Church of Scotland project to boost poor neighbourhoods
- Published
Plans to develop community facilities in some of Scotland's poorest neighbourhoods have been announced by the Church of Scotland.
The Chance to Thrive programme has selected eight areas to take part in a pilot regeneration project for the next five years.
Congregations in Glasgow, Stirling and Dundee are among those to benefit.
The Church said the idea of the project was to work with local people to bring about "long-term change".
Volunteer entrepreneurs, community workers, business planners, artists and architects will work with local communities.
Different approach
Church of Scotland Moderator, the Reverend David Arnott, said: "Despite the massive public investment of recent years, many of our poorest communities a generation ago tragically remain our poorest communities today.
"Particularly in the current economic climate, a different approach is needed."
He said that over the past decade the Church had doubled its commitment to Scotland's poorest neighbourhoods.
He added: "Through Chance to Thrive we are well-placed to play our part in the transformation of a number of these areas.
"We are committed to doing that with others, particularly with local people."
The pilot scheme is expected to last five years, with hopes for a roll-out across Scotland.
Churches in the Castlemilk, Cranhill, Drumchapel and Maryhill areas of Glasgow are among those taking part.