A former police inspector is taking a trip down memory lane as she’s moved back into her old stomping ground with her new job.
Cassie Forbes retired from Police Scotland in November 2020 and the following February became the new CEO of Roar – Connections for Life, after serving on the board for several years.
And now her world has come full circle as Roar has moved into Active Communities’ new Station Seven development in the former Johnstone Police Office where Cassie used to work.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And she has such a connection to the place she even donated her old police hat to display in the foyer.
She said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be here, back in the heart of the community.
“Both myself, the chair of our board and another member of staff all worked here when it was the police station. It’s very close to our hearts.
“I was the community inspector based in Johnstone from January 2015 and was here for four years before I moved to Mill Street in Paisley.
“I was in Johnstone for two years when Active Communities started the asset transfer process, I was involved from the start and met with Susan McDonald, the head of Active Communities, and members of the board.
“Susan and I got together as I took over at Roar as we have similar outlooks with what we want to achieve. Our charities work with different age groups but we can see the benefits of collaborating.
“She and I are absolutely over the moon to be working together, our teams just gel.”
The footprint of the former police station hasn’t changed but the interior is completely different.
The old police bar is now the space where the lift is and the former entrance is now a window seat.
The decor is modern and welcoming and service users, volunteers and staff are all loving the new space.
Cassie said the charity has saved money by moving from its former base on Glasgow Road to Station Seven – all money that will be ploughed back into the charity.
Already Roar has moved its Elderslie health and wellbeing club to Station Seven and Cassie said the service users are delighted with the change.
“They’re really enjoying the new space,”she said. “The MyBus comes and parks outside, it’s accessible and welcoming. The numbers are gradually rising as well, it’s fantastic.”
Roar has 12 clubs back up and running after the covid lockdown and Cassie hopes to get it up to 15 by the end of September.
Cassie said they’ve got big plans to expand what they can do now they’ve moved. They plan to start another Otago exercise class, start a men’s shed and do more work with young people on enhancing digital skills for older people.
They’ve also got funding to start art classes and hope to utilise the large teaching kitchen at Station Seven to offer cookery and nutrition advice for older adults.
“It’s fantastic what’s happened to the building,” said Cassie. “I’ve followed the whole transition from the police station right through.
“When I took over at Roar I knew we would be changing our working model because of covid and moving to Station Seven is part of that.
“There’s a lovely buzz about the place, it’s got the biggest heart.
“I do reminisce when I come in, I go to my office with a big smile on my face. I had so many happy times in the police.”
Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area.
Available on both Android and Apple. Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial
