Case Studies

About the project

A local community hub in Coatbridge was awarded £10k from the SPA Community Benefit Fund following a nomination from Clyde Valley Housing Association. The funding is a welcome addition to the local area, helping to grow key services and investing in initiatives that mobilise individuals.

 

Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre has been a crucial part of community life in Coatbridge for more than 30 years. Now managed by a group of dedicated volunteers, the centre operates a wide range of services, including a community café, food bank, after school programmes, and training workshops covering essential skills like cooking and digital literacy.

 

The centre's recent transition to being community-owned has given its volunteers more freedom to develop programmes that directly address the community's needs. The importance of the centre was highlighted in North Lanarkshire Council’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan published in 2020, which recognised it as a key driver of community engagement.

 

About the SPA Community Benefit Fund

 

As an elected SPA Committee partner, Clyde Valley Housing Association is one of fourteen organisations that are active users of SPA’s diverse range of procurement solutions developed for the built environment. Each of the committee partners inherently has a deep understanding of our solutions and how they operate, gained from their experience, which places them in a strong position to provide valuable and meaningful contributions and discussions that shape SPA’s direction and vision.

 

Acknowledging the contributions that continue to be a valuable forum shaping SPA’s direction, each of the committee partners is eligible to apply for an annual grant of £10,000 to revitalise local areas and activate community development as part of the SPA Community Benefit Fund.

 

Additionally, SPA provides eligible partners with a rebate that is generated from framework usage. The more frequently an organisation uses SPA’s solutions across specific frameworks, the greater the value of the rebate. Public sector partners that have generated a rebate can apply for this through the SPA Community Benefit Fund, which is managed and distributed by Lintel Trust.

 

 

How the funding has been used

The award from the SPA Community Benefit Fund has enabled Kirkshaws to plan and deliver a 26-week block of cooking and lifestyle classes that developed essential budgeting skills for residents with additional support needs.

 

The interactive, hands-on sessions help participants build confidence in the kitchen by teaching them how to prepare simple, nutritious meals. The classes also cover other valuable skills like food safety, portion control, and sustainable cooking habits, giving residents the knowledge to make healthier, cost-effective and more economical choices.

 

Another activity operated by Kirkshaws supported by the fund, is the ‘Wheels in Motion’ programme. This initiative encourages physical activity and sustainable transport by allowing residents to borrow a bike for independent use or to join the cycle club

 

The club provide a welcoming and supportive environment for all abilities. Prior to the cycle club, some participants had never been on a bike. It has helped some participants, who had never been on a bike before, gain confidence and learn new skills. By offering guidance and support, the programme ensures everyone, regardless of skill level, can get involved and enjoy the benefits of cycling.

 

In a bid to grow the cycle club, a portion of the funding was awarded to Kirkshaws enabling them to recruit a part-time staff member to coordinate the cycle programme, maintain equipment and lead group rides.

 

Kirkshaws has secured additional funding from organisations like Cycle Scotland. With their backing, they were able to purchase a specially modified tricycle for a participant with additional support. This new tricycle allows the individual to safely and comfortably join the cycle club and travel independently within their local area.

 

 

Willie McBride, Centre Manager at Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Scottish Procurement Alliance and Lintel Trust for this generous grant at a time when our communities' needs are rapidly growing. Servicing the demand is becoming increasingly challenging, but having the backing and support from the SPA Community Benefit Fund is benefiting the realisation of our ambitions and is helping us support individuals, families, young people, as well as older people. It’s important to us that our activities and services are fully inclusive and that we offer vital support, giving every member the opportunity to learn, connect and thrive. The funding from SPA is helping us achieve this goal.  

 

Amanda Gauld, Social Value Advisor at SPA said:
“Being able to invest in community projects and initiatives like Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre fills me with immense pride. The team at Kirkshaws have been great to work with and witnessing the wide range of activities organised by the centre demonstrates the true value of having a community led hub that cares deeply about delivering services that Kirkshaws and the surrounding area needs.

 

 

Vaila Whittall, Senior Community Development Officer Clyde Valley Housing Association

“We’re really pleased to see Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre get this support through the SPA Community Benefit Fund. It’s a fantastic example of how community-led projects can make a big difference whether it’s through skills workshops, the cycle club, or just creating a space where people can connect and feel supported. The team at Kirkshaws do amazing work, and we’re proud to play a part in helping them grow and continue making a positive impact in the local area.”

 

Community impact

The introduction of the Wheels in Motion Cycle Club has allowed residents to become more active, explore parts of their local area, and build friendships. The club offers a free activity for people of all abilities, providing an opportunity to learn new skills and get involved.

 

While the club has had a positive impact on many participants, Gary’s story is a standout example. Before joining, Gary had never had the chance to ride a bike. As someone with additional support needs, Gary benefits from assistance to navigate day-to-day tasks more comfortably and confidently.

 

With additional funding, the club purchased a customised bike suited to his needs. The new tricycle allowed Gary to join the club he was longing to be part of. Recently, he celebrated a huge personal victory by cycling 5 miles around Coatbridge, a remarkable achievement. Gary mentioned that the five mile trip was an incredible experience and that he couldn’t have managed it without the newfound confidence and support of the cycle club.

 

To learn more about how SPA is investing in communities like yours and how your organisation can get a share of the funding to revitalise and develop your local area have a chat with our team or visit our website at scottishprocurement.scot