A community resource map has left East End residents "frustrated” at how many local facilities have been closed.
Liam Brewer, a Community Development student at Glasgow University, created the map showing community facilities available in Dennistoun and Haghill as part of his course.
However, he says he was left dispirited when he realised how many of those are currently closed.
He told the Glasgow Times: “As I was creating the map I realised just how many community facilities there are in the area that are closed.
“I knew there were quite a few closed but once I put it on the map and saw it physically in front of me it made it even clearer. "
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The community resource map includes the location of facilities such as play parks, supermarkets, train stations and places of worship.
Liam's version also includes the location of closed facilities such as Whitehill Pool, Alexandra Park Sports Hub, Alexandra Park Golf Course, Haghill Football Pitch, Bluevale Community Centre, and Wellpark Community Hall.
The Glasgow Times previously reported that dozens of East End residents walked from Whitehill Pool to the City Chambers in November to draw attention to the facility, which has been closed since 2023 after RAAC was found, with locals saying it is a vital source for physical and mental wellbeing.
Liam, 23, said: “I’ve grown up in the area and I remember when they were open and I used them.
“I went to Whitehill Pool as a child, and the Alexandra Park Sports Hub I’ve been to for work as well.
“The Wellpark Community Hall I’d been in as a child and went to a youth club, and the Bluevale Community Centre I’d been to parties and stuff and I worked there.
“I remember how much they were used and it's frustrating to realise the kids of today aren't getting the same opportunities that I got as a child when these places were open.”
He added: “They also had recovery activities, activities for the elderly and food pantries; these places served the full community.
“It’s affecting people’s physical and mental health, people used these places as a safe space.”
Liam shared the map on local Facebook group Dennistoun & Haghill News & Information where it was met with a mixed response from other local residents who said it was “great” but also “put things into perspective” regarding the number of closed facilites.
Liam, who has lived in the area his whole life, he was contacted by a lot of people after sharing the map.
He said: “There seems to be a lot of shared anger in the community.
“I work at Bluevale and a lot of parents in the community know me from when their kids came to the club and they’ve spoken about how their kids are stuck in the house now with nothing to do.”
Pamela Ferran , who has lived in the area her whole life, says she didn’t realise how many facilities had been closed until she saw Liam’s map and says it is “sad” for the community.
The mum-of-two said: “My kids both used the Bluevale Community Centre and did the summer and easter programmes.
“I’m a business owner so I benefited from that.
“They also went to different clubs after school so they’re really missing that and meeting with different friends.
“The community centre also had wellbeing classes to go to for exercise and mental health and I’ve really missed those.”
Speaking of the effect on the local community, Pamela, 40, added: “It ends up a lot of teenagers are up to no good.”
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Kenny Trainer, Bluevale Community Club Project Manager, was also born and brought up in Dennistoun and says he “used every one of the facilities” when he was younger.
He says he believes the process for groups to take over the buildings should be easier so they can be reopened quicker.
He said: “What’s frustrating is that there are groups who are willing to take on these buildings, but the process takes time.
“There needs to be a quicker process to get these facilities open.
“Going by Scottish Government statistics, Haghill’s the most deprived area in Glasgow and it does not have a community facility open.
“When I was growing up, there were two football pitches in the park, a community facility in the park, Haghill School was used as a community facility at night, there was Bluevale Neighbourhood Centre and a community facility at Todd Street.
“Going from that to zero, how are people meant to get out of that situation?”
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