Groups using grant funding to connect people in lockdown
TWO Govanhill organisations are supporting marginalised people through Covid-19 thanks to funding grants. A partnership between Streetwise and Big Noise received money to purchase 92 electronic devices for local families without access to technology.
And the Life in Lockdown project is helping local people share their experiences of the crisis in creative ways.
Elanor Gunn from Big Noise Govanhill said: “Youth providers in Govanhill meet regularly to talk about services in the area.
“In our very first meetings during the Covid-19 crisis, everyone named the lack of access to technology as the number one issue facing young people in Govanhill.
“Many share a device between family members, some have no device, such as a phone, tablet or computer, in the home at all.
“This obviously affects their access to online learning, but also in socialising with their friends and taking part in the clubs and extracurricular activities that normally play such a huge part of their lives.
“Members of the youth providers group will be able to nominate families to receive devices, which will be distributed through Big Noise.
“We hope that this will help young people to get back in touch with online learning, their peers, organisations who normally support them and the big wide world.”
Life In Lockdown is a collaboration between Community Renewal Roma Youth Project, Govanhill Baths and Music Broth.
The aim of this project is to offer local people a means to show what they have been doing in lockdown, to connect them through shared experiences.
Residents have been asked to submit photography, videos, music and other artworks.
To date the project has had more than 200 submissions.
These will be judged by an editorial group made up of young people and then shared on the Creative Govanhill Facebook.
The best entries will be displayed during the Govanhill Festival at the end of August.
This photography and artwork will also feature in a video showcasing music made in lockdown.
These are just two of 14 awards given out as part of a £175,000 Scottish Government grant being distributed by Govanhill Housing Association to mitigate the effect of coronavirus in the community.
Annie Macfarlane, chairwoman of Govanhill Housing Association, said: “We know that the Covid-19 crisis has hit areas like Govanhill particularly hard.
“Many of our tenants and members of the wider community are not able to connect with others online as they just can’t afford the technology.
“These projects will go some way to meet this need.”
Further applications are awaiting approval.
Mhairi Hunter, local councillor and chairwoman of the Thriving Places board, said: “I am delighted we are able to support a strong community response to the pandemic.
“I have been heartened by the way local organisations have come together to work collaboratively to benefit the people of Govanhill and to respond to increased need during this very difficult time.”