Community action in the Lanarkshire town is thriving

Bothwell has a thriving new refurbished community hub thanks to £150,000 from Foundation Scotland.

The cash has gone to local organisation Bothwell Futures - founded by a group of residents and activity groups in 2019 to tackle challenges facing the commuter town and to make the village a better place to live.

Bothwell Futures now delivers a busy calendar of popular events created for locals and tourists alike, such as the farmers market, the scarecrow festival and the now infamous monthly Afternoon Tea hosting hundreds of local people since it launched in November 2023. 

Foundation Scotland’s cash enabled repairs to the roof and windows of the hub, the creation of accessible facilities, a new staircase and office development with the support allowing the organisation to fully open the doors to the new space that will offer local people positive opportunities for years to come.

Cally Mckeirnan, community engagement manager at Bothwell Futures said: “The support we’ve received from Foundation Scotland has been incredibly important and that was not just funds but also guidance on our way forward. As a new charity, we approached them without much experience of funding applications; we just had our plans and our passion for the future of the local area.

Ali Kennedy, social investment executive, Foundation Scotland, said “Bothwell Futures has created a brilliant space for everyone in the local community and we are extremely proud of our involvement in its development. These new facilities will support significant numbers of people in the area for years to come. 

"Families have an affordable safe and welcoming place to come to and enjoy, young people are provided with opportunities to positively get together to enjoy activities, and older people continue to feel part of a connected community.”