The future of a Renfrewshire youth organisation looks bright after it was awarded a funding boost.
Renfrew YMCA has received a windfall of £15,370 from the Scottish Government's Outdoor Community Play Fund.
The charity will use the funding to continue its outdoor play project, which supports young people in the local area.
Taylor Smith, youth development worker at Renfrew YMCA, told The Gazette: "We are providing free outdoor activities to support local children transitioning from nursery to primary one.
"They will get the opportunity to spend an hour and a half taking part in outdoor play with their families.
"That allows for the children to make new friends with the kids they are going to be in primary school with and it also allows the parents to meet up and get to know each other.
"We have been running this project for three years and, thanks to this funding, we will be able to continue this work and develop it."
Children's Minister Natalie Don announced the funding being given to 32 charities during a visit to Renfrew YMCA.
The Renfrewshire North and West MSP said: "Outdoor play has an incredibly positive impact on our children’s mental health, wellbeing and confidence. It can teach them how to solve problems, assess risks, boost their physical activity and provide opportunities to meet and interact with others.
"However, options for children to play safely outdoors can be limited, especially for children in deprived areas. At a time when families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, it is even more essential that we provide this vital support to ensure there are outdoor play options available, free of charge, for families across Scotland.
"I am looking forward to seeing how this fund will help grow outdoor community play projects and I am proud that this Scottish Government investment will benefit thousands of children living in our most deprived communities."
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