The Community Newsroom Unveils its First Programme of Events
Ever since we launched Greater Govanhill, we’d been keen to run events that bring people together to talk about the issues that matter to you. We ran these online during various lockdowns. But now we have our own space, we’re very excited to be able to start doing these in person.
For the first few months of 2023 Greater Govanhill will be running several events that will inform community members on local issues as well as giving attendees the chance to have their say.
The events will be a mix of talks, workshops, discussions, Q+As and screenings delivered by local community groups and individuals in and around Govanhill.
The sessions have been funded by the Glasgow Winter Social Wellbeing Fund which is all about ‘bringing people together and supporting health and wellbeing’ during the winter months with events ‘focus on tackling stereotypes and perceptions by creating opportunities to celebrate the diversity of Glasgow’.
Each session will have a hot food and refreshments provided for attendees. We can also cover public transport costs within Glasgow. When reserving tickets online we will operate on a sliding scale from £0 - £5.
Introduction to Greater Govanhill & The Ferret
Thursday 19th January 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Join the editors of Greater Govanhill and The Ferret, the two independent publications based in The Community Newsroom, to find out what they are all about.
Rhiannon Davies is the founder and editor of Greater Govanhill, a solutions-based publication written by and for the people of Govanhill. Karin Goodwin is the co-editor of The Ferret, Scotland’s investigative journalism platform that seeks to hold those in power to account.
The session will also be a chance for you to find out more about both publications, how you can get involved, and let us know what stories you'd like to see us focus on next.
They'll also be sharing more information about Mind the Health Gap, their collaborative project reporting on the solutions to health inequalities.
‘One Last Spin’ Screening and Q&A
Thursday 26th January 6:30pm - 8:30pm
In the first screening event at our new space, we are thrilled to be showing One Last Spin, a film about harms caused by gambling. It started with an idea from Martin Paterson whose life had been devastated by gambling. The film is interwoven with drama sequences complementing the stories of those harmed by gambling.
The film will be followed by a Q&A with its creators Adrian Bailey and Martin Paterson. With this film and their other work, they are trying to raise awareness around gambling harms to start conversations around what is often a hidden social issue.
We are writing a solutions feature on gambling harms to be included in the next issue of the magazine. We hope that this event will provide an opportunity for a community conversation on an important topic.
What’s Happening With Our Lanes and Back Courts
Thursday 9th February 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Fly tipping in our lanes and back-courts is a perennial problem, as is the issue with waste collection, littering and awareness. We wanted to hold an open conversation on these topics and to consider possible solutions. We’ll be hearing form resident groups who have experience of organising in order to make a difference to their shared spaces and find out what works - and what could be better.
South Seeds Energy Information Sessions
Thursday 23rd February 6:30pm - 8:00pm
South Seeds, an energy and sustainability charity on Victoria Road, will be joining us for an information evening. Hosted by manager Lucy Gillie, the session will offer advice on how to save energy including how to hold energy companies to account, and how to lead more sustainable lives.
Women and the Health Gap
Date TBC
We are working with The Ferret on a year long project exploring solutions to health inequalities. Ahead of International Women’s Day, we’ll be sharing some of our finding from the investigation and holding a conversation around the gender health gap.
Housing and Rental Crisis Panel & Discussion
Date TBC
With Holyrood lifting the rent cap at the end of March, we will be hosting a panel discussion on what this means for the future of the rental crisis. We will be joined by a panel experts from all sides of the debate to partake in a discussion on rent, Southside housing developments and tenants’ rights.
Writing Workshop with Eve Livingston
Thursday 23rd March 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eve Livingston is a UK-based freelance journalist and writer primarily covering social affairs, industrial relations, politics and inequalities. She has been was longlisted for an Amnesty UK Media Award and shortlisted for an Orwell Prize
Her work has been published in The Guardian, The Independent, Dazed, Stylist, VICE, OpenDemocracy and lots of others, and includes features, opinion pieces, news reporting and reviews. She has also written a book, 'Make Bosses Pay', a concise and timely reminder on the need for unions.
In this workshop she'll be talking about her experiences as a freelancer and sharing some of practical tips on feature writing and structures.
Tickets for all the events are free but with an option to give a donation. Reserve your space on Eventbrite today.
The events will be held in The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman Street, Glasgow, G42 8LF, just off Victoria Road. Please note that while there is ramp access to the space, there is not yet a toilet installed which is suitable for wheelchair users. Hot food and refreshments will be provided for all guests. Please let us know when booking your ticket if you have any dietary requirements.
These events are made possible by the Winter Wellbeing Fund provided by the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership. They are the first of a series of talks, workshops and screenings we will be holding as a way of creating new connections and building community power.
We’ll be announcing more events soon including: an introduction to the history and culture of Roma people, a Govanhill history lesson, and a photography workshop.
Got an event idea? Or a workshop you’d like to lead? Let us know here.