Future Looks Bright for Beloved Dennistoun Community Centre

Great news for the East End! Our much-loved Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre in Dennistoun is moving closer to securing a stable and sustainable future.

Three local community groups have formally expressed interest in taking over the long-term operation of the centre, which is currently owned by Reidvale Housing Association (RHA).

For several years, the centre has been running without a formal lease. This situation arose during a time of change for RHA. However, as part of their commitment to good governance and financial responsibility, RHA has been reviewing all its assets, including the Neighbourhood Centre, to ensure everything is managed fairly and effectively.

Denise Dempsey, Chairperson at RHA, emphasized the centre's importance: "We know how important the neighbourhood centre is to people in Dennistoun – it’s a space that means a lot to the community."

Julie Smillie, Interim Director at Reidvale, added that a fair and careful process has been followed to find the right long-term partner. "We are now reviewing the applications," she said, "and our aim is to make sure that the centre can thrive in a way that’s sustainable for the future in its next chapter."

RHA is committed to keeping the community informed every step of the way and will notify all tenants and stakeholders once a decision is made.

The three interested groups have been asked to show how they will be financially sustainable, meet community needs, and have a clear plan for maintaining and improving the centre's current activities.

RHA hopes to choose a preferred partner in early July and will then work with them to create a formal agreement. If, for any reason, a suitable partner can't be found, an alternative plan will be announced to ensure this valuable community resource continues to be used effectively.

"It’s encouraging to see such strong interest and commitment from groups who share our ambition to see the centre flourish and continue serving the community for years to come," Julie stated.

This development is a key part of RHA's wider 10-year strategy, which focuses on providing quality homes, improving services, and supporting community-led regeneration with a strong emphasis on transparency and accountability.

The process with the centre is part of RHA's ongoing transformation, guided by a new business plan that prioritizes strong governance, financial stability, and excellent service delivery for tenants and the wider community.

Established in 1975, RHA is one of Scotland's oldest community-based housing organizations and played a crucial role in saving Glasgow's iconic tenement buildings from demolition. With new leadership and a clear business plan, RHA has been making significant progress in its finances, governance, staffing, and compliance. Today, it continues to invest in affordable housing and local regeneration for over 1000 tenants in 898 homes across the area.