We all want to live in neighbourhoods we are proud to call home.  

Creating such communities is a key priority for Wheatley Group’s social landlords across the west, east and south of Scotland. 

Our tenants have told us they want to feel safe and secure in their neighbourhoods. But what does that mean – and what role do we play in making it happen? 

For some, it may involve staff working with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour. For others, it could be addressing bulk items being left on the streets or in closes, or how our environmental teams keep communities clean and green.

I recently stepped into the role of Wheatley’s director of neighbourhoods to bring together the many teams working in our communities and deliver on the priorities that matter most to our tenants. 

This includes the combined efforts of our anti-social behaviour intervention and prevention officers, Neighbourhood Environmental Teams, housing officers, repairs staff, and our Stronger Voices colleagues in tenant engagement – all working collaboratively to deliver meaningful and positive change. 

Throughout August, we’re hosting a series of neighbourhood conferences to share knowledge, showcase best practice, and remove barriers to achieving thriving communities. 

We’re also partnering with Glasgow City Council to align our resources and efforts, ensuring a joined-up approach to maintaining and improving our neighbourhoods. 

Wheatley’s Community Improvement Partnership (CIP) – a collaboration between our anti-social behaviour team and Police Scotland – continues to work side by side to address issues of anti-social behaviour and vulnerability in homes and communities across Scotland. We also work closely with local divisions of Police Scotland to ensure a unified approach. 

Recently, we refreshed our Neighbourhood Management Policy to better address the recurring issues faced by our tenants. Each case is triaged to determine the appropriate course of action. 

Common concerns include littering, overgrown gardens, dog fouling, issues with other animals, and – most notably – noise. 

As part of this work, we’re helping people distinguish between everyday living noise and noise linked to anti-social behaviour. This clarity will help us respond to complaints appropriately and find effective resolutions for our tenants. 

In addition to our conferences, we’ve established the Neighbourhood Community of Excellence. This initiative brings together internal teams focused on neighbourhoods, alongside partners such as Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland, to collaborate on creating vibrant, well-maintained communities. 

Only by working closely with our key stakeholders and partners can we deliver what truly matters to our tenants: neighbourhoods where people are proud to live and call home.

Scottish Housing Day takes place on Wednesday, 17 September 2025. A dedicated episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast will be published on the day.