TWO Inverclyde community groups are celebrating after receiving a cash boost from a housing and support service in the area.

Link made donation to the Silverline Dancers and the Larkfield Boxing Club in Greenock through its Link in the Community Fund.

The Silverline donation of £500 will be spent on tuition and hire fees to help keep the class going.

Kath Bowes, treasurer of Silverline Dancers, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be chosen by Link to receive this funding.

"With many of our dancers being elderly and on limited incomes, we try to keep their weekly contributions to a minimum.”

She said the classes combat social isolation, increase well-being and is good for the mind and body.

“Like most skills, it looks easy," she added, "and practice does make perfect, but with our class, practice also brings friendships, togetherness, and lots and lots of fun and laughs."

The cost of the club's hall hire is also subsidised by an award from Inverclyde Council's community grant fund.

The club’s tutor works very hard in preparing the weekly dance schedule, selecting the dances to suit the class's ability, and providing her own equipment, all before giving step-by-step instructions to the class with great patience.

The club’s chosen music is mostly modern "country" with a bit of pop thrown in.

Silverline Dancers encourage more people of any age, male or female, to join its class as it gives the opportunity to get out, meet people and learn something new whilst being in a warm, friendly environment, which, in turn, has a positive influence on their wellbeing.

The Larkfield Boxing Club's grant of £800 will be spent on equipment, allowing the club to offer more training sessions to the community while providing a safe place for club members to improve fitness, increase self-confidence, and meet new people.

Based at Larkfield Community Hall, the volunteer-run group provides boxing and circuit training to the local community in a bid to tackle the link between deprivation and access to affordable exercise opportunities, as well promoting the behavioural benefits of boxing training.

The club is a safe space for people who find commercial gyms too intimidating or too expensive, and has members from various ages, fitness levels, and social backgrounds, as well as those with additional support needs.

Grant Alexander, Link's head of community wellbeing, said: “I’m delighted to see the Link in the Community Fund provide funding for vital resources so charities, community groups, clubs, local initiatives, and individuals can continue to give much-needed support.

“I am really looking forward to seeing the real difference the Link in the Community Fund will make to communities across Scotland. If you think a cause can benefit from this fund, please get in touch.”

To find out more information about the Link in the Community Fund, or to apply, please contact community benefit officer Ken Greenshields at kenneth.greenshields@linkhaltd.co.uk.