An open day took place in Clydebank to showcase what a local charity can offer the community.

The Big Disability Group, which has recently taken over the old Independent Resource Centre (IRC), welcomed welfare groups to its hub to highlight that they can help just about anyone at the Dumbarton Road site.

Groups such as the Lennox Partnership, Maggie’s Yarn Buddies and Crafting Together were all on show on Friday, alongside representatives from focus groups who will use the premises to connect with those that need them.

Teri Gow, manager of the No One Left Behind Project, a scheme aimed at people over 50-years-old and unemployed, described how her project helps get folk into work through CV building, prepping for job interviews and filling out job applications.

She said: “We’ll be referring people down to here [Big Disability Hub] as a lot of people are coming to us about debt.

“We did that with the Dalmuir resource that was here before, which was a big help for us.

“When that was shut down we wondered what we would be able to do so we are pleased with what is happening here."

John Donnelly, who runs a focus group, plans to do so every Monday at the hub and explained the session will be there for anyone to attend and speak about whatever they want.

He said: “It’s a bit of a bespoke as well. People can come if they have a problem. If they just want to listen, if they want to learn about any issues at all, they can come along.”

Kevin Crawford, organiser of the Big Disability Group, toasted the success of the day.

He said: “We were really happy with the turn out from the general public, many of whom ended up staying the whole day enjoying a chat and a cuppa, meeting new people and finding out what we have to offer.

“The feedback from the day was amazing and I want to thank everyone for their very kind and encouraging words on our feedback forms."

Kevin added that from the start of August, organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Social Security Scotland, legal advice and support and an advocate service delivering help and advice for filling in forms will all be based at the hub on a regular basis.