School of Health & Wellbeing

Our group of peers gathered at our meeting point at Clarice Pears – we started with what we all have in common. This time though was a day dedicated to recognise our achievements and hard work in the past year. Emails switched off no second thoughts. We were an energised bunch happy to see blue skies over Glasgow waiting for us.

A round of introductions – some family and friend joining us for the day, we agreed we would have needed name tags but mentioned the inevitable – it was ok if we forgot each others’ names. On our way to the subway introductions continued, one of our peers’ partners was asked whether she was also working in public health. The question stirred a few chuckles – the response was no but was not that simple – family become a critical part of the journey and shape each project through the countless discussions and deliberations we hold thinking of each next step. The conversations continue at home with those whose judgement we trust most, it is tricky – the main uncertainties/joys/disappointments are brought home – sometimes these are left at the door but sometimes make their way to tea.

We were determined to make it in time - ready to hop on the subway to St Enoch before heading to Central Station to catch the 11:30 train to Pollokshaws West. A final head count and quick check that everybody was through the turnstiles – we made our way to the underground. As we arrived at St Enoch square we deliberated a ‘service station’ stop was called for; however, short the journey. It would need to feel like a proper field trip. A talkative bunch trotted into one of the many stores on Argyll St. to purchase snacks and a bite to eat for those that skipped their breakfast, while the rest waited outside. We could see the four corners from where we stood.

For a Friday morning Argyle St was bustling with people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. The bustling pace has a lot to unpack once come to a standstill. One of us shared their own story of what this place meant, having worked with young people in the past. In his words I pictured the scene – a group of young people led onto one of the many buses driving away from one of the busiest parts of Glasgow. The plan carefully thought out and delivered in broad daylight, the young people being exploited in one of the many organised crime groups.

Our peers walked out of the store - we briskly changed topic to lighten things up – one of them was eating a banana. Somehow the alarm went off at the same time – we joked - what had they managed to knick. We were good on time - with the stunning glass of Central Station reflecting the sun I turned to one of us and asked – how Queen St. was only a 10 mins walk but a completely different set of dynamics – another non-straightforward answer and many more questions left to ponder on.

Walking along Union Street we crossed through the many scaffolding – with much construction work underway. We saw many stores – strangely some had more in common than others – a Candy Store with bright colors enticing you to a Pick’a’Mix selection of your choice and further down the street you could catch a glimpse of the Refill Store – same bright colors on the display – you would have easily mistaken this also sold candy.

Only a short walk, we arrived on the steps to one of the many entrances of the station. We gathered on the side preparing to purchase our tickets. Our guide – we joked – for the day asked everybody to purchase the 11:30 train to puokshus – we asked please repeat this for some of our some of our ears not so accustomed to the rhymes of Glaswegian. Pol-lok-shaws West he annunciated and after a bit of rummaging through our digital apps – tickets were purchased – we’d catch our train from platform 10. With 15 minutes to go we agreed we’d grab a coffee on the go, the spot hidden behind the deep brown woodwork frame by the steps to one of the many entrances – people were constantly appearing at the station from all directions. The coffee spot’s menu on the wall looked like an announcement board, one you’d find being replaced by a LED screen. The coffee making options many, the size of drink two – wee or large.

Glasgow’s plentiful green spaces come alive on a dry day. Before coming on the path we were greeted by the many friendly Highland coo’s they were peacefully enjoying the sun – some younger ones being unrestful in the distance. Everybody took out their phones to capture the scene. We tredged through a narrow path – narrow paths make you stop and say hello to other visitors, and thank those stopping to give way. On either end all our eyes could spot were fields rolling onto the horizon. Puzzling how this space was just 10 minutes by train from the heart of the city. The end of the path winded up to Pollock house, the path ended brought us up to the bridge. As we were crossing it felt as if entering some royal grounds. Even the grass in the courtyards was regal it was freshly cut – the height short and even – just beside renovations were underway. We thought the house would be open to visitors at some point in the future - making us want to come back. We decided to take a photo while all of our faces still looked fresh – mental note take group photos before taking on the day’s activities.

Greeted by friendly staff we tagged onto a guided group, as soon as you step through the glass doors to the Burrell Collection – you feel compelled to talk in a soft voice so as to not disrupt the many objects that have been standing still for thousands of years. Some miniature statues made of porcelain and terracotta, some large statues of the finest green marble. Other displays involved finest piece of woodwork – making you wonder if you would be able to fit this in your own living room and place your tea set waiting to serve your next guest. The trade was unparalleled.

In the next collection, textiles hung still covering the walls of the room – these were decorated with intricate geometric patterns and animals bearing symbolic spiritual meanings – the finest silk and cotton from the depths of Iran. Just across the fine porcelain vases were displayed behind the glass – these were decorated with intricate patterns, the brush strokes not visible to the eyes of unseasoned observers. The deep blue prints characteristic of art – these coming from the far East. We realised we’d lost track of everybody else – we walked through the rooms this time taking different turns and stood before a great wall with samurai swords defying gravity – their blades long and sharp each one different to its next – somehow they were propped some facing each other you could almost picture the hand holding each one ready to duel.

It was time for lunch anyway, we knew of the café but just not where we’d find this. Surely we would bump into the rest of the group there. We could hear the sound of hungry forks and knives clinking in the back so we let this guide us downstairs to an open space lit by the sun beaming through the large glass panes leaning one against the other to support the roof. Looking on the outside this would seem like a greenhouse, on the inside it was occupied by many people waiting to feed their rumbling tummies while feeding off the feel good sunny rays steeping through the roof. We were charging our reserves and resolve, the new year was upon us. We enjoyed some good chatter and at the end were treated to some cake and treats from our kind peers.

The plan was open – some decided to carry on with their walk some wanted to stay behind to carry on the chatter bringing over extra chairs around a table full of peers now friends. After a bit we decided to head back around the grounds of the park, looping around Pollok House.

This time the way back to Central was familiar. We were already back in the busy heart of Glasgow. This time we took the exit to Gordon Street. Goodbyes were said and thank yous to everybody spending time together on the day. As we were bidding our well wishes for the weekend we were back into the streets busy with people. A Glasgow Street Aid van stationed just behind us, always on stand-by. The final chats focused around our future plans and activities, the sense of community what fuels our drive ready to take on the next year as we shift gears to deeper and bigger tasks.

 

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First published: 27 September 2024