Community Investment Overview

Castlemilk is a community of huge potential, but also one who suffers complex social challenges despite successful physical regeneration, our community is still ranked in the top 5% most deprived in Scotland (SMID 2020).  

The Scottish Government’s 2011 Regeneration Strategy, places community-led regeneration at the heart of national delivery of services. Ardenglen as a local community-based organisation has taken up this challenge by adopting the role of a “Community Anchor” in order to bring about long-term and sustainable change. We pride ourselves as being an organisation that is not just about being more than a Landlord, who collects rents and builds houses’ and see ourselves as community builders to improve Castlemilk for everyone.  

In order to achieve the best possible outcomes, we work with a variety of partners to deliver community-based regeneration activities and services. Our Community Investment work therefore forms a central part of our business as it aims to fill gaps in services and addresses issues identified by our community. A range of activities are undertaken, which are determined locally, necessary to build upon the exceptional sense of community that exists, with all of our programmes being designed to gently encourage participation along with supporting integration.

Highlighted as one of six exemplars in What Works Scotland “Transforming Communities” research in 2018. 

Ardenglen as a community anchor illustrates:

• A highly participatory approach to the development and running of wide-ranging community learning & regeneration activies that community ownership can bring.

• How a multi-purpose, locally committed body can support the reform, sustain tenancies and embed community cohesion.