When missed collections resulted in what became known as ‘The Great Bin Disaster of 2018’, one group of Govanhill residents decided to take matters into their own hands. A weekly clean-up group transformed the back court space, creating a communal area that has become a lifeline for many during lockdown.

by Govanhill-based writer, Emrys Mordin

If Govanhill was a colour, it would be a rainbow

Bright, bold, brilliant

Colours we never thought would go together

Dancing down the streets

Marion Moore turned 80 yesterday. In normal circumstances she would have been granted her wish of going out in a limo to celebrate her birthday in style. But lockdown put paid to those plans. So staff at Hector House care home in Shawlands decided to get creative and turned to the online community for ideas. They couldn’t have anticipated the reaction they would get.

The independent Queen’s Park Govanhill Parish Foodbank normally provides food parcels on a weekly basis. At the moment they’re opening once a fortnight on a Wednesday for donations and then the following day for collections. Keeping things running is a team of volunteers working alongside local organisations and fuelled by the good will of local people making donations.

“Some of my friends thought it was frivolous of me to be talking about making art in the face of a wave of deaths. But personally, I don’t have the capacity to set up a support network and there are other people already doing incredible things in that area. I just wanted to create a space where people exchange skills, ideas or support – and have something to get excited about.”

We know that many people are unable to go out to the shops at the moment, due to the need for self-isolating. Delivery slots for larger supermarkets are booked up weeks in advance. However, there a several options available from local businesses and wholesalers, many of which are offering next day delivery.