One Year On: Reflections from My First Year at Kinning Park Complex - Bruce McDowall

October marks my first year as Director of Kinning Park Complex and from day one, I’ve been welcomed so warmly by everyone connected to this building and community, including staff, volunteers, residents, and neighbours alike. It has become clear that KPC isn’t just a space, it's an example of what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose, creativity, and determination.

Highlights

One of the greatest joys this year has been able to welcome both new and returning volunteers. Their energy, skills, and generosity have helped us achieve so much. Together, we’ve relaunched our community meals, creating a space where people can come together over good food and good company. It’s been wonderful to see these gatherings grow in both attendance and spirit. Our community garden has also flourished. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, we’ve seen vegetables grown right here in Kinning Park make their way into our community meals and out to local people. A personal highlight has been getting to know everyone connected with KPC and learning more about the partnerships that sustain and drive our work. Strengthening those existing relationships and developing new ones shows the breadth of KPC’s work and collaboration, that spans arts, activism, community development, and care. 

Challenges

Of course, this year hasn’t been without its challenges. Like many community organisations, we’re operating in a tough funding environment. Balancing the need to increase revenue from the building while maintaining our commitment to delivering accessible, community-led programmes has required creativity, flexibility, and a lot of teamwork. There is so much potential in KPC and its community and ideas and ambition are everywhere and it is hard to work out what we can do with limited capacity. Finding sustainable ways to bring those to life remains a key focus. 

What I’ve Learned

I’ve been deeply moved by the special place KPC holds in the community. Time and again, I’ve heard stories from people who grew up here, learned new skills here, found friendship, or simply found a place they could belong. That sense of ownership and love is what keeps KPC alive. The history of activism that shaped this building guides everything we do. It’s a reminder that KPC has always been, and must always be, a space for people.

Looking Ahead

There’s so much to be excited about. In 2026 we’ll celebrate KPC’s 30th anniversary, and we’re already planning 55 days of activism to mark the remarkable grassroots sit-in that secured this building nearly three decades ago. It’s both a celebration and a recommitment to the ongoing values that have always defined KPC. We’ve also been working on a refreshed organisational strategy, which we’ll share in the new year. It’s been shaped through conversations with our community over the past twelve months and will set our direction for the years ahead. And, of course, we’ll keep deepening our partnerships. Collaboration has always been at the heart of KPC’s approach, and I’m excited to see how new projects and connections will grow in the year ahead.

A Thank You to the Community

And finally huge thanks to our volunteers, for the countless hours, ideas, and care you bring; to our staff and board, for your commitment and vision; to our partners and funders, for believing in what KPC stands for; and to everyone who walks through our doors, if it's for a meal, a meeting, a dance, or a chat, thank you for making this place what it is.

Kinning Park Complex is a space built by its community, sustained by its community, and continually reimagined by its community. I feel immensely privileged to play a small part in its story, and I can’t wait to see where the next year takes us all.