The Magazine of the Blue Triangle Housing Association Ltd.

3rd Floor, 100 Berkeley Street, Glasgow G3 7HU. Tel: 0141 221 8365

Autumn Edition

Issue No: 28

Blue

Print

Message from the Chief Executive:

Welcome to the latest edition of Blue Print, the magazine of Blue Triangle (Glasgow)

Housing Association Ltd

In this edition, we’ve got a whole lot of interesting information about what we are doing

with and for service users in our various projects across Scotland.

Blue Triangle Housing Association has now started (in a small way!) to start fundraising

for its services and service users. The projects have always had a tradition of fundraising at

a local level, but we’ve now taken that a step further by getting ourselves into the digital

age! Our website now has a MyDonate button on it (a free on-line donation service run by

BT) and all money donated through this helps service users. In the main, we try and help

service users with clothes (some service users have nothing suitable to wear to interviews

or in the case of bad weather), or training courses to help them get jobs.

We’re very happy to report that the Hilton Glasgow have “adopted” us as a charity this

year and are currently doing a range of things such as painting one of our projects living

rooms to brighten the place up and they have plans to cycle from John O’Groats to Lands’

End in 24 hours! We have to say, from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate the Hilton

for doing all this for us. The money they raise will directly help vulnerable young people

get some respite from homelessness.

Our big (long term) aim is to raise money so that we can equip our projects with internet

access so they can search for jobs on line. But this is a long term aim given it will require a

lot of resources, but this will make life so much better for the service users in our projects!

But that is one of the aspirations we have through fundraising or other measures.

We’ve also got ourselves a twitter account and we’ve tweeted about a range of things to do

with our services and also about our concerns over Government policy such as Welfare

Reform. So if you want to hear what’s going on on a regular basis then you will find us at

BlueT13.

Well, that’s all for this time and I hope that you enjoy reading our magazine whether you

are a service user or someone interested in our work

Fiona Stringfellow

Sept 2012

Page 1

5K RUN 2012

My name is Emma I am 19 years old I live in blue triangle Shettleston road I

have lived here from April 2012 I am enjoying my stay here everyone is so

helpful and the other 7 service users I live with are really nice.

We recently done a 5k run down in tollcross park Glasgow we left at about

9am there were 8 of us that done it 6 service users and 2 staff. There were

lots of people there all happy and cheerful. We started from tollcross park

through parkhead into London road then back to the park were we got our

medals it was really exhausting and tiring but we all got through it. It took

me 45mins to walk it as I could not run it as I am expecting a baby. When we

came home the other staff had made us a

curry and loads of sweets and crisps and juice

it was lovely.

Emma Convery

Shettleston Project

The Tollcross 5k

A group of the service users from the BT in Shettleston ran the 5K. I felt pleased that

I did it because I’ve never run 5K before. There were lots of stalls for activities and

selling stuff as well as a school orchestra and lots of people watching and cheering.

Jim and Paul from the staff ran it too but I couldn’t see them over my shoulder. I did

it in 22 minutes and we all got a medal at the end. When we got back to the project

Germana and Marie had made a big home made pot of curry and it was awesome.

Anonymous

Shettleston

Page 2

Queens Jubilee Celebrations 03/06/12

Bruce court Paisley

Housing support staff at Paisley Jo, James and Louise

celebrated the Queens Jubilee with service users John,

Michaela, Dillon and Kayleigh. A light lunch was put

on and enjoyed while watching the celebration occur

on T.V. Later on a game of bingo was enjoyed by both service users and staff. Many good

prizes were won.

Dillon entertaining the staff and service users by playing music on

his chanter. Dillon has played the bagpipes at Edinburgh Castle

and participates in championship competitions for the Army

Cadet Force.

The service users at the Paisley Project were all

winners at the prize bingo. Here they are waiting

patiently to receive their prizes.

A big Thanks to Housing support worker Gus Hamilton for

all his hard work in decorating the office. Service users

especially enjoyed reading the Queens timeline that Gus set

around the office.

Page 3

Olympic Torch Ceremony

Service Users Paul & William from Sauchiehall

Street with staff members Graham & David

pose for pictures with one of the official torch

bearers.

Sauchiehall Street

To celebrate the Queens Jubilee we had a ‘street party’ inside the project, we decorated the

recreation room with union flags and prepared a buffet. Staff and service users gathered to

watch the festivities on TV and to listen to the Queen’s speech, staff printed out the lyrics

for the national anthem and after the Queens Speech we all stood up and sang, everyone

reported that they had a great time, it was good to see the mix of culture, race and religion

coming together and enjoying a real piece of British history in the making.

Sauchiehall Street

Page 4

Street Party

VIEWPARK SERVICE USERS TO THE

RESCUE!!!!

In July one of our Nursing students car got stuck in the mud due to our lovely

Scottish weather but it didn’t take long for the service users and staff aka

Jim Potter to get on the case and pull her car to safety. The service users

demonstrated grit, determination and a willingness to help others. A big well

done to all who helped.

Viewpark

Page 5

Viewpark Project Christmas

Card Competition and Lunch

Friday 31st August 2012

Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Christmas!!!! The Viewpark

project decided to get in the festive spirit a

few months early. The service users and

staff did a fantastic job creating their

Christmas cards and poems for the

Christmas card competition, so in order to

celebrate this we had a delicious Christmas

lunch with all the trimmings.

We also celebrated Steven Mitchell’s

(project worker) birthday with a cake and

candles. Can anyone guess his age? He He

We would like to thank staff and service

users for their participation and enthusiasm

and also thank Sandra’s mum Joyce for

supplying the lovely table decorations.

Viewpark

Page 6

WORLD BUFFET

Staff and young people went to the World Buffet restaurant on Sauchiehall Street with the

money we raised from the open day. There were quite a lot of us who went, 9 all together.

The service was brilliant, that’s why Marie left a huge tip . The food was good

especially the macaroni cheese. The atmosphere was great and the conversation flowing, it

was quite busy in the restaurant for lunch time, we all had a good time.

Somerset Place

Page 7

5 a side Football

On 4.9.12 service users from our projects in Hamilton and Viewpark contested a 5 a side

match in Bellshill. This was arranged by Ed and Steven and attended by 10 service users

from both projects.

The game itself was a very closely fought contest until both Steven and Ed wilted with

age. This must be put down to the size of the park seeing as it was a seven a side park

and there was only 10 of us.

All the young guys from Hamilton contributed really well, Darren displayed dazzling

wing craft which managed to bamboozle his opponents, and himself from time to time .

Joni was outstanding, ran tirelessly scoring many of his teams goals and tackling strongly

throughout the game .

The final whistle could not come quick enough for the oldies , however all the young guys

enjoyed the day and are keen to make this a regular occurrence.

Well done guys …. Though next time I will need a months notice before committing

Ed Morrison ……….. Hamilton

Page 8

LOVE ME & LET ME FLY

Amongst the cabbages

I dwell alone

Down on the cold land

That I call my home.

Be careful where you tread now

Security is amongst the vegetable bed

Survival is my desire

My fragility is sacred.

My inner beauty is hidden

Suppressed within my skin

The need for freedom causes me pain

My wings are creased and paper thin.

There are flowers blooming all around

The days pass by without me

Warm yellow sunshine beating down

Inside I grow stronger and will be.

I’ll still be fragile and easily hurt

But my wings will spread not shy

Don’t hold me back; just believe in me

Love me and let me fly

Nikki Weston

Shore Street Flats

Page 9

Mohammad Mohammad – Service user at Holland Street Project

Hello , My name is Mohammad and I live in the Holland Street project. I have lived in the project since

September 2011 after travelling to Scotland from my home country of Sudan.

I really enjoy living in Glasgow , meeting new people and learning about the Scottish culture. Since

living in Holland street I have made many new friends and with the support of the staff team I have

become involved in voluntary work run by the Destiny church. I have been volunteering for the last 7

months at the Destiny centre in Shawlands, helping out at the parent & toddler group. I have made so

many new friends and the church has been a great support to me settling into life in Glasgow. Destiny

church also offers services to all refugees , along with free English classes which I have become involved

in. My voluntary work has given me the chance to meet new people each day and practise my language

skills.

Thanks to the staff at Holland street and the other service users , along with the Destiny church they have

help me settle in and have a happy life in Glasgow.

Mohammad Mohammad

Holland Street

My Experience of the Blue Triangle

The Blue Triangle, Lanark is an amazing place to stay. The staff are kind and helpful when you

need them, day or night. The staff help with many different things.

First time walking in through the front door was scary because I was told good and bad stories

about being here.

Being surrounded by so many good people and staff is great in your time of need. The staff

here are always around.

Making mates is good when you are not talking to folk like friends or family.

There is a drop in session every Thursday night where people who live here or have left get to

come in and see each other and have a chat, there is a different activity every week, week 1

was games night which was funny, week 2 was Naloxone and overdose training, week 3 was

the service users meeting.

Hope you enjoyed reading this story.

Anonymous

Lanark Page 10

My Experience with Blue Triangle, Lanark

My experience with Blue Triangle Lanark was daunting at first, I was worried, nervous

and didn’t know what I had put myself into but after I had met my Support Worker and

some other workers they talked me through the process of the transition and how to pay

bills etc.

The staff at Blue Triangle Lanark are always approachable and are always there for you to

talk to or ask questions.

I’m now in my own tenancy and pleased with it, I just need to keep on top of my

housework. It’s important to keep on top of things because if you don’t you will just let it

go. I really enjoy being in my own tenancy, its good because you have your own space

and can do what you like. I have no parties, just a few friends round because it’s good to

have a good relationship with your neighbours.

Anyone getting their own tenancy should

-pay bills on time

-keep washing/housework up to date

-keep yourself busy, meet new folk, see friends etc

Craig Allan, Lanark

Young Persons Success Story

I became homeless due to being evicted from my council house.

I was very lucky to get a room in the Blue Triangle, Lanark.

I enjoyed my stay in the whole environment; I kept myself very busy by doing some

drawings and paintings.

I also enjoyed the Thursday night drop in, doing all sorts of things and meeting plenty of

people.

I was in the Triangle for about 6 months then into a scatter flat for about 6 months.

I have now moved into my own flat, I’ve been there for about 9 months.

Stephen, Lanark

Page11

Lanark’s Garden

This is the area behind our project that was derelict for many

years. The local council gave us permission to use it to make a

garden for everyone to use.

David and Jerry in the ‘Before’ Picture’

The Guys worked really hard to make foundations for the new fence!

And the girls kept them all topped up with tea and sandwiches!

As you can see we’re not quite finished but we will keep you all informed.

Hopefully it will be completed for the summer and we can all relax with a well deserved

BBQ!!!

Lanark

Page 12

Congratulations to Ryan Ward

Somerset Place

Location, Location, Location

The front cover shows places and events mentioned in this edition of

the Blue Print. Write their names & the page numbers of the articles

below and send this page into the Blue Print Team for your chance to

win.

Edinburgh, pg 9-10

China Buffet King, pg 10

Riverside Museum, pg 11

Irn Bru Carnival, pg 5

Glasgow Climbing Centre, pg 6

Page 13

To enter our Spot the Difference competition, find the six differences in these two pictures

of our Blue Print editorial team. Correct entries will be put in a prize draw and one lucky

reader will win a £10 gift voucher for a store of their choice. Please submit entries to the

Blue Print Editorial Team, 150 Holland Street, Glasgow G2 4NG, or email

lharris@btha.org.uk by Friday 16th November 2012 GOOD LUCK

Page 14

This Month’s Beauty Tip

So, you’ve had a bit of a crap day. Benefits are a bit of a mess, your mum calls you to tell

you that she dropped your television and your umbrella broke leaving you soaking wet and

now, much to your dismay, the silly plastic Tesco bag has broke leaving you to struggle

further to bring your shopping in.

You look and feel like crap and you’re stressed!

Drama!

Now after all that you’re sat staring at a wall twiddling your thumbs and ready to scream

or cry, possibly both at the same time.

If you find you’re having a crap day here’s a little something that will help you feel a little

less crap.

All you need is one jar of honey and a handful of oats, oh and don’t forget the bowl. Mix

the honey and oats until you get a thick consistency, clean and wash your face and pop the

mixture on, creating a moisturising cheap face mask. After 10 to 20 minutes wash the

mixture off, or alternatively gently massage the mixture on as an exfoliator.

Enjoy!

(Remember don’t use if you have any allergies to the above ingredients, I take no

responsibilities for any reactions associated with said face mask)

Bethany Scott, Lanark