Seventeen graduates have celebrated completing the first all girls cohort of an ng homes project which uses rugby as a creative social engagement tool.

Pitstops is a social engagement and employment course based in North Glasgow.

Friends, families and project partners were invited to join in the celebrations at the graduation event at Saracen House. Those in attendance included family, friends, coaches & volunteers, as well as partners including Glasgow Kelvin College (education providers), Glasgow Tigers speedway (venue providers), Movement Park (activity provider) and representatives from ng homes. Also on hand to present the women with their certificates were School of Hard Knocks chief operating officer Jack Lewars and Bob Doris MSP.

The Big Lottery-funded initiative, which is run in partnership with ng homes and the School of Hard Knocks, sees participants from across North Glasgow break down social barriers, improve their fitness and wellbeing, make new friends and reassess their goals and ambitions.

The project helps participants develop essential skills which can be carried forward into employment and education, and the latest group formed their fourth cohort.

Greg Cann, Pitstops project manager, was quick to highlight the huge amount of hard work and dedication from the first ever female group, and he was delighted to see it all come to fruition at graduation.

He said: “It’s been an amazing 8 weeks working with the group and everyone involved with the project is immensely proud of the girls.

As our first ever female cohort, we were delighted by the reception from people around the area and the attitude of everyone who joined throughout. This ceremony was a great chance for us to bring everyone together and say well done to the graduates for all their hard work.”

Robert Tamburrini, CEO of ng homes, congratulated the girls on an amazing achievement.

He said: “I think I speak for everyone at ng homes when I say what a fantastic achievement this is and well done to those involved. The Pitstops project continues to have a real impact in the lives of people in North Glasgow, and we’re delighted on the success of the first ever female cohort.”

The Pitstop project continues to make a difference to people’s lives in North Glasgow and plans are already in motion for a fifth cohort. Applications are open now with the programme set to begin on October 2nd. For more information or to refer, contact the team on 01416304254 or email mycommunity@nghomes.net with Pitstops in the header.