Cranhill Development Trust
Cranhill Development Trust is a community anchor based in a large church building in the centre of Cranhill, a housing scheme to the east of Glasgow city centre. Originally a response by the Church of Scotland to the needs of a growing population of refugees and people with experience of the asylum system, it now provides support to the whole community.
Cranhill Development Trust began life in 1997 when the Church of Scotland employed a community worker to make better use of the large two storey parish Church. Originally employed with the intention of working with young people, the worker arrived in post at the same time as the first group of refugees and people seeking asylum were housed in flats adjacent to the church. This immediately became the focus of her work instead. English classes and social activities were organised with the aim of helping the new arrivals to integrate into the community. From there the project grew, taking on a wider role within the local area.
Cranhill Community Project became an independent charity in 2002, changing its name to Cranhill Development Trust in 2011. It aims to work with the entire community from infants and their parent through to older adults, refugees, people seeking asylum, migrant workers, people with experience of the criminal justice system and people with a history of misusing drugs and alcohol.
The two-storey church has a large hall upstairs which was used for worship on a Sunday, the ground floor houses a café, a learning centre, a shop selling healthy, affordable produce and a computer suite. From its computer suite the local community are encouraged to get online and develop digital skills that can help them to apply for jobs, access their benefit entitlement and stay connected with friends and family. Its large grounds currently contain 76 raised beds which are used by families, individuals, and groups to grow fruit and vegetables.