Much-loved Winter Connections programme returns for third year

Renfrewshire’s praised Winter Connections programme has returned with a brand-new programme of free fun activities and events. 

Developed with local community groups and organisations, Renfrewshire Council, and OneRen libraries, the programme is open to everyone across the area where people can come together, make friends, get a warm welcome and build community connection. 

All activities are free and offer refreshments. Find your nearest Winter Connections space on Renfrewshire Council’s website. 

Community groups and organisations involved include Brick Lane Music Academy, Erskine Arts, Friends of Howwood Park, Foxbar Elderly Forum, Johnstone Dementia Friendly Community Group, Just Dive In, Kairos Women+, Paisley North Church of Scotland, Paisley YMCA, Ralston Out of School Care, Rays of Hope, Renfrew Trinity Church, Renfrewshire Rainbow Buddies, ROAR Connections for Life, STAR Project, The Thursday Club, and Twist and Hit Cheerleaders. 

Activities and events on the programme include movies, singing, bingo, table-top games, lunch clubs, a chat and soup, gentle exercise and a youth drop-in for young people. 

A further 19 groups and organisations have been successful in receiving grant funding from the Winter Connections Fund that supports this programme and will be added to the webpage in due course. 

Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, depute leader of Renfrewshire Council and chair of the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee, said: “Renfrewshire’s community groups and organisations are a vital part of the Winter Connections programme, bringing together a wide range of free and fun activities and events for people of all different ages. Together with the OneRen libraries programme, they help us cover a wide area of Renfrewshire, supporting people to come together and connect during the winter months. 

“The programme continues to be positively received by everyone involved and I’m proud of what we have built here in Renfrewshire. It’s a testament to all the community groups, local organisations and partners supporting it. 

“The full programme includes a variety of enjoyable and welcoming activities open to everyone and will be published in full on the Council website shortly. People can go see the first events listed now and bookmark the page to come back to.”