Margaret Walker, chair of the council’s Social Work Resources Committee, said: “Social Work Justice Services make a vital contribution to the safety and cohesion of communities.

“Our Unpaid Work Service plays an important part in this, with the dedicated team committed to working effectively with and across the council, with our local partners and as part of our local communities.”

A recent highlight has been the partnership working with Burnhill Action Group and South Lanarkshire Community Development Team which has involved 16 to 24 year-olds developing their landscaping skills to design and construct a polytunnel and soft play area for children and young people in Rutherglen’s Burnhill area.

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Social Care said: Other examples of tangible improvements that the council’s Unpaid Work Service have delivered for local people include the installation of an attractive bridge to compliment the landscaped garden area in Lanark’s Castlebank Park, and the most recent Winter Jacket Appeal which saw more than 600 coats and jackets distributed to families in need throughout our communities.

“A series of open days has been organised as part of our commitment to enhancing the visibility of social work justice and specifically our unpaid work service.

“These events will allow us to share examples of the work that is undertaken and the impact that it has, alongside providing an opportunity for local people to engage with us directly on what they feel might be worthwhile projects as we look ahead.”

The open days take place at the following locations from 10am to 2pm each day:

• Lanark (22 High Street) on Wednesday 24 July
• East Kilbride (300 Cornwall Street) on Wednesday 31 July
• Cambuslang (150 Main Street) on Wednesday 7 August
• Hamilton (the Bandstand, Quarry Street) on Wednesday 14 August