community – Govan Community Project

Zeinab* found Govan Community Project when she moved to Cardonald in 2017. Here she shares her story, and explains the impact attending our Women’s Group has had on her life.

I came to Scotland in 2011 from Afghanistan with my two young children to join my husband who was working here. In the first few months I was busy looking after my children and making my home, but after a few months I started to miss my family, there was no internet in Afghanistan for us to call, I started to feel alone. I had three friends, they were the wives of my husband’s friends, they were all I had. I went to college to learn English. I had to start right from the very beginning, from ABCs, but then I was pregnant with my son, and then my daughter and I didn’t have time to attend college. We moved around from Ibrox to Govanhill, and then in 2017 we moved to Cardonald. When I moved to Moss Heights, my neighbour told me about the community flat and GCP, she said they were friendly and they would help me.

When I first came to the Women’s Group I was very afraid, I was afraid to leave the house by myself or with my children, I was afraid to get lost or for something terrible to happen to me. Everywhere I went, I went with my husband and I was very alone and scared. It started with the walking group, every week we would go out and walk around the park, the women would walk and then we would share fruit and talk. Going outside was good for me, before I had depression, all I could think about was my family. But I learnt that going outside and walking wasn’t scary, it was good for me. Then we learnt how to cycle, it was a class just for women, after two lessons I could cycle. I had never had a bike before, in Afghanistan women are not allowed to ride bikes, I never had a bike as a child. So when I learnt how to cycle I felt total freedom, I felt the best, I can cycle – I can go anywhere. They said if I could learn I could have a bike, so then I got a bike from GCP bike library.

After learning how to cycle I wanted to learn how to drive, I felt if I could learn to cycle I could learn anything. Friends at Women’s Group told me I could do it, they sent me the app and encouraged me to try. My husband said the test was very difficult, I might not pass. I passed for the first time. Then I passed my practical test and I could drive. All of this happened when I joined the group, before I joined I felt very weak, unable to do anything. In my country the men say that women are just to stay in the home, they can’t do anything. But coming to this group I met strong women who worked, who went outside, I felt like I could do anything. It’s important for me to show my children to be brave, not to be scared.

I have learnt and tried so many new things through this group, we have learnt new sports and activities, I have seen so much of Glasgow through this group and trips. I tell everyone to come to this group, I tell my friends and my neighbours. Two years ago I said I wanted to work here, I had no experience but I wanted to learn. I started to volunteer for an hour at the Women’s Group, I sign people in and I welcome them to the group. Last year someone new came with her husband, she was very nervous and couldn’t speak English, her husband was worried about her being at home alone all the time. I met her, and I welcomed her to this group. I like getting to be the person who meets new people, when I see new people; I know them, I feel that.

There are a lot of refugee women at home alone, they don’t know how to start or how to get confidence, I tell them to come here, I like being the person to meet them now. Through this group I have met lots of close friends, neighbours, they give energy and inspire women. This group is like a family, GCP is my second home, I come every Friday and I love this community.

*name changed to protect anonymity

Govan Community Project has recently started a new year-long project called Ending Destitution Together (EDT).

GCP, in partnership with the Scottish Refugee Council, previously worked closely with the Scottish Government and COSLA on the development of the Ending Destitution Together Strategy. The strategy aims to improve the outcomes and support options for people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) living in Scotland.

Our new EDT project represents communities affected by the UK government’s NRPF policy, made up of group members with lived experience.

The group has started planning their year-long research and advocacy project, with meetings with the Scottish government as well as partnerships with a range of national and local organisations to give our political leaders a solid understanding of the effects of destitution on Scotland’s population.

We spoke to our Ending Destitution Together Coordinator Rago to find out more about the project.

Who is involved in the Ending Destitution Together project?

The Participatory Action Research (PAR) group is a group of people from across Scotland who have lived experience of destitution or who are at risk of destitution with NRPF by the current UK immigration policy. Some are survivors from destitution in the past, others are currently faced with this situation.

The project ensures that the voices of individuals directly impacted by destitution/risk of destitution caused by immigration policy are heard, and their knowledge and experiences valued as equal co-production partners in policy development. We say nothing for us without us.

What will the research look at?

Many people are facing destitution for different reasons; it could be someone who had their asylum claim rejected and is awaiting appeal, or someone whose visa has expired, but they have no place to go. These people have NRPF, so they can’t fulfil their basic needs. If you can’t work or access public funds it’s very hard. I have seen some people destitute for a period get back into the system, some can be stuck in this cycle for 15 or 20 years. Image a person stuck without status for 20 years, what can they do?

People have individual needs, but there’s also general needs. We will be researching what sort of things would be helpful to those people, what kind of support they need from the government and local authorities. In my other role as the GCP Men’s Group Coordinator, I noticed how many barriers people face, but they don’t talk about it. So first we need to build trust for people to share.

What do you hope to achieve?

We have one year to do this research, to speak to people across Scotland to understand all the issues. From this research we are hoping to get an accurate account of the situation and use it as evidence to present to the Scottish Government.

Govan Community Project has teamed up with Govan Sports Hub to start a Couch to 5K in Govan. It’s free and starts on Monday 6 November from 9.30- 11am.

It’s aimed at complete beginners, we have qualified coaches to get you started. The course will run for 12 weeks.

The group will be meeting at the Govan Community Project Office, 31 Garmouth Street, Govan, G51 3PR.

You can register for the Couch to 5K here. If you would like more information about the sessions email aileas@govancommunityproject.org.uk.

Govan Community Project is looking for new members to join the Community Samba Group.

The group meets weekly to practise the lively and energetic samba routines.

They have taken part in several events, such as performing in the Govan Parade and at a Diversity Festival.

Since joining the group, Maria has learned to play the drum and another instrument. She told us why she loves the band: “Personally for me the band is like a therapy, if you are tired or have some kind of problem then you forget and concentrate on the music. I really enjoy the human warmth of the group and their kindness.”

You don’t need any previous experience to join, as group leader Tina will be on hand to provide tuition. All the instruments are provided.

Tina said: “Samba is such fun, you can’t help but smile when you hear the band grooving. Just try it! All of the people in the band are so lovely. You’ll have fun and learn a new skill and make friends.”

The group meet on Monday at 18:00-19:00 at Clyde Community Hall, 41 Whitefield Road, Ibrox, G51 2YB.

For more information send a Whatsapp message to 07443 964017.

Govan Community Project has partnered with Bike for Good to launch a new block of community cycling sessions this summer.

The sessions start on Tuesday 11 July and will run for eight weeks. During this time cyclists will be able to build their confidence, meet new friends and learn new skills in bike maintenance.

Our Bike Library Coordinator Siraj will be leading the group cycles from our Bike Library at Moss Heights on Tuesdays from 10am- 12pm.

Sessions are free of charge, for more information call or message Siraj on 07392 590291.