‘A Place To Be…’ was a project for adults over 50 living in East Renfrewshire, some of whom have been affected by mental ill health, disability or older age ill health.

Participants were encouraged to think of a place that makes them feel good, or that holds a special significance to them.

Retired teacher Linda Lister attended the project at the Kirkton Service, she said: “We started off doing silk painting and that was really good.

“Then we went on to the collages and I think it was to prevent putting anyone under pressure so everybody felt they could achieve something because we built these pictures up over a period of time.

“We started looking at different colours and how to mix colour and then how to make different patterns.

“We made a whole load of patterns first that were photocopied and then we had to think of a place in our minds that we would find relaxing or a special memory.” Linda chose to do a collage that reminded her of holidays in Greece.

She said: “I just think of lying in the sun on really relaxing laid back days in Greece.

“It brought back memories from when I was younger.

“I think everybody came up with a different idea, no two are alike.” Linda said she would recommend projects like this to anyone who is thinking of getting involved.

She continued: “We were actually quite sad when the course came to an end because we were enjoying it so much.

“Hopefully we can get more funding so that it can resume.” Neilston man Billy Allan, 64, also attended the project.

He said: “It was social services that helped me out after my brother died.

“They told me about the project so I decided to join.

“I chose the Craigie Wood up by Neilston, by the damn because of the scenery. This is the first time I have got into art. I’ve never been an artistic person even at school I wasn’t but I like art now.” The project ran for 12 weeks and was delivered by Bazooka Arts, a charity that specialises in arts and health projects which focus on building positive health and wellbeing through participating in the arts.

Bazooka Arts visual arts director, Bryony Murray said: “The focus of all of our projects is about building confidence and self-esteem and positive health and wellbeing.

“Although we maintain a high quality of art work within the project it’s actually what’s happening within the group and the connections that people make with each other, they build friendships.

“Some people were referred through health services or social care and other people found out about it local through the newspaper and it was also on social media.

“There was a lovely feeling in the group it was always very warm and upbeat and everybody seemed to be very enthusiastic.

“We have just had another funding award from Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP) to run another 12 week block.

“This project is going to have a volunteering strand.

“We are going to offer some of our previous participants the opportunity to come on a training programme with us to become volunteers to help us to deliver similar art projects in the community for other adults that are affected by mental health, disability or older age ill health.

“We will give them training in group work skills and vulnerable adult protection and also in a range of creative techniques.

“Our next project is going to have a drama focus.” The project was funded by the Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP) which is an innovative partnership, responsible for delivering all local health and social care services to East Renfrewshire people.

The CHCP is a partnership between East Renfrewshire Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

CHCP community health officer, Marie Hedges said: “For this particular project we recognised the therapeutic value of art for people to feel connected into their community.

“There is a lot of evidence around the benefits of the arts and people engaging in it.

“Bazooka were recommended to us from another health board area and I am delighted with the work they have done.”