A greater sense of community will be fostered in revamped multi-storey flats in Dunfermline thanks to a new hub.
A newly converted community flat in Broomhead Drive has opened its doors to residents, as improvements at the three blocks are nearing completion.
Two ground-floor flats have been converted into one large centre, hosting a large community room for up to 50 people which can be used for meetings, mother and toddler groups, keep fit classes and social gatherings.
A smaller room is also available which can be used for more personal meetings with specialist officers and agencies.
It is hoped a new kitchen can be used for food demonstrations to encourage residents to eat more healthily.
The flat is WiFi enabled which will give residents access to online services such as benefit forms, and it is the intention to have a job club to help locals who need support to complete job applications.
A programme of activities is being planned in partnership with the local community and in particular with the Broomhead Tenants and Residents Association.
It is hoped the community flat will also be used by health visitors and voluntary agencies such as the Salvation Army who already provide a drop-in advice service at the flats.
Fife Provost Jim Leishman said: “This will not only be of benefit to local residents, but also the local community.”
The flat was converted by Fife Council’s housing and building services and has been held up as a good example of community planning involving a wide range of partners and the local community who have greatly influenced how the facility looks and will be run, he added.
Housing spokeswoman Judy Hamilton said: “We want it to become a central meeting place for our tenants and the local community.”
She said locals had been enthusiastic about the improvements made to the flats.
“To hear they are being encouraged to get involved in some of the new community projects developed on their own doorstep shows a great community spirit,” she added.
“This can only bring a positive outcome, which people who live in the area will appreciate.”
In 2013, Fife Council was awarded £56,000 from the health and wellbeing fund to support projects in Broomhead Drive which contributed towards a new green gym.
The council began a multimillion-pound housing improvement project at Broomhead Drive in May 2014.
By the end of this month many improvements, including new windows and wall cladding, will have been carried out. An overnight concierge service was also introduced to the flats.