OUR Place Our Future – Greenock East and Central Project Gets Underway

ISSUES ranging from poverty, loneliness and health, to inter-generational activities, depopulation and employment, were all hot topics at the Our Place Our Future – Greenock East and Central launch event.

People from different generations and walks of life turned out to join the start of this community conversation at the new Broomhill Community Hub in Greenock.

Our Place Our Future – Greenock East and Central covers Gibshill, Strone, Weir Street, Cartsdyke, Bridgend, Greenock Town Centre, Wellpark, Drumfrochar, Broomhill and Prospecthill. It will run until the end of March 2018.

“Our Place Our Future – Greenock East and Central is giving people the opportunity to talk about their concerns within their community, while looking at how they could be at the heart of change, such as through volunteering their time and skills,” said programme manager Bill Clements.

“The launch was very much a kick-start to the conversation with many interesting points being raised, not least of all how people see inter-generational activities as a positive way forward and how depopulation and lack of employment opportunities are impacting upon their communities.

“This is all about empowering communities to lead their own success by being directly involved in developing and delivering long-term solutions, which address local needs. Their views now will help shape their community in the future.”

The next stage for the Our Place Our Future team over the next couple of months will see Bill and community engagement officer Patricia Compston engaging directly with local community groups and businesses. They will also link up with people via social media channels, encouraging feedback on the issues they want to discuss and, ultimately, help change.

Any groups or businesses who would like to join in the conversation, should contact Patricia on 01475 728628 or patricia.compston@yourvoice.org.uk, or Bill on 01475 711733 or bill.clements@cvsinverclyde.org.uk.

To find out more about Our Place Our Future – Greenock East and Central, follow the conversation on Facebook @OurPlaceOurFuture or on Twitter @OPOF2018

Our Place Our Future received funding of £30,682 from the European Social Fund, to seek the views of people the Greenock East and Central area and encourage their participation in positive changes within their local area. The Scottish Government is the managing authority of the European Structural Funds 2014-20 Programme, which includes the European Social Fund. For further information, visit the website or follow @scotgovESIF.