A series of community theatre workshops will be held across Scotland, thanks to a grant of almost £5,000 from the ScotRail Foundation Cultural and Arts Fund.

Matthew Dunn, founder of 3in1 Theatre Company, has been awarded £4,970 in funding from the Cultural and Arts Fund to develop a new play with Men’s Shed Scotland.

The theatre company will meet with men from Men’s Sheds located across Scotland – including in Stonehouse, Barrhead, Leith, Galashiels, Glenrothes and St Andrews – to produce a play based on their ideas and experiences.

Participants will choose the story, create the characters, decide the plot and structure including any themes and morals.

3in1 Theatre specialises in creating theatre in the community by working in partnership with local groups and organisations to write, direct and perform new theatre.

A total of £60,215 has been awarded to 18 groups and individuals throughout the country in the latest round of funding, and is the largest grant the Cultural and Arts Fund has ever made.

The ScotRail Foundation is part of the ‘ScotRail in the Community’ initiative and aims to empower residents making a positive difference in their local community.

Applications are taken from groups or individuals across Scotland looking to fund arts, community recreation, or sports activities in the vicinity of a train station, or with a travel or safety theme.

ScotRail Head of Economic and Community Development James Ledgerwood said: “It’s fantastic to see the real difference that these grants are making to the lives of people across Scotland.

“This project is providing participants with an opportunity to capture the camaraderie and benefits of being a member of the Men’s Shed Scotland and explain how it helps to combat isolation and loneliness.

“We know how important the railway is to the communities we serve, and we want to do all we can to strengthen and support that link.”

Foundation Scotland Chief Executive Officer Giles Ruck said:  “We have been working with the ScotRail Foundation since 2016 supporting grassroot projects across Scotland.

This latest round has attracted a number of projects which will connect communities to their railway stations, bringing colour and vibrancy to the stations and the thousands of travellers who pass through each day.”