LEAFY is perhaps one of the first words that comes to mind when people think of Pollokshields.

The south side community has low levels of unemployment and a high level of professionals as well as a high mix of owner-occupied homes.

For the residents, however, this is a blessing as well as a curse.

Community campaigner Lisa Peebles is with the group Ready Steady Grow, which, every second year, organises a festival to celebrate the green spaces in Pollokshields.

She believes Pollokshields can sometimes be forgotten when it comes to council funding and policy as the area is not as needy as its neighbours.

Lisa said: "Pollokshields is often overlooked when it comes to the council. People think of Pollokshields as being all Victorian villas and there is definitely a perception that Pollokshields is rich, especially West Pollokshields, but we have got everything in Pollokshields.

"That's not in any way to take from the problems that exist elsewhere but we do have a proportion of disenfranchisement and problem areas.

"The thing with Pollokshields is that we make it look pretty so people might not see what's underneath."

Pollokshields is home to Pollok Park but is also rich in green space. Ready Steady Grow brings together a variety of community groups that back the festival.

Lisa added: "That's the great thing about Ready Steady Grow, we recognise the value of our green spaces and encourage people to go out and use them.

"Even though this is a year that Ready Steady Grow is off, we are still doing everything we can to value and protect green spaces.

"They are not just for cycling past or walking your dog in, they are spaces to be used by everyone."

Local residents are proud of their good amenities and attractive villas and sandstone tenements.

But the area is not without need, according to locals.

Lisa said: "Pollokshields needs a coordinated approach. It needs an organisation to really take control, it needs the focus of the local authority.

"There are a lot of community groups doing amazing work but you can't stop people dropping litter in the streets or make people in unfactored closes fix their roofs.

"We have the same problems as our neighbours in Govanhill, just on a smaller scale.

"What I would like to see is all elected members, irrespective of party, work together to get the best outcomes for the people of Pollokshields.

"When you get past the point of the election, people don't care about party, they only care about the work you do for the area.

"I want to see all politicians work positively, collectively and collaboratively and not be bogged down by parochial party politics."

Lisa said: "It's hard to pin it down to one thing because there are so many good things about the area but the best thing is the people.

"There is so much enthusiasm, entrepreneurialism and real skills in the community.

"Pollokshields is an area where, if you run out of sugar, you can knock your neighbour's door to borrow some and they'll not only give you the sugar but also tell you all the information you need to go and buy your own sugar later.

"That's the thing - it's about solving problems now but also looking at how the future will be.

"It's an intoxicating place to be. We have raised two children in Pollokshields and I can't imagine them being anything else but Pollokshields children.