A PORT Glasgow community hub is celebrating 20 years of delivering services and supporting community groups.
The Trust has marked two decades at its base at 7 ½ John Wood Street by holding its AGM at the offices, where trustees and visitors were given specially made wooden coasters to commemorate the occasion.
The hub has played a vital part in supporting Port Glasgow's community since it was first opened by The Trust in 2005.
The Trust run many services from the building, including befriending service, Trust Befriending and Supportive Communities, and The Pantry, which distributes food locally for a small fee.
It also hosts community groups including the beading and knitting group, and an ex-servicemen's group.
Ross Ahlfeld, CEO of the Trust, said: "We decided to hold our AGM at 71/2 John Wood Street as it opened 20 years ago this month.
"We would like to thank the trustees, centre staff and volunteers for all their hard work.
"I feel we have made a real difference over the last twenty years with all the resources and grant funding we have put back out there to community groups and projects to delivered to the people of Port Glasgow.
"We have supported hundreds of people over the years and thousands of people through the pantry."
He added that the centre is open five days a week, two evenings a week and at weekends too.
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Rosemary Davidson has been a trustee for several years and said she joined up because wanted to give something back to the community.
She said: "I was brought up in Inverclyde and I had a fantastic education and loved living in Inverclyde.
"I was a member of Gourock Swimming Club and my coach Donald Muirhead asked me to join the board back in 2017.
"I thought I could do something to give back to the community.
"The Trust has been running for 35 years and I think it does amazing work to create opportunities for people in Inverclyde and I am happy to help out."
One of the projects the Trust runs is The Pantry which operates in Port Glasgow and Greenock.
Locals can get access to lifetime membership at either of the pantries for £1 and members can choose ten items from the shelves, fridge and freezer for £2.50. A basket from The Pantry is typically worth between £10 and £15.
Debbie Robertson, co-ordinator at the Pantry in Port Glasgow, said: "The Trust has made a big difference to the people of Port Glasgow. All the different groups meet at 71/2 John Wood Street as well.
"It's a real community hub.
"Our pantry customers can get access to the employability team, Financial Fitness and Wattwise Inverclyde who give energy advice.
"I think we are making a difference.
"All our customers have become friends. We are like a big family here."
Pantry supervisor Sandra McCurdy said: "The Trust is like a gateway, you come in for one specific thing and there are people here who can signpost you to different agencies.
None of the services could operate without volunteers.
Susan Canney, 62, who volunteers twice a week, said: "It's really satisfying knowing that you can help people.
"I feel it is important that the Trust is here to support the community. It offers a lot of different services, it's good for the town as well."
Fellow Volunteer Rabie Gohar said: "I like helping people and making friends and get involved in the community."
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