Housing students call in to Castlemilk

Students from the University of Stirling have visited Castlemilk to see first-hand the vital work being done by community-based housing associations.

The students from the University’s Housing Studies course visited Cassiltoun and Ardenglen on their study visit. The visit provided a valuable insight into the day-to-day running and workings of busy housing providers, with a particular emphasis on their regeneration work.

At Cassiltoun, they were briefed by Chief Executive Charlie Millar and Regneration Manager Clair Malpas on the association’s work. This included an overview of the wide range of community regeneration activities delivered by the Cassiltoun Group, including health, education, social engagement and employment programmes.

Charlie and Clair also focused on Cassiltoun’s business diversity through its social enterprise programme and its impressive five-year development plans, including building 42 flats and houses costing just over £5 million by December 2019.

One highlight was a tour of Castlemilk Stables – owned by Cassiltoun’s subsidiary Cassiltoun Trust. In 2017, the Stables celebrated its 10th anniversary. Undoubtedly a landmark regeneration triumph by the housing association, it has won a string of awards.

The group also met Anna Stuart MBE, a founder of Cassiltoun Housing Association who was described by the participants as ‘inspirational’.

Charlie Millar said: “We were delighted to host the visit from the University of Stirling.  This has been a good opportunity for the Housing Studies students to see first-hand our social and economic regeneration and learn what is a priority for Castlemilk.”

At Ardenglen, students met Staff and Board members and were given an insight into its regeneration successes. Much of the regeneration work undertaken by Ardenglen is carried out by the hugely-admired Community Committee, made up of volunteers who arrange social events for the benefit of the local community.

The students also learned about Ardenglen’s community initiative - The Only Way is Up. The initiative offers a range of free activities from gardening to cookery, IT help, get-together groups for men and women, first aid sessions and even a sewing group – all aimed at building people’s confidence and giving them new skills.

All That Glitters – the initiative’s creative writing and song group – even treated the students to a musical performance.

Audrey Simpson, Ardenglen’s Chief Executive, said: “It is essential that the housing professionals of the future see first-hand how housing associations deliver their services on the ground.

“This study visit allowed two housing associations to demonstrate the deep-rooted achievements not just in building homes but delivering change that improves people’s lives in the true spirit of the housing association movement.”   

The study visit was led by Dr Kim McKee, Senior Lecturer in Housing Studies at the University.

Kim said: “We would like to say thank you to Ardenglen and Cassiltoun Housing Associations for welcoming our first year Housing Studies students on their recent site visit.

“The students have been learning about the range of services social landlords provide beyond their traditional housing management role. The visit provided them with key insights into the ethos underpinning the community-controlled housing association movement and the sheer range of community development and regeneration activities many social landlords are now engaged in.

“It was a very positive learning experience for them, and they valued being given the opportunity to meet local people who used and help support the services provided.”

Pictured: The students in Castlemilk.