Glasgow locals protest as 'life-changing' charity 'removed'
Although Reidvale Housing Association (RHA) is adamant that it "has communicated with its tenants throughout the EOI process and continues to do so."
The centre in Dennistoun has been home to the Bluevale Community Club since November 2023.
Those who use Bluevale's services and groups are upset over the announcement that they were being 'removed' from the space by August 21.
The protest blocked off Whitevale Street at one point (Image: Newsquest)
We previously reported that some members of the community felt that there was"no community involvement or professional handling of the transfer by the housing association," while they defended their decision to allow another charity, The Halliday Foundation, to take over the use of the space.
Logan Clark, 17, has been a volunteer at Bluevale for years. He helped to organise the protest and said: "I'm happy to see everyone turn out. I think the community needed this to show their frustration.
"We were able to make an uproar and let our voices be heard to show that we're not happy.
"I'm hoping we can now get an explanation from Reidvale as to why this has happened and why there's been no communication or consultation for the community."
Logan Clark helped to organise the protest (Image: Colin Mearns)
READ MORE: Concerns over Glasgow charity being 'removed' from Dennistoun centre
Veronica Campbell, 43, attends the centre regularly and says she's "not ready to see the charity leave."
She said: "My life depends on this place. It really does. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
"I thrive coming in here every single day. Absolutely thrive. The people who come here are absolutely brilliant. They're beautiful people.
"There's not another charity that can come into this building and do what Bluevale have done."
Veronica explained that she had barely left the house for 10 years until she started going to the recovery groups and other services run by the charity, and said it had been "life-changing" for her.
Veronica Campbell says her "life depends on the centre" (Image: Colin Mearns)
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Danielle Bowes and Kate Sutherland, who run a dance club within the facility, said they were "disappointed" and "worried" about the future of their group.
They said: "I think not even the fact that there's a new club coming in and taking over, but I think the manner in which it's been done has just been shocking.
"Not one member of the community has been asked. We've had petitions, we've had everything. Nothing's been listened to.
"It's the kids we really feel for; some of them won't understand the change and get upset over it."
Danielle Bowes, left, and Kate Sutherland run a dance club at the centre (Image: Colin Mearns)
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David Fisher's kids, Tee Tee and Roman, who have additional needs, have used the centre since it opened under Bluevale, he said: "I don't see why you would change to I know it's another charity, but I don't see the point in taking one charity to put another charity in.
"Why change something that's working?
"The club have been great with my kids and the help that they put in place for looking after my kids as well.
"A few times they've gone and got extra funding so they could get somebody to come and help on trips and stuff like that with them.
"Now, if this is going to go away, what are they going to do then? What if they don't get the same support?"
Fears have been shared in the community that services for children will be removed with Bluevale, however, Chris Halliday from the foundation and RHA both confirmed that wasn't the case.
David Fisher with his kids Tee Tee and Roman (Image: Colin Mearns)
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One man said that Bluevale had managed to "bring schemes together, which is not easy today in the East End of Glasgow" and that "the knock-on effect of that will be telling in years to come if it's lost."
June and Jenna, two tenants, spoke at the protest. They said they were "disgusted" by the way the situation had been handled and the "lack of communication" they felt.
They mentioned that a Special General Meeting was called for by tenants, which received 52 signatures.
Julie Smillie, Interim Director at Reidvale Housing Association (RHA) said: 'The Halliday Foundation will continue to provide services for children at the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre.
'We're committed to working closely with the foundation and the local community to ensure that we continue to develop and strengthen services in line with community needs.
'The Special General Meeting (SGM) request was invalid, as only 44 of the 52 signatories were shareholding members, below the required threshold.
'In addition, the SGM resolution concerned operational matters, under our governing rules and the wider regulatory framework, these kinds of operational decisions are the responsibility of the Committee, not shareholders.
'During this process, we have ensured that the Scottish Housing Regulator has been kept informed throughout.'
Children who are taking part in summer holiday activities organised by Bluevale in the centre (Image: Colin Mearns) RHA were also keen to highlight certain points regarding the centre, including:
"To be clear, services will remain in place, the centre will not close.
"To reiterate, this is a change of provider and not a planned reduction in services.
"Reidvale's main concern is to ensure the centre is financially viable so it can continue to provide important services to the community."
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