A COMMUNITY minded church in Port Glasgow is helping people battling addiction to turn their lives around.

Ambassador Church, in partnership with Teen Challenge Strathclyde, is supporting individuals going through drink and drug problems.

The two organisations reach out to the wider community by offering a weekly lunch club at the church.

Margo Gault, who works with Teen Challenge and the church, said the club had been running for many years but was interrupted by the pandemic.

It re-started again just over a year ago and is proving to be a crucial source of support.

Margo said: "Usually we have up to 30 people coming along every week.

"We offer a free two-course lunch to everybody, anyone who wants to come."

It has been a lifeline for Angie Boyle, 48, who had struggled with addiction all her life. She says the church gave her the help she needed to become drug free.

She said: "The atmosphere here is great and the volunteers are so helpful - it's an amazing place. They have given me so much support.

"I've struggled with addiction nearly all my life and now I am clean now and it's a great feeling. "Teen Challenge have been amazing.

"My friends said it would take an awful lot to get me to church. Four of us started coming, and I'm the only one who still goes.

"I found God. It's a second chance, I have a life, I go on holiday twice a year. It's changed my life."

The church is very much at the heart of the community and the lunch club provides a space where everyone can get together.

Siobhan Black, 33, said: "It's a nice way to bring everyone together in the community and also help people who need help. A lot of the volunteers are from Teen Challenge."

Kenneth McGill, 48, said: "I'm a churchgoer and it's nice to feel part of the community. It's a nice friendly atmosphere here."

The lunch club runs every Wednesday between 12.30 and 2pm, sometimes followed by a presentation, and all are welcome.