A club which provides an opportunity for men to socialise is going from strength to strength after previously facing an uncertain future.
Neilston Men’s Group, which is based in the church halls of Neilston Parish Church, meets bi-weekly but will be running on a weekly basis from November.
As well as enjoying breakfasts cooked by chairman Raymond Kerr and a chat, the group’s members, who are aged from 31 to 86, also benefit from a varied range of outings.
Raymond told the Barrhead News: “The guys appreciate what we’re doing.
“We’ve got members with dementia, members with mental health issues, we’ve got loneliness amongst a lot of the guys, then there’s just guys who want to get out, so there’s a wee mixture.
“In the west of Scotland guys, especially if they are on their own, the place to go to meet other people is the pub and having a drink.
“I try to offer them a setting outside the pub. You don’t need to go drinking, you can come to my wee group and have a cup of tea and a coffee.
“We are all getting on well and making friendships. I can see we are making a difference. They have all got a smile on their faces.”
Raymond took over the group, which was previously launched by Neilston Development Trust (NDT), in October 2022.
“When I took over there were only three members and they were wanting to call it a day, but I said give me a wee chance and then I built it up from there,” he added.
“I left NDT in March and the group wanted to reform, so we reformed under the new name Neilston’s Men’s Group.
“We have 20 guys now and have just gone from strength to strength.
“We have reached a landmark (number) of members and we are now at full capacity.”
Towards the end of August, Neilston Windfarm Legacy (NWL) approved the group’s grant application, awarding it £3,000.
Last Saturday, NMG received a further boost, as it secured additional funding through participatory budgeting in Neilston.
“This grant we got off NWL is great and means we can start looking at our future and the next year and what we can do with that money,” said Raymond.
“It will just enhance what we are already doing. “
"On behalf of all members of our group, we would also like to thank all the people who voted for us in securing additional funding for the group (via participatory budgeting).
“This money will go a long way – initially (it means) that we will be meeting weekly."
Most recently the group visited Hampden Park stadium for a behind-the-scenes tour and visit to the Scottish Football Museum.
Members also recently enjoyed an informative presentation called Norway to Neilston about how Neilston hosted 525 Norwegian evacuees at the tail end of World War II.
Since February outings have also taken place to Dams to Darnley Country Park, Harelaw Dam, The Burrell Collection, Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve, Fairfield Heritage community museum, Whitelee Windfarm, and J&M Murdoch's transport museum.
The group has capped numbers at 20 due to the logistics of transporting people to out of village visits.
Those wishing to join the waiting list can do so by filling out the form HERE.
To find out more about the group click HERE.
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