The future of a Barrhead charity looks bright after it was awarded a funding boost.

Include Me 2 Club (IM2C) has received a windfall of £18,900 from the Scottish Government's Outdoor Community Play Fund.

The charity will use the funding to continue their outdoor play project, which supports young people in the local area.

Paul McIlvenny, co-founder of IM2C, told the Barrhead News: "Over the last two years, we have been running a play programme at community sites including Dunterlie, Auchenback, Cowan Park and Neilston.

"It is designed to encourage children to get messy and hands-on with elements of self-directed play.

"It includes lots of exciting stuff like parachute play, chalk painting and toasting marshmallows.

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"The whole project has been around encouraging inclusive play, with additional support needs being able to play in a safe environment.

"This funding helps to continue the delivery of this programme and increase the delivery as well."

Children's Minister Natalie Don announced the funding being given to 32 charities during a visit to Renfrew YMCA.

The Renfrewshire North and West MSP said: "Outdoor play has an incredibly positive impact on our children’s mental health, wellbeing and confidence. It can teach them how to solve problems, assess risks, boost their physical activity and provide opportunities to meet and interact with others.

"However, options for children to play safely outdoors can be limited, especially for children in deprived areas. At a time when families are struggling with the cost of living crisis, it is even more essential that we provide this vital support to ensure there are outdoor play options available, free of charge, for families across Scotland.

"I am looking forward to seeing how this fund will help grow outdoor community play projects and I am proud that this Scottish Government investment will benefit thousands of children living in our most deprived communities."