Glasgow Science Centre's The Bothy is empowering communities

After a two year delay due to the pandemic, Glasgow Science Centre will today officially reveal its community space The Bothy, which is open to groups looking to debate how science affects everyday lives.

From young carers to disability alliances and feminist climate change activists, The Bothy has been created to offer a safe space for those who are often left out of public science conversations

The Bothy, run by the dedicated community learning and development (CLD) team, was created by the organisation as part of its goal to make science inclusive and accessible.

Sally White, Community Learning Coordinator, has been leading the CLD team and has seen first-hand the impact it has had for those who have used The Bothy.

Sally said: “We hear so often about decisions which are made for us, but it is important that we understand what these decisions mean for us, and that we can challenge them when they play a part in our life.

"The Bothy aims to build this skill and give communities and groups a voice which is heard and respected.

“We recently had a group of young carers in and had a picture-perfect moment when one young person said that the session had taught them to be confident – and that’s really what it all comes down to.

"We want to use The Bothy as a place for people to learn in a non-intimidating space, about whatever aspect of science, or life, they might be interested in.

"Science is the study of how things work, so our discussions and activities can be focused on anything, as no matter what, there is always a relatable scientific element we can explore.

“Everyone has something to benefit from learning about the world."

The resource, located in Glasgow Science Centre, has been in use since last year by those who face the most barriers to science education.

This year it has facilitated 68 community learning and development sessions, reaching 1291 participants.

Sally says groups might talk about global warming and how science can develop solutions that benefit everyone in society.

The cost of living crisis is also deeply connected to science with rising energy costs and food science helping people to reduce how much they are spending.

Sally added: “The Bothy has proven to be an amazing community resource which goes a long way to proactively and positively influencing the lives of some of the most challenged groups in our society."

Glasgow Science Centre’s Community and Learning Development team has developed a partnership with the Climate Sisters – a group of 12 women who used their creative skills to find their political voice and address climate change issues through art and music.

The group’s innovations were developed in The Bothy and were featured during COP26, with many of the participants taking their projects to market since.

One woman is now selling her recycled plastic jewellery packs, while another started an indoor garden business in Glasgow during lockdown.

Zarina Ahmad, Climate Sisters facilitator, said: “Glasgow Science Centre not only validates communities in its broad spectrum of work, which is based in making STEM accessible to all, but to create a safe space and have people like Sally dedicated to starting these conversations, and helping create clear pathways to actionable steps, shows that it truly recognises the importance of community’s input.

“The Climate Sisters have shown that not only is there economical value in listening to communities but to take heed of their knowledge and experience can have powerful results for us all in a political sense.

“When people realise that they will be heard and their questions matter, they sit up and begin to engage.

"The Bothy empowers those who use it by having meaningful group conversations, enabling them to analyse and challenge information which before they may have accepted as verbatim because of its source, be that government, or perhaps others within their communities.

“It's been brilliant working with an organisation so dedicated to ensuring communities have a voice."

To ensure full participation, Glasgow Science Centre also pays for transport to and from The Bothy as well as providing snacks and drinks.

Zarina added: “Spaces like The Bothy shouldn’t be a ‘nice-to-have’, they should be woven into the fabric of every city in our country.

"They are essential in giving agency to our citizens, and the more we work together to find solutions to the world’s problems, the sooner we’ll solve them.”

Andrea Gillespie, Volunteering and Learning Manager at The Hidden Gardens, said The Bothy and its team have sparked conversations and encouraged new opportunities for those accessing the gardens.

Andrea said: “We work with people of different backgrounds, ages and stages, and we’ve found The Bothy brings a sense of security to people, creating a feeling of openness.

“One of our memorable experiences at Glasgow Science Centre was during COP26 with a group of women, many of whom had never met each other.

"By the end, with support from The Hidden Gardens and The Bothy teams, the women were sharing stories, making suggestions to one another and most of all having fun.

"After our discussion, it was amazing to see a sense of freedom sweep through the group who then went off to explore and learn in the centre together.

"This freedom to learn and share can be a whole new experience for many and can be life changing.

“We have members who assume that education, especially science education, is not for them, but the way The Bothy team break challenging topics down, making them relatable and digestible, means that people can understand, ask questions and begin to form their own, educated opinion on matters which affect their lives.

“Glasgow Science Centre, and The Bothy, shows people that learning is lifelong and if we are willing and interested, it can change our lives, our community and even the world.

"Breaking down these barriers now, and kickstarting these discussions will create a legacy for future generations of Scots who will continue to challenge the status quo, innovate and press for progress to better us all.”

To book a space at The Bothy email: cldteam@gsc.org.uk