First Minister presents green award to Govanhill Baths project

Govanhill Baths Community Trust impressed judges with its Rags to Riches project, showing a collective passion for bringing greener living to life in a creative, innovative and inspiring way, whilst having a positive effect on their community and the environment.

Rags to Riches works with the community to improve upcycling skills, providing masterclasses and giving many individuals new skills that they may use to help them get into work. The project educates the community about the need to recycle what people no longer use and turn it into something they will use.

The awards form part of the national Greener Together campaign and this year’s judging panel included representatives from the Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Energy Saving Trust. The judges said Govanhill Baths has made recycling fun and useful.

The panel praised the range of approaches, from classes to ‘this is not a fashion show’ events to local improvement projects such as using upcycled products to restore a community garden and its work with primary schools.

Ms Sturgeon said: “It’s a fantastic project and the recognition is well-deserved.”

Nadine Gorency, Rags to Riches project manager, said: “The project has grown to become one of the leading upcycling projects in Glasgow. This award is for the people who have joined us on the journey to develop and nurture sustainability within our communities — the volunteers, tutors and the many participants as well as partners who have supported our work.”