WSHA has had a presence in Cowlairs and Springburn since the early days of the Association and owns around 500 homes in the area, including sheltered housing.

The open day on Friday 21st March was bustling, with tenants coming along to see the community flat for themselves, meet the team and talk about their own visions for how the new space could be used. The Willowacre Trust Community and Support Services team were also on hand, offering help and advice on everything from getting online, to money and debt advice, to dealing with energy companies - all over a slice of celebratory cake and a cuppa.

Linda Allan, community services manager at Willowacre Trust, said: “We are very excited to be working with local community members to deliver a wide range of groups and activities in the area for all ages to enjoy. We have recently been awarded funding to get these up and running and we can’t wait to get to know more of the residents as the activities start.”

WSHA’s charitable subsidiary, Willowacre Trust, which is responsible for the running of all WSHA’s community facilities, secured new funding for the space in 2024, and has been working since then to kit the flat out as a meeting space. It includes a large open-plan meeting area, an additional room which could be used as workspaces for groups or individuals, and a working kitchen. 

The community flat was officially opened by outgoing WSHA chief executive Brian Gannon, who has made reinstating a community space for Cowlairs a personal goal over the six years of his tenure.

Mr Gannon added: “It’s so important for a community the size of Cowlairs to have a base where West of Scotland HA and other services can engage with local residents to discuss the issues and concerns that matter most to them. The Cowlairs Community Flat will also offer space for a range of services for individuals that our subsidiary Willowcare Trust excels in, such as offering money, energy and digital advice.”

Mr Gannon retires at the beginning of April after over thirty-seven years working in the Scottish housing sector.

Although its early days, groups are already beginning to make themselves at home in the community flat, with Willowacre Trust’s 10-week Beginner’s Gardening Course – funded by the GCVS Wellness Fund - kicking off there this week. More new events and courses based at the community flat are planned for the spring and summer.