International Human Rights Day (December 10) has given a Castlemilk community sewing group the chance to promote understanding of some of the social issues facing local people.
Organised by Ardenglen Housing Association, Sew Fabulous teaches local people new skills in turning old fabric, that would otherwise end up in landfill, into new useful items which are then donated to local people.
To mark the day the group has made a banner for displaying in the local community hall.
Group member Kelly Campbell said:
‘When people talk about human rights they think about big wars like Ukraine and things like that they don’t think about their everyday lives. Where is the simple fact is it’s about simple things like having a safe roof over your head, access to food that’s affordable, and opportunities for lifelong learning.
‘Human rights affect everyone and everyone is entitled to them.’
One of the biggest issues in Castlemilk is lack of access to a supermarket - despite Scottish Government money being allocated to help secure one.
‘A lot of the community here is elderly so it make it harder for them, especially if they need a bigger shop it’s all local news agents so the prices are a lot higher,’ said Kelly.
‘Having to get a taxi to the nearest supermarket because the buses are so unreliable all adds to the cost of living in an area where people don’t have much to begin with.
‘We’ve been lobbying for a supermarket for some time and have got the backing of the Scottish Human Rights Commissioner, so we wanted to use Human Rights Day to keep the momentum going.’
‘Having access to affordable, fresh food is undoubtedly a human right and one that the 14,000 people of Castlemilk are being denied, despite promises from the authorities that one would be secured,’ she added.
Ardenglen manage around 1000 homes in the Castlemilk area.
ends
Picture shows: Sew fabulous display their Human Rights Banner in Ardenglen
_2021_06_22_16_27_08.png)
