A BARRHEAD charity has celebrated the first anniversary of its move to a new home in a landmark building.

The James McGuire Building was transformed into a community hub by Include Me 2 Club (IM2C), providing activities for children, young people and adults with an additional support need, disability or mental health condition.

Dating back almost 120 years and situated in the town’s Main Street, the building had previously been used as a police station and council chambers.

After officially opening its doors on March 5 last year with a social enterprise cafe and gift shop, the hub was only able to welcome visitors for three weeks before the coronavirus pandemic forced it to close.

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That led to the charity launching a Community Meals programme, which saw volunteers give up thousands of hours over a 16-week period to cook, pack and label food, before travelling a combined total of 4,250 miles across East Renfrewshire to deliver supplies to those most affected by the impact of Covid-19.

Paul McIlvenny, IM2C chair, told the Barrhead News: “It is has been a year since we took over the James McGuire Building but, three weeks afterwards, coronavirus hit.

“It has been such a challenging year, one that we didn’t plan for at all, but we have adjusted to what we were able to do.

“In one respect, it hasn’t allowed us to deliver what we hoped to do in full but it has led us into doing work that has had a bigger and wider impact to the community.”
As the charity begins its second year at the building, Paul believes the pandemic will continue to affect its operations.

“Sadly, I think the year ahead will be just as difficult, but we will be utilising the building to react and respond to deliver what we can, whilst working closely with East Renfrewshire Council and other partners,” he said.

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East Renfrewshire Council leader Tony Buchanan added: “I was delighted when Include Me 2 Club moved into the James McGuire Building and it was unfortunate that, so quickly after getting up and running, the pandemic took hold.

“As expected, though, they have adapted and continue to provide a vital service for many people across East Renfrewshire.

“The work they do is fantastic and I look forward to seeing them continue to develop now they have this permanent home at the heart of Barrhead town centre.”