Supporting Communities in Angus

Alberto Costa

“Well, autumn’s round again and our gardens are starting to get carpeted with leaves.  Not just mine, but everybody’s.  Now, I’m no Charlie Dimmock, but luckily enough, you don’t have to be to help out in the community.

“As is the way with October in Angus, it was a bit cold and a bit cloudy on Saturday.  No surprise to anyone there, then.  I was with a few other people to help the Bruce Road Community Flat in Arbroath.  The Community Flat works to help local people when they need it - and they do a fantastic job. They offer kids a homework club, computer facilities and entertainment.  They work with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Jobcentre Plus to help get people back on their feet.  They do what they can to support local residents.

“That’s what community work should do.  That’s what a community should do.  Work together when they can and where they can to support each other regardless of how large or small that help can be.

“We were there to help out with some gardening.  Cutting the grass, pulling out the odd weeds and preening the garden where we could.  And despite being overcast it wasn’t such a miserable day.

“These Social Action Projects are demonstrably really important, now more than ever.  By doing something to save a community organisation money, especially during a recession, we are helping to make our communities stronger and working to help each other beat the downturn.

“The Bruce Road Community Flat and places like it help get people into work.  Surely, that is one of the most important aims we could have right now.  By helping the flat, we’re helping that aim.

Things don’t change with just one action.  We’ll be doing more and I would love for you to help out, whoever you are and whoever you support.  These projects make a difference and they make an even bigger difference with even more help.

So, look out for other Action Projects and please get involved.  However big or small the project is, it’s still making a difference.