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Ministers Visit to Govanhill Youth Project

August 20, 2009

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Two Govanhill projects were visited by Kenny MacAskill, Justice Secretary; Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and Anne McLaughlin Glasgow MSP, to discuss anti-social behaviour and other issues affecting the area.

Anne McLaughlin MSP and Nicola Sturgeon with staff from Govanhill Youth Project

Anne McLaughlin MSP and Nicola Sturgeon with staff from Govanhill Youth Project

 

Govanhill Law Centre and Govanhill Youth Project, both on Butterbiggins Road, were the focus of attention. This was followed by the VIPs walking along Allison Street where they met residents and business owners.

At the law centre, manager Lorraine Barrie introduced them to staff who discussed  the work they do which is dominated by slum housing, slum landlords, evictions and benefits advice.

Lorraine said: ‘It was great for these Ministers to visit us and learn about the vital work and services we provide. We told them about the major problem we deal with. These include sub-standard housing and slum landlords, repossessions, evictions, housing benefit and other benefit issues.’

The visitors then went to Govanhill Youth Project where Project Co-ordinator, Jamie Stacey, introduced staff and talked about the work the Project does with young people aged from 11 to 18..

They deal with gang problems, drug and drink prevention and street work. At the centre they provide dance classes, hip hop music and a young mothers’ group.

Jamie said: ‘It was good they visited our project. I stated clearly, that in order to eradicate anti-social behaviour, we need funding to provide a purpose-built facility for the young people to go to. The reason they are hanging about the streets is because they don’t have anywhere to go.’

After visiting both places, Kenny MacAskill said: ‘It was good to see the good work that both these fantastic projects are doing. The law centre is working hard to eradicate slums and bad landlords and to improve the below-tolerable standard housing. While the youth project is keeping many young people off the streets through their superb activities and programme of events. They are also helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in the communities.’

Kenny MacAskill with equalities worker Mwenda Tailemia

Kenny MacAskill with equalities worker Mwenda Tailemia

 

Anne said: ‘Today has been a great day because we have learnt a lot from our visit. Govanhill is a wonderful, diverse, community. However it has two main problems - antisocial behaviour and slum landlords with below tolerable standard housing. It was great to see how the Govanhill Law Centre is dealing with this issue and how Govanhill Youth Project is dealing with antisocial behaviour.’

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Written by Elyas Hussain · Filed Under Features, Glasgow South, Local News 


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