The Executive offered BTCV Scotland £25,000 in each year, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 for a People and Places project in Inverclyde, to enhance greenspace provision in areas undergoing renewal - with biodiversity awareness and practical volunteering. Enhancing environmental justice, this would encourage the involvement of disadvantaged communities and give them confidence in influencing their local environment.
BTCV Scotland began dialogues with local communities and support agencies that would help to set a pattern for the future. BTCV Scotland started awareness raising initiatives through taster sessions and used 'Make A Difference Day' in October 2005 as a starting point to raise the profile of the project.
A Group was formed called the Inverclyde Community Regeneration Network which used 'Make A Difference Day' to deliver its first environmental improvement day. It was held at the Craigend Resource Centre with the work delivered around the Community Gardens. 25 Volunteers participated on that day which included two from black, minority and ethnic communities and 3 children accompanied by their parents.
This event was quickly followed by another in December 2005 at a site on the Old Inverkip Road. This Action Day contributed to the Local Biodiversity Action Plan by working on greenspaces along a residential street, clearing it of litter and bramble and then improving the habitat for wildlife. This involved constructing and erecting bird and bat boxes as well as planting spring-flowering bulbs. A total of 21 volunteers participated in this day.
The work begun in 2005 complemented an audit of area needs by Lower Clyde Greenspace, and part of 2006 was taken up by meetings involving Lower Clyde Greenspace and the regeneration agencies.
In December 2006 the Inverclyde Community Greenspace Network held a day at Grieve Road Community Centre which became the start of near-monthly community consultation days that include practical environmental activities.
From February to July 2007 BTCV worked with the community on the removal of Rhododendron ponticum, a non native invasive shrub, and the clearance of drainage ditches bordering a footpath, to prevent the path from flooding, in Wemyss Bay Woodland. The volunteers also created a new section of footpath leading to a quiet area where a bench was installed by the group.
In August 2007 there was a training course in drystone walling for some unemployed members of the general public over 7 days at Finlaystone Country Estate. The participants in this course gained a qualification in building and repairing drystone walls.
Through the work of several project officers a foundation was laid on which to build further work in line with creating sustainable places and encouraging environmental volunteering. Over the lifetime of the grant, 254 workdays were achieved, with 19 tasks to improve the environment in Inverclyde. BTCV expected engagement with Inverclyde to develop further in the future.
BTCV Scotland
Balallan House
24 Allan Park
Stirling
FK8 2QG
Telephone: 01786 479697
Website: www.btcv.org