Making Media with a Difference: Volunteer Views
By Clydesider Volunteers
– 5 min read
Patricia Laws
I have had the privilege of being involved in many varied and interesting opportunities, including Clydesiderʼs first multimedia Cost of Living project: ʻHelp, Hope and Know-how in WDʼ…undoubtedly one of my highlights.
We brainstormed local organisations to film, had lessons in filmmaking techniques, use of the equipment, and writing interviews. Finally, we practised interviewing each other and went out into the community to make the films.
This for me was terrifying at first as we had no experience of making films, but the interviewees were always the most engaging personalities, passionate about what they do and very humble about their achievements.
Harvey then edited our footage with great sensitivity and undeniable talent. I was very pleased with the final results, plus we got to team up with other volunteers and this itself brings so much as we bounce ideas off each other.
Clydesider has helped me personally to develop skills I didnʼt know I had, I thank Amanda and the team from the bottom of my heart.
Billy McGeechan
I would like to state that in the last 10 years of Clydesider I have been so impressed how it has invigorated the community of West Dunbartonshire.
From inviting people to air their otherwise hidden talent, and in a
lot of cases encouraging confidence in people to show their skills and innovative ideas to bring them into the public eye.
Whether it be poets or storytellers, authors or artists, Clydesider has brought these people to the fore in their community.
So, I take my hat off to all in the production of Clydesider and look forward to the next decade.
Janet Adeshiyan
Being a Clydesider volunteer for two years now has been such a rewarding journey.
It has given me the opportunity to give back to my community while also growing personally through new experiences, wonderful
outings, and meaningful connections. Meeting people from different communities, cultures and walks of life has broadened my perspective and created beautiful memories.
Iʼm truly grateful to be part of the Clydesider family and especially proud to celebrate this amazing 10-year milestone.
Steven Hastings
The task, write my favourite things about Clydesider in 100 words.
Not sure thatʼs enough! Iʼve enjoyed writing articles and creating my cartoon and puzzles. Filming and interviewing for Clydesider TV has been great,
Iʼve also appeared in a couple of films. Iʼve met lots of people and had new experiences.
One of my favourite things about Clydesider is our fortnightly volunteer meetings where we share ideas and have a wee laugh.
The Clydesider staff are very caring and disabled access is always thought about, from where we have our meetings to going on outings.
Clydesider gives local people a voice and highlights things you might never have heard of.
Jill Clark
I have only recently started volunteering, so instead of sharing memories, I would like to share how I got involved.
While studying journalism, I wanted to get some work experience. I heard about Clydesider through The Advisory Group and met Jenny for a chat.
I liked the sound of it and started volunteering.
I enjoy the volunteer meetings because everyone is so welcoming, and I love writing articles.
In the future, I hope to keep writing for the magazine and maybe get involved with Clydesider TV too.
A Lot Can Happen in a Decade
2016: Launch of Issue 1 with an evening of music, poetry and creativity
2017: Run youth media training for Y Sort-It - articles and photographs published in Issue 3.
Employ a p/t advertising rep and editor thanks to funding from Firstport.
2018: After much TLC to floors, walls and electrics, we move into our own premises, a tiny former rent office in Old Kilpatrick we lovingly dub the ʻHobbit Houseʼ
Weʼre one of 20 Scottish social enterprises chosen to join the School of Social Entrepreneurs Trade Up programme and one of eight European media organisations selected for the Engaged Journalism Accelerator
The National Lottery Community Fund gives our 3-year creative story-telling project the thumbs up.
2019: Host our first Creative Café event with a Community Marketplace, creative story-telling workshops, pay-what-you-can Cafe and Pop-up Newsroom
Engaged Journalism Accelerator takes us to Amsterdam, Birmingham, Berlin and Budapest to learn with community journalists from across the globe
Our Editor delivers a workshop to an Engaged Journalism Conference in Berlin, sharing our learning with journalists from Europe, USA and India. Two volunteers join us at the event and Gil Paterson MSP puts a motion to the Scottish Parliament congratulating Clydesider!
Host our Focus on Change Community Gathering exploring our local heritage, creativity and environment.
2020: Set up Community Response Network (CRN) to keep local organisations connected through the pandemic
Creative Cafes move online and we host a week-long virtual creativity and well-being festival.
2021: Co-ordinate WDʼs first Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival contributions
Our Creative Cafes head Out & About as Covid restrictions ease.
2022: Launch our 'Claim What's Yours' campaign to challenge stereotypes and stigma associated with poverty and raise awareness of local support
Our new Community Media & Creative Storytelling project begins. We deliver 6-week workshops so people under-represented in the media can share the stories that matter to them
Employ our first Modern Apprentice who creates our first ʻTake a Minuteʼ local heritage films.
2023: Our first Community Exhibition displays the creative work of over 50 people
Produce a year of Take a Minute films and continue our Heritage Network thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Involved in exciting new collaborations with the Scottish Beacon and the Queens Nursing Institute for Scotland.
2024: Our volunteers create a series of short films, leaflets and info-cards to highlight Cost of Living support in WD
Share Clydesiderʼs journey at the inaugural Scottish Indy News Week conference.
2025: Launch Clydesider TV YouTube channel and filmmaking with local volunteers
Start ʻIn Peace & Revolutionʼ multi-media heritage project celebrating community activism in WD
A new Heritage Lead, Community Media Lead and Community Media support worker join the team
First Clydesider Summer School with tasters in photography, film-making, podcasting, writing & interviewing.
2026: With our Heritage Network and volunteers we host WDʼs first Heritage Festival – 48 events over 31 days attended by 1,000 people -celebrate the areaʼs fascinating past
We have a digital overhaul and launch our lovely new website – www.clydesider.org
Start our volunteer-led community mental health and well-being multi-media project
Celebrate our 10th anniversary in print, in film and in-person with the hundreds of people who help us do media differently!!!