A community interest company set up two years ago to create equal opportunities in the building industry has been given a helping hand itself.
Building Futures is one of six community groups in Glasgow to benefit from social funding offered by CALA Homes (West).
The Drumchapel-based organisation has been helping women and socially excluded groups who want to work in the construction industry gain skills and confidence.
Over the past year, Building Futures has created more than 20 training and workplace opportunities for individuals who would normally struggle to gain a foothold in employment.
It says it will increase this to at least 100 by the end of next year.
Now that target has been made easier after it won a slice of community funding from CALA Homes (West).
The luxury homebuilder invited bids from local charities, community groups and organisations who are making a difference to people's lives.
SHARE
Six charities and social enterprise companies across Glasgow will share a £5,000 pot.
Other winners were: The Kindness Project, Whizz Kidz Glasgow Ambassador Club, Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland (CBCS) West Area, Glasgow Riderz in Bellahouston, and Hillhead Hockey Club in Jordanhill.
Shalinay Raghavan, who set up Building Futures in 2015, said the funding would allow the organisation to fit out a new skills hub.
She was speaking at the cheque handover, where she was joined by operations manager Cameron Bauer, Ayesha Bibi and Olivia Anderson-Nathan, who have both benefited from support from Building Futures.
Shalinay said: “We are over the moon to have been selected out of so many amazing applicants.
"This money will make a huge difference to the women we already support, and help even more disadvantaged women in Scotland to upskill and explore opportunities in construction.”
'SPIRIT'
Liana Canavan, sales and marketing director for CALA Homes (West), said: “Community spirit really shone through in all of the entries and it was a difficult process to whittle down the applications to those we truly believe we could make a difference to.
“We strongly believe that we are not just building houses, we are building homes that belong to a wider community and we hope through the charities and organisations that we have selected this time that we can go some way in helping create a positive impact for many.
“We look forward to getting out there and meeting the Glasgow charities and organisations we have supported in the coming months and we thank all applicants for their time and efforts in getting in touch.”
