Author: Stranraer Development Trust

We devised the Stranraer Oyster Festival to celebrate not only the famous Loch Ryan oysters (Scotland’s only wild, native oyster bed) but also all other local produce.

The first Festival will take place in September 2017 and is particularly timely as 2017 is the celebration year of 400 years of Stranraer being a Royal Burgh and be the perfect inaugural year for the event.

Until now the town has not been in a position to explore the full potential of our wonderful native Loch Ryan oysters. At present oyster are sent around the world but the connection with Stranraer is not recognised. The festival provides the opportunity to make this connection, increase visitor numbers to the town and support the local economy. Although our oysters are at the very heart of the festival, we will also be featuring all sorts of other seafood as well as local produce of many kinds, including food, drink, arts and craft work, in a specially created Festival Market.

In common with established oyster festivals in other parts of the world, placing the unique native Loch Ryan oysters at the heart of our festival, enables us to create and original new community focused event in celebration of this wonderful natural resource.  The Stranraer Oyster Festival has huge potential in terms of promoting increased awareness of our unique coastal heritage and all that we have to offer the visitor as well as those who perhaps who are considering moving to live and work in the area.

The Festival has evolved following years of discussion by various groups and organisations in and around Stranraer.  We are delighted that this significant event is finally coming to fruition.

For tickets and full details of all events, activities, festival market, skiff regatta, children’s activities etc. visit the Festival website

Author: TCDT

The island of Tiree is a place of contrasts.  Known as “The land beneath the waves” it is blasted by Atlantic winds and bathed in sunshine, its beaches shine white against the rocky headlands. 

Today, we are looking towards the sea to help realise our ambitions of economic growth and a young, vibrant population.

Watch our short film here

Author: Nan Spowart

Increasing expenditure by agreeing to pay the real living wage was a major step for one small community-led organisation.  However, the Whale Arts Agency, which is based in the Edinburgh estate of Wester Hailes, has noticed the benefit.

“Innovative efforts to tackle poverty and inequality are at the heart of Whale’s creative work in Wester Hailes,” said Whale Arts board member Susan Gibson.

“Becoming a living wage employer helps to highlight this issue on a national level and has a positive financial impact at a local level in Wester Hailes.

“For Whale, as a small community-led organisation, adopting the real living wage has been a challenge.

“Committing to increase expenditure at a time when budgets are tight was a big step but the positive impact for individual staff, the organisation, and our community has confirmed that it was the right decision.”

The move means that Whale has now joined more than 800 other organisations across Scotland in becoming an accredited living wage employer.

Since being set up by local people in 1992, Whale Arts has firmly established itself as the cultural anchor organisation for Wester Hailes. As a community-led arts charity and social enterprise, its mission is to be the creative heart of a vibrant, thriving community.

Whale acts as a conduit between the community and creative opportunities through the direct delivery of projects, programmes and events and by connecting the community with city and national cultural partners.

With over 7000 people visiting the Whale Arts Centre per year, the organisation is well placed to raise the profile of the real living wage and encourage other employers to sign up.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Over two thirds of the children that are living in poverty in Scotland are living in a household where at least one adult works.

“This shows that work is not working as an effective route out of poverty and paying the real living wage is one of the key tools at our disposal to help make an impact on this.

“We are delighted to congratulate Whale Arts Agency on becoming a living wage employer. Paying the real living wage makes a huge difference to people’s lives, and employers can enjoy a range of business benefits too, including increased productivity, increased staff retention and lower rates of absenteeism.”

The living wage commitment will see everyone working at Whale Arts — regardless of whether they are permanent employees or third-party contractors — receive a real living wage of at least £8.45 per hour, which is significantly higher than the government minimum wage of £6.70 and the new minimum wage premium for over 25s of £7.50 introduced last April.

Full time employees earning the real living wage earn £45 a week more than those on the government minimum.

The real living wage is an hourly rate, calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence on living standards in the UK.

It is higher than the UK Government’s so-called “living wage” which is a rebranding of the legally binding minimum wage and only applies to those over the age of 25.

The real living wage applies to everyone over the age of 18.

Author: Sustrans

Local community groups are being given the opportunity to apply for up to £2,000 in funding towards artistic and visual improvements to their local National Cycle Network (NCN) routes.

The ArtRoots fund, which run by Sustrans Scotland and backed by Transport Scotland, seeks to create visually attractive and memorable routes, which encourage people to explore on foot and bike.

Projects which were funded from the first ArtRoots round include recycled seating, chainsaw-carved sculptures, landscaping with a wooden train full of plants and a highland cow on a hillock.

Sustrans Scotland National Director, John Lauder said: “Since the National Cycle Network was founded in 1995, we have worked with numerous artists and sculptors to add artworks and visual improvements to enhance the routes.

“Artworks send out a message that cyclists and walkers are valued and we are delighted to welcome applications for the second round of ArtRoots funding.”

Constituted community groups based in Scotland who would like to make improvements to the artworks along their local NCN route are being asked to fill in an online expression of interest form, which can be found at: https://goo.gl/Bx8FgW  The closing date is Friday the 11th August 2017 at 5.00pm.  

If you have any questions about the fund, please get in touch with Cosmo Blake by emailing cosmo.blake@sustrans.org.uk.

Author: BBC

Two serviced plots with planning permission at Kilfinan Community Forest have been released for sale to self-builders with the aim of addressing the local affordable housing shortage.

Released by Kilfinan Community Forest Company (KCFC), the sites in Tighnabruaich, Argyll, have a sale price of £30k each to interested parties who can demonstrate the relevant skills to build their own home. 

KCFC aims to fulfil the vision of a living, working community forest and hopes that by using timber from the forest the projects will keep materials costs down while supporting the local economy through the utilisation of natural resources and local skills.

These initial sales will give KCFC capital to invest in future projects and activities, along with the potential to build additional affordable homes. 

Steve Williamson, KCFC’s chair, said: “This project is the first of its kind in community woodland development, and represents everything KCFC stands for in terms of supporting our local economy through utilising the natural resources available. Local people will be able to access much needed affordable housing in an area where there is a real shortage, and, as a social enterprise, fulfil our ambition of creating a living and working community forest, where low value raw materials can be turned into high quality timber homes 

“The houses will be located within their own section of the forest, above the attractive community allotments whilst offering stunning views across the Kyles of Bute. This is a unique opportunity for people to live within a vibrant community forest environment, with all sorts of activities going on around them, whilst still retaining a sense of privacy. We urge people to come and visit the forest to see for themselves what’s on offer here.” 

Interested parties are firstly asked to read the detailed masterplan and arrange an appointment with KCFC to discuss the opportunity. The next step will be to complete an application form, which will be assessed by an independent judging panel and reviewed against the following criteria: local connection, housing need, commitment to community involvement, and, for self-builders, relevant construction skills. 

The housing scheme will be kept ‘affordable’ in perpetuity, through KCFC acting as a Rural Housing Body with first refusal to buy back homes, should the owners want to sell.

Applicants are asked to contact Mick Eyre to arrange an appointment or with any further questions: michael@kilfinancommunityforest.com / 01700 811159.

Author: Edel Harris, Cornerstone

The Scottish social care sector is subject to a fast changing and challenging external environment, leading many care provider organisations like Cornerstone to seriously consider options for change.

Cornerstone has developed an ambitious new strategic plan which we have called Local Cornerstone based on two years of comprehensive research and inspired by our study visits to the US, the Netherlands and other parts of the UK.

The new strategy has been designed to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing social care sector, and aims to position Cornerstone for continued success and a sustainable future.

Cornerstone’s purpose is to enable the people we support to enjoy a valued life – a life they choose. Local Cornerstone has been designed to ensure the individual is truly at the centre of all our activity and also ensures we maximise the opportunities presented by self-directed support.

One of our overriding objectives is to demonstrate that we genuinely value social care as a profession. To achieve this we plan to re-direct resources to local communities and, inspired by Buurtzorg in the Netherlands, introduce a network of self-organising teams of up-skilled social care practitioners who will be recognised and valued in society for the important work they do.

Other important elements of the new business model include the establishment of the Cornerstone Foundation which exists to raise charitable funds so we can do some amazing things that help all of the people we support to live a valued life.

We have made a significant investment in technology to equip colleagues with the tools they need to do their job well without the need to spend hours of time in offices filling in forms and responding to emails. An overall improvement in all our systems and processes saves money which can be redirected into the local community. It also ensures that our colleagues are able to spend more of their time caring for and being with the people they support

Our ten local branches will operate in a similar way to a franchise with a high degree of autonomy to make local decisions and meet the needs of the communities they serve.

The removal of managerial roles allows colleagues to genuinely be trusted and empowered to make their own decisions

A new flat structure and the removal of managerial roles allows colleagues to genuinely be trusted and empowered to make their own decisions including for example rota management, assigning team member responsibilities, deciding on their own training, peer appraisal and being as creative and innovative as they wish. Our team of coaches are always on hand to provide advice if required.

Our reduced business support function has been re-invented as Cornerstone Central with an overall aim to provide exceptional service to the teams and branches when required and requested.

We have been overwhelmed with the support we have received from our key stakeholders and partners. Our regulators, the Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Social Services Council have agreed to come on the journey with us and to assist with any challenges or obstacles we may face as we test this new model in a Scottish context. Cornerstone is one of the Scottish Government test sites for introducing the principles of Buurtzorg to Scotland and we have had tremendous support from government colleagues including their representation on our evaluation committee in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and Social Work Scotland.

The commissioners and chief officers of Health and Social Care Partnerships in all 18 local authority areas where Cornerstone provides services are supporting our plans including in some areas working with us on the complexities of contracts and financial systems as we roll out our first cohort of self-organising teams.

Engaging with the people we support and families is an important part of the process and we have already held a number of information sessions across the country. We plan to do more in-depth consultation at the point a new team is identified to ensure that the people we support are fully involved in the process. We are pleased to be working with ARC Scotland on our involvement strategy which is particularly designed to allow people with a learning disability and others who may have communication difficulties, such as people with dementia, to be fully engaged to participate in a meaningful way.

There is a lot of interest in the Local Cornerstone model with requests for us to share our story coming in all the time – New Zealand, Austria, England and Northern Ireland are just some of the places where colleagues from Cornerstone are sharing the learning from our journey to date. Sharing stories through our storyteller in residence we hope will inspire others to follow our lead.

We recognise that we are still very much at the start of our journey but with a clear vision of what we hope to achieve and with the support of colleagues, many other partners we are confident that we will reach our destination.

Edel Harris is chief executive of Cornerstone

Author: Karen Grant, A Thousand Huts

As part of a plan to revive hut culture in Scotland, new legislation has come into force on 1st July 2017 to make it easier for people to build a simple hut for recreational use.

The Scottish Government has created a new building type for huts which will reduce the regulatory burden for hut builders, in effect exempting huts from most building regulations, and reducing the need for Building Warrants in key areas of health and safety where regulations still need to be met. Not only will this reduce the burden on hutters, it will also reduce the burden on building standards officers, saving money for local authorities. This change is in response to the recent SG consultation showing widespread support for a relaxing of restrictions on the building of simple woodland huts.

In recent years an enthusiasm for hut life has grown in momentum, spearheaded by the charity Reforesting Scotland. Supporters of simple, low impact living have been frustrated by the lack of a planning or regulatory framework to allow construction of a simple recreational hut.

In 2014 the Scottish Government brought in a new policy in support of huts for recreational use, with a tight definition of the low impact nature of huts. The latest change is part of the rolling out of that policy and means that a burden of expense and regulation will be lifted from hut owners.

Reforesting Scotland huts campaigner, Peter Caunt ,said, “It’s important to state that hut builders will still be required to apply for planning permission to build a hut. It will then be their own responsibility to ensure they comply with high standards of health and safety, and low environmental impact. Some areas, such as underground drainage, will still require a Building Warrant, whereas in other areas, such as structure, the responsibility is theirs to comply with the relevant regulations. If they don’t comply, they will be liable if something goes wrong.”

To help hutters meet these standards, Reforesting Scotland is producing a Guide to Good Practice in Hut Construction, due to be published next month. Last year, the group published a sister document about planning issues for huts, New hutting developments: Good Practice Guidance on the planning, development and management of huts and hut sites.

Author: Scottish Government

A land owner or lessee can serve a purchase notice on a local authority requiring them to purchase land where planning permission has been refused or granted conditionally and other specified circumstances and where the land is incapable of reasonably beneficial use.

If the planning authority disagrees with the notice, it is referred to the Scottish Ministers. A DPEA reporter will be appointed to hear representations about the notice and will make a report and recommendations to Ministers who will decide whether or not to confirm the notice.

Scottish Ministers may:

•             confirm the notice

•             grant planning permission

•             vary the conditions

•             cancel the order revoking planning permission

•             revoke or amend a discontinuance order or one requiring the alteration or removal of buildings or works

Author: Carnegie Trust

To see full report The Place of Kindness : Combatting loneliness and building stronger communities click here

To watch the short film click here

Kindness is important. It is at the very heart of our ability to generate wellbeing and the power for change. Drawing attention to our experience of kindness has  the potential to disrupt the way we think about society, to change both what we  do and how we do it, and challenge existing relationships both as professionals and as individuals.

Kindness makes sense to people. It is language that is easily used, however uncomfortable it may make policy makers. From Barack Obama, who notes that his daughters are smart and beautiful but more importantly, kind; to our conversations with Maureen and Isabella in Maryhill, who struggle to get people to accept the kindness they have to give, we can all talk about kindness. And surely that universality of understanding makes sense if we are to affect social change for the good rather than merely provide service solutions.

Kindness is also difficult. Whilst it might be tempting, and indeed true, to think that the world would be a better place if we could all be kinder to each other, we recognise there are very real reasons why that is easier said than done.

This work on kindness is a joint project bringing together the Carnegie UK Trust’s work on the Enabling State, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s programme of research on risk, trust and relationships which has investigated how everyday help and support happens in informal relationships between individuals and in neighbourhoods. The project aimed to test what, if anything, could be done to encourage kinder communities. We worked with seven different organisations to explore and, in some cases, test new ideas around the importance of places and opportunities to connect, and the intrinsic values underpinning our interactions and relationships. This report documents the learning from that project and in doing so, highlights questions and issues to be addressed in the Carnegie UK Trust’s forward agenda exploring the potential for kindness in wider contexts.

Author: Mike Wade

The SNP administration is facing the first big test of its new laws extending the right to buy into urban areas after a community trust submitted a bid to transform a famous hospital.

Residents of streets around the “Sick Kids” hospital in Edinburgh applied yesterday to be given first refusal on the site, knowing that they face intense competition from commercial developers. The Marchmont and Sciennes Development Trust (MSDT) plans to create affordable co-operative housing, healthcare and nursery facilities, as well as space for social enterprises and a multi-purpose community hall, among other initiatives.

Nathan Bower-Bir, a spokesman for MSDT, said the government had the chance to act on its rhetoric about community empowerment, for “the benefit of all, not just the well-off”.

“The people of this community are driving this idea and it is clear they want more than what we have seen at other city-centre sites that have been sold off, where developers cram in as many expensive flats as they can and fence off any green space from public access,” he said. “This is an opportunity for ministers to show that these laws are not token gestures, but in fact are significant acts of reform that truly empower local communities.”

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 allows urban communities to register an interest in land, potentially creating a pre-emptive right to buy it for the benefit of local residents. In the past, only communities of fewer than 10,000 had benefited from land reform.

With the 122-year-old hospital due to move next year to a new facility next to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, competition for the site appears to favour commercial developers.

Last night, it emerged that the protected status of some buildings within the four-acre complex had been removed or downgraded, a move likely to benefit commercial interests.

Under the terms of the legislation, the Sick Kids sale process is paused and ministers have 30 days to decide whether the MSDT bid, which has the support of local businesses and politicians, should get first refusal on the site.