Denmilne Community Hub & Garden
The Denmilne Community Action Group was formed during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019/2020 by a group of local residents in Easterhouse, Glasgow. Motivated by a shared commitment to keeping their neighbourhood clean, safe, and welcoming, the group became a formally constituted organisation in 2020 with support from local councillor Maureen Burke.
From the outset, the group focused on environmental improvements, litter picking, and maintaining local green spaces. Their efforts quickly gained recognition, and in 2020 they won the Evening Times Streets Ahead award. That same year, they secured funding from the North East Area Partnership to purchase £8,000 worth of gardening equipment, which was stored in a container provided by FARE and placed in a donated community garden space from Blairtummock Housing Association. They also received £1,000 from the Mear Foundation to improve security in residential closes.
Over the next few years, the group expanded its impact. Between 2021 and 2022, they coordinated the installation of 150 metres of new fencing to protect flats near the forest, led major clean-ups in areas like Denmilne Lane, and received donations of trees and mulch from the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and Scottish Power. In 2022–2023, funding from Seven Lochs enabled reconstruction of boundary walls and the addition of stainless steel signage renaming the area ‘Denmilne Estate’. They also began hosting community fun days, festive events like Santa’s grottos, and afternoon teas for local pensioners, supported by organisations such as Thriving Places, FARE, and the Lord Provost.
In 2024, the group realised a long-held dream by opening a new eco hub and community garden on land just off Easterhouse Road, with £50,000 in funding from Glasgow City Council and support from councillor Ruairi Kelly. The new building includes a community room, meeting space, and garden for growing food, offering a welcoming venue for tea and coffee mornings, advice sessions, and other support services. The group now hopes to expand further, with aspirations such as setting up a forest school, installing a compost toilet, and addressing ongoing issues around housing maintenance and poverty.
Led by local volunteers and community spirit, the Denmilne Community Action Group continues to grow while staying true to its founding values: improving the local environment, fostering community connection, and advocating for residents’ wellbeing.