Get together, make a difference on International Women’s Day

I am writing to invite you to this year’s International Women’s Day event which takes place next Tuesday (8 March) in Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North. We have decided to combine this year’s event with our third Getting Together Making a Difference event.

As you will see from the leaflet there will be films, poetry, music, stories, discussion and food – all the ingredients for a nice get together with friends and neighbours! We have organised a crèche for pre-school children to allow as many women as possible to take part. Please book a crèche place in advance as the crèche is likely to be very busy (tel 552 5700 or 551 1671).

Registration is at 10am in the reception area and we will be starting at 10.15 in room F34 upstairs. Lunch will be served at 1pm.

I would be grateful if you would forward the leaflet to any local women you know who might be interested in joining us.

PCHP_IWD_POSTER

Lynn McCabe (on behalf of the planning group)

Spirit of solidarity is strong following Glasgow Girls screening

Pupils from Craigroyston and Broughton High Schools were in the audience at North Edinburgh Arts on Thursday night for the first public screening of The Glasgow Girls in North Edinburgh (writes Lynn McCabe).

The film tells the true story of seven pupils from Drumchapel High School who, with the support of their teacher, set up a campaign after the police removed their friend Agnesa and her family from their home in the middle of the night. One of those Drumchapel pupils, Roza Salih, joined the discussion at North Edinburgh Arts.

Still wearing their pyjamas, the family was driven in the back of a van to Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre where they were detained awaiting deportation. Agnesa and her family were Romas and had come to Scotland to escape persecution in their homeland.

After the screening, Roza (below, right) explained how she and her friends were shocked when they discovered what had happened to their friend and that dawn raids, detention and deportation were the norm for failed asylum seekers.

The schoolfriends responded by putting together a petition demanding the safe return of Agnesa and her family. When the petition failed they took their campaign to the wider community who took part in candlelit vigils and peaceful demonstrations. The local community also took part in a look-out system to alert families about the imminent arrival of removal vans.

Agnesa and her family were eventually released, but the victory was bitter sweet as the girls realised they were unable to save everyone.

Roza talked about the impact the campaign had on her life and the pride she had in the local community of Drumchapel for getting behind their campaign and challenging the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers.

Members of the audience talked about North Edinburgh’s proud history of fighting racism through campaigns such as Muirhouse Anti-Racism Campaign and North Edinburgh Welcomes Refugees. It was pointed out that North Edinburgh was rising to the occasion again by collecting clothes, toiletries, tents and sleeping bags to help children and adults stranded in terrible conditions in refugee camps throughout Europe. Members of the Womens International Group (WIG) were overwhelmed at the generosity of local people who have handed in warm clothes, jackets, shoes, sleeping bags and toiletries for children and adults stranded in refugee camps across Europe (above).

Anna Hutchison (above, left), a member of the Women’s International Group, reported that more than 60 women from North Edinburgh have met twice in the last few months to discuss issues around asylum, immigration and racism and are working on ideas for building a more caring and supportive community. Their plans include:

§ Learning about the causes of immigration and exploring what causes people to flee their countries

§ Challenging the myths about asylum seekers and refugees being promoted by certain politicians and sections of the media

§ Developing ways of reaching isolated people and making them feel welcome in this community

§ Celebrating different cultures and highlighting the benefits of diversity

§ Building links and trust between different groups

A meeting to take forward these ideas will be organised at the beginning of November. Anyone wishing to get involved in this group should contact:

Lynn McCabe at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on 552 5700, email lynn.mccabe@ea.din.sch.uk

Julie Smith at North Edinburgh Timebank on north.timebank@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

More pictures:

Something inside so strong

Local women get together again to make a difference

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre-based Womens International Group (WIG) held a successful follow-up to their June ‘Getting Together, Making A Difference‘ event last month. Here’s the conference report:

Background

The first Getting Together Making a Difference event took place on 18 June 2015. A new exhibition created by the Women’s International Group was launched at the event. The exhibition celebrated the achievements of local women through the decades who individually and collectively have made a huge contribution to the community of North Edinburgh.

The event also included the screening of 2 short films on the theme of home created by a local women’s group from North Edinburgh and a group of women from Maryhill who were refugees and asylum seekers. Below is an extract of the comments made by participants during the discussion after the film:

Very strong films
All of us should work together to stop this kind of thing happening in this community (dawn raids, immigration vans driving around the area, people being sent back to dangerous situations)
We need to reach out to people and stand with them but there needs to be trust for this to happen
Together we have a big voice to change things
The film makes you realise how fortunate we are – many people have nothing – not even a home
It’s amazing to know that there are people out there who are prepared to help
it would be good to show publicly how much of what we hear is myths. There needs to be education for young and old about this.

The following decisions came out the meeting:

Organise a follow-up meeting
Screen the other Making it Home films
Screen the Glasgow Girls – shows people coming together to fight these issues
Challenge the myths
Publicise the Making it Home project

Aims of second Getting Together Making a Difference event

To raise awareness about the issues facing different groups within the community
To build links/solidarity between different groups
To develop ideas for tackling poverty and discrimination
To increase the involvement of different groups in all aspects of the community.

GETTING TOGETHER MAKING A DIFFERENCE

(SECOND EVENT)

Session 1: Home

Following the screening of the Making It Home films, participants were asked to pair up with another person to discuss what home meant to them. The following comments were made during the feedback session:

Home is:

Where you feel safe and secure
Where you can sleep safely and warm
Where your family is, whoever they are
Where you feel you belong
Where you have memories
Where you can be part of the community
Where you are valued and respected
A safe environment to bring up children
Where you can invite friends for gathering
My room
A place to sleep
Where’s there’s love
A bit of a hell hole
Where you learn things and hear different opinions
Where there’s fun and laughter
A place of protection where your needs are met.
Where you meet each other and are recognised by others
Where you don’t have to live in fear
Where you can be yourself without being judged
A place where people can learn from each other and politics doesn’t get in the way of relationships
A place where you share food and be with other people
Being part of a group / community.

It was pointed out by a number of participants that a lot of homes and communities aren’t safe and supportive and that this situation has a huge impact on people’s everyday lives.

We took time to reflect on the fact that ‘home’ is not a safe place for many people around the world at the moment. In Syria, for example, 11 million people have had to leave their homes and their communities over the last 4 years to escape war and persecution. Over 4 million of those displaced by the conflict have been forced to leave their homeland in search of a safer future in a different country. Sadly, many thousands of those seeking refuge have died on those treacherous journeys hundreds of miles from home.

Siobhan Glean, an inspirational black woman, who has made North Edinburgh her home, recited an extract from a powerful poem by Maya Angelou. The words were chosen because they resonate with the experience of refugees and asylum seekers facing hostility, racism and inhumane treatment in many parts of Europe today:

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

We were then led by the Timebank Temptations in a song which reflected support and compassion for our fellow humans caught up in the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War:

What is peace to you

We are calling compassion for all

Everybody has the right to a safe home.

Part 2: Getting Together. Making a Difference

We were inspired by a film made in 1993 by Muirhouse Anti-Racism Campaign. The film and the testimonies of those involved in the campaign highlighted the importance of showing solidarity with people who are being discriminated against and how much can be achieved when a few committed people join together.

We are reminded about the dangers of racism by the following quote by Willie Adams, one of the founder members of MARC:

“Most white people don’t understand that racism of this sort affects them as well. Quite apart from the fact that racism is wrong, they don’t see how easy it is for prejudice to divide the community. Racism is not a solution, it’s a way of distracting people’s attention from the real issues.”

Part 3: Where do we go from here?

Those present expressed their wish to build a stronger and more supportive community. The following suggestions were put forward with regard to how this might be achieved:

Action Points:

Challenge myths about immigration / refugees. Education is essential. We need to arm ourselves with the facts.

Use positive terminology/positive language when referring to people

Involve young people from various backgrounds in youth groups. There also needs to be more black and minority ethnic youth workers

Examine the causes of immigration what causes people to flee their countries

Come up with ways of reaching isolated people

Celebrate different cultures ie the international night being held in Granton Primary school

Build links and trust between different groups

Get involved in political campaigning

Establish a buddy system for people who are new to the area/ chum people to different activities

Establish a group to take these ideas forward.

Conclusion

It was agreed to organise a meeting in the next few weeks for people who are interested in forming a group to take forward these ideas.

Anna Hutchison who chaired the event then recited the following poem which she wrote in response to the plight of refugees around the world.

Hands Across the Water

Hands across the water

Hands beyond the seas

People living together

In perfect harmony

People helping others

Joining hands together

Sisters and brothers sharing, caring for you and me.

The event concluded on a high note with a song. The lyrics remind of us of our moral responsibility to stand up not only for our own rights but also for the rights of others.

‘Something Inside So Strong’ – Labi Siffre

The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The farther you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me
You can decide to turn your face away
No matter, cos there’s….

Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

The more you refuse to hear my voice
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time
You squander wealth that’s mine
My light will shine so brightly
It will blind you
Cos there’s …

Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just not good enough
When we know better
Just look ’em in the eyes and say
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway

Something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just good not enough
When we know better
Just look ’em in the eyes and say
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway

Because there’s something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

getting together 2 report

Celebrating our own ‘phenomenal women!

Getting together, Making A Difference exhibition opens

North Edinburgh’s Womens International Group launched their eagerly-anticipated Gettting Together, Making A Difference exhibition with song, speeches, films, discusssion and even a little poetry at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre today.

The exhibition highlights the work carried out by local women activists over the years to improve conditions for the people living in ourNorh Edinburgh communities.

The event was all about the importance of solidarity and community spirit, mutual support and the need to keep up the fight to save local services. It’s an argument that was eloquently made in the past by activists like Jenny Marrow, Evelyn Preston, Maureen MacMillan Gwen Crystal and Sandra Purnell -strong voices sadly no longer with us.

You get the impression, though, that the fighting spirit still burns just as brightly in the hearts of our current activists – both the young and the vastly experienced, all of whom packed Royston Wardieburn today. I’m sure Jenny, Evelyn, Maureen – all of them – would have loved this celebration.

Me? I was just proud to be an honorary woman for the day!

More pictures on our Facebook page!

PHENOMENAL WOMAN

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

MORE PICTURES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

Exhibition showcases the talents of our local women

North Edinburgh’s Women’s International Group invite you to their new exhibition which celebrates the many achievements of local women in this community.

The exhibition opens on Thursday at 10am in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre; there’s a free creche and lunch is provided too (please book creche place in advance to avoid disappointment).

For further information contact Lynn on 552 5700 or Rachel on 07891 525 663.

WIG POSTER 18 JUNE final

Getting together. Making a difference.

Council budget cuts: meeting at Royston Wardieburn next week

Womens International Group (WIG) are holding a follow up meeting from our 9 December one – the council budget Cuts will be announced soon.

The meeting will take place on:

Wednesday 14 January

at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre at 6-30pm.

We are hoping the local councillors will be in attendance to be able to answer questions regarding the cuts .

All welcome

Anna Hutchison (on behalf of WIG)

COUNCIL BUDGET NEWS:

It was announced this week that more than 1,200 council jobs could go over the next three years under proposals to plug the city’s £67m funding gap.

The council insists there will be no compulsory redundancies and said the planned ‘transformation of services’ was designed to make them more efficient and customer focused.

City council Finance Convener Cllr Alistair Rankin said: “Of course change on this scale brings challenges but we need to take decisive action now to meet our targets and create a stronger, leaner, more agile council to better serve the people of Edinburgh.”Among the proposals under consideration are offering more services online, having a neighbourhood approach for face-to-face services and cutting grants to the voluntary sector by as much as 10%.The latest restructuring proposals will be considered by the Finance and Resources committee on Thursday and consultation with staff and trade unions is also being planned.

See below for relevant Council reports:

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Item_8.1___Organise_to_Deliver___Next_Steps

WIG call public meeting to debate council budget crisis

Local campaigners the Womens Internation Group (WIG) are to hold a public meeting to discuss the city council’s budget crisis. The event will take place in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre tomorrow (Tuesday 9 December) at 6.30pm. All welcome.

Council Cancels Christmas flyers 4

Full details of the event will follow when we have them, but here’s some background to where we are and why the local meeting has been called:

Last week public spending watchdog the Accounts Commission expressed concern over Edinburgh’s budget control – the city council must find savings of of £138m by 2017.

The Accounts Commission said Edinburgh needs to develop a comprehensive strategy for managing its staff – and on Friday it was revealed that city councillors are to discuss radical new proposals for service provision at Thursday’s full council meeting.

The council’s last major internal reorganisation in the 2000s saw the creation of ‘super departments’ – Education and Social Work were merged to become Children and Families, while roads and pavements, environmental services, housing, refuse collection and trading standards all became part of the remit of a huge new Services for Communities department.

As well as delivering a ‘joined-up’ approach, those new structures were introduced to devolve more power and decision-making to front-line staff to address new community planning arrangements.

Now, following a comprehensive review and facing severe budget pressure, Chief Executive Sue Bruce has produced a new blueprint to restructure the Council’s operations and it’s thought that hundreds of middle manager posts could be under threat as part of the proposed reorganisation.

Councillors will debate the proposals on Thursday before they go out to consultation with unions – the council currently operates a policy of no compulsory redundancies.

Council Leader Councillor Andrew Burns said: “It’s essential that we transform how we deliver council services to an ever growing number of residents, focusing more on their priorities while addressing the significant financial challenges we face.

“A further report from the Chief Executive makes the case for delivering services through four ‘localities’, or neighbourhoods, giving front-line staff the ability to make decisions more suited to the local community and their particular needs. It also outlines a proposal for creating a ‘Business and Customer Services’ corporate centre which would provide the necessary guidance and support.

“Councillors will be asked to select one from three models outlined in the report, following which consultation with staff, Trades Unions and relevant partners will begin.”

Councillor Burns also urged citizens to have their say on Edinburgh’s budget. He said: “Over the past two months, we’ve been inviting views on how we invest and save money. The consultation has attracted significant attention, with over 1,400 people completing our budget planner online, and a further 300 submitting comments by post and email. This is already more than four times the number of responses we received last year.

“Last week, attention turned to our Question Time event, giving members of the public the opportunity to quiz our panel of senior councillors on the budget proposals that mattered to them. It was a lively debate with the Chair, Evening News editor Frank O’Donnell, taking contributions from the floor and from those watching at home. Archive footage of the event is available to view on our website.

“Please take the time to have your say on the proposals, if you haven’t already. The consultation period runs until 19 December, and we will consider all feedback prior to setting the final 2015/16 Budget in February.”

Key_Facts_and_Figures_2014_2015

Women: talking referendum at Royston Wardieburn

Join local women Women’s International Group at Royston Wardieburn this morning to talk about the referendum …

Cut the cost of Christmas at Give and Take Day

Try swapping, not buying this Christmas!

Give and Take Day

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Saturday 14^th December 10am – 1pm

North Edinburgh Timebank and the Women’s International Group are organising a big community swap day.

If you have clothes or toys you no longer need, bring them along and swap them for other ones.

Following the success of the Give and Take Day in the summer, we’re having another one! North Edinburgh Timebank’s Julie Smith said: “It’s a simple idea and really effective. It’s a way of local people supporting each other in a practical way. No-one has a lot of cash, this way we can all share things we have we don’t want, but might be of use to other folk.”

You turn up, hand over what you don’t want, get a ticket and you can exchange that for something you do want. Adult’s clothes, children’s clothes and toys – as long as they’re in good condition, bring them along.

There will be a bouncy castle, tombola stall and refreshments.

For more information, contact Julie on 07807002591.

WIG hail success of first health day

North Edinburgh’s Womens International Group are delighted with the success of last week’s Health Day – the first of it’s kind organised by the womens’ group based at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. Over forty women of all ages took part in a full day of events and activities in Royston Wardieburn – and while they may not all have gone home a lot healthier, they definitely went home happier!

From registration and refreshments at 10am it was a packed programme – Jane Jones gave a talk about ‘What Affects Our Health?’, there was Zumba and aerobics in the sports hall, pamper sessions and gentle exercise; all before lunch time!

A short presentation by local women got the afternoon activities underway, and this was followed by talk on Breast Awareness by Lynda Luke of the Breast Screening Service. Julie Smith gave a presentation on North Edinburgh Time Bank and Roberta Blaikie gave a brief contribution about North Edinburgh Credit Union. The final hour of the day was dedicated to social activities and fundraising for McMillan Cancer Trust in the cafe community room, with a nearly new stall and raffle.

Women’s International Group (WIG) said: ‘We would like to thank the following organisations for their support : Community Learning and Development, Royston Wardieburn Centre Management Committee, Pilton Health Project, North Edinburgh Arts, Telford College students, the Breast Screening Service, McMillan Cancer Trust, North Edinburgh Time Bank, North Edinburgh Credit Union and Stepping Stones. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals who have given up their time or who have contributed to the raffle or nearly new stall and the local businesses who have made donations.’

Thanks to Community Learning and Development worker Lynne McCabe for the following Health Day pictures: