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Visit from Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing rounds out fantastic first year of WSHA’s Cowlairs community hub
A visit from the Scottish Government Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur rounded out a busy first year of operation this week for popular north Glasgow community space the Cowlairs Community Flat + Garden, operated by West of Scotland’s charitable subsidiary Willowacre Trust.
Opened in March 2025, the Cowlairs Community Flat on Keppochhill Road is a responsive space shaped by the needs and interests of the community. In the nine months since launch, Willowacre Trust have established and supported a number of regular social groups that use the Flat and the nearby Molly Weir Garden, including a Gardening Group, Wednesday social group and ESOL conversation cafe. WSHA Housing staff also use the Flat as a regular base, enabling additional communication with residents.
On Tuesday Mr Arthur joined community members for a special festive arts and crafts social session, getting stuck in making beautiful, recyclable Christmas decorations. Mr Arthur also took the opportunity to chat to representatives from Willowacre Trust and Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector.
Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Minister Tom Arthur said:
“It was a pleasure to meet everyone at the Cowlairs Community Flat + Garden and join in the festive activities. It’s particularly important at this time of year to focus on our mental wellbeing, and this visit highlighted just how vital community mental health is to support a healthy, connected society. I was inspired by the energy, creativity, and warmth of everyone involved, and I look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of this hub in the community.”
Linda Allan, Willowacre Trust’s Community Support Services Manager said:
‘Thanks to the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, we’ve been able to deliver a diverse programme of groups and courses based at the Community Flat that support mental wellbeing while bringing our neighbourhood together through creativity, learning, conversation, and social connection. In the short time since launch, the Cowlairs community flat has become a vibrant hub, with growing participation across weekly clubs. Community members are now confidently shaping the programme by coming to us and suggesting new groups and events and we’re excited to see how the programme grows and develops in 2026.’
WSHA has a long history in Cowlairs, acquiring and modernising their first social homes there in the mid-1970s. The Association had a corporate office on Keppochhill Road from 2003 until 2017 and oversaw the establishment of Cowlairs Development Trust in 2009.
For more information and a full list of activities taking place at the Cowlairs Community Flat, please visit the venue Facebook page, or email community.development@westscot.co.uk.