Tullibody Community Development Trust  (TCDT) in Clackmannanshire has been awarded funding of £3,000 by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) for the appointment of a part time catering assistant in its newly refurbished café.

TCDT was established in response to Clackmannanshire Council’s planned closure of Tullibody Community Centre in September 2018. TCDT  took on the running of the centre to keep it open to continue to offer a valuable facility in the area.

TCDT’s volunteer staff looks after all aspects of the running of the centre, from managing booking to health and safety.

The funding from CRT will allow TCDT to employ a catering assistant to work in the newly refurbished café in the centre, with support from volunteers and trainees.

The café is currently only able to operate only when the hall is hosting a function, but TCDT plans to introduce a community café open at other hours to provide healthy food and a place for residents to meet and socialise.

The project will be specifically targeted at those who are isolated due to lack of income or mobility – the centre is wheelchair accessible – and volunteers will be encouraged to assist in expanding opening hours.

TCDT has also received a grant from The Scottish Land Fund to secure the property outright through a community asset transfer.

Janette McGowan, chair of TCDT, said: “We would like to thank the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for their ongoing support. It’s great to be able to employ a catering assistant to make the café in the community centre more accessible to everyone, and provide somewhere for people to socialise and eat affordable, healthy food.”

Nicky Wilson, chair of CRT trustees in Scotland, said:  “TCDT provides an excellent resource for the entire community. We are more than happy to provide funding for a catering assistant for such an excellent facility as the community centre’s recently refurbished café.”

Image shows: Nicky Wilson (right) and Janette McGowan (left) (foreground) with members of the TCDT Committee (background).