DO YOU know a local group or inspiring individual making a difference in the south of the city?

The search continues for this year’s Glasgow Community Champions.

After the success of our north east event in March, now we want to hear your suggestions for who should triumph in the second heat of 2018.

Covering the south of Glasgow, from Govanhill to Ibrox and everywhere in between, this event rewards the men, women and children working hard to improve their communities for the benefit of all of us.

The closing date for entries is May 3 – so please get your nominations in before then to ensure your heroes do not miss out.

Our awards, supported by our generous partners Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Glasgow Fort, City Building and Police Scotland, have rewarded more than 400 groups and individuals over the last 11 years.

Family Addiction Support Services picked up the Public Service Award at last year’s south heat, and went on to win the same title at the grand final in November.

The group was set up back in 1986 by parents concerned about the city’s growing drugs problem and it has since evolved into a superb resource for families coping with addiction, providing training and bereavement counselling and linking up with 21 support groups around the city.

The group, which now has 200 members, is a lifeline for those in need and winning a Glasgow Community Champions Award was a fantastic boost, according to social worker Carrie-Ann Logan.

“Winning was great for our members, because it made them understand how much they are valued,” she explains.

“It also helped to raise our profile, and to show that there are services out there that can help people who have lost loved ones to drugs or alcohol.

“Lots of people told us they saw the Glasgow Community Champions coverage in the Evening Times, which was great because if people read it and see what we do, they might come and access our help and we can reach even more families. It was a great boost for us.”

It has been a busy few months for FASS, who are based in Tradeston.

In addition to running training sessions for kinship carers, in partnership with Children’s Health Scotland, the organisation has been working on creating a bereavement information pack for professionals.

The group has created a Quilt Room, where bereaved family members can add a patch to a patchwork quilt in memory of their lost loved one.

FASS has also teamed up with the national body, SFAD (Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs) to help local groups access its funding pot.

“These have been important projects for us, strengthening our links with partnership organisations and helping people access different services and funding opportunities,” says Carrie-Ann.

FASS family support worker Michele Kearney was delighted the organisation won a Glasgow Community Champions Award.

“It’s well deserved,” she smiles. “I know what a difference the group can make.”

Michele’s 16-year-old daughter died following a heroin overdose in 1999.

“There is a lot of stigma surrounding drug and alcohol deaths in our society,” explains Michele. “What people say to you, how they react – often, it’s not helpful. People become addicted to drugs for all kinds of reasons and they don’t want to die.

“It’s very complicated. FASS helps you cope. It was a place for me to go, where people understood what I was going through.”

Michele started volunteering for FASS, and has since joined the staff, having also completed qualifications in counselling and an HNC in social care.

“I gradually got my confidence back,” she agrees. “I see it in the people who come here.

“Families who lose a loved one to alcohol or drugs feel like they have failed, they struggle with guilt – how could I have let this happen?”

Michele adds: “The kind of support FASS provides helps pick up the pieces.

“Working here is very rewarding. People who come for the first time are on their knees. And then, with support, they start to smile again, and that’s the best bit of the job for me.

“People think when your loved one dies, it’s the end of the problem. It’s not – it’s just the start of something else. And FASS is there for you.”

To get involved in Glasgow Community Champions 2018, we want to hear your nominations for the following categories - Team Award, Individual Award, Public Services Award, Uniformed Services Award, Senior Award, Young Award, Health and Wellbeing Award and Sports Award.

You can nominate anyone - perhaps the coach of a local sports club or a hardworking parent, a police officer who has saved lives, a nurse who goes above and beyond the day job or a charity which campaigns for better services.

Winners of the south heat will join the champions from the north east and north west of the city at a glittering finale in the City Chambers later in the year.

The south heat takes place on June 5 and nominations must reach us by May 3 - visit www.newsquestscotlandevents.com or email hannah.docherty@newsquest.co.uk For more information call 0141 302 6037.