Molendinar Community Centre in Blackhill is a focal point for a wide range of activities which bring local people together.

Thenue Housing - which has homes and tenants in the area - along with one of its contractors, McConnell, have teamed up to donate £500 each to the Centre.

St Paul’s Youth Forum runs the Molendinar Community Centre, which provides a host of activities, support services, and opportunities for local people.

Through its community-focused approach, the centre offers a welcoming and inclusive space where children, young people, families, and residents can take part in a variety of activities.

These include yoga, football, dance, sewing and knitting classes, fitness programmes, educational courses, support groups, men’s groups, youth clubs, and a community food pantry.

Welcoming the donation from McConnell and Thenue, centre manager Debbie Martin said: “This is great news. Every penny helps, and we are very grateful to McConnell and Thenue Housing for their generosity.

“The ongoing costs of running and maintaining the centre are an ever-present challenge, so we remain very appreciative of financial donations such as this to support the work we are doing in keeping the centre going.

McConnell is a provider of refurbishment, modernisation and maintenance services to buildings and facilities across the UK.

John Hepburn, McConnell managing director (Scotland), said: “We’re so pleased to have been able to support Molendinar Community Centre with a donation. As a vital hub for the local community, it plays an important role in supporting and connecting people of all ages. Working alongside Thenue, we’re proud to help ensure the centre remains open and well-maintained, so it can continue to serve the community for many years to come.”

Ruth Adam, community regeneration manager at Thenue, added: “Thriving communities remain essential to our work as a housing association and community centres such as Molendinar play a vital role in delivering that.

“We have many tenants in Blackhill and the £500 McConnell donation which we have matched with our own £500 contribution helps sustain such important work.”