The new year brings a fresh urge to explore new activities, and the Southside has plenty to offer – from language classes at MILK to zine workshops at Glasgow Zine Library. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites – all sober, and either free or pay-what-you-can.

Plant Grow Share delivers donated produce by bike to food banks and community groups, tackling food insecurity and reducing waste across Glasgow's Southside. Now they are reaping the rewards of their efforts and tenacity.

The construction of a new flatted social housing development in Govanhill began this week with the ceremonial breaking of the ground, which is the first symbolic shovelling of dirt on the site to mark the occasion.

As part of the Celtic Connections festival, the Orchestral Qawwali Project graced the stage at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall, delivering an unforgettable evening of music. The audience was immersed in a captivating experience that fused traditional qawwali with Western influences.

In celebration of Robert Burns Day, we’re excited to share an Urdu translation of Auld Lang Syne, first translated over two decades ago by Glasgow-based Pakistani poet Rahat Zahid. Now, you can connect with this timeless song in a whole new way.

Meet Laura-Beth of From the Ground, performing at Celtic Connections, as she discusses blending Scottish traditions with global influences. Discover the band's message of nature, resilience, and unity, plus our guide to the must-see Celtic Connection gig lighting up Glasgow’s Southside.

As Donald Trump begins his second term, we heard from locally based Americans to understand their fears, frustrations, and the deeper reasons behind his re-election. From voter apathy to economic despair, this is a story of a broken system and the urgent need for solidarity across borders.

Greater Govanhill is one of five projects to receive funding from Research Data Scotland’s public engagement fund. It will enable Greater Govanhill to run data journalism skills classes for local community reporters.

2024 was a year of milestones for Greater Govanhill, marked by growth, innovation, and community. From expanding our team to hosting impactful events and winning awards, we’ve achieved so much together. Discover the highlights of our journey and take a chance to win £100 by sharing your feedback!

We spoke with members of the Southside’s creative and inclusive communities, who shared how local spaces like Glasgow Zine Library and Glasgow Sunflowers have fostered their sense of belonging.

Marzanna Antoniak shares her journey from feeling isolated as a new migrant in Scotland to finding belonging in Govanhill through volunteering, multilingual initiatives, and community connections, highlighting the power of inclusive spaces, and multilingual initiatives in fostering belonging and community.

Community sponsorship empowers citizens to help refugees rebuild their lives by providing housing, education, and healthcare support. Introduced in the UK in 2016, this initiative is part of a global movement reshaping narratives around asylum seekers. We spoke with Asia Hart-Eason from the Ibrox Community Sponsorship group to learn more.

We asked the newsroom team – veterans of Glasgow’s big, beautiful, and notoriously hard-to-heat tenement flats – for their top tips on staying warm in winter. We also reached out to our friends at South Seeds, who offer expert energy advice from their hub on Victoria Road.

In July 2024, people from the Roma community living in Govanhill were surveyed on their experiences with housing conditions and the local environment. The study found that basic human rights are not being supported when it comes to housing with the majority of those surveyed saying the conditions of their homes were poor.

Glaswegian poet and novelist, Shane Johnstone reflects on the ties between language and identity in Govanhill, tracing its evolution through Irish diaspora culture to today’s vibrant multilingual community. By exploring how migration shapes belonging while raising questions about preserving and celebrating the area’s rich linguistic diversity.

Sadia Sikander writes about the challenges she faces as a refugee in Scotland, from the emotional toll of societal hostility, systemic barriers, navigating unfamiliar systems and finding employment. Sikander also highlights the need to hold onto hope in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

Tenants often face challenges like unaddressed repairs, damp, and rent increases, compounded by a power imbalance with landlords. This article highlights how Living Rent supports renters through collective action and member defence sessions.

Balfour Reparations 2024-2044, a performance lecture by Farah Saleh, uses a mix of movement, spoken word, and participatory action to confront the UK’s colonial role in Palestine and explores our role in shaping a decolonial future.

Lottie Brand, from the South East Integration Network (SEIN) picks out a few volunteering opportunities to highlight the range of opportunities available at your organisations at your doorstep from Women on Wheels to Music Broth.

Unlike many European countries, Scotland lacks mandatory owners’ associations, leaving tenants and flat owners to navigate the complexities of retrofitting on their own. With legislative changes years away, the question remains, how can communities take action now to green-proof their homes for the future?