“It will always be a big part of why I feel so at home in Scotland…” In this instalment of My Life Before Govanhill, Marzanna Antoniak sits down with Noemi Raith to find out about her journey from her hometown Basel in Switzerland to Glasgow, and why she settled in Govanhill.

In this edition of Stories from our Streets, we uncover Calder Street’s rich past — from its beginnings in Fireworks Village and the rise of Govanhill, to iconic landmarks like the Govanhill Baths, library and cinema, and the community campaigns and curious tales that shaped its story.

The Southside will come alive with colour, music and pedal power this Saturday as families join the city’s first ever Kidical Mass ride — a global movement turning streets into safe spaces for children to cycle, play and be heard.

Govanhill and Pollokshields see some of the highest fire rates in Glasgow and the recent tenement collapse shows the devastating impact they can have. Natalia Equihua looks at what’s behind the numbers – and what’s being done to prevent them.

Celebrate Govanhill’s creative community tomorrow at Glasgow Zine Library for the Practice Makes: Govanhill launch. This artist-led project showcases local initiatives through a unique publication-in-a-box, connecting and celebrating the area’s vibrant cultural scene.

Featuring a unicorn, Mothers Against Genocide, Latina dancers and trans rights activists, GIFC 25 started with a bang last Saturday with the carnival parade and festival in Govanhill Park. It has to be the most colourful day of the year, but there’s an important anti-racist message behind it all.

In a world built around digital access, too many are still locked out. Digital Mushrooms is a grassroots, anarchistic mutual aid project in Govanhill helping folk get to grips with tech — no suits, no funding bids, just solidarity (and maybe biscuits).

The rise of far right influence has caused alarm to many in diverse communities like Govanhill and can risk undermining social cohesion, inclusion and harmony. In this opinion piece, published on World Refugee Day, Devon McCole explores what we can do to stop it and protect those most vulnerable.

Glasgow is among the UK’s top performing councils for climate action, according to new national data but local leaders in Govanhill question whether the benefits are actually reaching the city’s most deprived communities and are calling for more to be done.

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. 

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.

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.

When looking for hidden historical details in our built environment, we're often told to look up in Glasgow, but a new discovery at the Hidden Gardens suggests it might be worth looking down instead. 

Hundreds of Muslim and BME women in Scotland are reporting abuse not from partners, but from in-laws and extended family, yet the law doesn’t recognise it. Amina MWRC is fighting to change that, shedding light on a hidden form of coercive control and pushing for a more inclusive, intersectional approach to domestic abuse policy.

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.

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?

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.

“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.”

Gambling harms thrive in plain sight, especially in less affluent communities like Govanhill. With bookmakers on every corner and addictive mechanics embedded in video games, the seeds of addiction are planted early, often in the lives of vulnerable young people. Eva O’Donovan unpacks the systemic exploitation and the hidden struggles of those caught in its grip, shedding light on the urgent need for change.

“Relentless and insidious marketing tactics are drawing people into the grip of gambling addiction, with devastating impacts on vulnerable individuals. It's time to confront the unchecked spread of this harmful advertising."