Held as part of the Association’s work to develop a new Community Regeneration Strategy, the event created a space for meaningful connections between practitioners through speed networking as a means of highlighting the role of housing staff in connecting tenants with vital community support.

Organisations in attendance included Sunny Govan Radio, Govan HELP, Impact Arts, Jobs & Business Glasgow, University of Glasgow, and Glasgow Life alongside others working in housing, health, employability, youth support, and the creative arts.

They were joined by staff from Govan Housing Association, its subsidiaries (Water Row Company and HOME Team), as well as neighbouring housing associations including Elderpark and Linthouse Housing Association. In total, over 18 people from 12 community organisations and 24 housing staff took part in the event.

Jamie Mallan, director of community enterprises at Govan Housing Association, said: “We know that housing staff are often the first point of contact for people who need help, but they can’t do it alone. By building stronger relationships with organisations working on the ground, we’re creating a more joined-up network of support for our tenants and the wider Govan community. Events like this are about more than information-sharing — they’re about moving Govan forward together.”

Paul MacAlindin, artistic director at The Glasgow Barons, said: “It felt great to be noticed as a music charity by the leading three housing associations in Govan as sometimes our services seem so far apart even when we’re right next door! Getting to know the diversity of views from the housing staff turned into a rich experience for us.

“Networking and development are critical as we allocate so little time to it, so thank goodness Govan Housing Association took the lead and organised this! We’ll see how things develop, but I feel more seen now after this energised event. We think we know the third sector working in Govan, but I was surprised and delighted to meet new charities doing sterling work here.”

The networking event is one of several activities taking place as Govan Housing Association shapes its new Community Regeneration Strategy. Alongside events like this, the Association is reaching out across the community through resident surveys, project visits, and attendance at local events.