Newsletter Winter 2011

Maryhill Integration NetworkBRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

Newsletter 20

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Maryhill Integration NetworkBRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

Welcome to the 20th edition of Maryhill Integration Network’s Newsletter. We have had a very busy summer with community events and television appearances, but now we are happy to settle into a new term for Winter. There have been some changes to our weekly programme with 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.

Welcome to our Twentieth Newsletter.

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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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.

mIN VoicesmIN’s new Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Group, ‘mIN Voices’, meets every month as a forum to share information, encourage discussion 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).

Information and Advice Surgery for WomenMaryhill 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 should they be experiencing any of these issues. 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

Writers With Futures Creative Writing Group 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 other Tuesday, 6 – 8pm (crèche available).

Marco in Iran, summer 2011

When we were over thereMarco caught a virus.He was unwell for a few days.

I struggled to feed himbut he would eat nothing,not even his favourite foods.

Although she was fasting,Marco’s grandmother climbed up in the heatto a rural shrineand prayed for himwhile we played down below with water.

It was 3pm when we arrived backat Agin Dogin.

Khalle Batoul had made Ab Goosht.Marco ate it with noon barbaribeside the water fountainthat Reza built.

Sharon Roulston, member of mIN’s Writers with Futures Group

New Projects

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Document 9 International Human Rights Film FestivalmIN’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:‘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.

I know from the media about refugees; but Rema’s writings made me aware(from one who has known it) the terrible painher land and its people have had to bear.

A short play followed. Three actors took part, told of the hardships of those uprootedfrom their beloved homes, because it suitedsome 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.

Lithe boys, stiff grans, and joyful weans were not so shy. Different costumes, different racesdifferent colours, different faces– all with one aim: to enjoy themselves

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 goalto 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.

(C Gatsby, Nov 2011)

Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film FestivalmIN 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 bring people together, to overcome feelings of isolation and encourage community participation in a supported 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.

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 same exciting opportunities in the future.

Go Dance 2012If 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.

mIN would like to acknowledge the Robertson Trust for funding the Music and Theatre Production until next year.

Music and Theatre Production Project

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Work with Women

GRAND WeekFor ‘Getting Real About Alcohol and Drugs’ (GRAND) Week in September, mIN coordinated an information and 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:“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.”

Oasis Group mIN’s Oasis Women’s Group have been very busy with a programme supported by funding from NHS North West 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

members and volunteers of the group are now looking forward to developing their programme for the New Year.

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 made a wish tree to bring together the views, 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.

Tai Chi

Breast Cancer Awareness

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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.

Woodlands Birds ProjectIn 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 influence upon their own local environment. This project 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.

The Right to DreamAspiring 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

Rights to the Tsunami in Japan, with pupils reflecting on their own circumstances and those of children in other countries around the globe. The collection was launched at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh for Refugee Week Scotland 2011. Some of the pupils presented their 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.

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 ScotlandBy Arooba Akram

Environmental and Creative Projects in Schools

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Photographs by Karen Gordon, India Fullerton, Iman Nezamian and Russell Sneddon.

Photo GalleryHere 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’s performance at GRAMNet’s (University of Glasgow) Film Screening at the CCA

mIN Rehearsals for Black History Month and Document 9

Fashion Show Models at Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival

Environmental Arts Project with Oakgrove School Premier of BBC Alba’s Dannsa Beo Series at Glasgow Film Theatre

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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Programme of activities

MONDAYDrop 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 WomenLevel 1 (crèche available*) 10am – 12pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS

African Dance and Drumming ClassesAll levels welcome. £5 or free for unwaged people. 6 – 8pmmIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS

TUESDAY Writers with Futures – Creative writing GroupEvery other week (crèche available*) 6 – 8pmmIN 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 Centre35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS

WEDNESDAY ESOL Classes for Men and womenLevel 2. (crèche available) 10am – 12pm mIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS

Music & Theatre Production Project Classes in Dance, Music and Theatre Performance for children and adults (crèche available*). 6 – 8pmmIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS

Mother Theresa Women’s GroupMulticultural women’s group in partnership with AlbScott + arts activities and one to one ESOL support. (crèche available*). 12 – 2.30pm Garnethill Multicultural Centre21 Rose Street, G3 6RE

THURSDAY Tiny SongbirdsMusic Classes for babies and toddlers in partnership with AlbScott.(every other week in RSN and first Thursday of every month in GMC) 10am Renfrew Street Nursery256 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 - 2.30pmmIN Meeting Room, Maryhill Community Centre35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS

One to One Advice Surgery for WomenDrop in or make an appointment for info and advice on Domestic Violence, Abuse, Forced Marriage, Counselling , Befriending and more. 12 – 2pm mIN Office, 1st Floor, Maryhill Community Centre35 Avenuepark Street, G20 8TS

Music & Theatre Production ProjectClasses in Dance, Music and Theatre Performance for children and adults in partnership with AlbScott. 6.30 – 8.30pmGarnethill Multicultural Centre21 Rose Street, G3 6RE

* 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

You can also find out more about mIN from its new facebook page

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