Quay Conversations

Think it might be a bit late to post about the below, but it does sound interesting. We will try to post further in advance of future shows. Or maybe email the address at the bottom of the post for further deatils.

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To celebrate the uniquely collaborative space of the BBC's new headquarters at Pacific Quay in Glasgow, Radio Scotland has a monthly series, Quay Conversations, in which Janice Forsyth talks to key figures whose work is helping shape the future of Scotland.

On the evening of Monday, 31st March, Janice plays host to three people who can give a unique insight into urban regeneration and the importance of communities:

Bliss Browne, founder of Imagine Chicago, a pioneering urban regeneration project, whose work is now being used a model here in Scotland; Bob Holman. best known for his work in Glasgow's Easterhouse, and who for the last thirty years has devoted his life to community groups; and Darren McGarvey, aka LOKI - a 24 year old rapper from Pollock, who's committed to challenging the stereotypes of the streets he calls home.

In 1991, Bliss Browne - banking executive, mother of three, and an ordained Episcopal priest (she was the first woman ever to preach at Westminster Abbey) - gave up a sixteen year corporate career to found Imagine Chicago. Saddened by seeing whole communities within her home city written off as having no future, her aim was to inspire civic engagement, foster links between cultures and generations, and cultivate hope and aspiration. The processes her organisation has developed for bringing together fragmented communities have now been picked up as a model for regeneneration and renewal across the globe, including projects in Scotland.

Bob Holman is a retired professor of social policy, community worker, anti-poverty campaigner and grandparent. He too, gave up a career - his in academia - to devote his time to community projects - living and working within the community he was helping. Holman is best-known for setting up successful grassroots schemes in two neglected communities; the Southdown estate in Bath (for 11 years), and later, in 1987, he moved to Glasgow's Easterhouse, where he helped to establish FARE - Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse.

Darren McGarvey aka LOKI is Glasgow's best known rapper, whose songs deal unflinchingly with the realities of life in Glasgow. He grew up in Pollock, has been involved in community groups since his teens, teaches children to rap, worked his way out of supported accommodation, and is determined to make us all remember that "every ned is a human being, with a heart and a soul and a story".

Join Janice and her guests for a glass of wine and a discussion about the importance of community and a dream of "a world in which nothing and no-one is wasted".

The evening will consist of interviews and discussion with the guests followed by audience questions, with drinks from 6pm, recording starting at 7pm.

The programme will be broadcast at 1.15 pm on Wednesday 2nd April on BBC Radio Scotland.

Please mail to: quayconversations@bbc.co.uk if you would like to come along.

In addition, if you have a question you'd love to put to Bliss, Bob and Darren please let us know.