Glasgow Southside (Castlemilk) - What to do?

[BonesyBones]

Hi all

We have recently (two weeks ago) moved from Dundee to Castlemilk, there is me, DP, DS aged 7 and DS aged 7 months. We moved to be closer to DPs mum as she needs help to look after disabled son who DP is a guardian for.

Older DS has settles well at Miller Primary School and seems to be making friends well (unusual for him as he has social issues).

The issue is, we don't know anyone here, and DPs mum only moved from London last year, all her children are older so she has little knowledge on what to do with younger ones locally.

Are there any baby groups which run during school hours I could take younger DS to? What about after school clubs for older DS? We have no real knowledge of Glasgow but we're keen to meet new people and get out and about with the children.

It's only been 2 weeks and I'm already bored of sitting at home.

Please enlighten me, where can we meet some new people, and where can we take the children?

Hi Bonesy

Welcome to Glasgow! I'm a wee bit outside Glasgow now but used to live in the City.

No idea if this link will work but would be worth picking up a Glasgow Kidz card. www.glasgowlife.org.uk/young-glasgow/5-11/kidzcard/Pages/default. Glasgow Life is the sporting arm of Glasgow City Council and the Kidzcard will give your older son access to discounted Swimming and other perks, and will give you an insight to after school and weekend sporting/leisure activities for kids and yourself. Glasgow gyms also run baby/toddler gymboree style sessions during the day.

Are you registered with a doctor yet? The practice health visitor should be able to give you a list of baby/toddler groups locally and link you into these. Glasgow libraries also offer book bug/bounce and rhyme sessions for wee ones. Again you can get a link to the libraries via City Council website.

If you have access to a car or can work out bus routes then you're not far from East Kilbride. Large shopping centre, a few good large soft play centres and a fab country park - Calderglen, with a mini zoo. The museum of Rural Life is also in East Kilbride as is an Odeon cinema.

Linn Park is also close to Castlemilk and has some kids play areas and an equestrian centre I think.

Again if you have access to a car/transport links then Pollok Park, Rouken Glen Park and Queen's Park would be do-able. All great big parks for family days out on the South Side of Glasgow. From Castlemilk you can also head out East towards Rutherglen etc, Not as familiar with that neck of the woods but am sure someone will be along who can help.

Bit further afield in Glasgow loads of free galleries and museums. Kelvingrove, new Riverside transport museum are both great for kids. Riverside museum also has the tall ship at the back which is fab. Science Centre also great but can be pricey.

Silverburn is a big shopping mall in the Pollok area of Glasgow with a new huge cinema due to open and tonnes of eating places, but you might be as easy heading into the City Centre from where you are.

The Glasgow board sometimes has meet up notices and I think a few people meet up to eat cake chat with children in tow so worth keeping an eye out.

There's probably tons more that I can't think of at the moment, but hopefully that's a few things to give you some ideas.

Hello! Welcome to Glasgow! I'm fairly new to the Southside too but have found lots of stuff to do with my 15 week old. Check out various Facebook groups for mums in the Southside, and (I'm not sure where Castlemilk is) but check out the Tramway for baby groups...there is loads going on there and you will always get talking to other mums in the cafe. I'm there fairly often indulging in coffee and cake so may well see you there! Also the glasshouse in Queens Park is a lovely place to take kids, and again, their are always lots if mums there too. I'm starting at Bounce and Rhyme class tomorrow at Pollockshaws library with my little boy at 1.30pm, just an idea!

Great that your DS is settling in well to Miller Primary.

The Jeely Piece Club is a great place for families in Castlemilk. Clubs for kids, a cafe to meet with other mums, a drop in service for parents with wee ones during the day.

www.jeelypiececlub.org.uk/

It's been running for years and is a really warm welcoming place, and a great way to meet people if you've just moved to the area.