A PROJECT designed to bring a little sunshine into the lives of people across the east end during the coronavirus lockdown has already reached more than 1000 families.

The Urban Fox Project, which helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to build self-esteem and learn new skills, has teamed up with local community workers for #EastEndInBloom.

Susan Wilson, who supports a range of east end projects, and Thenue Sheltered Housing’s community gardener Jane Burdass, are hoping the scheme will help the area’s vulnerable and elderly to ‘grow through what they’re going through’ as COVID-19 restrictions continue.

Susan explains: “Urban Fox Programme are a fantastic charity, who have been working with underprivileged kids and families for many years.

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“They are funding a project to buy compost, pots and sunflower and wildflower seeds, which we are making into packs to hand out to get everyone planting and growing.”

She adds: “So far we have delivered more than 1000 packs to families, organisations and schools all over the east end and we hope to see 2000 sunflowers blossoming.”

Bringing people together is the aim of our Streets Ahead campaign, which has been supporting community projects like #EastEndInBloom since we launched in 2011.

Our initiative, backed by Glasgow City Council, City Charitable Trust, CGI and City Building shines a light on the men, women and children working hard to improve their local areas for the benefit of all.

The #EastEndInBloom team, sticking to strict social distancing rules, launched the scheme with a planting session at Thenue Sheltered Housing where some of the older residents helped sort compost and seed into bags and envelopes for distribution.

Read more: Glasgow charity helping people "survive in a difficult world"

Susan adds: “It was a great session and we are going back to create a small vegetable garden and design a rota for all residents to ensure everyone can take a turn on a specific day to look after and water the plants.

“We have the whole community involved and we have had brilliant support from other youth groups, charities and sheltered housing complexes in the East End.”

Susan says the whole community is getting behind #EastEndInBloom – and age is not a barrier.

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“We have had great support from a lady in her 80s, Gertrude, who lives in Dennistoun – she has been teaching gardening to children and families her whole life and she is growing sunflowers for us,” smiles Susan.

“In addition to the sunflower packs, we have also given out wildflower seeds , and easy peasy vegetable seeds for those have a genuine interest in growing their own food.

“Each pack has something different and there are all kinds of varieties of sunflowers so it will be fun for the kids to see which ones grow in their gardens.”

Read more: Graveyard group keeping community spirit alive during lockdown

Susan adds: “The idea is that if we can get sunflower seeds out to families, children and the elderly all over the east end, then everyone can grow a bit of sunshine in their own wee green space.”

Life in our city may have changed completely but Glaswegians still have plenty of heart.

Now, more than ever, people are pulling together and Streets Ahead is here to help.

Over the previous eight years, we have celebrated your excellent efforts across a whole range of projects, from creating gorgeous community gardens out of nothing, to rallying neighbours together for clean-ups and more.

In a typically Glaswegian way, communities are rallying together in these strange and unsettling times, finding new ways to support each other.

We want you to tell us about what you are doing to help your community, and let us know how we can help spread the word or rally support for you. Tell us about the superhero neighbours helping you in your time of need and the key workers keeping your community going.

Email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk if you would like to get involved.