A Barrhead good cause was recognised for being a “beacon of change and inclusion” at a celebration led by TV star Sean Batty this week.

The popular STV weather presenter hosted the Scotland Loves Local Awards at the V&A in Dundee on Tuesday evening.

It saw the nation’s High Street Hero crowned, as well as recognising community work to encourage entrepreneurship, transform street, tackle the climate emergency and more.

The town’s Include Me 2 Club (IM2C) was proud to fly the flag for East Renfrewshire as it was named as a runner-up in the Enterprising Community Award.

Barrhead News:

Sean said: “The dedication and drive shown by all of our finalists to deliver for their community is simply amazing.

"The difference they make day in, day out is incredible.

“Well done to all of the finalists.

"It was great spending time with them.”

A post on IM2C’s Facebook page added: “It was great to meet so many other inspiring people and projects from across the country and we were certainly in good company.

“We met Dundee Lord Provost Bill Campbell who originally comes from Paisley, our local neighbour.

“We also met STV Presenter Sean Batty who also comes from Paisley and was keen to come along for a visit to see what the charity does.

“A great night celebrating Scotland Loves Local and local communities, enterprises and people.

“So proud to be flying the flag for enterprise, inclusion and East Renfrewshire nationally.”

Barrhead News:

Those at the event heard how IM2C operates primarily across Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire.

They also learned about its focus on helping anyone with an additional support need, learning, physical disability, or mental health condition suffering from isolation or loneliness whatever their age.

Co-founder Paul McIlvenny also shared the organisation’s story as part of a special session held as part of the Scotland’s Towns Conference, held at Dundee’s Apex Hotel yesterday (Wednesday, November 29).

IM2C has grown to employ 54 employees and support 65 volunteers and 45 trainees who have an additional support need, disability, and/or mental health condition.

Further showing the strength of its impact, the project overall reaches more than 1,150 members across its West of Scotland services and delivers more than 14,500 hours of volunteering each year within the communities it serves.

Barrhead News:

Recognising its impact, its nomination for the Scotland Loves Local Awards said: “Over its 14 years, IM2C has become a mainstay within the community, a beacon for change and inclusion that supports a wide range of local events and activities.

“IM2C has many initiatives that contribute to the local economy including creating four new social enterprise hubs, converting two disused former local authority buildings into community hubs that support the wider community, as well as the Social Blend Coffee Shop, Gift Shop, and Bike Hub.”