As part of Glasgow's mission to empower communities, People Make Glasgow Communities will encourage the people who know, use and are passionate about local resources such as buildings, pitches and local facilities, to make them more relevant and accessible to everyone in the community.
The impact of the global pandemic means it is more difficult to continue to deliver services using traditional operating models, whilst meeting the needs and expectations of the people who value these services. As part of Glasgow City Council's Property and Land Strategy, the Council (including Glasgow Life) is looking at new ways of operating its current directly-managed estate.
This work will demonstrate a commitment to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals - fostering sustainable communities.
Even before the pandemic, Glasgow City Council had been responding to changes in the city's needs and opening up discussions about how to adapt provision to better meet them.
Discussions were focused around a number of topics, each contributing to an updated model of community:
Localised services
Changes in population
Building stock
Structural and funding models
Connecting into Glasgow's innovative heritage in community
There is no doubt that the people of Glasgow are friendly. The pandemic has shown just how caring they are too. We take genuine civic pride in the fact that 'People Make Glasgow'.
Throughout the last year, the city has seen thousands of acts of community spirit which have ranged from people helping neighbours and friends in need, to supporting key workers, to pilot schemes where local groups and organisations have stepped in and helped venues and facilities to reopen.
Community spirit can be spontaneous. From the big breakthrough moments to the small acts of kindness, this kind of community is built on a spirit of generosity, including:
Community spirit can be planned, including:
Community spirit can also be programmed services and activities delivered by groups and organisations, such as:
Whether planned or spontaneous, individual or group led, the benefits of community spirit to the city's social fabric cannot be underestimated. It creates social cohesion, this can reduce antisocial behaviour and save taxpayers much more than the cost of community work. Supporting and caring for others can also make people feel more fulfilled.
Glasgow City Council's commitment to empowering communities can be seen in the Council's Strategic Plan and City Charter.
The Community Empowerment Act and the Glasgow City Council Strategic Plan set out the priority themes and commitments that will be delivered between 2017 and 2022 including delivering a step change in:
"How we empower our citizens, giving them a stake, and a say, in what happens in their local communities and communities of interest."
In May 2018, Glasgow City Council produced its first City Charter, an informal agreement between the Council and citizens which was created and developed through dialogue and consultation with citizens. The proposed approach to promoting community engagement in the city would follow this approach.
People Make Glasgow Communities aims to support the values agreed the City Charter:
The Call to Action aims to:
If you would like to get involved with delivering local venues and services in your area, click here.
Have a look at some frequently asked questions about People Make Glasgow Communities
You can read about some of the community groups in the process of taking over their venue, building or facility here.