Glenboig Neighbourhood House has been thrown a lifeline by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust with a grant to support its work for the next two years.

The grant will safeguard the project's post of development manager, enable them to take on 24 new volunteers and to develop plans for a new custom built centre and a community transport scheme for the village.

Joe Thomas, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said: "We are delighted to be able to support Glenboig Neighbourhood House.

"The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is all about helping former mining communities shake off the crushing legacy of pit closures.

"The Neighbourhood House does a great job by providing services that bring together the traditional mining community and the residents of the new homes that have sprung up in the area."

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The Coalfields Regeneration Trust's grant is for £37,000 for the next two years and £9,000 for the first quarter of the following year.

Glenboig Neighbourhood House Development Manager Teresa Aitken said: "The Coalfields grant was a real life-saver after we were badly let down by a consultant brought in to advise us on major projects, and when other funding sources ran out"

Ms Aitken said that since the project started two years ago she feels it has made a major contribution to rebuilding community spirit in Glenboig, and bringing together people from the old and new parts of the village.

They cater for all age groups from toddlers through youth clubs and adult groups to the over 50's, and lay on various services such Citizens Advice clinics.

"But we are bursting at the seams and have to use other facilities in the village such as the Masonic Hall, the school’s joint campus and the Community Centre to run our activities.

"Our dream is to have our own custom-built Life Centre which will be totally inclusive and cater for all ages and activities in Glenboig and to set up a community transport scheme reduce isolation and give people access to jobs and learning opportunities," she said.

Ms Aitken concluded that the Coalfields Regeneration Trust grant brings dreams a step closer to becoming a reality.

(GK/JM)