Thanks to all who a attended a very vibrant and positive first meeting. Below are listed some of the points raised:
Common Themes for Creation of a Glasgow Social Centre
· There is a need for more of a community space
· Time is right for emergence of a centre
· Focus on support in these times of (economic, environmental and social) crisis
· Encouraging co-operation
· Empowering people and empowering communities
· A platform for positive change
· A balance between a strong vision but continuously being open to new people and new potentials
· Activists from different backgrounds and organisations
· Focus on what Glasgow has to offer
· Focus on structures and processes
· How can people and communities take back control through social centre
· Having a space nonetheless; looking at the councils plans and others
· Involving other groups- diversify
· A Place for Action
Key Questions
1. What is such a space is for?
2. Are we recreating the wheel?
3. Lessons to be learnt
4. Obstacles and possibilities
5. Outreach to other groups
6. Creating a vision
A space for:
EDUCATION
· Library
· Roots to sustainability
· Exchange of ideas
· Education focus- on transition from peak oil to sustainability and supporting green jobs
· Relationship between business and social centre
· A convergence centre for the 2014 commonwealth games
· Focal point for minds and skills
· Eco-social centre
· Talks and lectures
· Film screenings
COMMUNITY
· An interactive space
· Supporting asylum rights
· Involve food
· Drop in space
· Roots to sustainability
· Rebuild fabric of community
· Create a space to break alienation
· Disperse around city into local communities
· Contacting new groups
· Support a transition model for Glasgow of environmental and social justice
· There is a need for more of a community space
· Time is right for emergence of a centre
· A soup kitchen
· Focus on support in these times of (economic, environmental and social) crisis
· Non sectarian
· Non party political
· A safe space
· Encouraging co-operation
· Setting up as a coop
· Cafe/ gallery
· Swop shop
· Activists from different backgrounds and organisations
EMPOWERMENT
· Exchange of ideas
· Unemployed workers centre
· Focus on support in these times of (economic, environmental and social) crisis
· Non sectarian
· Non party political
· Empowering people and empowering communities
· A platform for positive change
· A balance between a strong vision but continuously being open to new people and new potentials
ACTION
· An interactive space
· Planning projects
· Supporting asylum rights
· A convergence centre for the 2014 commonwealth games
· Anti gentrification
· Bike recycling workshop
· Eco Social Centre
· Film screenings
Issues for consideration:
· Location?
· Creation of a website
· What timeframe are we working in?
· Other social spaces e.g. Dublin, Bradford, Galway, The Forest Cafe, Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, The Melting Pot, Previous Glasgow social centres