BRE (Building Research Establishment)

Our charity was established in 2012 by a group of multi-cultural local people who wanted to do something about the significant increase in local crime, lack of opportunities, inability to access services, extreme poverty & hunger, isolation, fear and rise in racial hostility within their community, aiming to make a positive contribution to the cohesion & economy of the community, to help neighbourhoods feel safer & rekindle old-fashioned community spirit thereby: reducing the effects of deprivation and social exclusion reducing anti-social behaviour redistributing food & toiletries to those most in need ensuring greater numbers of people access local public & 3rd sector services All contributing to our vision: the improvement of dignity, physical & mental tool, quality of life, aspirations and understanding amongst all in our community. Happy to support the community, Glasgow City Council provided a long-term lease on an unused unit in the heart of Crookston which, together, we turned into the bright, welcoming ‘Crookston Community Centre’. In 10 years, our services within the Community Centre developed as needs were identified and now include: Foodshare Drop-in School Holidays Lunch Club Independence from Foodbanks Let’s Get Connected (IT classes) Adult & Children language classes Youth Games & Movie Club Thursdays Cook n Chat General Drop-in Service Volunteering, Training & Work Placements Multi-Culture Fun Days Local MP Chris Stevens surgery from our premises Our Foodshare platforms have reached beyond our immediate community to include ‘On Wheels’, ‘Emergency’ & ‘Pop-Ups’ Glasgow-wide & in Dunterlie, East Renfrewshire. CCG is a community anchor – known as the “Go To” place within the community, we are there to offer a helping hand, somewhere to go without judgement. To facilitate the growth & development of some of these services and to introduce another, we’ve leased a 2ndpremises (4 doors up) to convert into a working/training kitchen & café: ‘Crookston Community Kitchen’(full planning permission secured) with the intention of this becoming sustainable after 12 months by offering Catering Services within South West Glasgow.

My Yard reduces food waste by rescuing surplus food from various sources and donations from customers of partner retailers. These supplies are then shared with the most in need locally via community surplus food markets, at events on social housing estates and sheltered housing schemes. We also support organisations dealing with the most vulnerable and provide food where we can. Groups of young people have established and planted vegetables and learnt how to cook healthy meals through cooking lessons. Based on Grange Farm Estate, My Yard work with the local community providing workshops such as music, dance and yoga, assist residents with monthly events such as a jam night of performances and a meal. Working with families and young people aged 16 - 25 who are vulnerable in Harrow, My Yard also runs a gardening group for young people aged 16 - 18 and various holiday activities partnering with other local organisations and councils.

Access to green space is a right, not a privilege, yet 94% of publicly accessible parks, playgrounds, playing fields and green spaces in the UK remain unprotected and are increasingly under threat. At a time of rising health inequalities, loneliness, climate pressures and nature loss, green spaces are essential community assets that support physical and mental wellbeing, strengthen social connections and help communities thrive. Planning reforms and under-resourced local councils are placing green spaces at further risk and it’s happening at a time when we know (with evidence and data) that access to green space saves the NHS millions, strengthens communities and has a positive impact on our climate. Fields in Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to protecting parks and green spaces forever. We work across the UK with local authorities and landowners to secure legally binding protection for parks, playgrounds, playing fields and green spaces, ensuring they can never be lost to development. To date we have secured over 3,000 spaces resulting in more than 9.4 million people living within a 10-minute walk of a legally protected park or green space. Alongside this, we are working on systematic changes, providing trusted evidence and insight, influencing policy and advocating for a future where everyone can benefit from access to high-quality green space.