Communities in Renfrewshire are set to see the benefit of a strategic partnership between the council and prominent community organisation Active Communities.
Building on the council’s commitment to community empowerment, the agreement will strengthen partnership working, support mutual learning and identify opportunities for further collaboration where possible.
The agreement is set to aid the asset transfer of the former police station in Johnstone as Active Communities move their day-to-day business into the site, as well as continuing to transform it into an innovative health and wellbeing centre for the local community.
The group are working closely with the Robertson Trust to develop only the second Women’s Centre of its kind in Scotland within the station as part of their KAIROS initiative, which will provide a vibrant, safe space for women to come together for social activities, courses and classes.
The project so far has brought significant funding into Renfrewshire from the Scottish Land Fund, Town Centre Capital Fund, the Robertson Trust and the council’s Community Empowerment Fund.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “I’m delighted that we’ve strengthened our relationship with Active Communities once again as we support the fantastic work they are undertaking at the former police station in Johnstone.
“It is soon to be a thriving hub for the local community, including the creation of a safe space for women through the outstanding work of the KAIROS initiative.
“The agreement will allow us to work more closely with the group to identify further opportunities for collaboration as we further enhance our commitment to community empowerment in Renfrewshire.”
The partnership agreement will be continually monitored and will initially last for one year.
Susan McDonald, Active Communities Chief Executive, said: “We believe strongly in partnership working and are delighted to be signing a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Renfrewshire Council.
“We’re committed to supporting each other to achieve our strategic objectives and believe that this close collaboration will deliver significant mutual benefit for our two organisations.
“We have ambitious plans to transform the former police station in Johnstone into a community-led Health and Wellbeing Centre which will focus on prevention and early intervention, reducing inequalities, tackling loneliness and isolation, and building the capacity of the local community to take the lead in preventative action.
“Working closely with Renfrewshire Council will allow us to develop this exciting project, explore new ways of working and share learning with others. We will be launching our feel good Renfrewshire Campaign and we’re excited to encourage other partners to join us on this.”
For more information on community empowerment in Renfrewshire, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/communityempowerment.