North Glasgow has suffered a prolonged deterioration in its economic, social and physical fabric and evidence shows that significant numbers of people in North Glasgow experience poor health and/or poor quality of life.
Factors contributing to this legacy include:
- long term economic decline as traditional industries have faded away
- a dislocation from the new industries emerging elsewhere in the city
- the spread of dereliction and poor environments
- transport links out of sync with changing patterns of work and life
- low and mismatched skills and low levels of educational attainment
- poor health and high levels of substance misuse
- (North Glasgow Social Inclusion Partnership Strategy, 2000)
In the summer of 2000, a feasibility study was commissioned by the Healthy Living Steering Group asking "how do we improve the well-being and quality of life for people living in communities across North Glasgow".
Interviews and sessions took place with 159 people from 56 organisations. This involved statutory and voluntary agencies, along with service users and local people.
Common issues identified included:
- individual - low self esteem, chronic illness, high levels of stress & depression
- environment - poor housing, lack of jobs
- social - no community spirit, apathy
- local services - lack of information, lack of respect
The feasibility study also highlighted the low level of participation in community life and the fact that many of those people acting as organisers and catalysts in communities are over-stretched and under pressure. It helped identify issues negatively affecting people’s health and wellbeing in the North and set the agenda for North Glasgow Healthy Living Community.