people from their local community speak about projects they would like to deliver in the area and vote on which project they think should be funded.

The project which got the most votes, Aspire 2, took away the £73 that was raised on the night.

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They are a recently established peer-led support group for people affected by mental ill-health and the money will be used to cover the costs of their meetings and pay for aromatherapy oils which are used for relaxation.

Other ideas that presented on the night were Bloomin’ Baskets, a project to provide low cost hanging baskets to people in Drumry to brighten up the neighbourhood; Café 81 who wanted to make their service more inclusive by providing sensory menus for people with communication difficulties; a plan to provide an afterschool café in South Drumry presented by Drumry and Linnvale Community Council; and The Recycling Room who are producing and distributing ‘Challenge Packs’ that provide advice on simple home cooking, upcycling and repurposing to families who find it difficult to make ends meet.

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The event was jointly staged by West Dunbartonshire’s communities team and Clydebank Housing Association staff based at Centre81, so that small amounts of funding could be provided to support projects being delivered in the area.

Further Community Soups are in the planning and local communities can contact the council if they would like to organise one in their area.