East End residents have been cleaning up their area and transforming it into a location where people want to move to - and are appealing for landlords to help.
The Denmilne Community Action Group in the Easterhouse area have been blitzing their neighbourhood since they formed in 2020.
Group vice chair Jan Maguire said: “We want to bring a sense of community back where we can let kids out to play and we don't have to worry where they are.
“We all got stuck in and went out with brushes and garden tools and started picking up litter. Immediately it looked better.”
Jan said: “Now when a house is up for sale it gets snapped up. People would never have bought a house in this area before.”
The group have even taken steps to prevent anti-social behaviour, speaking to teens who were causing trouble and persuading them not to vandalise bins.
Former childcare worker Marion McCarron said: “We had to speak to local youths who were destroying the place. We approached them. We asked them why. Everyone came back and said they were bored."
Marion, who is in charge of the groups’ events said the young people listened and incidents have stopped.
Jan added: “We said: ‘would you like it if your mums’ bins were set on fire?’”
The group’s work has been supported by Councillor Maureen Burke, who described how the results had left streets looking like the West End.
Grass cutting, ridding streets and pavements of weeds, litter picking and cutting back overgrown trees and shrubs are among the ongoing work.
Group chair Dennis Docherty said: “We are trying to better the place. We made a community garden out of rubble. The council has been a massive help.”
Now they are looking to get the support of property owners to help keep the area tidy, and tackle issues such as a block of flats with missing render on one side of the building, and bins not being presented for collection.
The group are calling for more support from landlords to maintain areas and would like to hold talks with them but their identities are unknown.
There are issues with the upkeep of gardens, cleaning of closes and the disposal of rubbish. The residents say they would also like to see translated information about bins made available to asylum seekers from Mears, which provides accommodation.
A Mears spokesperson said: “Mears provide all service users with an induction when they move into accommodation, which includes arrangements for the bins. Translation services are available through Language Line. “
Dennis said: “We welcome people into our community with welcome arms. So many refugees have been helping us improve the area. We need help to get needed services.”
Dennis praised ward local councillor Burke, Labour, for all her support and help since the group formed.
Dennis said: “Councillor Burke has even helped fill my van with monoblocks to make parking spaces.”
The community team have managed to win funding for various projects. Their most recent triumph has been the erection of a new 300 metre fence to replace a 30-year-old one on the lane at the back of Denmilne Street. They have also managed to get bins serviced from back courts.
Councillor Burke said:”It is great to see what these people do. They have talent they never knew they had. She said the council’s NRS department have also “been fantastic” bringing skips when needed and supporting efforts.
The group is made up of five committee members and 10 volunteers but would welcome more assistance.
Finlay Davidson, 68, is among the volunteers lending a hand while Stephen McCormick of Bunty Landscaping has been offering services at a reduced ‘community price.’
Dennis also wanted to thank George Brodie of Scottish Power for giving the community £1,000 worth of bark for covering soil.
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