A new beginning for the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre

On Saturday 11 November, the local people of Dennistoun came together to celebrate the re-opening of the much-loved and missed Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre. It was a day filled with joy, Community spirit, and a rekindling of the vibrant energy that makes Glasgow's east end truly special.

The centre was used by adult and youth groups that offered wellbeing and skills support, leisure activities and more, however it sadly had to close earlier this year due to limited funding. We are delighted to have been able to support the re-opening of the Centre with funding from our Social Impact Community Investment fund and the hard work of our Places for People Scotland Colleagues.

We didn’t do this alone, the re-opening wouldn’t have been possible without the funding and support from Bluevale Community Club, a local Glasgow charity. Working together we were able to breathe new life into a beloved centre that has long served as a hub for connection in the neighbourhood.

We were proud to have Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, in attendance to officially declare the centre open, but the celebrations didn't end there – the day was packed with engaging activities for all ages.

Supporting Local Businesses: A variety of stalls showcased the talents and offerings of local businesses. From handmade crafts to unique treasures, there was something for everyone.

Family fun: Families brought their little ones along for a day of laughter and joy. Exciting activities, including face painting and games, kept the children entertained, making this event perfect for all.

Culinary delights: A wide variety of food and refreshments were available throughout the day, including from the newly opened 80s-themed Rewind Café.

Katie Smart, Director of Places for People Scotland, shares her thoughts on why it was important to work together to reopen the centre:

“Reidvale is a fantastic Community, but the closure of the Neighbourhood Centre was a huge loss - so many Community members have told me about the impact the Centre had on their lives.

Hearing these stories, we knew there was never any doubt that the Centre needed to reopen, and we have been working hard to make this happen. I am grateful to the team at Bluevale Community Club for their partnership and I know that together we can make a difference and give the Community what it has been missing over the past months – and more.

It is going to be really exciting to see what we can achieve together and how we can continue to support the local Community.”

Centres like the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre are the hearts of many Communities, helping them to thrive and support the people who live there. Reidvale Customers told us how important the Centre was within Reidvale, and we are committed to working with Bluevale Community Club regardless of the outcome of the transfer of engagement with Reidvale Housing Association.

Click here to follow Bluevale Community Club on Twitter for updates on what’s happening at the centre – you won’t want to miss it!