Govan and Craigton Integration Network brings together public, voluntary and community organisations with local people to promote equal rights and opportunities. The members work together to coordinate services, and to build bonds and links within and between communities. Membership of the network is open to any individual or organisation that supports the aims and objectives.
The Tarfside Community Flat is a resource for all residents. Opened in June 2011 with the support of Glasgow Housing Association, the flat is now a vibrant and well-used venue. GCIN runs two drop-ins each week: on Mondays and Thursday, 11am - 2pm. People call in for conversation, arts and crafts activities, a free lunch, to use the computers or access information and advice, and to meet other people living in the area. There are all sorts of other activities at the flat, like English classes, Councillors' surgeries, community meetings and more.
Find the flat at Block 40, Flat 2, Tarfside Oval (map) or contact Emma for more information
Every Wednesday there is a drop-in at the Pearce Institute in central Govan. The drop-in has been running for 10 years, and is always a hub of activity. People come to meet friends and have a chat, take part in art activities, or for information, advice and support. We can help with job application forms, housing or benefits issues, reporting of crime, and lots more. It can be especially useful for people new to the area, to find out local information. There is always a free meal, and people with no financial support can pick up food parcels and bus tokens. The drop-in runs from 12:30 - 2:30pm. The Pearce Institute is at 840 Govan Road (map) near the underground. Contact Emma for more information
Since September 2011, a group of people from the GCIN drop-ins has been working together to devise forum theatre around the issues that many of them face. The aim is to develop pieces which can be shared in different settings and promote dialogue on some of the issues. Their first piece is ‘The Roundabout’ which explores the tedious and circular nature of being stuck in an asylum process in which access to services is limited and individuals have little control over their fate. The play follows a family as they struggle to navigate the bureaucracy, going round and round in circles and creating tensions between them along the way.. Read more
Govan & Craigton Integration Network, as part of its ongoing initiative to target hate crime in the area, will begin a series of community consultations on the issue in the Govan and Craigton area. These will involve a variety of groups working with different sections of the community, all of whom share the common goal of integration. In Govan, GCIN is a “Third Party Reporting” centre as is Govan Social Work on Ardlaw Street. They both act as the ‘middle man’ between victims of hate crime and the police.
The first of these community consultations is in partnership with Linthouse Housing Associations and will take place during refugee Week on Thursday 21st June from 10 -1 at the housing association offices. The meeting will be followed by a buffet lunch from the LUV Cafe.
If you would like further information please contact Paul@gcin.org.uk.
More and more people are being excluded from the social welfare safety net, finding themselves homeless and destitute with no access to housing, employment or benefits. Most are migrants, such as refugees who have been refused asylum, or unemployed people from Europe. Every Wednesday at the Pearce Institute drop-in, GCIN provides a hot meal and distributes food parcels to people who have no access to work or welfare benefits. If you would like to get involved in the destitution support wqork, we are always looking for volunteers. Contact Harry.
GCIN was one of the founding members in establishing the Glasgow Destitution Network, which works to coordinate food and assistance across the city.
GCIN helped to set up and provides support to the Govan New Residents Association - also known as ReGo - a Polish community group. ReGo meets twice a month and regularly puts on information events for the Polish community with speakers from council services, voluntary organisations, health and welfare groups, crime and justice and more. Over the past few years, ReGo has also built up a reputation for putting on some of the biggest and best Polish/Scottish community events in Glasgow, including the annual Andrzejki/St Andrews night party at the Pearce Institute. For more information, contact Angela.
The Central Govan GCIN Women’s Group for asylum seekers and refugees meets every Tuesday, 10am, at the Pearce Institute. Contact Angela for more information.
The Tarfside Women's Group is now combined with the Central Govan Group on a Tuesday morning. Everyone from Tarfside is welcome!
The Unity Women's Group has recently moved from Red Road, and now runs a drop-in at the Kinning Park Complex, every Monday from 12am to 5pm. Contact the group for more info.
We are now working with Cardonald College to deliver beginners English classes for speakers of other languages.
The classes are run at our Tarfside Community Flat every Wednesday morning. Contact Emma for more details, or to see if there are places available.
Govan and Craigton Integration Network. Pearce Institute, 840 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 3UU. Tel: 0141 445 3718
A Scottish Charity, SC042012, and a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee SC390721. Registered address: Block 40, Flat 2, Tarfside Oval, Glasgow G52 3AF
