After six months of living in a pandemic, Paisley & District U3A members are in for a treat. On Thursday 1 October at 2pm, retired consultant psychiatrist, Dr Tom Brown will outline ways to help your emotional wellbeing in a Covid 19 world. This is the first in a new season of U3A monthly events on Zoom until public meetings resume. Members can also put questions to Dr Brown using a live link.
Local chair, Kathleen O’Donnell said: “Quite a few U3A members began shielding due to their age or health conditions when the coronavirus started. Even after the lockdown restrictions eased, a fair number were still apprehensive about being out in the community. Our committee saw how this health crisis can seriously impact someone’s confidence and sense of wellbeing. So it’s an honour to have guest speaker Dr Brown explore some of the issues people are facing. We also hope viewers will take part in the discussion afterwards.”
Tom Brown remarked: “Covid 19 presents many of the challenges to our mental wellbeing that any illness may do. There are, however, some unusual features – for example, the need to isolate and quarantine at a population level. I will discuss some of the threats this poses and how to tackle them.”
More details on this forthcoming talk at: https://u3asites.org.uk/paisley/welcome
Lisa Kowalski and the Accord Hospice are working on pulling together an online music event to raise funds for the hospice. It’s on 25th April and will be called Chords for the Accord.
We have pulled together 10 local artists who Lisa has worked with before to take part and they will be livestreaming their sets into a 5 hour music session with any donations to go to an Accord just giving page.
Chords for the Accord Rosta
| Artist | Time | FB Link |
| Liv Dawn | 4.00 – 4.30 | https://www.facebook.com/livdawnmusic/ |
| Liam Doyle | 4.35 – 5.05 | https://www.facebook.com/liamdoyle22/ |
| Charlene Gordon | 5.10 – 5.40 | https://www.facebook.com/charlene.gordon.37 |
| Jordan Stewart | 5.45 – 6.15 | https://www.facebook.com/jostewartmusic/ |
| Graeme Kerr | 6.20 – 6.50 | https://www.facebook.com/graemejkerrmusic/ |
| Hollie Robinson | 6.55 – 7.25 | https://www.facebook.com/HollieRobinson22/ |
| Lisa Kowalski | 7.30 – 8.00 | https://www.facebook.com/lisakowalskimusic/ |
| Alan McKim | 8.05 -8.35 | https://www.facebook.com/alanmckim123/ |
| Laura Murray | 8.40 – 9.10 | https://www.facebook.com/LauraMurrayMusic/ |
| Johnny Barr | 9.15 – 9.45 | https://www.facebook.com/Jbmusic91/ |
Bios
Liv Dawn
Although from the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, Liv is a friend of the Paisley music scene and recently wowed the audience with her pop/ country styled set at a gig at CCs – Callums Cavern.
Liv started off 2020 with a bang by supporting Tom Walker on his U.K Home Run tour and was a finalist in the BBC Scotland Singer/Songwriter competition last year.
Liam Doyle
Liam Doyle graces the streets of both Paisley and Glasgow with his wonderful voice. His singing ability has won him a number of national awards and a strong fan following. He is also an accomplished song writer, who writes from the heart and has released a charity single for Alzheimer Scotland.
Charlene Gordon
Paisley based singer Charlene, of Rock Choir fame, is a polished performer and accomplished vocalist. Charlene’s vocal ability means she needs no accompaniment and can hit all notes, genres and eras.
Jordan Stewart
18 year old Jordan has already been a fixture of the Paisley youth music scene for a number of years and is a real rising star. With her flawless voice, impressive work ethic and warm heart, Jordan is sure to continue to grow her audience.
Graeme Kerr
Graeme Kerr is a dedicated acoustic performer from Paisley. His set list is wide and varied and includes songs that are rarely heard but are instantly recognisable.
Hollie Robinson
Hollie is a, fun loving but 100% professional 16 year old singer/songwriter who loves to perform and entertain people.
Hollie represented the UK at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles in the summer of 2017 returning home with 3 bronze medals and an Industry award in her vocal categories. Not long after this she won Paisley’s Got Talent 2017, singing her way to the win with ease.
Lisa Kowalski
Lisa’s music career really took off with the launch of the Paisley 2021 bid in 2017 and the release of her EP and Hearts of Gold video, which was about busking in the town. Lisa has since been honoured to perform at many great venues, from St Mirren FC to an open top bus on 6th Avenue New York. As NYC Tartan Week 2020 has been cancelled, this week she sang Hearts of Gold live on Scott Mill’s Radio 5 Live show.
Alan McKim
Paisley singer-songwriter Alan McKim is a passionate performer. Alan possesses a refreshing back-to-basics and gritty approach ideal for these austere times whilst succeeding to keep his sound wholly new and fit to fill city stadiums. Alan is a past winner of the highly prestigious Best Acoustic Scottish Alternative Music Award and is a fine example of why Paisley is considered to be a richly talented music town.
Laura Murray
Laura is a Paisley born Singer/Songwriter with a pop-orientated, soul twist.
In November 2018 she was flown to Germany to represent the UK in Project Aloft Star 2018, performing her original music to many industry professionals. A subsequent single was quite a hit on Spotify and in Germany.
Johnny Barr
Johnny Barr is a Paisley Singer/Songwriter, Music Teacher and Events Organiser. He is member of the London based singer/songwriter collective Winter Springs (https://www.facebook.com/winterspringsmusic) and is capable of performing a wide mix of songs ranging from Motown to Modern. If you enjoy a musician that is capable of creating a performance totally based on where the mood takes everyone then this is not to be missed. Get your requests in!
New football facilities, a music library and free bike repairs are just a few of the projects soon to be available for young people in Renfrewshire after the successful applications were announced for the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund.
43 projects were awarded a total of £150,000 in funding after almost 3500 young people cast more than 10,000 votes.
The successful projects were announced at a celebration event at the Tannahill Centre in Paisley which was attended by more than 100 young people and community partners from across Renfrewshire.
St Mirren Youth Football Club were successful in receiving the maximum £3000 to create a changing facility at the India Tyres park which help to get hundreds of budding footballers out onto the park.
Stephen Mann, St Mirren YFC Treasurer, said: “What this funding is going to do is allow our nine boys and five girls teams to be playing out of the Tyres hopefully from 2020.
“It’s really going to boost our club and make sure that more young people are going to be playing at the Tyres in the near future.”
Another successful project that received the maximum award was Erskine Music and Media, a Community Interest Company run by young people, for young people that provides services such as music tuition, PA hires, event filming and photography.
Catherine Coyle, Erskine Music and Media, said: “This funding will help us to create a new music library consisting of vinyl’s and CDs, as well as opening up lots of opportunities to go on trips, see new places and play gigs.
“In general, it is going to open a lot of doors for us and give us more opportunities in the musical world.”
Previously known as the Youth Challenge Fund, youth groups across Renfrewshire came together to form a steering group which facilitated the fund, as well as renaming it the ‘Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund – by young people, for young people’.
It allocated £150,000 to projects which will make a real difference to the local area, such as removing the barriers to participation or the stigma around mental health, with the maximum award to each project being £3000.
The funding was split by population between the seven Local Partnership areas of Renfrew; Inchinnan, Erskine, Bishopton and Langbank; The Villages; Johnstone and Linwood; Paisley North, West and Central; Paisley East and Gleniffer.
Councillor Michelle Campbell, Renfrewshire Council’s Young Persons Champion, said: “Through the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund, we’ve been able to give young people the opportunity to shape their communities how they would like to see them.
“If there is an activity or support that they feel is missing, this fund gives them the chance to create it and we will now support all applicants as best we can to ensure that their ideas come to fruition.
“Too often, young people feel they are outside of the decision-making process, but through the fund we have been able to award almost £150,000 directly to young people to help them improve their own and the lives of their peers in Renfrewshire by making the changes they know are needed.
“Congratulations to all the recipients of funding, now is your time to go make a difference.”
The successful applicants will now use their funding to develop their projects and will be provided with the support they need to progress their ideas into reality from the council’s Community Planning and Youth Services teams.
For more information and a full list of winning projects, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/celebratingrenfrewshire.
Adrian McKechnie, Chairperson of Renfrewshire Youth Voice, said: “I think this an amazing opportunity for young people to get involved in the decision making behind how money is spent.
“The projects that the funding is going to go towards, whether this is to affect change or put together programmes that they see the value in, I think that’s what’s at the core of participatory budgeting and what was at the core of the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund was that it was young people in control of how that money was spent.”
The full list of winning projects and their funding awards are:
Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton & Langbank
Erskine Music & Media Studio – £3,000
Erskine Youth Council – £2,918.90
Lamont Farm Project – £3,000
Park Mains Community Sports Hub – £3,000
St Mirren Youth Football Club – £3,000
Renfrewshire Carers Centre – £1,693.71
I Am Me Scotland – £3,000
Renfrewshire Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament – £675.39
Gleniffer
Gleniffer High School (sports leaders) – £2,900
Gleniffer High School (gymnastics) – £2,500
I Am Me Scotland – £3,000
Renfrewshire Carers Centre – £1,693.71
Renfrewshire Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament – £2,961.60
Lamont Farm Project – £3,000
Foxbar and Glenburn Outdoor Group (Club) – £3,000
Foxbar and Glenburn Outdoor group (Residential) – £805.69
Johnstone and Linwood
Johnstone High School – £1,890
Johnstone Castle Learning Centre – £3,000
Renfrewshire Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament – £2,961.60
Linstone Housing Association – £3,000
I Am Me Scotland – £3,000
Linwood High School – £3,000
Renfrewshire Carers Centre – £1,693.71
Youth Interventions Sco46578 – £3,000
Linwood, Johnstone and Gryffe Community Sport Hub – £151.69
Paisley East
St Andrew’s Academy PE Department – £3,000
I Am Me Scotland – £3,000
CREATE Paisley (5 ways) – £2,964
Renfrewshire Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament – £2,961.60
Renfrewshire Carers Centre – £1,693
Sport for Change – £1,475
Loud N Proud £3,000
CREATE Paisley (cafe) – £2,934
Alba Thistle BC 2003 – £1,500
Young Enterprise Scotland – Renfrewshire Area – £1,567.40
Paisley North, West and Central
Paisley YMCA – £3,000
Loud N Proud – £3,000
Mary Russell Youth Club – £1,100
Own Yer Bike – £2,980.35
Pals of the Privies – £3,000
Cameron Dance School – £2,600
CREATE Paisley (ambassadors) – £2,000
Kibble Education and Care Centre – £2,800
CREATE Paisley (5 ways) – £652.65
Renfrew
Renfrew High Pupil Leaders – £3,000
Young Ambassadors – £3,000
Renfrewshire Carers Centre – £1,693.71
I Am Me Scotland – £3,000
Renfrew YMCA SCIO – £639.66
Renfrewshire Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament – £2,961.60
Lamont Farm Project – £3,000
Young Enterprise Scotland – Renfrewshire Area – £1,362.03
The Villages
Renfrewshire Carers Centre – £1,693
Linwood, Johnstone and Gryffe Community Sport Hub – £3,000
Johnstone Burgh Football Club – £3,000
I Am Me Scotland – £3,000
Braehead Junior Ice Hockey Club – £372
Renfrewshire Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament – £2,961.60
Lapwing Lodge Camp Staff – £2,500
Lamont Farm Project – £3,000
The Boys Brigade, Paisley & District Battalion – £1,000
Elderslie Youth Connect – £500
Young Enterprise Scotland – Renfrewshire Area – £2,500
Renfrewshire Effort to Empower Minorities – £82.40
There can be no growth without leaving your comfort zone, they say, well Saturday 15 June 2019 saw 20 of Iconic’s members leave their comfort zones and venture south to Drumlanrig Castle to take part in the Tough Mudder event.
“Tough Mudder is and endurance event series in which participants attempt an 8 to 10-mile long obstacle course tattiest mental and physical strength. It was co-founded by Will Dean, a former British counter-terrorism officer and Guy Livingstone, a former corporate lawyer. the obstacles play on common human fears, such as fire, water, electricity and heights. The Tough Mudder organisation values camaraderie throughout the course, designing obstacles that encourage group participation.” Wikipedia
A combination of a cross country run, with extra mud, an assault course with electric fences, and mud, climbing ropes, with mud, cargo nets over mud, monkey bars, with mud, freezing cold water, with mud and mud, with extra mud thrown in.
Iconic PT James Miller had prepared the team well training way in advance, James is no stranger to Tough Mudder having completed the course last year along with other Iconic members Angela Little, Mia Mortimer andMartin Millar (who used a trip to Uganda to build a school as an excuse to avoid this years event), under James excellent tutelage they were ready to take on any obstacle, no matter how high, how wet, how muddy, how physically and mentally challenging, so forewarned if not forearmed we set off from Lawn St, in an excellent luxury coach organised by the excellent luxury John Rae, a two hour journey to the dark heart of Dumfriesshire.
Bit drizzly on arrival we bundled together and got through the registration process, got our team start time of one o’clock and made last minute preparations for the race, wrote letters to loved ones, completed the wills forms that the chaplains passed out, sorry no, that was D-day, we were just running up a hill in the mud.
I’ll get the obstacles out of order but from the start they were a stretch, a rope climb, a ducking under three huge pipes, hurdling over straw bales, and then it got worse! Swinging from ropes, electric shocks, having to be carried for 50 Metres (thanks Mia), you get the idea, it was muddy and wet and cold, weather was nice though I got a lovely beetroot coupon as you can see below, thanks also to our support team Craig, Fiona and Katie who popped up occasionally with cider and chocolate.
Twenty of us started, aged between 16 and 56, and I’m happy to say 20 of us finished after an afternoon of laughter, terror, pain, cooperation that I’ve never seen before, both from team members and from complete strangers, when faced with a 15 foot high barrier to have 2 Edinburgh Bikers say “stand on me” was the one way any of us were getting over!
Money raised for charity at time of writing stands at an amazing £5000, achieved the unacheivable, had one of the most insane days of my life and enjoyed every minute of it.
Would I do it again?
Aye, right, it’s called a comfort zone for a reason!!!
Throughout 2018, Provost of Renfrewshire, Lorraine Cameron, has been doing her piece for charity, helping to raise funds and awareness for her chosen charity – MND Scotland.
From hopping aboard trains spreading awareness to all corners of Renfrewshire, to taking a team up to Killiecrankie for a sponsored swing, Provost Cameron has been keeping busy.
MND Scotland was founded as the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association in 1981 by John Macleod, a Strathclyde police officer and his wife Peggy.
At the time, services were limited, and health professionals had little or no knowledge of the condition.
John had been visiting Charing Cross Hospital in London when he learned about a charity that was already providing support for people with Motor Neurone Disease in England, and became determined to set up a similar organisation here in Scotland.
Today, MND Scotland strive to reduce the impact of MND on the lives of those affected, by offering services such as benefits advice, equipment loans, counselling, advocacy and a grants programme.
There are over 450 people in Scotland currently living with MND and on average almost 200 people are diagnosed each year.
Sadly, around 53% of those diagnosed will die within one year.
Provost Cameron said “I lost my mum to MND in 2011 and the charity is very close to my heart. I really love that as part of my role as Provost I’m able to support the amazing work that charities such as MND Scotland undertake in our communities.
“It’s been a brilliant year from start to finish and I’ve had a ball getting out and about in the community spreading the message far and wide.
“One of the highlights was taking a team of daredevils up to the Garry Bridge in Killiecrankie to take part in the Highland Fling Swing. Our brave fundraisers experienced a 15-metre free fall from the bridge and everyone had a great day.
“I’ve also been honoured to work closely with Scotrail this year, who also support MND Scotland. For MND Awareness Day I travelled around Renfrewshire by train, raising money and awareness for the charity, and I also worked for a day at Johnstone Train Station as part of my Working Challenge.
“There are currently 14 people living in Renfrewshire with MND – but when you consider the number of family, friends, and colleagues the number of people affected by MND locally is actually much higher. All the money raised this year will help MND Scotland offer essential services and go towards research to find treatments and a cure for MND.”
As well as working with Scotrail, Provost Cameron also spent a day working with City Gate Construction and hosted a charity ball to raise essential funds.
Iain McWhirter, Head of Fundraising at MND Scotland said: “MND Scotland was very grateful to be chosen as one of Provost Cameron’s chosen charities and we have enjoyed following her activities throughout the year.
“This summer we announced the launch of the first Motor Neurone Disease clinical drug trial in Scotland, in over 20 years.
“This funding is part of a total commitment of over £1.5 million into clinical drugs trials being made by MND Scotland, and developments like this can only happen thanks, in part, to the support given by Provost Cameron and the people of Renfrewshire.”
Provost Cameron will support local charities, St Vincent’s Hospice and ACORD Hospice, in the next two years and will return to fundraising for MND Scotland in 2021.
The stars in Renfrewshire’s communities are set to be honoured once again this year and the long-standing sponsors of the awards have shown their support once more.
Glasgow Airport Ltd, ACRE Industiral, UNISON Renfrewshire and the Piazza Shopping Centre have committed yet again to sponsoring one of the awards which aims to recognise the unsung heroes of Renfrewshire.
Nominations for the 2019 awards are now open and will see six individuals or groups celebrated for their hard work and dedication within Renfrewshire.
Anyone who lives or works in Renfrewshire is invited to nominate in any of the following categories:
- Community Volunteer (sponsored by Glasgow Airport Ltd)
- Community Group (sponsored by the Piazza Shopping Centre)
- Sporting Achievement (sponsored by ACRE Industrial)
- Employee of the Year (sponsored by UNISON Renfrewshire)
- Carers Award (sponsored by former Provost Nancy Allison)
- Arts and Culture Award (sponsored by Renfrewshire Council)
Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “We’re delighted to have the continued support of our sponsors who make it possible for me to honour some of the amazing people in our communities.
“It’s a fantastic part of my role being able to reward the inspiring people we see nominated every year and I can’t wait to see who is put forward this year.
“Please don’t miss the chance to give that person or group the recognition they deserve and get your nominations in now.”
The deadline for entries to all categories is Wednesday 12 December.
The Provost will be joined by the award sponsors and other local elected members to choose the winners who will be invited, along with their nominator, to the awards ceremony on Friday 15 March 2019 and the Lynnhurst Hotel in Johnstone.
For more information, and to submit your nomination, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/
Two local hospices were given a fundraising boost thanks to Renfrewshire Leisure staff and customers.
A total of £10,608 was raised after various sponsored events were held throughout the year at the sports and leisure centres throughout the area.
Now the money is being split between St Vincent’s and ACCORD Hospices.
Charlie McDougall, senior facilities manager at the ON-X, who organised the charity fundraising, said:
“Every year we just seem to raise more and more money for these two worthy causes. The generosity of our staff and customers knows no bounds and I’m really proud we have raised so much money this year.
Please note it has confirmed that all of these employers have vacancies. If you know of anyone who wishes to pursue a career in care, or, even find out more, please let them know.
Three charities have been given a civic boost after it was announced they will receive the support of Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron.
Renfrew Council Provosts Charities MND, Accord Hospice and St Vincents Hospice16.1.18
Provost Cameron has pledged her support for MND Scotland, St Vincent’s Hospice and ACCORD Hospice as she prepares to undertake a variety of fundraising endeavours for each charity.
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- Renfrew Council Provosts Charities MND, Accord Hospice and St Vincents Hospice16.1.18
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- Renfrew Council Provosts Charities MND, Accord Hospice and St Vincents Hospice16.1.18
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- Renfrew Council Provosts Charities MND, Accord Hospice and St Vincents Hospice16.1.18
The Provost will focus on a different charity each year during her remaining time in office and will aim to raise as much money as possible by offering her services for the day to local businesses, hosting large events such as a charity ball and setting up fun, smaller events which everyone in Renfrewshire will be encouraged to take part in.
Provost Cameron said: “These charities are very close to my heart and I’m delighted that I will be able to support them throughout my time as Provost.
“The support and care they provide for families throughout Renfrewshire cannot be underestimated and is a vital lifeline for people in their time of need.
“I’ll be working hard to raise as much money as possible to help them continue their work so keep your eye out for upcoming events which you can take part in and play your part in supporting these fantastic charities.”
Provost Cameron will fundraise for MND Scotland in 2018 and 2021 and chose to support the charity after losing her mother to Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2011.
MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles and may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.
Iain McWhirter, Head of Fundraising at MND Scotland, said: ““MND Scotland is very grateful to have been chosen as one of Provost Cameron’s charities and we look forward to working together to ensure everyone in Renfrewshire who is affected by Motor Neurone Disease receives the best possible practical, emotional and financial support.
“Awareness of MND has never been higher with the tragic diagnosis of Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, former Rangers captain Fernando Ricksen, and Celtic’s Jimmy Johnstone, and MND Scotland is the only Scottish charity which provides care and support to people affected by the disease, as well as funding research into finding a cure.”
Following in the footsteps of her predecessors, Provost Cameron will also support two local hospices, St Vincent’s and ACCORD, who provide palliative and end of life care to people with life limiting illnesses.
Helen Simpson, Chief Executive of ACCORD Hospice, said: “ACCORD Hospice is honoured and delighted to be chosen as one of the Charities that Provost Lorraine will support during her term in office.
“The fundraising ventures will financially support ACCORD Hospice in our care for individuals and families living with a life limiting illness in Renfrewshire, while also allowing us to reach more people and raise awareness of the palliative and end of life care services that hospices can offer the community.”
St. Vincent’s Hospice Chief Executive, Kate Lennon, said: “We are absolutely delighted and so grateful to be named as one of the dedicated charities by the Provost, just weeks before we mark our 30th anniversary.
“For three decades, we have provided specialist palliative and end of life care for people and families affected by life limiting conditions all across the community. This is only made possible thanks to the generosity and kindness of our supporters, and we cannot thank the Provost enough for this incredible gesture.”
If you wish the Provost to come along and work in your business for the day, or have an idea for a challenge, please contact Donna or Heather atcivicevents@renfrewshire.gov.
For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/
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