The Roma people living in Govanhill are being made the scapegoats for all society’s ills by sensationalised media articles, claims support worker Marcela Adamova.

Herself Roma, she and colleague Lydia Zelmanova who is Slovakian, have been brought in by Glasgow South East Community and Health Care Partnership and the Brendam Link to help sort out local difficulties.

‘The main problem is that many people can’t speak English. The English classes are full. People have come here to earn money and build a better life for themselves. They are willing to work hard but, generally, they have few skills so have to do casual work,’ said Marcela (pictured right).

A drop-in centre has been established in the Neighbourhood Centre in Daisy Street where anyone from the 2-3000 strong Roma community can get help with official letters and forms, housing, work and health issues and concerns about children and benefits. What is not a problem is the music making in the community as there are many skilled musicians among both adults and children.