How have we supported Spire View?
Our work with Spire View Housing Association has included
Supporting the creation of the vital Roystonhill Community Hub through funding applications and logistical support
Helped to employ and fund additional staff such as energy advisers and heritage engagement staff
CLS has also helped with the setup of a food pantry to support the local community accesses basic necessities
Additionally we have worked to provide funding and support for the creation of a local park
Community Links Scotland (CLS) prepared a business plan for Spire View Housing Association, working in close liaison with MAST Architects, to support the creation of a new, flexible community-based hub.
The proposal retains a 150 year old building facade overlooking a stunning city location, while providing a future proofed flexible community centre for existing and new groups, to improve the social, economic and health profile of Royston.
The business plan outlined options for the proposed development and identified potential grant support from a range of sources to cover the capital costs and professional fees of the build, as well as to contribute towards running costs over the initial 5 years of operation.
Roystonhill Community Hub
Working with the client, CLS secured more than £2m from the Scottish Community Regeneration Grant Fund, Big Lottery, Clothworkers’ Foundation and a variety of smaller Trusts. The build commenced on site in Spring 2018 and opened in November 2019.
The Hub was open throughout lockdown providing an invaluable local service. CLS have subsequently accessed further funding to develop a pantry in the building with the Hub playing a crucial part in the community response to covid and beyond.
Roystonhill Triangle Park
CLS have worked with Copperworks and now Spireview HA to develop a large area of vacant ground into a community space and park. Originally as shown in the 1865 Ordnance Survey map the site contained Victorian detached housing, which was later demolished, replaced by tenements, which were again demolished with the site lying vacant for more than 30 years
Photo showing the site in the late 1990’s
CLS helped Spire View access more than £400,000 to acquire the land from an offshore developer, before accessing Vacant and Derelict Land fund to decontaminate the land. Further funding was accessed to develop the site with new paths, lighting and trees with in total more than £1m of funding accessed for the site so far. Contractors have recently completed phase one of the improvement works.
Royston Community Pantry
Royston Community Pantry, is located in Roystonhill Community Hub and is a membership-lead shop set-up by Spire View HA and North Glasgow Community Food Initiative, which provides fresh food at marked-down price. CLS accessed more than £200,000 to establish the building as an independent unit within the Roystonhill Hub. To benefit from the food pantry, members pay a £3 joining fee and every time they shop, they then pay £3 to get groceries worth around £20-£25. Members also have the option of paying a solidarity price of £4 per shop (Instead of £3), to fund a small number of subsidised memberships.
Resident Support Services
CLS have worked with Spire view over the last ten years to access funding for a wide variety of staff who’s remit is to work with local residents providing a variety of services to improve lives. CLS have worked with Spire View HA to access funding for a Tenancy Support worker, Income Maximisation officer, Welfare Rights worker, Digital Inclusion Officer, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Energy Advisors, and Heritage Engagement Officer. Funding for staff has come from a variety of sources including Scottish Government, Glasgow Community Fund, Energy Redress Fund, and the Heritage Lottery Fund.