Birness Drive
There were 15 different areas in Glasgow included in GoWell – one of which was Birness Drive. The map shows the study area boundaries for Birness Drive.
Why
We were interested in Birness Drive because it was part of the regeneration programme taking place in Glasgow. This involved both internal and external improvements to people's homes and efforts to support communities with improved services and amenities. These activities provided an opportunity to find out from local residents if and how their health and lives changed as a result of investment in their homes and neighbourhood.
What
We carried out a number of resident surveys over our 14 year study. These consisted of interviews conducted face-to-face in people’s homes and included a whole range of questions about how people felt about their homes, their neighbourhood, services in the area, their lifestyle and circumstances and their health and wellbeing.
Over time this helped us understand more about the process of neighbourhood regeneration, and to highlight what was working well for communities and what needed more attention.
If you were involved in one of our surveys you can find additional information about your participation here.
We conducted three surveys in Birness Drive: in 2008 in which 146 residents were interviewed; 2011 in which 67 residents were interviewed; and 2015 in which 57 residents were interviewed.
Findings
A small selection of findings from these three surveys with Birness Drive residents are shown below:
- In 2015, 86% of residents were satisfied or very satisfied with their home. This figure was the same as in 2008.
- In 2015, 90% of participants were very or fairly satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live. This had increased slightly from 82% in 2008.
- 68% of participants felt part of their community in 2015. This had fallen from 75% in 2008.
- 56% of participants rated their general health as excellent, good or very good in 2011. This was a decline from 65% in 2008.
- In terms of empowerment, 52% of participants in 2015 felt that on their own, or with others, they could influence decisions affecting their local area. This had increased from 45% in 2008.
Over the 14 years of the study we widely shared and discussed the findings from the community surveys with various service providers across Glasgow to encourage them to consider the findings when planning and prioritising services and amenities. They were used by a wide range of stakeholders including local communities, housing and regeneration organisations and local and national government.
We also regularly summarised and shared the area findings with the communities involved through our community newsletters. The most last newsletter for this area can be accessed below.