STREETS Ahead, our awardwinning community campaign, is back – and we are celebrating our fifth birthday.

The initiative, which encourages neighbours and friends to work together, aims to change Glasgow for the better – street by street.

We are delighted to welcome back on board our high-profile partners - Clean Glasgow, City Charitable Trust, Glasgow Housing Association, ScotRail and Scottish Fire and Rescue.

For the past four years, Streets Ahead has helped to transform communities in every corner of the city.

Thousands of pounds of grants have been paid out to help turn ideas into reality.

And our annual awards ceremony, a heartwarming event at the Winter Gardens in the People’s Palace, has helped us to pay tribute to the men, women and children doing their bit for Glasgow.

The next 12 months promise to be busier, brighter and bolder than ever – and we need you to get involved.

Evening Times editor Tony Carlin said: “Streets Ahead backs communities with the drive and dedication needed to build a better Glasgow for everyone.

“The idea is a simple one – change the city, street by street; whether that’s by transforming derelict land into community gardens, organising clean-ups, holding street parties for disadvantaged children or teaching families how to grow and harvest their own food.

“The list of projects we support is endless – and as we celebrate our fifth anniversary, Streets Ahead wants to do so much more.”

Lord Willie Haughey, chief executive of the City Charitable Trust, said: “Glaswegians work tirelessly to improve this city and instill pride in their communities, and Streets Ahead can help them.

“I’m proud of what the campaign has achieved so far and I’m looking forward to the next 12 months.”

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council and chairperson of Clean Glasgow, said:

“Over the last four years Clean Glasgow, the Evening Times and other city partners have joined forces through Streets Ahead to make our beautiful city a cleaner and safer place to live, work and visit and we’ve seen fantastic results across the city.

“My hope for this year is to continue the momentum of fantastic work, engage with even more people and support them in helping to make their community a much better place.”

George McGrandles, Area Manager of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Streets Ahead is a great platform to highlight the enormous efforts of communities across Glasgow.

“The SFRS with our 11 community fire stations across the city take pride in what we deliver in partnership with many of Glasgow’s voluntary, public and private sector partners and the city's diverse community groups.”

GHA chairman Gordon Sloan said: "At GHA, we continue to create neighbourhoods people can be really proud of and help change communities for the better.

"This is the fifth year we've been a partner in the Evening Times' Streets Ahead campaign - and what a success it has been. Over the years the campaign has gone from strength to strength and is making a real difference in communities across the city.”

Scotrail’s head of corporate social responsibility Elaine Bell said: “ScotRail's Adopt a Station initiative puts stations at the heart of communities, while Streets Ahead is about people with big hearts coming together to make their communities even better.

“Together, we can inspire others to get involved."

We want to hear from you, your community council, your school, your business or your grass-roots community group.

We know there is amazing work being done in neighbourhoods across Glasgow. Streets Ahead can support existing projects - or kick-start new ones.

We can help - with funding, equipment and advice.

And we can tell everyone about it - ensuring that the good work you are doing in your community reaches - and inspires - the rest of the city.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

To get involved in the Evening Times Streets Ahead campaign, email streetsahead@heraldandtimes.co.uk or call 0141 302 6555 to tell us what you think needs done in your area, or let us know what is already under way and how we can help you to make it better.

Grants are available - let us know how much you need and what you need it for.

Get involved - and change your community for the better.