Challenges for community work in a changing neighbourhood Stuart Hashagen, Scottish Community Development Centre
Govanhill – key facts Migration started with people from the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland; from Ireland – particularly Donegal; Jewish people fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe; Italians; people from the Punjab and other parts of the Indian sub-continent; Glasgow’s new communities of former asylum seekers and refugees and - most recently – economic migrants benefitting from EU enlargement from Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Romania. 53 languages Roma private landlords Thriving arts community Thriving voluntary sector
Community issues Poverty poor health and poor housing ‘on the edge of a society on the edge’ Suspicion; street corners, hanging about, ethnic tensions Some organised crime including human trafficking Overcrowding Environmental deterioration
Crossroads Established 1968 Youth work, community work, training Community-led NGO Slovakian / Scottish / Punjabi/ Irish staff
Community work theory and practice Focus on local neighbourhood work A structural perspective Analysis of power and powerlessness Building community organisations Resistance and direct action
Projects …
Projects Drop-in sessions, photography group Understanding each other Roma Streetwork Advocacy Feel Good women’s group Events Music: E karika Djal (Moving Wheel) Social work education
Challenges Transient population? Bonding, bridging or both? Advocacy or organising? Finding the cross-cutting issue? Issue based, asset based or rights-based?