Renfrewshire's award-winning diversionary programme, Street Stuff, is celebrating ten years of making a difference to the lives of young people in the community.
Since its inception in 2009, the programme has seen more than 200,000 young people come through its doors, each having the opportunity to take part in sport, make new friends and engage in social activities.
Providing activities such as football, dance and gaming six days a week, the Street Stuff team aim to offer young people, often in disadvantaged areas, with the opportunity to access exercise and social activities which they may otherwise not have the chance to take part in.
The programme hosts four holiday camps throughout the year to ensure that young people have an outlet during the school holidays and a healthy meal is provided to each young person who attends - with more than 26,000 healthy meals provided in the last four years.
The project runs in partnership between Renfrewshire Council, St Mirren Football Club, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Engage Renfrewshire.
St Mirren chairman Gordon Scott said: "At St Mirren, we are responsible for the day to day management and running of the programme and we support the coaches and volunteers through ongoing education programmes and training.
Street Stuff is a great conduit to enable the club to foster stronger links with the community, and the kids within it, and by providing the activities we do, we see massive health and social benefits for our young people.
"As the programme hits the 10-year milestone, I think the number of both local and national awards it has received speaks for itself in terms of both its success and the efforts of those who take part and run it."
Stephen Gallacher, Street Stuff Manager, said: "It is important as it offers young people a safe place to go. Their parents are happy as they know that the staff have the best interest of the young people as a priority."
The opportunity to be involved in sport and other activities helps create friendships and teamwork, but more importantly it gives the young people a chance to blow off some steam from a stressful day either at school or in the home."
"I love to see the young people have the opportunity to develop and flourish instead of being put down. The way in which the community safety team are prepared to offer a way out into meaningful destinations instead of being negative towards young people is so beneficial for our young people.
"And the fact that the young people over the years have been so welcoming to us in their communities is what makes going to work on a daily basis more enjoyable."
To read more stories from those who have played a part in Street Stuff's success please click here.
