Opening of the B'Hive, Port Glasgow
24.05.2025
THERE is a buzz around a new £500,000 family support hub in Port Glasgow.
The B’Hive, based in Boglestone Community Centre, is a space where parents and children can meet, learn new skills, and get help and advice about a range of local services and support under one roof.
The project, led by Inverclyde Council, has also helped bring two underused areas within the centre back into productive use as family and community spaces to complement the existing facilities. These include a soft play area, café and a fitness gym run by the council’s leisure trust partners Inverclyde Leisure.
A former meeting room near the front of the building has been given a makeover and is now a dedicated family/community hub.
To the rear of the centre, the squash courts have been modernised and one of the courts now doubles up as a dedicated childcare centre. There is also kitchen and storage space nearby.
Outside, there is a play park and space for a garden and other outdoor play and sports activities.
The building itself has been given a new-look in eye-catching black and yellow colours in a nod to the B’Hive name, which was developed and codesigned with the local community including local mums Claire Saunderson and Claire Millar, who helped cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony.
The B’Hive is made up of two Scottish Government-funded projects – Early Adopter community and Fairer Futures Partnership – aimed at supporting communities and families and making it easier to access services.
The government also provided £500k for the refurbishment works.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “What we have here is a safe space for children and their families to visit, meet new friends, learn new skills, and to support working parents with childcare.
“This project is supporting families and providing another dimension to this building, which really is at the heart of the community here in upper Port Glasgow.
“It’s also another example of the good that can be done when central government and local government work so collaboratively together.
“It’s very fitting that we’re launching the B’Hive following the 50th anniversary of Boglestone Community Centre in 2024 and as we mark the 250th anniversary of Port Glasgow this year.
“As we celebrate these milestones and share memories of the past, we can also look to the happy memories that will be created here in the future.”
Families and service users have been at the heart of what is known as ‘the Inverclyde approach’ and have participated and been involved in the development and launch of the B’Hive.
The project has been delivered by the council’s inclusive communities service, property and technical services, and supported by Inverclyde Leisure.
Minister for Children Natalie Don-Innes said: “It’s vital that we have local spaces that respond to the needs of communities and provide effective whole family support.
“The Boglestone hub is a great example of that support in action, providing a new dedicated childcare space and helping ensure families get the help they want, where and when they need it.
“I’m proud that the Scottish Government has been able to support this new community resource with £500,000 of capital investment and through our Early Adopter Communities and Fairer Futures Partnership programmes.
“I look forward to hearing about its positive impact for families in Port Glasgow.”
The Early Adopter community started in January 2023 is already well-established and the council has received a further year of funding through until March 2026 to continue the development of affordable out-of-school childcare in Port Glasgow.
The after-school service will continue to be delivered by local operator Before and After School Kare (BASK).
Parents are now being supported to pay for the service if they are eligible for Universal Credit childcare support or other social security benefits aimed at low-income families.
Support to maximise household income and apply for eligible social security has been provided by a multidisciplinary team, including a family wellbeing worker, community co-design facilitators, advice support workers, and employability workers, in partnership with the DWP.
This approach has helped to build trusting relationships with parents, making them more comfortable discussing their household income and seeking support to improve their family’s outcomes.
The after-school service continues to accommodate up to 35 children per day.
The Fairer Futures Partnership aims to enhance partnership working and identify solutions and systems which improve access, efficiency, and outcomes for local communities.
The programme will deliver a place-based, person-centred service from the B’Hub within Boglestone Community Centre, placing service users at the heart of its design and delivery.
Data will be used to identify community needs and monitor progress, empowering people with opportunities, choice, and voice within their community.
Activities currently being delivered include community engagement, skills development, health and wellbeing initiatives, learning, food support, and financial advice.
The Fairer Futures programme has been active since January 2025, with successful engagement events such as Connect drop-in sessions, Easter holiday family time, Family Fun Nights, and Afternoon Tea @ the B’Hub.
A key component of the project is building trusting relationships within the community and across partner organisations.
In addition to both programmes, Inverclyde Council successfully secured a capital grant of £500k to refurbish the squash courts at the Boglestone Community Centre.
This space has been transformed into a dedicated childcare centre for after-school and holiday care in Port Glasgow, named The B’Hive.
More information about the B’Hive is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thebhiveandhub
