Transform Community Development

The Level: Raising the Floor for No Wrong Door

Five members of our Housing Support team attended this year's Scotland's Annual Homelessness Conference in Perth over two inspiring and thought-provoking days.

As sponsors of the conference dinner, we were delighted to be part of an event that brought together voices from across Scotland, the wider UK, and beyond. We heard from speakers both within and outside the homelessness sector, sharing learning, challenges, and innovative approaches to tackling some of society's most complex issues.

For me, the standout moment was the launch of The Level: Raising the Floor for No Wrong Door. Developed by more than 40 organisations (including Transform Community Development) across Scotland, the initiative is a call to turn existing commitments into consistent practice for people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage.

It was encouraging to hear Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing, express support for the document. However, if its ambitions are to be fully realised, it will require commitment across all areas of government and public services. Breaking down organisational and policy silos is essential if we are to deliver genuinely person-centred support and ensure that no one is turned away from the help they need.

The conference reinforced both the scale of the challenge and the opportunities that exist when organisations, sectors, and governments work together towards a shared goal.

Thank you for your continued support of the West End Community Pantry.

We took on stewardship of the pantry to ensure its long-term sustainability and to support its ongoing growth and development. To achieve this, we have worked to create a self-sustaining model using the existing resources of Transform Community Development alongside the commitment and dedication of our volunteer team.

As part of this approach, we have introduced a small charge while also expanding the range of support available to local residents. This now includes mixed food bags and nutritious, locally produced ready meals.

Without this small contribution, we would be unable to continue providing the service. However, we firmly believe that good food should never go to waste, and we know that the West End community values the opportunity to access affordable, quality food while helping to reduce food waste.

Your support enables us to continue serving the community and developing the pantry for the future.

Transform Community Development is delighted to announce the relaunch of the West End Community Fridge on Tuesday 29 September.
Initially, the Pantry will be open Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00am to 2:00pm, and with the support of the local community, we hope to expand our opening hours in the coming months.
To help ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, we have reviewed how the service operates. The new pantry model will include a small charge for a mixed bag of produce, with contents varying according to availability and seasonality.
We will also be offering a range of high-quality, locally produced ready meals, prepared by our partners at Signpost International.
In addition, any surplus food available each day between 1:00pm and 2:00pm will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Why not pop along and meet our fantastic team of volunteers who work hard to ensure that good food is shared, not wasted? We look forward to welcoming you to the West End Community Pantry.
Opening Day: Tuesday 29 September
Opening Hours: Tuesdays & Fridays, 11:00am to 2:00pm
Location: West End Community Fridge & Pantry
Good food shared, not wasted.

Rise in Dundee's Drug Deaths

Another day, and another sobering report outlining the issues our communities face. The National Records of Scotland's figures here released yesterday show an increase in drug deaths both locally and nationally. In Dundee, 47 families have lost a loved one, and the ripples from each death can be felt across our communities.

There has been a change in the drugs market with the rise of synthetic opioids (Nitazenes), prompting an increasingly toxic and unpredictable supply, this was highlighted in a series of reports in the BBC over the weekend (here)

This report, along with the homelessness statistics published earlier (here), demonstrates the multi-faceted challenges we face in Scotland.

The solutions and actions can be directed by government, but we all need to support the building of strong and resilient communities, where opportunity and hope is available to everyone.

Our Chief Executive, Bryan Smith issued a statement yesterday following the publication of the Scottish Government's "Homelessness in Scotland" statistics;

The publication of the latest homelessness statistics today once again shows the numbers continuing to rise. Despite the outstanding work of frontline staff across the sector, and the innovations and progress made through homelessness prevention (Ask & Act) and Housing First approaches, much of that momentum is being undermined by the chronic shortage of affordable social housing.

Year after year, governments and administrations of every political persuasion set ambitious housebuilding targets, only to fall short of delivering them. Meanwhile, the scourge of homelessness continues to affect a significant proportion of our communities, damaging lives and undermining our collective ambition to build strong, resilient and productive communities.

We cannot continue to accept this as inevitable. Addressing homelessness requires sustained commitment, investment and action at every level. We all need to do better.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/homelessness-in-scotland-2025-26/pages/main-findings-2025-26/

TRANSFORM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RECOVERY MONTH OPEN DAY!💜

What a day!

A huge thank you to everyone who made our Recovery Open Day such a fantastic success!

We’re incredibly lucky to have such amazing staff, wonderful participants, and of course our brilliant partners across the city who continue to support the work we do.

Today was all about coming together, celebrating recovery, sharing experiences and recognising the incredible people who make a difference every day.

Thank you to everyone who came along, got involved and helped make the day so special. We couldn’t do it without you! 💜

Check out our latest job opportunities at the below links:

Housing Support Worker https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/adult-care/transform-community-development/jobs/housing-support-worker-487693?partnership=true

Furniture Porter https://uk.indeed.com/job/furniture-porter-ec7d96ac997958cf

If you have any queries please email [email protected] or phone 01382 224966.

Friday 18th September we are hosting an Open Day. We are thrilled to be able to invite you all along in celebration of recovery month.
Please share far and wide, we are especially looking forward to seeing individuals who are being supported within our community. Staff alongside some of our participants have worked really hard to ensure this will be a fun packed day, as well as informative… there will also be a bite to eat 😊

We want to share an important update about the West End Community Fridge and, most importantly, say a huge thank you to all those who have been involved.

Over the past seven years, the Fridge has become a vital part of Transition Dundee. Beyond offering good surplus food, it has been a place to connect, share skills, and support one another. 🙏🎉

As our funding for the Fridge ends, Transition Dundee can no longer host it directly. However, we still want to see it continue to thrive. We are handing the project over to our long-standing partner, Transform Community Development (who also run the local Fareshare branch), who will continue supplying surplus food.

We're hosting an event, along with Transform, on Friday 18th September from 11am-1pm to celebrate the past seven years. We'd love to see you all there.