Partick Housing Association and Elderpark Housing have teamed up to promote the trail-blazing ‘Activate’ course from the University of Glasgow.

Now tenants and the wider community served by both housing providers are being encouraged to sign up for the free course aimed at building confidence, developing skills, and helping individuals get more involved in communities.

The course can best be described as an opportunity to understand what drives community development, how it works and why it is a vital tool in enhancing places where people live.

Housing associations and co-operatives are, of course, no strangers to this kind of activity – with vital community cohesion and regeneration work often supported by volunteers taking place in neighbourhoods everywhere.

Two well-attended taster sessions delivered by University of Glasgow staff have taken place in Partick and Govan and the response from people interested in learning more about community development has been impressive.

Funding for the University to deliver the 50-hour course, completion of which comes with a Certificate, has come from both Elderpark and Partick. In the true spirit of the housing association movement both are long-standing supporters of empowering tenants to become more involved.

The course is delivered in a relaxed and friendly environment, with no exams or formal assessment with topics covered which include:

• Community development and activism
• Building confidence and communication skills
• Understanding how decisions are made and how individuals can influence change
• Working together to make a positive difference

Many people who have taken part in ‘Activate’ go on to become more involved in their community, take up volunteering, or even pursue further study or employment.

Jonathan Giddings-Reid, community development officer at Elderpark, said: “We know there is a significant appetite among our tenant base and the wider community served by Elderpark for learning opportunities which empower people to get involved in delivering real change.

“We are delighted to be joining Partick Housing Association and the University of Glasgow to deliver this free and very worthwhile learning opportunity which must surely benefit those taking part and the wider community.”

The course is delivered locally in Govan and also in Partick, and is expected to begin in the next few weeks.

Stewart MacKenzie, chief executive at Partick, added: “We are delighted to be working with others to support this initiative, which promotes learning and community development amongst our local communities.”