Grants & Monitoring Case Study
South West Arts and Music Project (SWAMP)
This case study highlights a project supported by multiple programmes within Economic Development and showcases how community led initiatives can deliver impactful services that align closely with the Council’s key strategic priorities.
Overview
SWAMP is a grassroots community-led development trust based in Greater Pollok. Established in 1997 by local residents, it has become central to the community, known for its innovative approach to local regeneration, economic development, and social cohesion.
Greater Pollok Community Hub - In 2019, SWAMP secured funding from GCC, initially through the wider Space for Growth strategy, to transform a derelict GHA Building into a multi-purpose community space where social enterprises and community-based organisations could provide a range of services for all sectors of the community.
Opened in 2023, The Community Hub operates from 9am to 9pm six days per week, providing a wide range of facilities designed to support learning, wellbeing, enterprise, and creativity. These include a community café, computer and training suites, enterprise and conference rooms, arts, music and wellness studios and areas for public meetings and social engagement.
The hub also supports social enterprises and business startups, offering a dynamic environment for community-led growth.
Community Engagement - SWAMP plays a lead role in local engagement, particularly through its involvement in the Priesthill Househillwood Thriving Place initiative, leading the Training & Employability Working Group and various youth-related initiatives.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Manager Andy Peline chaired a collaborative partnership of public and third-sector agencies, community representatives, local housing sectors, and elected members to develop a strategic response to the pandemic. This resulted in the establishment of a community-based helpline, an IT Hub and the Greater Pollok Community Pantry.
Support from Economic Development
SWAMP is currently funded from the Glasgow Communities Fund (GCF) and Glasgow’s Holiday Programme. GCF supports the running costs of the Community Hub, including the Community Response Team which co-ordinates emergency services such as the pantry, helpline and welfare support. It also funds the Community Choices Team, which supports economic and social recovery by developing services that create pathways into formal education, employment, and a range of wellbeing activities to strengthen social cohesion.
Both teams are based within the Hub five days per week however they also operate from additional venues throughout Greater Pollok to ensure these services are accessible to the wider community.
It is also supported by the Glasgow Futures programme, partnering on employability projects with One Parent Families Scotland, Enable, Glasgow Ethnic Minority Support (GEMS) and Way Ahead which offer place-based employability support to people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, single parents and adults affected by homelessness, addiction or a history of offending.
At a visit to SWAMP in March this year, Susanne Millar, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council, saw first-hand the wide array of services being delivered in the community.
- Community Pantry: Operates four days a week from 10am to 3pm, offering crisis support and financial wellbeing checks. Referrals mainly come from the Daisy Project, Govan Community Project and Thrive under 5.
- Community Helpline: Active five days a week, with remote service at night.
- Welfare Officer: Available four days a week at the hub and Fridays at the local health centre to extend the offer to those attending the surgery.
- Employability Programme: Operates five days per week from 9am to 5pm. Provides skill building, CV and job search support. Also provides targeted support as part of wider employment initiatives including training opportunities, skills development, digital literacies and social enterprise.
- Youth Development: Evening and weekend activities at the hub from 6pm to 9pm, partnering with local schools during the day from 10am to 3pm.
- Social Inclusion: Includes a range of social activities and classes including Fun Time Friday which is a social dinner and dance for the over 60s.
- Creative Industries: various activities using creative media such as music recording and film.
- Social Enterprise: including a pre-loved shop and the Living Room community café.
A case study from SWAMP: The Journey – From Feeling Stuck to Finding His Place
Volunteer X first came to SWAMP feeling lost. At just 24, he had been out of work for a while, struggling with anxiety and low confidence. He didn’t have many qualifications and didn’t really know where to start. A friend who used the Pantry suggested he pop into the Hub and that simple step began to change everything. He signed up for our Customer Service training, where he worked towards a recognised qualification. With help from staff, he created a personal plan to work through the barriers holding him back. Alongside group learning, he got 1:1 support with things like building his CV, preparing for interviews and boosting his confidence. To ease into a routine, he started volunteering in the Pantry, helping out behind the scenes first before growing into a front-facing role. He was matched with one of our more experienced volunteers and started to feel like part of the team. He also got involved in our Fun Time Friday events where he connected with older people and felt a real sense of purpose. After a few months, he felt ready to apply for jobs and got one!
He still pops into the Hub regularly, continues to volunteer and has taken part in helping shape new ways of working within the centre.
In his words:
“Coming here changed everything for me, I got to meet some great people and felt supported and part of something. Now I’ve got a job and feel like I’m finally moving forward but will continue to help out at SWAMP when I can, and if I can help someone else to get on in life even better!”
From SWAMP on support from Glasgow’s Holiday Programme…..
“The children were given a simple smiley/sad face feedback form each day to complete, which enabled us to monitor the impact of the activities and measure their happiness throughout the programme. From the evidence collected, we could see that we were having a positive impact on the wellbeing of the children, and they were enjoying making new friends and learning through play. This was further informed by feedback from the parents/guardians, which confirmed the difference it was making, with remarks such as: their child has increased confidence, enjoys the variety of food options, and looks forward to coming to the club. Many parents also highlighted that their children were more social and more willing to try new activities, which they felt was a key development. The impact is further evidenced through the materials they produced, such as artwork, stories, and crafts, as well as their requests to participate in the upcoming summer programme. The children’s growing enthusiasm and eagerness to return showed that the programme was not only enjoyable but also enriching. In relation to families, we were also able to signpost them to other forms of family support within the community hub, such as the pantry, digital inclusion activities, and employability support, which we believe could lead to increased household income in the future and reduce the impact of poverty for these families. Additionally, we provided information on local childcare services, mental health support resources, and housing assistance, ensuring that families had access to a range of services that could support their wider needs.”
