IT began its life in a blaze of controversy with critics claiming Culture and Sport Glasgow was little more than "back-door privatisation".

But despite the fierce opposition, the venture was approved in February 2007.

The new agency took control from the City Council of all museums, libraries, leisure and community centres on April 1 last year.

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which reopened in 2006 after a £35million facelift, the Burrell Collection in the South Side and 18 leisure centres are the high-profile face of the organisation.

Culture and Sport's short life has been marred by a series of swimming pool shutdowns and partial closures at leisure facilities.

At one stage early this summer the kids' pool at Easterhouse, Pollok pool and Scotstoun pool were all shut.

But the charitable company, with offices in the Trongate, also runs hundreds of little-known community projects for people all over the city.

They help everyone from toddlers to pensioners get fit, provide lifeline support for vulnerable people such as the homeless and offer opportunities for special needs youngsters to lead fuller lives.

The buildings are still owned by Glasgow City Council but leased by the charity, which is still answerable to the council.

Now, just over a year on, the charity is about to produce its first annual review. Today, ahead of its publication, we look at some of the services the organisation is offering the people of Glasgow.

On Saturday, Culture and Sport will be holding an event open to the public, from 9.30am to noon at the Mitchell Library, to discuss the report and plans for the coming year.

To book a place, e-mail annualreview@csglasgow.org or call 0141 302 2728. Classes help open doors to learning

TWO years ago, Cat's future looked bleak.

The break-up of a longterm relationship had left her homeless and with no qualifications, her job prospects were slim.

But workers at a Govanhill women's shelter told her about the Homelessness Adult Literacy/Numeracy Partnership (Halp).

And, determined to change her life around, the 37-year-old decided to give the project a try.

Tutor Peter McDonald worked one-to-one to help overcome Cat's dyslexia and now she is studying social work and sign language at college.

Cat said: "Halp has changed my life around. I would not be where I am today without it.

"My confidence is back, I've made new friends and I have so many chances now.

"Other women at the homeless shelter saw how my life changed and now a lot of them are involved with Halp too.

"My success has had a knock-on effect and I can't praise the project highly enough."

Halp is just one of a number of adult-learning initiatives across the city under the Glasgow's Learning banner.

Funded by the Scottish Government, the scheme mixes a huge range of organisations from Culture and Sport to education sectors and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

The approach helps make sure literacy and numeracy classes are easily accessible across the city - giving countless opportunities to thousands of adults.

Peter tutors 25 adults a week in the Adelphi Centre as part of a scheme funded by the Glasgow Simon Community.

He teaches literacy skills to the homeless and helps them write out their experiences in the Scottish Community Writer's Magazine.

Peter added: "I get a lot out of tutoring because I see people's self-esteem grow and I see them get back into work and back into society.

"People forget that when you get down to it, the homeless are just like them and deserve the same chances." Football drive helps kids lose unhealthy tag

LAST year Scottish youngsters were named among the unhealthiest in the world.

But a visit to Glasgow Green on any Tuesday night will show dozens of schoolkids taking strides to turn that image upside-down.

A joint initiative between Culture and Sport, North Glasgow College and the Scottish Football Association is getting kids active while giving them career opportunities and training.

Eighteen secondary schools across the city are currently involved in the Glasgow Further Education Football Activity Programme, or Soccer One.

More than 100 boys and girls meet once a week to play matches at Glasgow Green Football Centre, encouraging them to be active while making friends with kids from other schools.

Bosses say the social aspect encourages confidence and team work as well as boosting fitness levels.

And the scheme also benefits college students who are encouraged to volunteer their time - while getting hands on' coaching experience.

Culture and Sport even offers jobs to trainees showing exceptional promise. One coach who has reaped rewards from Soccer One is Stephen Gallagher, now a professional coach with Culture and Sport.

Stevie, from Milton, had been involved in football for years but decided to get back into higher education and get some qualifications.

Lecturers at North Glasgow College encouraged him to spend time coaching at Soccer One - leading to the offer of full-time employment.

The 37-year-old said: "The scheme is really a two-way street. The student coaches learn a lot from it because we get the chance to put our skills into practice with the young people.

"But it's also great for the kids. You see their confidence grow in front of your eyes."

So far the scheme has reaped benefits for both youngsters and Culture and Sport.

Six students have successfully gone on to start jobs as football coaches with the charity while three students are currently involved in the SFA West Regional Squad programme.

And more than 40 HNC and HND students have gone on to get coaching qualifications with the SFA. Engaging kids through activities

ANOTHER Culture and Sport initiative sees kids with additional support needs given the chance to mix with their mainstream peers.

The Integrated Holiday Programme takes youngsters aged five to 13 gorge walking and gives judo and street dance lessons, among other activities.

And it teaches kids that while not everyone is the same, we should all be treated the same.

The summer programme allows barriers to be broken down, giving young people the chance to make new friends. A range of challenging outdoor activities see schoolkids grow in confidence, while P7 pupils are helped to make the transition to secondary school.

The programme is run by the Community Action Team and the North Glasgow Healthy Living Community with support from Culture and Sport.

Pupils from Gadburn School and the Possilpoint Community Centre took part this summer with plans to expand the programme next year.