News 11


Alex Adrain, of GHA’s Community Improvement Partnership (CIP), on dealing with hate crime


Help put a stop


to hate crime HAVE you or someone you know been affected by hate crime? A hate crime is when someone commits a crime against you because of your race, gender, sexuality, religion or disability. Whether it’s being shouted at,


It’s football Charlie... but not as we know it


T


HEY may not be Kenny Dalglish or Davie Cooper but tenants are getting a real kick out of walking football.


The slower-paced walking football gives people the chance to play the game but reduces the risk of injury. And while there aren’t many slide


tackles or diving headers – and more laughing than arguing with the ref – it’s proving a big hit. Young and old, big and small, male and


female – walking football is for everyone. GHA’s partners in Wheatley Group,


Loretto Care, have organised twice-weekly walking football sessions – and want as many people as possible to get involved. You don’t need any previous skills or experience – just a willingness to get out and about, meet new people and have a bit of fun. GHA tenant Andy Balmer, 67, from


Pollok, said: “I’d never played football in my life but this is great fun. It helps keep you fit and it’s a good way of meeting people. I’m asthmatic, but it doesn’t stop


me. You get good comradeship and a good laugh.” Jim Cotter, 72, also from Pollok, added: “I get great enjoyment out of it. I had arthritis in my knees and the walking football has been really good for it – I have no pain at all. “It’s great fun and you get to meet other people.”


“It helps keep you fit and it’s a good way of meeting people”


Loretto Care run walking football sessions every week at Darnley Community Centre, Glen Livet Place, on Mondays, from 1-3pm; and at the YMCA in Tollcross Road on Thursdays from 1-3pm. They’re keen to set up regular competitions – and even a league. For more details, phone Louise on 274 8664.


GHA plans to refurbish historic Bell Street stables


GHA is to refurbish a former stable block in the city centre and turn it into flats.


The plans will breathe new life into the Bell Street Stables in the Merchant City.


GHA’s plans will create 52 flats for mid-market


rent, managed by Lowther Homes, GHA’s partner in Wheatley Group. Homes for mid-market


rent are for people on lower or modest incomes, who might struggle to afford private rents or to buy a place. If you are interested,


threatened, physically assaulted, your property damaged or financial abuse – being targeted because you’re different is wrong. The motivation of the perpetrator is the key factor in defining a hate crime. It’s likely you are a victim of a hate crime if you believe someone has targeted you because of their prejudice against an aspect of your identity. If you experience or witness an incident that you believe to be motivated by prejudice, please report it to the police. No matter how trivial you may think it is, Police Scotland will take your complaint seriously. You can report a non- emergency incident to the police by calling 101 or by visiting your local police station. In an emergency, always contact 999. Some victims or witnesses of


hate crime are reluctant to report incidents to the police. A system called ‘third party


reporting’ has been introduced to help break down the barriers that stop people coming forward. Third party reporting means


you can report a hate crime to the police, without doing so in person, through a third party reporting centre. Third party reporting centres are


safe environments where staff are fully trained to help victims and witnesses in submitting a report to the police around hate crime. They can do this on your behalf.


All GHA local housing offices


email info@lowtherhomes. com or call 0800 561 6666.


are third party reporting centres and will support you through this process if you believe a hate crime has been committed. To find out more, visit www.hatecrimescotland.org


theKEY - www.gha.org.uk


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