Well known British actor Joe McGann spoke to The Hour last year about his involvement in the Phoenix project, which aims to rejuvenate and rebuild Glasgow’s run-down Easterhouse area and give the place a much-needed boost. “Initially much of the help we were getting was from out with Scotland from people such as Joe McGann, Karin Leitner and David Sye. The good thing about it is that locally, I am getting support now.”
Flautist Karin Leitner is fully behind the Phoenix project and she thinks that Richard has done a great thing for the Easterhouse community. She said: “What Richard is doing is just so inspiring and I felt like I wanted to be part of it. It’s amazing that one person can make such a difference. With my music, it doesn’t matter if I play for 50 or I play for five thousand, as long as I feel I can reach someone and I can make a difference. The people are what matter to me really” The Phoenix project puts on regular tea dances for the pensioners of Easterhouse and has asked the council for a piece of land so that trees can be planted. Scottish Squash are in the process of installing a racketball court in the Phoenix Centre, and one of Richard’s main priorities is to re-open the local library as quickly as possible to try and bring people together: “I’m overwhelmed by the support and it’s amazing to see,” he said. “Local people are giving support now and we’ve all come together from all walks of life to help the people of Easterhouse.”
Phoenix United The club was literally formed by picking boys up of the street. After Richard had a conversation with a couple of boys who told him that there were no football clubs in Easterhouse (unlike in Richard’s day when there 100+), Richard asked the boys to give him 16 names and he would see what he could do. The following day Richard was presented with 20 boy’s names and Phoenix United was born. 24 youths under the age of seventeen were involved in training and football matches in the 2009 – 2010 season. Many young people in the community across all ages have asked to be involved with Phoenix, due to lack of resources at present this is not possible. The aim is to develop the club as a facility for all ages. Currently Phoenix has an under 19’s team which is registered to play in the 2010 – 2011 GADYFL.
Bartara (Blairtummock and Rogerfield Tenants and Residents Association) Bartara was set up to bring local people together to deal with local issues. Bartara gives people a platform to share their experiences living in the areas of Blairtummock and Rogerfield and the power to determine their own future, facing the everyday reality of life in Easterhouse and the challenges that this entails. Bartara aims to work with all local service providers, resolving difficulties and highlighting concerns. Bartara holds monthly meetings to which all local residents, tenants, councillors and service providers are invited.
Next steps Phoenix has received many enquiries concerning setting up a wide range of activities within the community but at this time this is impossible due to lack of facilities and resources. The aim of Phoenix is to consolidate the work done so far and to find a base to house all its current activities and develop others as required. We are currently negotiating with the property department of Glasgow City Council to procure the old Shandwick Library which is currently lying vacant. This would be a temporary home until a purpose built facility can be built.
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