Young people with additional support needs (ASN) have been enjoying exploring and weekly barbecues at an outdoor space which is soon to also benefit the wider community.
Around 30 youngsters and their families have been heading down to Barrhead Water Works on Fridays during the holidays.
The summer club is hosted by East Renfrewshire ASN Parents Action Group, known as ERA, who are in the process of turning the space into a hub which can be used all year round.
ERA chair Oonagh McKinnon told the Barrhead News: “Since Covid we have been doing ERA outdoors, initially because we still weren’t able to meet up indoors, so we started meeting down here and since then we’ve added to the space.
“We have brought down stuff that the young people can use.
"The kids just love it and because they've been here a lot now, it's kind of like their own space.
“You take them down and then they just disappear and you find them up trees or building a den.
"It’s great to see you young people having fun in the outdoors and not having to be dragged outside.”
A big polytunnel has already been installed for food growing.
The hub will also have a meeting space and a toilet.
“Last year we got funding from the Scottish Government via the council and we’re spending about £70,000 to create a space," added Oonagh.
“The idea is that we’ll use it for the kinds of activities we're doing just now, but also during the week we can maybe get some other groups in the community to come down and use the space.”
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