Blue Print · 2015. 7. 30. · 3rd Floor, 100 Berkeley Street, Glasgow G3 7HU. Tel: 0141 221 8365...
Transcript of Blue Print · 2015. 7. 30. · 3rd Floor, 100 Berkeley Street, Glasgow G3 7HU. Tel: 0141 221 8365...
The Magazine of the Blue Triangle Housing Association Ltd.
3rd Floor, 100 Berkeley Street, Glasgow G3 7HU. Tel: 0141 221 8365
Autumn Edition
Issue No: 28
Blue
Message from the Chief Executive:
Welcome to the latest edition of Blue Print, the magazine of Blue Triangle (Glasgow)
Housing Association Ltd
In this edition, we’ve got a whole lot of interesting information about what we are doing
with and for service users in our various projects across Scotland.
Blue Triangle Housing Association has now started (in a small way!) to start fundraising
for its services and service users. The projects have always had a tradition of fundraising at
a local level, but we’ve now taken that a step further by getting ourselves into the digital
age! Our website now has a MyDonate button on it (a free on-line donation service run by
BT) and all money donated through this helps service users. In the main, we try and help
service users with clothes (some service users have nothing suitable to wear to interviews
or in the case of bad weather), or training courses to help them get jobs.
We’re very happy to report that the Hilton Glasgow have “adopted” us as a charity this
year and are currently doing a range of things such as painting one of our projects living
rooms to brighten the place up and they have plans to cycle from John O’Groats to Lands’
End in 24 hours! We have to say, from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate the Hilton
for doing all this for us. The money they raise will directly help vulnerable young people
get some respite from homelessness.
Our big (long term) aim is to raise money so that we can equip our projects with internet
access so they can search for jobs on line. But this is a long term aim given it will require a
lot of resources, but this will make life so much better for the service users in our projects!
But that is one of the aspirations we have through fundraising or other measures.
We’ve also got ourselves a twitter account and we’ve tweeted about a range of things to do
with our services and also about our concerns over Government policy such as Welfare
Reform. So if you want to hear what’s going on on a regular basis then you will find us at
BlueT13.
Well, that’s all for this time and I hope that you enjoy reading our magazine whether you
are a service user or someone interested in our work
Fiona Stringfellow
Sept 2012
Page 1
5K RUN 2012
My name is Emma I am 19 years old I live in blue triangle Shettleston road I
have lived here from April 2012 I am enjoying my stay here everyone is so
helpful and the other 7 service users I live with are really nice.
We recently done a 5k run down in tollcross park Glasgow we left at about
9am there were 8 of us that done it 6 service users and 2 staff. There were
lots of people there all happy and cheerful. We started from tollcross park
through parkhead into London road then back to the park were we got our
medals it was really exhausting and tiring but we all got through it. It took
me 45mins to walk it as I could not run it as I am expecting a baby. When we
came home the other staff had made us a
curry and loads of sweets and crisps and juice
it was lovely.
Emma Convery
Shettleston Project
The Tollcross 5k
A group of the service users from the BT in Shettleston ran the 5K. I felt pleased that
I did it because I’ve never run 5K before. There were lots of stalls for activities and
selling stuff as well as a school orchestra and lots of people watching and cheering.
Jim and Paul from the staff ran it too but I couldn’t see them over my shoulder. I did
it in 22 minutes and we all got a medal at the end. When we got back to the project
Germana and Marie had made a big home made pot of curry and it was awesome.
Anonymous
Shettleston
Page 2
Queens Jubilee Celebrations 03/06/12
Bruce court Paisley
Housing support staff at Paisley Jo, James and Louise
celebrated the Queens Jubilee with service users John,
Michaela, Dillon and Kayleigh. A light lunch was put
on and enjoyed while watching the celebration occur
on T.V. Later on a game of bingo was enjoyed by both service users and staff. Many good
prizes were won.
Dillon entertaining the staff and service users by playing music on
his chanter. Dillon has played the bagpipes at Edinburgh Castle
and participates in championship competitions for the Army
Cadet Force.
The service users at the Paisley Project were all
winners at the prize bingo. Here they are waiting
patiently to receive their prizes.
A big Thanks to Housing support worker Gus Hamilton for
all his hard work in decorating the office. Service users
especially enjoyed reading the Queens timeline that Gus set
around the office.
Page 3
Olympic Torch Ceremony
Service Users Paul & William from Sauchiehall
Street with staff members Graham & David
pose for pictures with one of the official torch
bearers.
Sauchiehall Street
To celebrate the Queens Jubilee we had a ‘street party’ inside the project, we decorated the
recreation room with union flags and prepared a buffet. Staff and service users gathered to
watch the festivities on TV and to listen to the Queen’s speech, staff printed out the lyrics
for the national anthem and after the Queens Speech we all stood up and sang, everyone
reported that they had a great time, it was good to see the mix of culture, race and religion
coming together and enjoying a real piece of British history in the making.
Sauchiehall Street
Page 4
Street Party
VIEWPARK SERVICE USERS TO THE
RESCUE!!!!
In July one of our Nursing students car got stuck in the mud due to our lovely
Scottish weather but it didn’t take long for the service users and staff aka
Jim Potter to get on the case and pull her car to safety. The service users
demonstrated grit, determination and a willingness to help others. A big well
done to all who helped.
Viewpark
Page 5
Viewpark Project Christmas
Card Competition and Lunch
Friday 31st August 2012
Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Christmas!!!! The Viewpark
project decided to get in the festive spirit a
few months early. The service users and
staff did a fantastic job creating their
Christmas cards and poems for the
Christmas card competition, so in order to
celebrate this we had a delicious Christmas
lunch with all the trimmings.
We also celebrated Steven Mitchell’s
(project worker) birthday with a cake and
candles. Can anyone guess his age? He He
We would like to thank staff and service
users for their participation and enthusiasm
and also thank Sandra’s mum Joyce for
supplying the lovely table decorations.
Viewpark
Page 6
WORLD BUFFET
Staff and young people went to the World Buffet restaurant on Sauchiehall Street with the
money we raised from the open day. There were quite a lot of us who went, 9 all together.
The service was brilliant, that’s why Marie left a huge tip . The food was good
especially the macaroni cheese. The atmosphere was great and the conversation flowing, it
was quite busy in the restaurant for lunch time, we all had a good time.
Somerset Place
Page 7
5 a side Football
On 4.9.12 service users from our projects in Hamilton and Viewpark contested a 5 a side
match in Bellshill. This was arranged by Ed and Steven and attended by 10 service users
from both projects.
The game itself was a very closely fought contest until both Steven and Ed wilted with
age. This must be put down to the size of the park seeing as it was a seven a side park
and there was only 10 of us.
All the young guys from Hamilton contributed really well, Darren displayed dazzling
wing craft which managed to bamboozle his opponents, and himself from time to time .
Joni was outstanding, ran tirelessly scoring many of his teams goals and tackling strongly
throughout the game .
The final whistle could not come quick enough for the oldies , however all the young guys
enjoyed the day and are keen to make this a regular occurrence.
Well done guys …. Though next time I will need a months notice before committing
Ed Morrison ……….. Hamilton
Page 8
LOVE ME & LET ME FLY
Amongst the cabbages
I dwell alone
Down on the cold land
That I call my home.
Be careful where you tread now
Security is amongst the vegetable bed
Survival is my desire
My fragility is sacred.
My inner beauty is hidden
Suppressed within my skin
The need for freedom causes me pain
My wings are creased and paper thin.
There are flowers blooming all around
The days pass by without me
Warm yellow sunshine beating down
Inside I grow stronger and will be.
I’ll still be fragile and easily hurt
But my wings will spread not shy
Don’t hold me back; just believe in me
Love me and let me fly
Nikki Weston
Shore Street Flats
Page 9
Mohammad Mohammad – Service user at Holland Street Project
Hello , My name is Mohammad and I live in the Holland Street project. I have lived in the project since
September 2011 after travelling to Scotland from my home country of Sudan.
I really enjoy living in Glasgow , meeting new people and learning about the Scottish culture. Since
living in Holland street I have made many new friends and with the support of the staff team I have
become involved in voluntary work run by the Destiny church. I have been volunteering for the last 7
months at the Destiny centre in Shawlands, helping out at the parent & toddler group. I have made so
many new friends and the church has been a great support to me settling into life in Glasgow. Destiny
church also offers services to all refugees , along with free English classes which I have become involved
in. My voluntary work has given me the chance to meet new people each day and practise my language
skills.
Thanks to the staff at Holland street and the other service users , along with the Destiny church they have
help me settle in and have a happy life in Glasgow.
Mohammad Mohammad
Holland Street
My Experience of the Blue Triangle
The Blue Triangle, Lanark is an amazing place to stay. The staff are kind and helpful when you
need them, day or night. The staff help with many different things.
First time walking in through the front door was scary because I was told good and bad stories
about being here.
Being surrounded by so many good people and staff is great in your time of need. The staff
here are always around.
Making mates is good when you are not talking to folk like friends or family.
There is a drop in session every Thursday night where people who live here or have left get to
come in and see each other and have a chat, there is a different activity every week, week 1
was games night which was funny, week 2 was Naloxone and overdose training, week 3 was
the service users meeting.
Hope you enjoyed reading this story.
Anonymous
Lanark Page 10
My Experience with Blue Triangle, Lanark
My experience with Blue Triangle Lanark was daunting at first, I was worried, nervous
and didn’t know what I had put myself into but after I had met my Support Worker and
some other workers they talked me through the process of the transition and how to pay
bills etc.
The staff at Blue Triangle Lanark are always approachable and are always there for you to
talk to or ask questions.
I’m now in my own tenancy and pleased with it, I just need to keep on top of my
housework. It’s important to keep on top of things because if you don’t you will just let it
go. I really enjoy being in my own tenancy, its good because you have your own space
and can do what you like. I have no parties, just a few friends round because it’s good to
have a good relationship with your neighbours.
Anyone getting their own tenancy should
-pay bills on time
-keep washing/housework up to date
-keep yourself busy, meet new folk, see friends etc
Craig Allan, Lanark
Young Persons Success Story
I became homeless due to being evicted from my council house.
I was very lucky to get a room in the Blue Triangle, Lanark.
I enjoyed my stay in the whole environment; I kept myself very busy by doing some
drawings and paintings.
I also enjoyed the Thursday night drop in, doing all sorts of things and meeting plenty of
people.
I was in the Triangle for about 6 months then into a scatter flat for about 6 months.
I have now moved into my own flat, I’ve been there for about 9 months.
Stephen, Lanark
Page11
Lanark’s Garden
This is the area behind our project that was derelict for many
years. The local council gave us permission to use it to make a
garden for everyone to use.
David and Jerry in the ‘Before’ Picture’
The Guys worked really hard to make foundations for the new fence!
And the girls kept them all topped up with tea and sandwiches!
As you can see we’re not quite finished but we will keep you all informed.
Hopefully it will be completed for the summer and we can all relax with a well deserved
BBQ!!!
Lanark
Page 12
Congratulations to Ryan Ward
Somerset Place
Location, Location, Location
The front cover shows places and events mentioned in this edition of
the Blue Print. Write their names & the page numbers of the articles
below and send this page into the Blue Print Team for your chance to
win.
Edinburgh, pg 9-10
China Buffet King, pg 10
Riverside Museum, pg 11
Irn Bru Carnival, pg 5
Glasgow Climbing Centre, pg 6
Page 13
To enter our Spot the Difference competition, find the six differences in these two pictures
of our Blue Print editorial team. Correct entries will be put in a prize draw and one lucky
reader will win a £10 gift voucher for a store of their choice. Please submit entries to the
Blue Print Editorial Team, 150 Holland Street, Glasgow G2 4NG, or email
[email protected] by Friday 16th November 2012 GOOD LUCK
Page 14
This Month’s Beauty Tip
So, you’ve had a bit of a crap day. Benefits are a bit of a mess, your mum calls you to tell
you that she dropped your television and your umbrella broke leaving you soaking wet and
now, much to your dismay, the silly plastic Tesco bag has broke leaving you to struggle
further to bring your shopping in.
You look and feel like crap and you’re stressed!
Drama!
Now after all that you’re sat staring at a wall twiddling your thumbs and ready to scream
or cry, possibly both at the same time.
If you find you’re having a crap day here’s a little something that will help you feel a little
less crap.
All you need is one jar of honey and a handful of oats, oh and don’t forget the bowl. Mix
the honey and oats until you get a thick consistency, clean and wash your face and pop the
mixture on, creating a moisturising cheap face mask. After 10 to 20 minutes wash the
mixture off, or alternatively gently massage the mixture on as an exfoliator.
Enjoy!
(Remember don’t use if you have any allergies to the above ingredients, I take no
responsibilities for any reactions associated with said face mask)
Bethany Scott, Lanark