The Queen Bees group received funding following a Participatory Budgeting (PB) exercise, which gives local people a direct say in how public money is spent.

Open to all women in the Blantyre area, the group works to improve mental wellbeing and reduce social isolation and loneliness. The group also works with women with disabilities empowering them to have a voice and strive for equity in the community.

The group’s Ginem Anderson said: “The PB money has made a massive impact to our women’s group promoting healthy eating, with lunches and also being able to buy the women air fryers to cut costs of energy bills.

“Also to take part in Tai Chi, self-defence, sound therapy, sign language, and arts and crafts.

“It has also let us bring new members to our group and help connect the women of Blantyre to come together to fight the impact of mental health and wellbeing.” 

Pop up events were organised throughout the community to gather ideas from residents on projects they would like to see funded through the PB.

These ideas were gathered and looked at by the group who worked them into projects for the community. These projects were then presented to the community for a public vote using a variety of methods both online, and in person. There were 387 votes made (five votes per person) resulting in 13 projects being fully funded.

The council’s Leader Joe Fagan said: “The PB process gives local people the opportunity to decide where money should be spent in their local area and we are delighted with the plans that the Queen Bees group now have in place thanks to this funding.

“I would encourage communities across South Lanarkshire to find out more and get involved in the PB process – we recognise that no-one knows better than local people what would benefit their area.”

The council’s Community Engagement team coordinates the Participatory Budgeting process with funding coming from the council and the National Lottery. 

More information about Participatory Budgeting is available on the Community Planning website.