Group hope to fight austerity
Castlemilk residents’plan to tackle poverty
A group of Castlemilk residents who joined together to fight poverty and austerity say they are determined to have the voice of the community heard.
Castlemilk Against Austerity was set up in the aftermath of the Scottish Independence Referendum.
Nearly two years on they are still going strong and remain as determined as ever to try and change the fortunes of people in the scheme.
The group meet every Tuesday night and have also hosted a number of music and poetry events.
Their monthly newsletter is up to eight pages and they hope to encourage more people to join their cause.
Member Cathy Milligan, 53, has been with the organisation from the start.
She knows first hand the impact austerity can have having been unemployed for a number of years due to illness.
There have been periods when she has had to live on £40 a week and she knows only too well the problems people can face trying to make sure they get their benefits.
Explaining what the group do, Cathy said: “We are just local people out campaigning and trying to galvanise and motivate people to stick up for themselves.
“We aren’t party political. We all have different views but we all agree that things are not working for people in this community.
“Coming together is the only way to get our voices heard. People in this community lack confidence but with things like the newsletter people have found their own voice.”
Cathy admits it can often be a “slog” getting people motivated, but she and her fellow group members are determined to keep trying.
They already have a big following on Facebook and have gained attention for campaigns against the bedroom tax, overpricing in shops and pre-payment energy metres.
Looking back at the origins of the group, Cathy said: “The independence referendum got more people interested. Over 500 new voters signed up to vote in Castlemilk alone.
“It wasn’t really until the latter part of the campaign I got involved. I was a no voter because I didn’t believe in splitting the working class but my nieces and nephews persuaded me that a yes vote was the best way to social justice.
“I didn’t want to join the SNP, although many others did. We wanted to keep that momentum going.”
Alongside Cathy, the members include Anne Kerr, Michael Farrell, James Toner, Patricia Milligan, Ross Blackett, Peter Cassidy, Barry Mullen, Tam McGuinness, Carol Cooper and John Cooper, as well as Rab Fullerton who travels every Tuesday from Govan.
The group recently ran a food drive with the support of the local Celtic supporters club and will host a music night at the Castlemilk Youth Complex on Friday night.
They even found time to campaign in support of Dundee welfare activist Tony Cox last week.
Cathy added: “Some of the stories we hear about things like welfare changes are horrific.
“I was really, really struggling for three years and if it was not for the support of the community I don’t know what would have happened.
“We really need change and people need to get involved because our democracy simply isn’t working for places like this.”
The group meet in the Castlemilk Youth Complex every Tuesday from 6pm with residents from outwith Castlemilk also welcome.
Go to www. facebook. com/ castlemilkagainstausterity/ for more information.