RESIDENTS across the area are being invited to reflect at three pop-up events being held by East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure.

The Beyond 2020: Community Reflections/Reflect event, which is run by the Arts, Heritage and Libraries Teams, will be held in Eaglesham, Busby, and Thornliebank.

The team have been working on two key projects to document the experiences of communities in East Renfrewshire since the Covid pandemic.

The pop-ups are aiming to bring both of the projects into the local communities and will feature music, oral history, interviews, and a photographic exhibition.

Local studies librarian Amanda Robb said: “The first project started in late 2021.

“East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, supported by Creative Scotland with funding from the Scottish Government, delivered a song-writing project, Reflect with Us.

“The series of free workshops was offered at Thorntree Hall in Thornliebank, and invited participants to explore their experiences and reflections on the period since the Covid-19 pandemic began through writing an album of songs.

“Delivered by Ian Bustard and Rikki Traynor, the workshops helped participants learn about the songwriting process and encouraged them to create their own music, while building confidence and friendships.

“They also worked with art therapist and community artist, Fiona Rich, to create their own album cover network.”

Amanda continued to say: “Our second project, Beyond 2020: Community Reflections, was supported by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund and invited people living and/or working across East Renfrewshire to share their stories of this remarkable point in time.

“A fantastic team of volunteers received professional oral history training and went on to interview and record the experiences of over 40 people from all walks of life.

“Another group attended creative writing workshops and have produced new writing, which reflects their own experiences.”

The events are open to everyone and those keen on attending can see the work that has been created and chat to staff, volunteers, and participants.

They will take place at Montgomerie Hall in Eaglesham on Thursday, May 25, from 12pm to 4pm, Duff Memorial Hall in Busby on Tuesday, June 13 from 12pm until 4pm, and at Thorntree Hall in Thornliebank on Friday, June 16 from 12pm to 4pm.