Project: Hawthorn Social Strategy
Partner name: Hawthorn Housing Co-operative
Location: Glasgow (Possilpark area)
CBF amount secured: £90,000
About the project
For nearly 40 years, Hawthorn Housing Co-operative have been adapting and transforming an area once categorised by significant social challenges into a place now known for its strong, supportive community spirit.
For the past decade, SPA has been proud to work alongside Hawthorn. Since joining as one of our founding committee partners in 2017, the Glasgow-based co-operative have played an active role in shaping SPA's direction while benefiting from tailored procurement needed to address priorities and deliver community change. Over time, our partnership has evolved by supporting the co-op achieve its community ambitions for the people of Possilpark.
Hawthorn inherited an area that had deteriorated since it was built in the late 1930s. The closure of key local manufacturers led to scarce job opportunities, while years of underinvestment saw homes fall into disrepair, and demolition sites abandoned. Battling rising crime and poverty, Possilpark was soon recognised as one of the most deprived areas in Scotland.
In 1987, residents campaigned to take ownership over the properties from the local council, paving the way for Hawthorn Housing Co-operative. As a fully mutual co-operative owned by its tenants, Hawthorn led with a community-first ethos, ensuring all members living across its 364 homes had a voice in the decisions that affected their community.
Through SPA’s trusted procurement frameworks, Hawthorn were able to continue the physical uplift of Possilpark, replacing dated kitchens and bathrooms, and making homes safer, warmer and better to live in. Subsequently, Hawthorn’s ongoing contribution to the SPA Committee opened access to additional funds to boost the social lives of their residents. Annual investment from the SPA Community Benefit Fund has helped revitalise shared outdoor spaces, while enabling Hawthorn to grow isolated activities into a weekly programme of events for all ages, strengthening community life in Possilpark.
How our support has evolved
For a small housing co-operative operating within a complex and historically disadvantaged area, sustaining progress has not been without its challenges. Hawthorn has worked to strengthen community relationships, tackle longstanding stigma and build trust, all while navigating a limited funding landscape. Without charitable status, many funding streams were out of reach, while available options were often tied to fixed outcomes. Hawthorn needed a level of flexibility to respond to local needs, while ensuring change was long-lasting and reliable.
As a member of the SPA Committee, Hawthorn received an annual £10,000 award from the SPA Community Benefit Fund to invest in initiatives that boost community engagement and inspire community growth. Managed by charity partner Lintel Trust, initial grants supported a series of social projects that transformed derelict land into usable greenspaces, including the Robert Stewart Memorial Garden, with a wheelchair accessible path, a wildlife pond and more than 100 trees planted by volunteers.
With residents from many different nationalities, Hawthorn recognised the importance of helping residents from diverse backgrounds feel part of the community. Backed by Hawthorn's members, a social inclusion strategy was developed to integrate the community, featuring a translation service, social events and welcome home packs. The work led to the formation of the Hawthorn Community Action Group, a TPAS Scotland award for Involving All, and a new tenant handbook in Arabic and Chinese. Following the challenges of COVID-19, funding was redirected to support community recovery, with a particular focus on children and young people through initiatives such as a new play park and activities delivered by Young People's Futures.
The impact of partnership
Today, Hawthorn deliver a regular programme of local activities for the community, including carpet bowls, a parent and toddler group, wellbeing groups, community bingo and a games group.
Supported by £90,000 of investment from the SPA Community Benefit Fund, each activity forms part of Hawthorn’s structured, long-term social strategy dedicated to uplifting the area, enhancing social inclusion, and a commitment to resident-led decision-making.
The funding directly supports venue hire, equipment and refreshments, ensuring activities remain free and accessible for all 364 households within the area. It also enables Hawthorn to tailor support for residents facing additional challenges, including those affected by disability, isolation or complex needs.
For those who have lived in the area, the impact is felt in everyday life. Residents describe an area that was once socially disconnected and categorised by antisocial behaviour. Now, the area is unrecognisable from its former self, home to generations of residents who share a strong sense of pride in the place they live. Through clubs, activities and shared spaces, residents are building relationships and reconnecting with community life. Hawthorn's community-led approach has ensured these initiatives reflect what local people want, creating opportunities that deliver lasting value.
Building on community progress
Looking ahead, Hawthorn hopes to become a registered charity, allowing it to extend its reach and continue strengthening resident engagement. The transition of an area renowned for crime and economic hardship into a connected community where tenants are proud to live, demonstrates the impact of empowering local voices over the long term. As SPA marks its 10th anniversary, the partnership stands as an example of how procurement, community investment and resident leadership can work together to deliver lasting social value.
