Community kitchen is using fresh ingredients to bring friendship and good food to the boil

Belville Community Garden team's popular cooking classes are helping people think more about healthy eating and food waste.

They take ingredients growing in the garden to create mouth-watering dishes.

But for those taking part it is not only about learning new recipes, but fighting loneliness and isolation too.

Mum Ann McNab, 52, from John Street, said: "I was feeling low and looking for something to get me out the house.

"I went to Your Voice to see if there was anything and they suggested Belville.

"I love the classes and it is great getting to know other people."

Ann, who cares for her daughter Lorraine, 33, who has additional support needs, added: "They have given me lots of great ideas for cooking and I would now like to try more of their classes and groups."

She is joined by former shop worker Liz McDowell, who was looking for a class to get her teeth into after being made redundant from her day job.

Liz, 65, who lives in the town centre, said: "I used to work in the Semi Chem shop in the Oak Mall until it closed. Now I work as the bar steward in the Grosvenor Bowling Club but I wanted something else to do and thought this was a great way of meeting people."

Deirdre Small, 56, from Port Glasgow, added: "I grew up in Belville Street and lived in one of the high rise flats, so it is nice to come back.

"The cooking classes are great."

Belville Community Garden also offers outdoor classes, planter sessions and a soup and a blether drop-in every week.

They tend to three gardens on the grounds of the Belville Street high rise flats and work with local schools.

To find out more information about the project call 726034.