STREETS Ahead will return for an eighth, exciting year in the autumn.

If this year’s bunch of brilliant projects and awesome awardwinners has inspired you to get involved in your community, we want to hear all about it.

Improving streets, parks and gardens is just part of our campaign.

At the root of it all is a desire to change something about your community, which will make life better for others.

It could be an innovative project for older people; groundbreaking youth work; or something that brings your neighbours together.

Perhaps you work for a ‘green business’ or social enterprise which cares more about the people and environment around it, than just making money?

Maybe your school is working hard on a community initiative or you have pitched up and mucked in at a local garden project?

We would love to hear your stories.

Streets Ahead grants are available – go online to find our application form at www.eveningtimes.co.uk or email ann.fotheringham@heraldandtimes.co.uk with your name, address, details of your project and what you need funding for.

If you have ever dreamt of making a difference, but needed a helping hand or advice on how to get started, let us know.

Most good ideas start with something very simple.

Out in Castlemilk, for example, the Senior Centre has come up with an innovative plan to help older people tackle loneliness and isolation.

The project, which calls itself a “youth club for the over-60s” has recently received a £5000 grant from the Santander Foundation, which offers Discovery Grants to UK charities for projects that help disadvantaged people.

The Senior Centre Castlemilk is using the money to fund a series of evening ceramics and craft classes for its members.

Melanie O’Donnell, manager, explains: “The grant will be used to provide a series of classes at which members can meet up with friends and learn new skills.

“The idea came about after a suggestion by a group of members and volunteers who were looking for something which could break up long evenings spent at home.”

The Senior Centre aims to run the classes to help tackle isolation by extending its opening hours, bringing existing and future members along to socialise while taking part in the crafts.

The Senior Centre - Castlemilk, previously known as Castlemilk Pensioners’ Action Centre, was founded in 1986 by a group of women led by Margaret Sloan, Cathy McDonald and Ceila McQuade. They wanted to create a place for the older residents of Castlemilk to get together for a cup of tea and a chat.

The women secured premises, a discarded works depot at 59 Dougrie Drive, and looked to charity shops and The Barras for furnishings.

As interest and attendance increased, they began to rely on volunteers who helped in many areas and started serving sandwiches and hot drinks.

Eventually, demand saw the need for a new kitchen which allowed the centre to begin serving hot meals and they were able to offer a two course meal for just £1.

The idea took hold, and the Seniors Club called their original premises home for the next 28 years. In 2014, they relocated to newly renovated premises next door.

Melanie adds: “For more than 30 years now, we have been providing a warm and welcoming environment in which older adults can socialise and improve their quality of life within their community.

“Over the years the centre has had visitors from South Africa, Italy, Russia, Japan and Ireland.”

She says: “We are delighted to receive this grant from the Santander Foundation as we can now open our centre on an evening, enabling members to learn new skills and meet up with their friends and colleagues in a safe, warm and welcoming environment.

“Our club really is a home away from home.”

Get involved in Year Eight of our fantastic Streets Ahead campaign and help us celebrate all that’s great about community work going on around the city.

Email ann.fotheringham@heraldandtimes.co.uk or call her on 0141 302 6555.

You can find out more on our website www.eveningtimes.co.uk or newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/streetsahead/