Friday 29 July 2011

BBC Three's 'Poor Kids' Documentary- highlights issues that With Kids tackle everyday


If you didn't get the chance to see 'Poor Kids' on BBC 3 the other night, we would urge you to do so as it covers and highlights one of the main issues we are faced with at With Kids

The BBC3 documentary depicted the issues of poverty through the eyes of three young children. Eight-year-old Courtney, 10-year-old Paige and 11-year-old Sam, all of whom are living in different parts of the country, however, what they have in common is that they all have similar lives and similar living conditions. 

The kids honest and frank take on their situations reflect the stories of some of the 3.5 million children living in poverty in the UK. This statistic, according to the BBC, is one of the worst child poverty rates in the industrialised world.

One of the three children featured in the documentary was 10-year-old Paige, who, for most of her life has been in a damp infested flat in one of Glasgow’s tower blocks in the Gorbals. Although the tower blocks have since been demolished and Paige has been re-housed to Drumchapel, the issues she faced on a daily basis, whilst living in her damp, mould infested flat in the Gorbals, are familiar to us at 'With Kids'. We work with vulnerable kids and their families in the East end of Glasgow, who are all affected by poverty and the knock on effects that are related with poverty. Our work is based on a preventative approach that involves early intervention, working with children and families in the East End of Glasgow. Central to this work are the core concepts of building self esteem and the desire to “skill up” children and crucially also the carers of children. 

Take a look at one of our videos from our blog. This video highlights the story of Robert Carlyle's early life. One of With Kids ambassadors, Robert was born and brought up in a one-parent family in the East End of Glasgow and was faced with the similar poverty issues that the three kids of 'Poor Kids' were faced with.



There has been a huge response from the public regarding this documentary, that was originally aired in June. According to director Jezza Newman's blog 'the number of your comments has set a record on the TV blog'.  The feedback and general desire from those who have commented on Jezzas blog want to help relieve the issues of poverty and the makers of the documentary, True Vision, highlight ways to do so. There is also despair from those comments in that they are appalled that the level of poverty is so high in this day and age. However, we at With Kids continually work with people effected with poverty in the East End of Glasgow and are thankful for documentaries such Poor Kids, for highlighting the seriousness of the issues. Please visit our website, blog or facebook page to find out more about we do.


We would love to hear your thought and also would urge you to watch the documentary. Please let us know what your opinions are or even if you have any questions for us and what we do at With Kids. Visit our facebook page to share your views and find out more.

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Thursday 28 July 2011

Elaine C. Smith - With Kids Links families of the East End together..


In this final part of two videos, Elaine talks passionately about the East End, and how it is home to very creative, talented and successful public figures. She then goes on to give us her advice to the kids if they want to achieve their goals. Work hard, be creative and be involved.

As the interviews goes on, Elaine talks about how there wasn't an organisation like With Kids when she was growing up, and how they could have benefited many of the families in Glasgow's East End. Towards the end of the interview we begin to discuss how With Kids Links families of the East End together, and their is a strong sense of community there.

Finally Elaine finishes off by talking about how the scottish people never let you forget where you came from, and how important it is to remember where you came from, but for Elaine, it would take a lot more to make her forget where she was born and raised, as she still lives in the East End today.


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Tuesday 26 July 2011

Scotland's Future Flame Hero donates to With Kids..


Ross Morrison, 18 from Ayrshire, a future Flame Ambassador for the Olympic Torch has kindly donated some limited edition Olympic pins and basketballs to With Kids. We wish him all the very best for his basketball career and would like to thank him for his very generous donation.

Ross was recently featured in an article in the Cumnock Chroncile discussing how he became selected to becoming Scotland's Future Flame hero. Here is the the article..

Basketball star Ross Morrison named Scotland's Future Flame hero

AUCHINLECK basketball player Ross Morrison is hoping to carry the Olympic torch when the Games arrive in London in 2012.

The 17-year-old has been named Scotland's Future Flame hero and will spend the next year preparing for ceremonial Olympic Torch relay - the only Scot in 10 athletes chosen by London 2012 sponsors Coca Cola.

The organisers are looking for deserving young sportspeople to join in the marathon procession and believe Ross is one of their shining examples.

The Cumnock Chronicle's Andy Devlin and Alan Potts met up with Ross in Auchinleck Academy PE hall and got some basketball tips.



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Thursday 21 July 2011

Elaine C. Smith - Early intervention is essential to the children..

We are delighted to announce that Elaine C. Smith has agreed to come on board as a With Kids Ambassador.

Like many of our other ambassadors, Elaine was born and raised in the East End of Glasgow, and no matter how successful she has been in her career, she has never forgot where she came from and still calls Glasgow's east end home.

In this part one of two videos, Elaine explains how she admires the work that With Kids do, with not only supporting the kids in poverty stricken areas, but helping the Parents also. Elaine then talks about how she loves living in the east end, as it keeps her down to earth and keeps her aware that there are still people who are living in abject poverty.

Although Elaine admitted the east end is not the easiest place to live, that's what she loves about it, and the fact that her own children are growing up aware of their surroundings and know that there are less fortunate than them.



Elaine then goes on to talk about how the East End never had an organisation like With Kids when she was growing up, how their services could have changed many families' lives and how With Kids' early intervention is essential to the children of the East End. 

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Tuesday 19 July 2011

What's on at With Kids..


At With Kids, we have a variety of groups, workshops and
events that you can join in with, some of which can be seen below. We are constantly changing our programme so why not give us a call to see what's happening this month. Or if you've got an idea for a group or workshop then please contact us. These groups and classes are not just for the kids, there are different events where parents can attend, have fun and learn just as much as the kids can.

Feel free to join us on one of our Cinema Nights, these consist hotdogs, popcorn, sweets and juice for all the family. So you can snuggle up with your loved ones and watch a movie.

We currently have a number of therapists working in schools and nurseries in the East End of Glasgow. The therapists work on a one to one basis or in group sessions and can be referred to by the child themselves or by a parent, carer or teacher.

As promised we host regular Cookery Classes for Parents. Run by an experienced catering chef from our premises in Annfield Place. Classes include basic to more advanced recipes.

During the summer holidays we run a range of activities for kids and families. As well as arts, crafts, games and barbeques, we also have trips in and around Glasgow and to further afield like Millport and Loch Lomond. We've been cycling, pony trekking and visited loads of interesting places.

If you would like to be involved in any of the classes/workshops, or have any ideas of your own that you would like to suggest, then please do not hesitate to contact us.


We have more activities on, and as we said before, we are constantly updating our programme, you can find a list of what's happening in the Groups and Classes section of the website.

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Friday 8 July 2011

With Kids gives children a voice...


Jim Lambie discusses his strong belief that if kids are encouraged to believe in themselves and allow themselves to be educated then they will be able to go out into the world and do something for themselves.

In the last of our video series, With Kids Ambassador, Jim Lambie, speaks to With Kids about his journey from an art student at Glasgow School of Art to becoming a world renowned Contemporary Artist. Part 1 & 2 of our video series discusses Jim's early life experiences growing up in a deprived area of the East End of Glasgow. Although Jim admits he had no 'masterplan' he found that in his early career there was a lack of Art Exhibitions in and around Scotland, so rather than waiting, Jim created his own opportunities by producing his own art exhibitions. In this video below, Jim chats about his entrepreneurial spirit that drove him to his success and the source of that spirit being rooted in where he came from.


We are delighted to have Jim as one of 'With Kids' Ambassadors as he acts as a great role model for the kids we work with in deprived areas of Glasgow's East End. Like he mentions in the video, 'With Kids' gives children a voice. We also agree that by encouraging kids to believe in themselves and look forward to education it will allow them to grow and make their lives the way they want their lives to be.

Keep following the With Kids Blog, Facebook Page and Twitter, for part three of this interview, and regular updates on what With Kids is up to.

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Tuesday 5 July 2011

Jim Lambie reinvents himself driven by a want to 'add to the world'


'With Kids' Ambassador, Jim Lambie chats to us about reinventing himself.

In the second of our three part series, Jim discusses his move from the East End of Glasgow to the Glasgow's City Centre when he was 19 years old and his love for music and art being the driving force for him to reinvent himself in the world.

In the video below he talks openly about wanting to add something to the world rather than take away from it. His inspiration didn't come directly from any particular artists, however, his love for art magazines and books that he read on tour during his time in small indie bands, made him realise that if he could 'play with crayons for the rest of his life then he would be happy.'

He believes that education is everything. Although the views from those who he grew up with his in the East End of Glasgow were that being involved and interested in art meant that 'you had fancy ideas about yourself', Jim was not deterred or put off in applying for Art School. The fact that he did not give up after being rejected by Glasgow School of Art the first time, is inspirational to kids today, as it shows that if you believe in yourself enough you should keep following your dreams.



We are delighted to have Jim, who is now a successful contemporary artists, as one of 'With Kids' ambassadors as he is a true inspiration to everyone, particularly those who we work with at 'With Kids'.

Keep following the With Kids Blog, Facebook Page and Twitter, for part three of this interview, and regular updates on what With Kids is up to.

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