THREE West Dunbartonshire groups have been recognised for improving their communities and caring about resident's health and well-being.

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful praised Action Old Kilpatrick, Flourishing Faifley and Dumbarton’s Knowetop for their work on their area’s climate, nature and people.

Additionally, Action Old Kilpatrick received a Certificate of Distinction, presented to groups displaying continuous improvements over four years as part of the It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative.

The 2023 Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood annual seminar and celebration event took place virtually on Tuesday, December 5, where the passion, commitment, and positive action taken by 208 groups from 27 local authority areas across Scotland to improve their communities for people, climate and nature were recognised.

Juliette Camburn, senior community initiatives officer with Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Our annual celebration of the inspiring efforts of people across Scotland who work tirelessly to improve their own neighbourhoods and communities is always such a happy event.

“Each and every It’s Your Neighbourhood entrant recognised today has made a lasting contribution, however small or large to combat climate change, restore nature and biodiversity, tackle litter and improve the places they care for.

“I’d like to congratulate and thank all entrants, alongside the 27 volunteers we work with, for all they do to make their community a cleaner, greener and more sustainable place.”

It’s Your Neighbourhood is Keep Scotland Beautiful’s community environmental improvement initiative which is managed in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). 

It runs alongside Beautiful Scotland but is non-competitive and is based on the three pillars of community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement.

A full list of entrants and their achievements can be found at: www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/IYN

Any group who would like to join Keep Scotland Beautiful’s It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative can email beautifulscotland@keepscotlandbeautiful.org