Maryhill Integration Network BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
Newsletter Winter 2011
Newsletter 20
Welcome to our Twentieth Newsletter. Welcome to the 20th edition of Maryhill Integration Network’s Newsletter.Wehavehadaverybusysummerwithcommunityeventsand television appearances, but now we are happy to settle into a new term forWinter.Therehavebeensomechangestoourweeklyprogrammewith some new editions that we are excited to tell you about, alongside our usual activities for the whole community. We hope you enjoy the following stories and please take a look at our programme of activities on the back page to see if there is anything that may benefit you.
We would like to dedicate this Newsletter to Janet Andrews, a long standing member of mIN’s executive committee who has recently stood down from her role as secretary. We would like to thank Janet for all her enthusiasm, support and guidance over the years and wish her a very happy retirement!
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New Projects Writers With Futures Creative Writing Group
mIN’s new projects hope to continue to respond to the ongoing needs of the communities we work with, offering support and information, reducing prejudice and violence, and improving the lives of families and individuals across Glasgow.
Led by a professional writer, the group draws on themes that explore important and relevant issues and encourages people that are new to writing to become involved as well as inspiring established writers to develop their styles. Different forms of creative writing are used and we hope to begin to put together a publication of selected works from our members. The group is open to all and meets every otherTuesday, 6 – 8pm (crèche available).
mIN Voices mIN’s new Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Group, ‘mIN Voices’, meets every month as a forum to share information,encouragediscussion and provide advice, support and a social space to meet with friends. So far the group has collaborated with Scottish Refugee Council and Oxfam to access up to date information on policy changes and contribute to research on the new Equality Act. For more information on the mIN Voices meeting schedule please contact the mIN office on 0141 9469106 (crèche is provided).
Marco in Iran, summer 2011 When we were over there Marco caught a virus. He was unwell for a few days. I struggled to feed him but he would eat nothing, not even his favourite foods.
Information and Advice Surgery for Women
Although she was fasting, Marco’s grandmother climbed up in the heat to a rural shrine and prayed for him while we played down below with water.
Maryhill Integration Network is working in partnership with Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre to deliver a free and confidential, Information and Advice Surgery for Minority Ethnic Women. Amina’s Violence Against Women project provides advice and support to individual women facing personal issues such as domestic violence, forced marriage and psychological abuse. The surgery works with women to ensure that they know what their rights are and where to get help shouldtheybeexperiencinganyoftheseissues.Further advice on counselling and befriending is also available. Surgeries run every Thursday, 12 – 2pm, at mIN’s premises on 1st Floor of Maryhill Community Centre. If you need some advice or help or know of anyone who does, then drop in or make an appointment at the mIN office on 0141 9469106 or email admin@maryhillintegration.org.uk
It was 3pm when we arrived back at Agin Dogin. Khalle Batoul had made Ab Goosht. Marco ate it with noon barbari beside the water fountain that Reza built. Sharon Roulston, member of mIN’s Writers with Futures Group
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Music and Theatre Production Project Document 9 International Human Rights Film Festival
Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
mIN’s Music and Theatre Production Project were very happy to participate, for the second year, in Document 9 International Human Rights Film Festival. In partnership with AlbScott, mIN showcased their production choreographed by Natasha Gilmore,‘Here I Am’, alongside an excerpt from mIN volunteer, and RCS Graduate, Victoria Beesley’s VOX Asylum, and an International Dance and Fashion Show. Here is a review of the evening from an inspired audience member:
mIN contributed to this years Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival’s ‘Moving Minds’ event and exhibition, with members displaying an array of international costumes as well as new pieces that were designed and created by members of mIN and AlbScott. Our involvement in the event demonstrated the way in which community arts projects can help bringpeopletogether,toovercomefeelingsofisolation andencouragecommunityparticipationinasupported and creative environment. mIN’s use of art as a tool for integration benefits the mental health of the wider community and celebrates difference and diversity in Glasgow and Scotland today.
‘Come out with me,’ said my friend one day (I’d just watched the News; felt helpless and low) ‘You’ll enjoy this – the MIN show at the CCA!’ She convinced me, and huckled me out the door. Poetry and dance were first on the bill. Oh no … I thought – but I began to see the sad words of Remzije: and the poignant dancing, were opening a world unknown to me.
Rambert Dance Co. As part of their UK tour, the Rambert Dance Company (Ballet Rambert), visited Glasgow in November. mIN members were lucky enough, not only to see the show, Secret for a Seven, at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal, but were also treated to a one off workshop with dancers from the company. The workshop and performance was a great inspiration for members of the project and we hope to be able to offer our groups more of the sameexcitingopportunities in the future.
I know from the media about refugees; but Rema’s writings made me aware (from one who has known it) the terrible pain her land and its people have had to bear. A short play followed. Three actors took part, told of the hardships of those uprooted from their beloved homes, because it suited some tyrants. Their words pierced my heart. We ended with dancing. Such colour, such skill! The rhythms, the movements, the beat! The costumes (hand-made) were so gorgeous! I was that excited I was near on my feet.
Go Dance 2012
Lithe boys, stiff grans, and joyful weans were not so shy. Different costumes, different races different colours, different faces – all with one aim: to enjoy themselves
If you have been unlucky enough to miss mIN’s past performances then make sure you don’t miss Go Dance Festival in February 2012 where mIN will be performing their newest production.
And forget how they‘d suffered. I felt such guilt. How dare I feel sorry for me, and just mope? How dare I weep, when sad people in pain show such courage and spirit and hope?
They help each other in their common goal to settle, and re-start their lives. Thank you, I said to my friend: now what do I do? Here we are. We can make the world better too.
mIN would like to acknowledge the Robertson Trust for funding the Music and Theatre Production until next year.
(C Gatsby, Nov 2011)
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Work with Women GRAND Week
members and volunteers of the group are now looking forward to developing their programme for the NewYear.
For ‘Getting Real About Alcohol and Drugs’ (GRAND) WeekinSeptember,mINcoordinatedaninformationand awareness raising event for women from Asylum Seeker, Refugee and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. By linking in with women from across 3 different women’s groups in North-West area, the event brought the Oasis, Mother Theresa and Scottish Indian Mahalia Cultural Groups together, for an afternoon of information, activities, entertainment and refreshments with representatives from: Strathclyde Police Domestic Abuse Unit, REACH Community Health , Addaction, Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, Kidney Research UK and NHS Health Improvement Team. The event was a relaxed social event to encourage women from different backgrounds to come together to find out more about the signs and affects of drugs and alcohol and to help them to recognise, understand and take action if they need to. Here is some feedback from the event:
Tai Chi
Breast Cancer Awareness
“Very Good. Fantastic. Very Colourful and Very Enjoyable. Very Informative. Brilliant! Joyful. I learnt a lot! Amazing. Felt like a big family! Awesome and Wonderful! Thank you.”
16 Days of Action to Elimination Violence Against Women A Wish Tree is a symbol of hopes and dreams, something that is used when people look towards the future and desire change.
For the 16 Days of Action, mIN’s Oasis Women’s group madeawishtreetobringtogethertheviews,experiences and wishes of the women focusing on the themes of violence and domestic abuse. The overall outcome of the project was to gather a better understanding of how these issues are affecting the lives of women and how best we work together to reduce the negative impact of gender related violence in communities. The Wish Tree art project worked as a medium through which women from different social and cultural backgrounds came together to talk about the issues and share their thoughts, with the final result forming an exhibition for the 16 Days of Action closing event. The Wish Trees will be used by the groups in the future and also as part of celebrations towards International Women’s Day March 2012.
Oasis Group mIN’s Oasis Women’s Group have been very busy with a programmesupportedbyfunding from NHS NorthWest Health Improvement Team. Activities included Tai Chi, a Nutritional Cookery Course, Breast Cancer Awareness and Sexual Health. The women focused on healthy lifestyles that can help improve their personal health and fitness as well as their family’s health and well-being. Feedback was very positive and the Healthy Cooking and Nutrition
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Environmental and Creative Projects in Schools
mIN’s work with schools has always been a very important part of the work we do towards community integration. By engaging young people with the issues at the heart of mIN’s work we are helping to put in place a brighter future for Glasgow’s young people and their families.
Rights to theTsunami in Japan, with pupils reflecting on their own circumstances and those of children in other countriesaroundtheglobe.Thecollectionwaslaunched at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh for Refugee WeekScotland2011.Someofthepupilspresentedtheir work to parliament and were then given a tour of the building. The day was one for celebration with many MPs and MSPs showing their support for the pupils and mIN’s work. Copies of‘The Right to Dream’are available from the mIN office for a small donation.
Woodlands Birds Project In partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland and NGARN, mIN has developed an environmental outreach project with Oakgrove School. This project sees P5 pupils looking at local birds and wildlife and eventually designing and creating bird nest boxes for their playground. The project will form part of the North Glasgow Arts Trail and offers pupils the chance to visit Forestry Commission sites to explore and engage with local woodland areas as well as the habits and behaviours of local wildlife in Glasgow. This project aims to provide opportunities for young people to visit woodland areas and become excited about conservation, the environment and the ways in which they can engage with arts projects to have a positive influenceupontheirownlocalenvironment.Thisproject is facilitated by The Arts Tree and the grand unveiling of the bird nest boxes is due to coincide with National Nest Box Week in February 2012.
Right to Dream There is a dream in our mind which grows with us, we may be able to tell it, we may not. My dream can be a secret, can be sweets, can be a piece of bread or even decent clothes to wear. Every child in the world has the right to dream but their dream may die or survive. I felt hopeless to keep my dream, because I was dreaming in hiding. But now my dreams are flourishing because I’m dreaming in Scotland By Arooba Akram
The Right to Dream Aspiring poets at Oakgrove School were invited to take part in a creative writing project in which they were encouraged to think about the global issues affecting their peers across the world.The result was an insightful and thought-provoking collection of writing entitled ‘The Right to Dream’. Subjects varied from Human
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Photo Gallery
Here is a selection of photographs illustrating mIN activities since the last newsletter.
‘The Right to Dream’ launch – Refugee Week 2011 with Oakgrove School Refugee Week 2011 at the Tron Theatre
mneTV Film Crew with mIN members filming for BBC Alba’s Dannsa Beo Series
mIN Rehearsals for Black History Month and Document 9
Fashion Show Models at Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
mIN’s performance at GRAMNet’s (University of Glasgow) Film Screening at the CCA
Environmental Arts Project with Oakgrove School
Premier of BBC Alba’s Dannsa Beo Series at Glasgow Film Theatre
Photographs by Karen Gordon, India Fullerton, Iman Nezamian and Russell Sneddon.
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Programme of activities MONDAY Drop in for asylum seekers, refugees and BME community. Including, one to one ESOL support, advice, support and orientation. 10am – 12pm Findlay Memorial Church, 56 Clarendon Place, St Georges Cross, G20 7PZ ESOL Classes for Men and Women Level 1 (crèche available*) 10am – 12pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre 35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS African Dance and Drumming Classes All levels welcome. £5 or free for unwaged people. 6 – 8pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre 35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS
TUESDAY Writers with Futures – Creative writing Group Every other week (crèche available*) 6 – 8pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre, 35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS
mIN Voices Support and advice group for asylum seekers and refugees. Every 4 weeks from 27th September (crèche available*). 5.30 – 7.30pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre 35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS
WEDNESDAY ESOL Classes for Men and women Level 2. (crèche available) 10am – 12pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre 35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS Music & Theatre Production Project Classes in Dance, Music and Theatre Performance for children and adults (crèche available*). 6 – 8pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre 35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS Mother Theresa Women’s Group Multicultural women’s group in partnership with AlbScott + arts activities and one to one ESOL support. (crèche available*). 12 – 2.30pm Garnethill Multicultural Centre 21 Rose Street, G3 6RE
THURSDAY Tiny Songbirds Music Classes for babies and toddlers in partnership with AlbScott. (every other week in RSN and firstThursday of every month in GMC) 10am Renfrew Street Nursery 256 Renfrew Street, G3 6TT 11am Garnethill Multicultural Cent. 21 Rose Street, G3 6RE Oasis Women’s group Multicultural women’s group with arts and voluntary opportunities. (crèche available*). 12.30 - 2.30pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre 35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS One to One Advice Surgery for Women Drop in or make an appointment for info and advice on Domestic Violence, Abuse, Forced Marriage,Counselling,Befriendingandmore. 12 – 2pm mIN Office, 1st Floor, Maryhill Community Centre 35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS
You can also find out more about mIN from its new facebook page
Music & Theatre Production Project Classes in Dance, Music and Theatre Performance for children and adults in partnership with AlbScott. 6.30 – 8.30pm Garnethill Multicultural Centre 21 Rose Street, G3 6RE
How you can get involved...If you feel you would like to help with the work of the Networks by volunteering, or if you would like to use any of our services, please contact us on 0141 946 9106 or visit our website: www.maryhillintegration.org.uk
* Please note that crèche spaces are limited and on a first come first served basis
For more information on any of the above activities please contact mIN office on: 0141 946 9106 or email admin@maryhillintegration.org.uk
Key members of mIN are: Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, SRC, Maryhill CAB, British Red Cross, Maryhill Mobile Crèche, Maryhill Parish Church, Findlay Memorial Church, Strathclyde Police, Glasgow Community Safety Services, NHS Health Improvement Team, Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, Barrowland Ballet, Royal Conservatoire Scotland, Amina MWRC, SIMCC, NGARN, North West Violence Against Women Implementation Group, The Arts Tree, Standout Arts - Health Within. Core Funders: Scottish Government Race Religion and Refugee Integration Fund, Glasgow City Council North West Democratic Services, Lloyds TSB. Project Funders: Robertson Trust, NHS Health Improvement, Forestry Commission Scotland, Radio Clyde Cash for Kids, Big Lottery 2014 Communities. Editorial Team: Remzie Sherifi, Rose Filippi and Maureen Griffin Maryhill Integration Network is a registered Scottish Charity (SC O37300). Designed and produced by www.red-amber-green.co.uk
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