Engage With Cumbernauld Living Landscape Weekly at The Community Space

Cumbernauld citizens with an interest in local greenspace and wildlife are being invited to engage with Cumbernauld Living Landscape through new weekly drop-in surgeries taking place in Cornerstone House Centre’s Community Space in Antonine Shopping Centre.

Cumbernauld Living Landscape, an innovative collaboration between Scottish Wildlife Trust, North Lanarkshire Council, The James Hutton Institute and TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will be on hand every Monday at The Community Space with an open invitation extended for local people to visit and find out what’s on and how to get involved.

The partnership was established to maximise the benefits experienced by local people and wildlife from the extensive areas of greenspace in Cumbernauld. Greater Cumbernauld has many places and activities in which people can enjoy the advantages of being outside, including Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld House Park, Cumbernauld Community Park, Colzium House and Estate and several golf courses, to name a just a few. David Walsh, Senior Project Officer at TCV, commented:

“Cumbernauld Living Landscape will be in The Community Space from 10.00am-3.00pm every Monday with a stall highlighting the amazing work we have accomplished over the past year improving greenspaces for people and wildlife. 

“We will also have a fun mammal detective game – can you work out which animals have left their mark on Cumbernauld? Come down and have a chat with our staff to see how you can get involved with our amazing projects!

“The team will be available in the facility at the same time every week from January-June 2020, with an open invitation extended to all. Each week there will be fun nature-themed activities suitable for all the family to participate in.”

By visiting the Cumbernauld Living Landscape stall, citizens will have the opportunity to find out about several exciting greenspace programmes currently being coordinated in the local area. These include Connecting Young People to Nature, Nectar Networks, Woodland Projects, Access to Nature, Nature Ninjas Volunteering, Wild Ways Well and Green Routes.  

Cornerstone House Centre is a supporter of Cumbernauld Living Landscape’s long term vision of establishing a green network in the town, which will result in cleaner air and water and more places to go to retreat from urban communities and lifestyles. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, added:

“Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub is encouraging people living in Cumbernauld to get outdoors and make use of the greenspace that’s on our doorstep – and see the wonders it has on improving their health and wellbeing.

“There are many ways to feel the benefit of local greenspace, including walking, gardening, cycling, volunteering, outdoor learning and play, as well as just enjoying being out in green spaces and nature.

“And you don’t have to be an athlete or fitness fanatic to gain – steady-paced walking for 30 minutes each day for five days reduces the risk of several illnesses, including depression.

“Indeed, it is known that 9 out of 10 people who visit the outdoors report improvement in their mental health. Being outdoors and active is also an excellent way of guarding against future health issues and conditions.”

The residency of Cumbernauld Living Landscape is just one of a number of activities scheduled to take place at The Community Space, located at Unit 14 of Antonine Shopping Centre, in 2020.

Tool Library Cumbernauld, a social enterprise which provides quality tools and equipment for a range of purposes, including DIY, gardening, crafts, sports and kitchen usage, is also based in The Community Space, and Cancer Research UK surgeries will be taking place monthly commencing on Thursday 26 March 2020.

The Community Space, opened in August 2019, is a partnership initiative between Cornerstone House Centre and Antonine Shopping Centre with a view to improving health and wellbeing in the Cumbernauld area. It forms part of a wider Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub which was launched by Cornerstone House Centre on behalf of Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire in 2019.

A central feature of The Community Space is a dedicated ‘Ping Pong Parlour’, where local people can play table tennis for free. It also incorporates a ‘Light Bites Station’ where visitors can have a seat and buy tea, coffee, refreshments and snacks at affordable prices. Opening hours are currently Monday (12noon-4.00pm), Thursday (12noon-6.00pm), Friday (12noon-4.00pm) and Saturday (10.00am-1.00pm), with all activities free of charge.

For more about the activity of Cumbernauld Living Landscape, please contact Project Manager Fiona McGrevey on 01236 617113 or email FMcGrevey@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk. Alternatively, drop in and meet the team at The Community Space this coming Monday from 10.00am-3.00pm.