
Measles Prevention in Govanhill: Keeping yourself and your children safe and healthy
Measles cases are on the rise across the UK — including three confirmed in Govanhill this year. Despite a readily available and effective vaccine, uptake is falling. Why are people opting out, and what does this mean for community health?
Building trust: learning lessons from nature
When nature took the lead in restoring a Czech wetland, a colony of beavers accomplished what years of planning couldn’t. Their instinctive, collaborative work offers a metaphor for how communities thrive when trusted and supported.
The Govanhill music collectives transforming traditional music
Rebecca W Morris catches up with Ben Vardi from Duende and Anna, Lili and Joel from How Serene to talk about breathing life into old forms of traditional music, and how the local trad music revival aims to bring people of all backgrounds together.
Govanhill community reacts to UK Supreme Court decision on gender
The UK Supreme Court’s ruling that legal definitions of “man” and “woman” are based on biological sex has sparked fierce debate across Scotland. Trans advocates, politicians, community groups and legal experts warn the decision oversimplifies complex realities, putting trans people at risk of exclusion from essential spaces and services. Now that the dust has began to settle, what’s in-store for the future of gender reform in Scotland?
From community gardens to sustainable coffee: Govanhill projects win funding for local research
Grassroots initiatives based in Govanhill have received over £10,000 in funding from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Williamson Trust to support local, sustainable solutions, from greener coffee choices to children’s nature play and urban gardening.
Volunteer Spotlight: David Baumann
From competitive swimmer to community archivist, David Baumann has spent a lifetime at Govanhill Baths. In this Volunteer Spotlight, he shares memories of the Zenith Swimming Club and his ongoing work with the Baths' Archive and Heritage project.
Our new exhibition opens at Tramway: Stories from our Streets
Stories from our Streets exhibition opens at Greater Govanhill’s Community Space at Tramway. The heritage exhibition features videos and an interactive map but at its heart is the photographic project capturing the diversity of the neighbourhood, One Day in Govanhill.
Record Collections: Sound, soul and stories
We spoke to two Radio Buena Vida residents for Issue 17: Hidden Lives about their vinyl collections, uncovering stories of rare finds, well-loved grooves and the deeper connections that make records more than just music.
Bona Parle!
Discover how Polari became a vital tool for the LGBTQ+ community to communicate safely during times of severe repression. This fascinating language, with its blend of cultural and multilingual influences, remains a symbol of queer resilience and resistance.
Style Icon: Eva Harrold
Eva Harrold turns heads across the Southside in handmade outfits that challenge fast fashion. Through Slow Stitch Studio and her work with Rags to Riches, she’s stitching style, sustainability and community together — one thread at a time. Find out more in this edition of Style Icon from Issue 17: Hidden Lives.
My Life Before Govanhill: Tom van den Hurk
From a multicultural tenement in Germany’s Ruhr Valley to the vibrant streets of Govanhill, historian and filmmaker Tom van den Hurk reflects on a life shaped by migration, identity, and the power of storytelling in our regular feature, My Life Before Govanhill, from Issue 17: Hidden Lives.
Stories from Our Streets: Langside Road
In Stories from our Streets: Langside Road, local historian Bruce Downie traces the street’s fascinating history — from its origins and the impact of wartime bombings to its architectural landmarks and the architects that built them.
Think Before You Buy: Building an Apartheid Free Zone in Govanhill
In Govanhill, a grassroots campaign is taking bold steps to boycott brands complicit in Israel’s occupation of Palestine; starting with Coca-Cola. Born from local activism and backed by the global BDS movement, the Govanhill Apartheid Free Zone is rallying businesses and residents to turn everyday choices into acts of solidarity.
The Southside Central By-Election: 10 things I learned as a first-time candidate
Green Party candidate, Laura Vroomen, shares some insights from her campaign to be councillor in the Southside Central ward by-election in March. From knocking on strangers doors in February to canvasing outside the local high school, Laura sheds some light on her experiences and what it takes to build a strong campaign during a local election.
Queen’s Park Glasshouse Proposed Refurbishment
While the animals once housed in the iconic Queen’s Park Glasshouse won’t be returning—much to the disappointment of many local residents and visitors—the question remains: what changes do residents hope to see now that the Glasshouse is set to be refurbished due to concerns about its structural integrity?
'Govanhill: A Community Film Portrait' is now available on YouTube
Filmmaker Felipe Bustos Sierra premiered his short film 'Govanhill: A Community Film Portrait' at the GSFF last year. Now, a year later, the full film has been released on YouTube, allowing free, open access to his work.
Lascars – Forgotten Seafarers: brought to life
Unveiling the untold story of the lascar sailors, Glasgow Museums' latest exhibition immerses visitors in the seafaring legacy of South Asian men who shaped Britain's maritime past. Through a community-led research project, 3D-printed figurines, and a vivid film installation, this display offers a powerful tribute to these overlooked seafarers, inviting reflection on their enduring impact.
Dealing with the shame: Growing up in a South Asian household affected by gambling harms
“Within South Asian culture, gambling has always been a taboo subject. If you are from a Muslim family it's even more unheard of. Just as with alcohol and drugs, it is prohibited in the Qur’an…The taboo of gambling within South Asian culture has meant my family still can’t get the support they need.”
What I’ve Learned as a Female Gambling Addict
“My first memory of gambling was popping into the local bookies on Grand National day aged 18 to lay an each-way bet for me and my mum…It was a man’s world, but I still recall the buzz of placing a potential winner and the desire to come back to collect my winnings after the race. It was like the die was cast.”
Who’s doing it better? How other countries are tackling gambling advertising
The UK lags behind the rest of Europe on gambling advertising regulation while other countries are limiting their impact. Kate Samuels examines approaches taken in three different countries and explores what the UK can learn to better protect vulnerable communities and reduce gambling-related harm.