WHILE it is the end of an era for the Tullibody Healthy Living office, the community has banded together to salvage what they could.

As previously reported, THL’s funding from Clackmannanshire Council ran out at the beginning of the month and despite pleas and an effort from local Councillors George Matchett and Darren Lee, the shutters fell last week.

However, though the office is now closed, the Singing for Memories group will be preserved with the support of volunteers.

The Tullibody Community Garden, which was also part of the initiative, will also continue two days a week.

THL assistant Ann Glennon and community development worker Tracy Gibson, the only two paid staff, will not be able to keep up their good work.

However, the duo were presented with bouquets of flowers by members of the Singing for Memories group to mark the end of their employment.

The group’s Clarence Carmichael said: “It’s sad to see Tracy and Ann go because they are always there when you need support with something.

“The community will miss them.”

Cutting THL’s funding came as part of Clackmannanshire Council’s budget savings in March this year, with its effect now beginning to hit home in Clacks communities.

Ann said that most people are "feeling disillusioned in Tullibody right now" as a result of the loss of the THL office, the fruit barra and the civic centre.

Tracy told the Advertiser: “This is a small community project and six months was never going to be long enough for us to reinvent ourselves as a stand-alone project, create a new business plan and get all of our documents updated and ready for funding applications.

“Ann and I will miss working with the volunteers every week and keeping in touch with everyone.

"We wish all the best to the Tullibody Community Development Trust and hope the community gets behind them to see the civic centre run by the community and for the community.”

The singing group will carry on thanks to the support of the Tullibody Co-op carrier bag fund, in addition to everyone taking part donating £1 each per month.

Tracy added: “It’s great to know that some of the THL services will continue despite the office closing.”

At the community garden, Grow Your Own courses and the weekly Cooking Group will continue, but volunteers also want to hear from other organisations in the town.

Janet Gowran, training facilitator, explained: “We want to hear from other local groups about training they might need for themselves or for their group.

“We have a training budget to spend as part of the Tullibody Community Action Plan, so any local group in Tullibody should contact us if they have any training needs.

“We can also provide group training events here at the garden, so please get in touch.”

THL has issued handy numbers for alternatives to services it provided before closure:

Universal Credit support: Brian Weaver, Tullibody Library Every Wednesday 2.30pm – 5.00pm. Job Centre Alloa 01259 294051. Universal Credit 0800 328 9344.

Computer Access and Printing: Tullibody Library 01259 218725. Speirs Centre 01259 452262.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB): Burgh Mews, Alloa, 01259 219404. Or you can drop in Monday to Thursday 10.00am – 3.00pm.

Foodbank (referrals only): Contact service you engage with or see CAB as above.

Scottish Welfare Fund applications: Clacks Council 01259 450000.

Alloa Carers: 01259 226839.

Contact a council service: Tullibody Library or 01259 450000.

Mental Health Resource Centre: 01259 290343.

Signpost Alloa (addiction recovery): 01259 272112.

Credit Union: 8 Bank Street, Alloa, 01259 214200.

Community Garden: 01259 721967.

Volunteering and support for groups: Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface 01259 213840.