Time to have your say! Greater Govan residents asked to help improve their local neighbourhood

Published: 11 March 2016

Work is about to begin with residents in Greater Govan to ask them what they'd like to see change in their neighbourhood to better the lives of local people.

The research that forms the part of a Thriving Places project in Govan is being led by Glasgow Community Planning Partnership. The work is the first step in supporting and creating community projects that target specific areas, like Govan, that have been identified as having consistent levels of inequality, in terms of child poverty, health and employment, relative to other parts of the city.

The Thriving Places approach centres on the community planning partners including the council, NHS, Police Scotland and voluntary and community organisations in the south working together with local people to make better use of existing resources and assets, many of which are already established in the communities.

Letters informing residents of the forthcoming survey will be sent out at the beginning of next week (week commencing 14 March) with the actual door-to-door interviews starting on 18 March. Around 400 people will questioned about living in Govan, what works well, what more could be done to help most vulnerable in the area and ascertain if they'd be willing to contribute in some way, to making their community better.

An important aspect of this work will be reaching individuals who are most vulnerable and ordinarily isolated from the general community.  

Those who take part will also be invited to contribute to the development of plans for Thriving Places Greater Govan.

Councillor Soryia Siddique, chair of Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, said: "Who better to help us shape the services and indeed the future of a local community than the people that live in the area - know it inside out and can really give us some insight into what it's like to live in Govan.

"I'd urge anyone who is asked by the research company to take part in the survey to do so as it will be invaluable in helping us to get a sense of what works and what doesn't and what's missing. Crucially we are also looking for people who are willing to help make their local community stronger and better.

"The results of this work will provide information about experiences of living in Greater Govan and a starting point for discussion and ideas about improving things in the future."

Following the research, a report on the findings will be shared with community partners including local residents who wish participate in the process. Priority areas and an action plan will be developed for further consultation.

Glasgow Community Planning Partnership brings together key public private, community and voluntary representatives to deliver better more joined-up public services for Glasgow's residents. It aims to improve lives and communities by working together at a local level with local people to do this and focus on shared priorities and goals.

Twitter: @GlasgowCPP  |   Website

Thriving Places is the name given to an intensive neighbourhood approach that targets specific areas of the city making better use of existing assets and resources and creating more effective working across partners. Across the city there are nine Thriving Places project areas that have been identified as having consistent levels of inequality relative to other parts of the city including when looking at child poverty, health indictors and levels of unemployment and require a targeted method.