celebrating 50 years of youth and community work report 2018.pdf · to women in govanhill, thanks...

Celebrating 50 years of youth and community work

Annual Report 2018Youth &

CommunityAssociation

A Word from the Board

ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | CROSSROADS AT 50 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | CELEBRATING YEARS OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK

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Very few community organisations get to celebrate 50 years continuous activity. Even fewer have done so without sacrificing their independence, compromising their principles, or becoming a commercial business. Yet Crossroads has reached this milestone and it is a good time to reflect on what has led to this success, and how it can be built on in future.

First, we should note the rapid turnover of people in both Gorbals and Govanhill. In Gorbals, almost all the multi-storeys that were being built when Crossroads was established have now been demolished, with the tenants rehoused and new people moving into the ‘New Gorbals’ developments. In Govanhill a large proportion of migrants to Glasgow have settled there, making it one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in Scotland.

Meanwhile, over these 50 years both areas have remained amongst the poorest in Scotland: indeed, both are now designated as ‘Thriving Places’ by the city council – which means the deep-rooted problems in both areas must be tackled urgently.

Deep-rooted problems are experienced on a daily basis by many residents. They include isolation, persistent poverty, racist crime and harassment, discrimination, inadequate housing, asylum status, human trafficking, domestic violence, destitution, literacy, numeracy and language barriers – the list goes on.

One of the key people involved in setting up Crossroads, Geoff Shaw, wrote that everyone should have the right to live “gloriously … whatever in society makes this impossible must be attacked; whatever in the individual may make it possible must be nurtured and strengthened.” These two ideas have been constant drivers of the organisation, and they have dealt with all the problems described.

Executive Board

Dedicated to People

Directors:

Irene Goodheir (resigned 30.09.17)Leanne Thorpe (Chairperson) Ann Wishart (Secretary)Victoria Stewart Louise GregoryHeather Lynch (resigned 27.06.18)Lizzie Mukherjee (resigned 27.06.18)Eddy McFaddenGillian BrowningAbby TrainorStuart Hashagen

Special thanks to Nicky Miller and Ann Stevenson for their continued support to the Board and the staff team.

Crossroads is an independent charity seeking to bring about positive change with dignity and compassion at the heart of our youth work and community development projects.

We aim to be present and work alongside people to navigate the choices and challenges of everyday life and develop opportunities for lasting change.

Welcome to the 2018 Annual Report forCrossroads Youth & Community Association.It has been a privilege taking on the role of Chair for Crossroads and I hope I can follow in the footsteps of my predecessors and continue doing a great job for the Association along with the fantastic new Board of Directors.

The Board has undergone some changes in the last year and we have a number of old as well as new faces that have joined. It means that we now have a Board who have a whole host of different skills and views to take Crossroads onwards and upwards into the future, continuing the good work it has always been known for.

As well as the Board it is also important we hear from you! Crossroads is a Youth and Community Association so it’s vital we continue to listen to everyone’s views and opinions on what is needed in the area, especially what is needed in the future. Life is constantly changing so it’s important we ensure Crossroads moves with the times and keeps up with the ever changing world we live in.

In August this year we arranged a three day residential to Ardoch House near Loch Lomond for the whole organisation. It was a chance to reflect, review and plan for the future. A key outcome of the residential was a commitment to developing the association’s ordinary membership; these members will shape the service and keep Crossroads closely connected to community. If you believe when we organise ourselves people and communities can be a powerful force for change and you want to be a part of this then get in touch with Crossroads, we’d love to hear from you and work with you.

Crossroads wouldn’t function without the staff. I want to take this opportunity to thank every one of the staff whether permanent or temporary. I am proud to say we have a very hard working team who continually go beyond and above their job role. They have a passion and love for Crossroads and I don’t think we could ask for anything more from them! So a BIG THANK YOU goes out to them!

Lastly I just want to give a special thank you to Ann Wishart. She has recently decided to step down from the role of Secretary. I’ve known Ann since I was a tot, when my Mum used to bring me in to Crossroads’ office in Govanhill. She is an amazing woman who has been the backbone of Crossroads for the past 30 years. I really do think the charity is in her blood.

Here’s to a fabulous 2019!

Leanne Thorpe | Chairperson

Local people and organisations have told us that Crossroads is an “excellent organisation that delivers high quality services and support to local people throughout the Gorbals and Govanhill communities.” They highlight key contributory factors as our strong values and purpose – Crossroads has grown and developed in response to evolving local needs and political changes, yet the organisation has remained committed to its core ethos and values.

We have a track record of supporting local people, creating positive change, stimulating community empowerment and contributing to the regeneration of the Gorbals and Govanhill. Throughout, there has been a passionate, committed and highly experienced staff team, who together bring a wealth of skills and expertise to the organisation, in particular the personal approach that each member of staff adopts when supporting local people.

As an organisation with deep roots in the community, Crossroads is overseen by an active, ‘hands-on’ management committee. Each member of the

committee has a long history with the organisation, either as a former member of staff, a previous service user or a campaigner for change. It brings together a wide range of skills and perspectives and defends our long-established values.

But what are these values, and what is distinctive about Crossroads? Many community organisations will talk about equality, empowerment, participation, as does Crossroads. For us what is important is how we put these values into practice.

So what have been the keys? Crucially, we have sound, established principles and we are sticking to them. We recognise the connection between ‘private troubles’ and ‘public issues’ and know that many of the problems people face are not their fault, but they are caused by economic, political or legal circumstances beyond their control.

So we start with the person, standing with them so they develop a sense of safety, security and confidence to deal with whatever is thrown at them. Then we bring together people with similar experiences to show we are not alone, and that working together is the best way of supporting and helping each other. This often leads to setting up community groups or organisations that can do what is needed to tackle the issues of concern. That way, people learn and grow, recognising their own power and ability.

We do not take people’s problems away from them, but we support them to deal with the problem themselves. In this way many, many people have gone on to live ‘gloriously’ as Geoff Shaw intended, whether as young people with a troubled family background, tenants living in appalling housing conditions, or people moving to Glasgow for the first time from a very different culture and having to build a new life.

We look forward to taking our values forward into the next 50 years, and we know it will be challenging. We have continuing austerity, which means most people have even less money to support themselves and their families, and that the public services on which they depend are ever more stretched. We can expect more depression, harassment and abuse as people take things out on each other rather than understanding the true cause of their frustration. We can expect that racism and cultural conflicts will not go away, and we know that people will continue to need opportunities to get together, to have new experiences and to build solidarity and cohesion.

There is plenty of work to be done by Crossroads over the next 50 years!

Stuart Hashagen | Director

Crossroads at 50: Reflection

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What we set out to do with our community work in Govanhill

The aim of our project Building Inclusion in Govanhill (BIG) is to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of women in Govanhill and contribute to a sense of community cohesion through the delivery of a holistic and participant-led women’s project. Our objectives are:

To build on in-depth consultation work with women in Govanhill to gain a deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of women in Govanhill and promote and facilitate social integration.

To create a space for women in Govanhill to share and learn together, where issues can be further explored and collective interests developed.

To support women to have a more participatory role within the community.

What we actually didEstablished links and built relationships with local women and organisations through ongoing community engagement, which allowed us to develop a greater understanding of the current issues and problems women face.

Launched our weekly Women’s Space in Govanhill, in partnership with the Dixon Community, with free childcare and the conditions for relationships to flourish. Women from a range of cultural backgrounds identified and planned together what they wanted to get out of the space.

Supported and empowered women to voice their concerns around a range of issues, and feed shared concerns with local networks, in particular into the development of the Govanhill Locality Plan.

Developed a network of women in Govanhill, first of all as a Women’s Advisory Group and subsequently a peer support space that coproduces empowering information sessions for women in response to issues raised.

Our year in numbers1008 free packets of sanitary towels distributed to women in Govanhill, thanks to a Fare Share initiative

80 women from a diverse range of social and ethnic backgrounds participated in 3 BIG consultation events

58 different women regularly attending Women’s Space

Women of 18 different ethnicities engaged with BIG project

16 street work engagement sessions, engaging 71 women

15 sessions of the weekly Women’s Space held

10 sessions of the Baking Group held, supporting 13 participants

3 Empowering Information Sessions held

3 parents evenings attended (St Bride’s Primary, Annette Street Primary and Cuthbertson Primary), engaging with 22 local people 15 adults and 7 young people

International Women’s Day events delivered engaging with approximately 50 women from diverse backgrounds

1 meeting with Nicola Sturgeon MSP for Glasgow Southside

ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | CELEBRATING YEARS OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORKANNUAL REPORT 2018 | CELEBRATING YEARS OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK

Community Work In GovanhillI went home and looked up

yoga on YouTube and now me and my daughter do it together at home. [After trying yoga for the 1st time

ever at the Women’s Space]

I really enjoy coming... last week it made me so happy after the session, I had so much energy.

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Who made it happen?The many diverse and inspiring women of Govanhill, with their warmth, vision, talents, strength, courage, openness and passion.

A staff team trained and skilled in:

Community Learning and Development

Social Work

Facilitation Skills

Street work community engagement

Funding

Food Hygiene

Mental Health First Aid

Counselling Skills

Equalities and Human Rights

Case Study:‘Monika’ (Anonymised)

Monika moved to Scotland from Slovakia with her husband three years ago with limited English. Upon finding work Monika became unwell and she was unable to continue. This made it difficult for the couple to support themselves and resulted in Monika becoming isolated and depressed.

Monika first came to our Roma family drop-in with a family member. Here she met other women and received emotional and practical support. Through the Drop-in Monika made friends and began to participate in other groups which made her feel part of the community and happier. She then joined our Baking Group where she became a key member and shared her knowledge; however she still did not feel confident to pursue informal English classes, even when we tried to encourage her.

At the beginning of the year we realised Monika was no longer coming to the groups. When we spoke to her she explained that her husband had been seriously injured. He required her fulltime care and was signed off from work indefinitely. With no income the couple were struggling to pay their bills and basic essentials such as heating and food. Monika agreed for us to arrange an appointment with a welfare rights officer with an interpreter, to ensure they were getting what benefits they were entitled to and create manageable payment plans. We also referred her to an energy officer at the local charity, South Seeds, and made aware of the local community canteen and foodbanks. It became clear that Monika’s mental health had deteriorated and we encouraged her to see her GP.

Since receiving this support Monika is managing her circumstances and she has become more confident returning to the groups and says she feels happier. This was apparent when she went along to her first ever English class, which was a massive achievement for her.

I feel so happy since coming to the Women’s Space, which is a big thing for me because I have been struggling with

depression. This is the first group I have joined since coming to Govanhill and now I have

started going to other groups too.

I look forward to the Women’s Space each week because

I love the exercise we do. But this isn’t like the gym, it’s more than just exercise; I’ve made

friends here and tried new activities and we talk and laugh together, it’s making memories

together while enjoying getting fit.

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192 Gorbals young folk with their determination, skills, gifts, confidence, spirit, creativity and enthusiasm.

A staff team trained and skilled in:

Grace’s Story:Grace is 11 years old and really creative, particularly in drawing and painting. But she has issues socialising, has a low tolerance for frustration and trouble paying attention to others. We helped her develop coping strategies for when in sessions and struggling with what can be a very busy and noisy environment. Grace would spend time of almost every session away from the group and one-to-one with a youth worker getting to terms with something that upset her. Our art worker encouraged Grace over time to use the art-room to help out using her artistic skills. Grace really connected with idea of ‘art room assistant’ and her confidence has steadily developed. It has been almost five months since she needed to use the quiet room and the youth work team observations clearly demonstrate a positive improvement in Grace’s social skills, she now has a best friend at the Barn who was herself quite isolated when she first came to sessions in the spring of this year.

Ben’s Story:Ben has spoken articulately about how the Barn is his safe-space; a constantly positive experience where he feels valued and supported. He has been taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award with us this year which gave him a focus and time away from the stresses at home. It was on his practice expedition to the Galloway hills in May this year that Ben expressed to me his thoughts on what the Barn meant to him. Stopping for a cup of tea by a small loch he told me how if it wasn’t for these times away he doesn’t think he would cope with things. He spoke to me about being a youth worker and how he would like to do this as a job and thanked me for listening to all his worries, for the laughs we’d had, and for bringing him to places like Galloway which he said would “never be on his radar” of things to do but which he totally loves now. There are golden moments in youth work and this was one; Ben distilled down to its essence our approach to youth work and why we do it in this seemingly simple exchange which sums up the Glow project perfectly.


Youth WorkWhat we set out to do this year with our youth work What we actually did Who made it happen?Our Year in Numbers

What was the impact?

The aims set for youth work at Crossroads 50 years ago are still as relevant 2018 as they were in 1968; testament to their cogency and worth! Our aims are:

a) To make room for young people to shine, where they can discover themselves and something of their own aims and purpose and can enjoy just being themselves

b) Young people will learn new skills, be involved with community, learn to analyse their own situation and solve their own problems and experience moments of unconditional joy!

Two overlapping projects formed the mainstay of our youth work in 2018 – Fairer Food Project & GLOW Project

The Fairer Food Project set out to address the immediate need of food poverty in our

area with the aim of retaining dignity for those affected by it

GLOW set out to support the development of health & wellbeing

and raise attainment levels for young folk living in Gorbals

Youth work

Lowland Leader and Hill & Moorland Leader trained

Outdoor First Aid

Paddle sport instructor

Duke of Edinburgh – Assessor, Expedition

Supervisor, Centre Co-ordinator

John Muir Awards delivery centre

Seasons for Growth Companions (loss or bereavement)

Training the Trainer (teaching & Learning Techniques)

192 registered young people attending regularly

198 centre-based session delivered

7000 individual meals served

Hosted 2-day Community Science Event in partnership with Glasgow Science Festival and Caledonian University

6 weeks summer project including 12 trips and 3 community events

22 participants in our Duke of Edinburgh Awards Bronze & Silver level

85 young people in total accessed one or more residential experience to places like Isle of Mull, Ardvullin (west Highlands), Ayrshire coast, Galloway Forest.

35 young people and their families received ‘Christmas in a bag’

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What we set out to do:Link Up – we use a model for community building which encourages local people to come together, build new relationships and start to address the challenges they face. Link Up supports local people doing things together and helping each other. The logic is that by doing this:

people build new trusting relationships;

people enhance their view of themselves and the community they live in;

individuals and communities are more resilient and have greater capacity to address the challenges they face; and

through this, the result is improved individual and community health and wellbeing.

What we actually did:Bandana Bake Sale

Walking Group

Allotments

Spirit Grants

Bonjour les Petit

Troon Trip

Sponsored Walk

Loch Lomond Trip

WEL Course

Community Gym

Network Night

Community Meals

Gorbals Gathering

Cooking Workshops

Friendship Group

Beading Class

Halloween Baking Community BBQ’s

Edinburgh Trip Haud the Bus

Pop Up shop

Mental Health Awareness Week

Shiatsu

Tea Dance

Link Up Visit

Vegetarian Week


I come to the barn to play football and pool, do art

and other stuff. (Boy 10)

I like the barn because you get to hang out with your friends and make new friends.

(Girl 8)

At the Barn the staff listen to what to what we want to do and help us do the things we are interested in, like learning

music and playing games.(Girl 12)

I come to The Barn because it’s a safe place and the staff are welcoming.

I have so much fun in the sessions. The Barn has given me so many opportunities and

are helping me get work experience. (Boy 14)

The barn is good because it stops me stressing out and

being depressed.(Girl 11)

I like it because there are different activities and something for everyone.

(Girl 10)

LINK UP – Community Work in Gorbals

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Who are we?Link Up Gorbals community workers - We are Katy and Hannah the Link Up, community development workers at The Barn. This year has been filled with new learning experiences, adventures and loads of laughter.

This year we have had many opportunities to build on past experience.

One good Adult

Organised and Led PartnershipNetwork Night

Link Up Portfolio Days

South Sector Suicide Safer CommunitiesForum

Paddle Sports Instructor

BA in Community Development Universal Credit Training

Development Away Trip 18 months as Link Up student in Possil

1 year as support worker with adults withlearning disabilities Social Work Student – Mentor Training

Gorbals Third Sector Forum Food Hygiene

Monthly Thriving Breakfast Non-violent Communication

ACEs Training

Recovering Connection-Recovery Network

10 years of Youth & Community experience

Case Study:Caroline’s StoryCaroline joined Link Up over two years ago before this she hid herself away after long term illness and lost all confidence. Caroline came to the Friendship Group and Community Gym as she has a passion for exercise and fitness. Over time Caroline began to attend The Barn regularly with an enthusiasm to support the ongoing work, as well as wanting to contribute to shape the fundraising. Her confidence grew helping to run community events and now she bakes on a weekly basis making a variety of scones and sweet treats which she sells to Link up groups and local people. All funds raised are donated to the ongoing work at The Barn, so far, she is currently fundraising to get curtains for the main hall in The Barn. Caroline has overcome many challenges in her life, but her determination is admirable, “I forget about my illness, pain and aches when I come here.” She is inspirational and just “mighty crack” to have in The Barn. Caroline has built great relationships with other community members and feels a real sense of belonging, “I’m not lonely here it’s like my second home.”

Our Year 2018 in numbers:1900 local people attended Community Events.

63 local people attended a trip to Troon.

200 new faces to Link Up.

335 miles completed in various trips in 2018.

150 Young people engaging in Link Up.

300 Individuals tried something new or went somewhere different.

Approx £1000 was raised through various fundraising events.

Learning lots of new songs and a new language that she would not have done without.

Bonjour les petit.

There is no pressure and no expectations. A more welcoming place

would be hard to find.Love the chats we have on our walks.

I learned how to make an angel keyring.

Fantastic company and great support.The Tea Dance was my

highlight of 2018.Meeting others helps

me bring out my creative skills.

The children’s play has changed since experiencing

the gardening at the allotments.

I got the chance to make soup, and it is dead

easy, that was my first time making it.

Just like my family, that’s what I see

them as.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | CELEBRATING YEARS OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK

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David Adams

Adventure Sailing Trust

BBC Children In Need

Big Lottery (Awards For All)

Big Noise

Bridging The Gap

Eddie Brown

Jim Cannon

Community Renewal

Caroline Crawford

Scott Crawford

Dixon Community

Kate Donne

Brenda Dunn

Fair Food Fund

Fare Share Glasgow & The West of ScotlandKevin Fawcett – Duke of Edinburgh

Feel Good Women’s Group

Foundation Scotland

Glasgow Children’s Holiday Scheme

Glasgow City Council

Gorbals Co-op

Gordan and Moira

Govanhill Baths

Govanhill Community Development Trust

Govanhill Free Church

Govanhill Law Centre

Douglas Halbert

Hopscotch

Inspiring Scotland

Iona Community – Camas

Mr & Mrs Long

Aimee Loudon

MacTaggarts

Andrew Magowan

MILK Cafe

Nicky Miller

New Gorbals Housing Association

NHS Health Improvement Team

Oatlands Gate Allotments

David O’Neill, Old Gorbals Pictures

Andrew Robertson

Christine Robertson

Robertson Trust

Scottish Children’s Charity

Scottish Government

Scottish Youth Hostel

SCVO

Shelter Scotland

Sonas Sensory

South East Integration Network

South Seeds

Southside Area Partnership

The Space

Sparks

Spirit of the Gorbals

Ann Stevenson

TASK

Toad’s Caravan

Trusthouse Charity Foundation

Urban Roots

Young Deciders

The Association has been effectively managed during the year and a special thanks to the Board and staff for their continued effort and dedication in retaining Crossroads’ position as a cost effective provider of youth and community work in the Gorbals and Govanhill areas of Glasgow.

Donations and Legacies £4,238Other Trading Activities £3,571Glasgow City Council £62,574Other Trusts & Grants £148,322Scottish Government £124,980

£343,685

Staff Costs £317,150Activities & Equipment £36,129Premises Costs £20,148Barn Refurbishments £75,499Governance Costs £16,673Running Costs £10,266

£475, 685

CLOSING BALANCE AT 31 MARCH 2018 -£9,769

FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD £68,866

FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD £59, 097

£42,042 Restricted £17,055 Unrestricted

Where our money comes from Where our money goes

ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | CELEBRATING YEARS OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK

Thanks To ….Finances

Registered Office:The Barn37 Abbotsford PlaceGorbalsGlasgow G5 9QST: 0141 429 3254E: [email protected]

Registered Scottish charity number SC006859

Annual Report created by Solemedia Business Services

Youth &CommunityAssociation

celebrating 50 years of youth and community work report 2018.pdf · to women in govanhill, thanks...

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