Although the visits were planned primarily to inform and inspire thinking around the Royal Hotel site project, they generated a number of wider benefits for the community that extended beyond that single development. One of the strongest outcomes was the way that the visits encouraged local people to take practical steps to improve community life right away, rather than waiting forthe Royal Hotel site project to progress. The visits to both North Edinburgh Arts and the Duns Repair Cafe gave participants not only ideas, but also the motivation and confidence to start local activities. As a result, we now have community arts sessions taking place in the village, and there is active work under way to develop a community shed and tool library. These new initiatives were not part of the original project plan but have emerged directly from the inspiration of the visits. And while they are not currently directly contributing to the Royal Hotel Site Project, they are helping create that foundation of local involvement, awareness and confidence, so that when the site eventually opens, the community is already active and ready to connect with it.

Learning Outcomes

• INSPIRATION – Identify innovative ideas and successful approaches that could be adapted to support people in our community.
• UNDERSTANDING – Develop a clear understanding of the key steps, challenges, and resources needed to establish and sustain a community-led project.
• PRIORITISING – Determine the most relevant and feasible actions we should take to apply our learning and drive meaningful change in our community.

"The exchange created benefits that were wider and more immediate than expected. It helped spark real community activity, strengthened local collaboration, encouraged belief in the collective impact of local action, and laid early foundations for longer term success. The visits offered personal learning for those who attended. People gained insights into how other communities build momentum, how to create a welcoming culture where people feel able to participate, and how projects grow through small early steps rather than through fully formed plans. We also built useful external contacts who have since offered advice and are open to continued support. "