A group of mothers have joined forces to help transform lives in their local community in Dundee.
The ‘Wee Night In’ at St Mary’s Community Centre in Charleston encourages local families to come together together after school a night each week.
This community group has given mums the chance to have a chat and spend quality time together while also teaching their kids new skills, such as making pizza.
One of the mums who attends is Michelle Holden, who comes with her youngest son.
She said: “It’s so easy to get lost in the moment when you go home, whereas we come here and the mums, we all talk to one another, gripe and moan about things as well.
“But also help each other with things, there’s a lot of camaraderie here.”
The group meet every Monday after school for around two hours, and they hope to organise more opportunities for the rest of the community.
The aim for the group is to move to their own space and create other groups.
Natasha Henderson is part of the planning team.
She said: “I’m wanting to help the youths out there and set up a youth group.
“I have done one before Covid but it never ran back up. So, there’s nothing in Charleston really for the kids to go to and feel safe and be a home away from home.
“I think by 2025 we will have something.”
Some of the mums have experienced trauma or serious mental health issues – but the centre offers a safe space.
Stevie MacKenzie has faced hard times, but the group has encouraged her to get out of the house.
She added: “I’ve been in a bit of a hole recently, I was stuck. I had bad mental health, suffering from anxiety, depression and BPD. I was struggling to get out and do things with my kids.
“But this is a family group type thing – so that’s what made me want to come along and spend time with the kids and stuff.”
The ‘wee night in’ is supported by What Matters to You, a programme part funded by The Hunter Foundation, to help families flourish.
Councillor Stewart Hunter, Dundee City Council, said: “Speaking with the guys behind the project today, they’re looking to expand to other parts of the city. I think that’s really important.
“That we have something as successful as this, can we then deliver it elsewhere in the city and support more families.”
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