The High Backs in Burnhill is involved in many community projects in and around our site. Alongside everything that happens on site, we work with partners, respond to what our community needs, and take on projects that make a real difference beyond our gates. Here's some of what we've been part of.
Community projects in Burnhill, Rutherglen
Youth Activism Group
Our Youth Activism Group gives young people a real voice in shaping their community. The group has conducted a road safety survey on Westmuir Place, lobbied for better street safety for pedestrians, carried out litter picks, written poems and made posters about fly-tipping, and presented their work at school assemblies and community events. They work with Neil from South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture on creative projects - including the mural now on display at the High Backs - and their ideas and energy have already made a real mark on Burnhill.
Community Larder
Fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, and other groceries - available at the High Backs gates for anyone to take, free of charge. The community larder ran regularly throughout 2025. Now expanded to include perishables - made possible by our solar panel installation which enables us to keep fridges on site. The larder happens when our partners send us goods - so if we have it and you need it, please take it. Our Facebook is the best place to find out when it is happening.
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Sunny Side Up Lunch Club
With funding from Cash for Kids, The High Backs ran the Sunny Side Up Lunch Club in 2025 - six weeks of activities and lunch for young people, free of charge. Sessions ran Thursday and Friday each week, with something different every day: movies, campfire treats, bouncy castles, playdough, scavenger hunts, cake decorating, and a teddy bear party. Running from 12.30-2.30pm, it was open to anyone who wanted to come along. In 2026, a similar programme funded by Asda ran, called the Inside Out Club. Read all about what was on for the kids in summer 2026.
Training/Meeting Room
Funded by South Lanarkshire Council's Participatory Budgeting fund, the High Backs training and meeting room opened in early 2025. Equipped with projectors, iPads, a printer, heating, and a coffee station, it's a proper community facility - used for benefits advice, CV support, training sessions, and partner drop-ins. If you're an organisation looking to deliver something for local people, get in touch.
Solar Panels
In January 2025, the High Backs won a national charity competition run by Boxergy. The community got behind the nomination and voted in their numbers - and it paid off. The prize: the UK's first off-grid AlphaESS G3 solar and battery system, installed entirely free of charge by Boxergy in partnership with AlphaESS UK. Installed in May 2025, the system gives the High Backs full energy independence - and made the community larder fridges possible.
Community Skip Initiative
When the community told us they needed help getting rid of bulky waste, we listened. Funded by South Lanarkshire Council's Participatory Budgeting fund - voted for by the community - the High Backs ran its first ever community skip initiative in April 2026, providing free skip access over five days for residents of Burnhill. Both skips were full within an hour of opening on day two, and two more skips were filled up by day five. We have applied for funding to do the same in 2027 - keep your fingers crossed!
Burnhill Residents Action Group
Affectionately known as the Community Moaning Group, the Action Group gave local residents a space to raise concerns, share information, and take collective action. While it was based at the High Backs, the group successfully arranged meetings with local housing officers, cleared lanes around houses, and began building relationships with local services. A brilliant example of what happens when people come together and speak up. While the group has since come to a close, The High Backs continues to support individual residents with the kinds of issues that matter most - from benefits and housing to jobs, neighbours, and navigating local services. The door is still open.
Uniform Swap Rail
In 2025, The High Backs ran a uniform swap rail - collecting outgrown school uniform in good condition and making it available for families to take what they need. Thanks to funding secured for 2026, the swap rail is returning this summer, this time to include stationery. Expanding the life of good quality clothing is at the heart of our drive for a sustainable Burnhill for our kids to inherit.
Ask Tell Training
The High Backs hosted Ask Tell, a free NHS Scotland training session open to volunteers. Ask Tell builds confidence in having supportive conversations - helping people ask about mental health, signpost someone to help, and respond with care. It's practical, accessible, and built on the idea that everyone can play a part in supporting those around them to get the help they need.
Fresh Start Clothing Drive
The High Backs collected good-quality smart clothing to help local people feel confident when it matters most - job interviews, special occasions, and life's big moments. Suits, shirts, blouses, jackets, shoes and accessories were donated by the community and made available free of charge to anyone who needed them. We know that what you wear can change how you feel - and we wanted to help people feel that bit more confident walking into any room.
Community Partnerships
The High Backs regularly opens its doors to partner organisations bringing support directly to the community. Over the past year this has included:
· Youth, Family & Community Learning (YFCL) - We’re working with YFCL to support young people in Burnhill who are involved in antisocial behaviour. We don’t blame or judge, we want to understand and offer positive alternatives to make sure young people have safe spaces, structure, and support.
· Routes to Work / WIN Project - Julia from Routes to Work South has visited regularly, offering employment and education support from our training room for anyone 18+ from Rutherglen or Blantyre.
· Healthy n Happy / Energy Advice - Natasha from Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust has run funded drop-in sessions on reducing energy bills and keeping warm over winter, supported by the Energy Redress Scheme and SGN.
· Rutherglen Community Awareness Partnership - the High Backs joined Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and others at a community safety event in Rutherglen town centre.
· Gel Nail Qualification - the High Backs part-funded young people from Rutherglen Universal Connections to achieve a professional qualification in gel nails.
· Introduction to Community Development - in partnership with Toryglen Community Base and Glasgow Kelvin College, a free 12-week course for anyone 16+ wanting to make a difference in their community.
· ASIST Training - Burnhill MENding Minds members and local men completed Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training in partnership with Healthy n Happy.
Did you know we can help with Digital Support?
We provide free SIM cards for anyone struggling to top up their phone. Just ask Lizzy or a staff member at The High Backs for the details.
Other Community Support & Useful Numbers
St Francis Food & Furniture Project offer food and furniture support and are happy to take in furniture. Contact them on: 07523 214227
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Wise Group: 0800 092 9002
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Samaritans: 116 123
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Uplift Service: 0303 123 1020
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Environmental Services: 0303 123 1015
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CrimeStoppers: 0800 555 111