Wider Scotstoun
There were 15 different areas in Glasgow included in GoWell – one of which was Wider Scotstoun.
Our study included the houses and tenements of wider Scotstoun and Yoker surrounding the multi-storey flats at Kingsway Court and Plean Street. We were also studying the flats themselves and information on them can be found by visiting the Scotstoun study page. The map shows the study area boundaries for both of these areas – Scotstoun within the dark lines and the wider area shaded in blue.
Why
We were interested in the neighbourhoods of Scotstoun and Yoker because they were part of the regeneration programme that took place in Glasgow. This involved a range of activities such as building new homes, refurbishment, demolition and efforts to support communities with improved services and amenities. The ‘Wider Scotstoun’ area may also have been affected not only by the changes and improvements to the homes within it, but also by the regeneration of the neighbouring multi-storey flats. 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 their neighbourhoods.
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 been involved in one of our surveys you can find additional information about your participation here.
We conducted four surveys in the Wider Scotstoun area: the first in 2006 in which 482 residents were interviewed; 2008 in which 391 residents were interviewed; 2011 in which 395 residents were interviewed; and 2015 in which 337 residents were interviewed.
Findings
A small selection of findings from these four surveys with Wider Scotstoun residents are shown below:
- In 2015, 90% of residents were satisfied or very satisfied with their home. This had increased from 79% in 2006.
- In 2015, 86% of participants were very or fairly satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live. This had declined very slightly, from 89% in 2006.
- 76% of participants felt part of their community in 2015. This had declined slightly from 79% in 2008, when this question was first asked.
- 69% of participants rated their general health as excellent or good in 2015. This was a decline from 83% in 2006.
- In terms of empowerment, 46% of participants in 2015 felt that on their own, or with others, they could influence decisions affecting their local area. This was an improvement from 37% in 2006.
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 last newsletter for this area can be accessed below.