Stacey aims to net mental health stigma

Langside College student Stacey Morgan – entirely on her own initiative – has organised a major 7-a-side football tournament at Hampden to raise awareness of mental health.

Stacey has returned to studying after working for ten years with Quarriers.

Stacey, a 2nd year undergraduate doing a BA Degree\Diploma in Education and Social Services at Langside College and Strathclyde University, got the idea for the event – called The Charleston Cup – during her placement in the Community Development Service in the Charleston Centre in Paisley.

The tournament is being held at Lesser Hampden on Saturday 1 June and will kick off at 1pm, preceded by a speech by Tony McLaren from Breathing Space Scotland.

Ten teams will be competing from Sunday central amateur leagues and the local community. They include league winners Bellgrove Amateur F.C. The event is being supported by a number of major mental health charities and will also feature information on mental health and mental health services, provided by RAMH, Breathing Space Scotland and See Me. There will be mental health quizzes with prizes and a See Me project for people to participate in to help reduce the stigma of mental ill health.

Says Stacey: “I choose to promote mental health awareness not just because it was part of my course or placement but because it is something that I am passionate about and something that’s close to my heart. I lost a close family member to suicide. It was only through my course that I was educated about mental health and I realised how important it is to break down the stigma of mental ill health and openly talk about it to allow people to come forward and get support.”

The event will also feature a free raffle with prizes including Hampden Experience passes, signed Rangers Football Club goodies, hair and beauty vouchers, vouchers for Domino’s Pizza and gift vouchers for reflexology, Swedish massages and aromatherapy massages. There will be a bouncy castle for children as well as a penalty shoot-out for everyone to enjoy. Added Stacey: “The local community and shops and pubs have really got behind this. It should be fun so that everyone enjoys themselves and at the same time, learns something about mental health .’

Stacey, who is 28, worked for ten years in social care in Quarriers before adding to her knowledge by studying for a BA in Education and Social Services.

Teddy Bears head for Richmond Park

If you go down to the Richmond Park on Sunday 17 July, you’ll get a big surprise! Teddy Bears will be having a picnic, thanks to the Oatlands Community Resource Committee (OCRC). They’ll be with their young friends each of whom will have an accompanying adult. Everyone will tuck into their own packed lunch and go treasure hunting.

This is one event from a full summer programme organised by the new committee and part-time manager, Lisa Gillen, at OCRC. An even bigger event will be a Family Fund-raiser Fun Day on Sunday 14 August starting at 2pm.

Said Lisa: ‘There will be stalls selling all sorts of wonderful things, raffles, tombola, a bouncy castle, face painter, DJ, maybe some Hip Hop………..’

All money raised will go towards activities for local people at what used to be called the Blue Hut but that will change colour as soon as paint is obtained (donations welcome!!!) ‘This helps keep our wee centre open,’ said Lisa. ‘So please show your support and come along….it will be good fun for all.’ She also hinted that a VIP has been invited, but more about that when the VIP confirms…

A regular daily programme includes a Kids’ Club, a Meet and Greet tea and chat session for newcomers and to meet neighbours in this growing district, a Pensioners’ Club, Bingo, Supermarket bus and Zumba – which is so popular a second class is being considered. A college course starts on Monday 29 August covering computer skills, adult literacy and local history but places are limited so sign up quickly. And The Oatlands Press Gang of kids is about to produce their first, monthly, newsletter.

On Sunday 24 July OCRC will hold a sponsored walk around the ‘Ducksy’ in Richmond Park when everyone is invited to join in.

Come October school holidays the committee plans to have a play scheme in place with volunteers and those who plan to pursue a career in childcare. Anyone keen to train for this form of child care should contact Lisa at the OCRC, 8 Logan Gardens, Glasgow, G5 0HP. As a registered charity the organisation can provide all training and process the vital Enhanced Disclosure Certificates.

On the down side, the area still awaits the long promised shop, children’s play park and the critical re-vamp of the listed St Margaret’s church building as a community centre.