A group which has battled the odds to bring people back into a Fife town centre – creating jobs and tackling poverty – has been recognised for its impact on the community.
BRAG Enterprises (Benarty Regeneration Action Group) is the organisation behind the Together Levenmouth Hub, a hive of events and enterprise on Leven High Street.
It has been named as the Scotland Loves Local Awards High Street Hero for Mid Scotland and Fife, recognising the impact of its work on people, place and the local economy.
Responding to the Hero news, Gayle Penman, Partnership Manager at BRAG, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see our work recognised in this way.
“Our ambition and vision is to support marginalised people and communities on their journey towards a more positive future.
“We take huge pride in helping people achieve more than they themselves ever thought possible, ultimately helping to lift communities out of poverty, allowing them to thrive and grow.
“By supporting people, we are helping places, making Leven – and the wider Fife region – an even better place in which to live, work and visit.”
BRAG, a non-profit organisation, has a long history of delivering employability and training work with young people and adults across the region.
With Leven identified as a Site of Multiple Deprivation – highlighting low income, resources and opportunities – it seized an opportunity to turn the redundant former WH Smith building in Leven High Street to create Together.
First opening in April 2022, it is home to pop-up spaces, escape rooms, adventure golf and a vibrant community cafe.
Employability and work experience programmes also operate from the hub, as well as programmes to improve mental health and tackle social isolation.
It has gone from strength to strength despite a fire which destroyed its neighbouring building forcing Together’s closure for almost a year from November 2022.
Determined not to be beaten while forced from their home amid safety concerns, BRAG ran its services from the nearby TRUTH nightclub, creating a warm space with activities attracting 260 people every week.
Wider work to support the community has included securing advice on reducing energy bills, improving online access for people and Bingo Buddies sessions to help improve health and wellbeing.
Since returning to their own building, Together has cemented its place as a project at the heart of the town, with all money made channelled back into community projects.
One woman said: “I feel like family as I am so welcome.”
BRAG’s award nomination stated: “These lot are the best.”
Summing up the organisation’s work, Gayle said: “As our mission states, we exist because a better life is within everyone’s reach.”
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The work to create Together Levenmouth Hub – and then to ensure they were not unduly set back by their neighbour’s fire – have been truly heroic. So our judges agreed that this award was very well deserved.
“Having had the pleasure of visiting this outstanding enterprise, it’s important to recognise how projects like this play an important part in improving our town centres and creating life-shaping opportunities for residents. This is a great example of what other communities can achieve through innovation, collaboration and determination.”
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the fourth year in which the awards have been held.
