During our 4 visits we saw a range of workshop practices, learning different ways to deal with bookings, customer backlog and time management. A key learning was to close or delay bookings to allow us time to work through the backlog. We also gained knowledge on processes for Bike Libraries, something we are developing, including booking systems, storage and pricing.

Through spending time and exchanging knowledge with 4 local cycling organisations, we strengthened our community networks. A key outcome was new organisations joining the Aye Cycle Glasgow network, and material goods being exchanged e.g. bike parts and frames.

The planning for the exchange meant setting up a Whatsapp group, which has a continuing benefit after the visits. The group is now used to post ideas and plans by volunteers and staff, contributing to the community ownership of the refurbishment project.

The exchange offered a great opportunity to spend time with volunteers outside of the usual workshop environment. This meant exploring cycle routes, including cycling along the new Renfrew Bridge, offering the chance to discuss cycling infrastructure. Further, the exchange helped foster an environment where everyone’s views were valued, and could feed directly into plans for refurbishing our workshop. This also meant staff and volunteers could take ownership of the project, contributing ideas, time and research.

Finally, since the study visits, two members of our team have enrolled on SPT funded Bike Reuse Training from the Social Enterprise Academy to learn ways to enhance our workshop offer further.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand a range of community cycling and recycling workshop practices, from customer bike bookings, repair and delivery.
• Explore a range of community cycling and recycling workshop designs, including layout, storage and processes.
• Strengthen existing and create new community networks and relationships within the cycling and recycling sector in the Strathclyde region.

"The exchange allowed us to explore a range of layouts. Three of the workshops visited were a similar size, and it was reassuring to learn they experienced similar storage issues to us. One of the organisations was in a different council area, Renfrewshire, meaning we learnt different processes in terms of bike recycling through the council waste centres. A key learning point for us in terms of layout was segregating repairs, sales and fleet bikes, as well as being stricter on our second hand parts stock."

We are setting up a pilot project with three new community composting sites in Dumfries and Galloway. We have funding in place to purchase three composters (Jora/Ridan) and a little funding for coordination of the projects. The purpose of the exchange was to get the three different communities on board,  inspired by existing similar community composting projects. The exchange increased our knowledge and understanding of how a community compost system can be set up, physically.  We visited three very different sites: Incredible Edible Neilston’s community compost which has two Jora composters, which are covered over. Then we visited St Angela’s school which has a system with two Jora’s, followed by a visit Woodlands Community Garden which has a Ridan. On each site we measured the set up and drew pictures. This provided us with the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of different browns and saw the different storage systems for them. We asked questions about the social organisation of Blether, as well as the 3 compost sites. We discussed with each site the potential problems that have arisen in our communities.

Learning Outcomes

• Increased knowledge and understanding of how a community compost system can be set up, physically. How to source and store ‘browns’ (woodchip/shredded paper etc). We will see more than one type of tumbler composter in order to ascertain criteria for what kind of composter and shelter to purchase or build ourselves.
• Increased knowledge and understanding of the social organisation of a community fridge and community compost system – number and roles of volunteers and what commitment is required. Maintaining site security.
• Increased knowledge and understanding about composting in a community setting. How to deal with questions which have arisen in our communities and with regards to legislation, such as whether we can take animal products (Eggshells? Meat? Commercial food waste?), how to prevent rats, smell, flies and where to mature the compost.

"It was fantastic to see in action the different systems and to understand the 3 very different needs and desires of the 3 different communities in Galloway, as we are all pretty far away from each other."

Every shed is unique, and that the location and type of building naturally influence the kinds of activities and facilities that can be offered. For example, Dunoon hosts some fantastic activities that we simply can’t accommodate due to the size of our premises and the health and safety constraints of operating within a listed building. Their shed focuses heavily on repair work—vehicles, motorcycles, and various other items—which we’ve chosen not to pursue. Instead, our members are more interested in creating bespoke items from scratch and working on commissioned projects, which better reflects the character and interests of our group.

Learning Outcomes

• Interacting with international visitors etc.
• How to grow our Shed further.
• Sustaining operations.

"During our visit to this particular shed, we initially hoped to gather ideas for expanding our own Men’s Shed. However, it quickly became apparent that the scale of their operation differs significantly from ours—not only in terms of the size of their premises, but also in the volume of members and the additional responsibilities involved in sub-letting parts of their space to external community groups and individuals. This approach helps them generate income to cover overheads and utility costs, but it also introduces a more commercial dynamic. The visit was valuable in helping us clarify our own direction. We’ve come to realise that this model doesn’t align with our vision. Our focus remains on fostering a close-knit, creative environment tailored to our members’ interests, rather than pursuing a larger, more commercially driven setup."

Our visit involved two rural communities at either end of Scotland from Bernera to Dumfries- one island crofting and one forestry based and learnt that each have similar issues with an ageing and reducing population, public services and remoteness from large towns. Both have difficulties gaining new members even though have encouraged new members to join using similar methods.

Learning Outcomes

• To understand how each group fits into their local community and how they can encourage more people to join in the group activities to the benefit of both existing and new members.
• How each group raises funds to continue operating, not just what grants may be available, but what local fund raising activities they have locally, which work and which do not. Also are there any cost saving ideas that could be shared.
• For the people of Bernera to see and learn about an area of Scotland that few have visited, to learn about the heritage such as Robert Burns in Dumfries and to experience a different landscape from the one they live in.

"The exchange gave a chance for older people from two different communities, one small island and one small rural village, to meet up face to face and learn about the way of life in each area. We identified our similarities, differences and problems each face and shared some practical solutions that each have found to implemented in the others area,.in particular how to encourage more people in their areas to come out and join the clubs hence reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness that is prevalent in such small rural communities."

The Exchange was delivered as a cross-sector partnership to enable community organisations and groups from different parts of the sector to see first hand how they might recalibrate their spaces around community led tourism. An approach that, when managed with the community at it’s heart, can lead to greater sustainability, resilience in support of less extractive models of tourism- keeping wealth circulating locally.

Learning Outcomes

Lunan Bay Communities Partnership

• Exploring the role and impact of a community-led ranger service in improving visitor management, community wellbeing and outdoor education.
• Learning how community-led projects, such as the new all-abilities viewing platform at Lunan Bay, can be delivered by engaging businesses with corporate social responsibility commitments and other key stakeholders to provide vital visitor infrastructure.
• Exploring how business-led collaborations can provide sustainable income streams for community projects, drawing on examples such as the Make Travel Matter campaign with Trafalgar Travel & Arbikie Distillery Experience, and other scalable commercial models.

East Haven Together:

• Participants will learn how story telling and art have been used to engage people from across the world in promoting the history and heritage of this small coastal community.
• Participants will gain insight into how nudge strategies have been used to influence and change public behaviours.
• Participants will learn more about how visitors value the natural environment of East Haven and are actively engaged in helping to protect and conserve the amenity.

"It was very interesting meeting these other communities and hearing their stories, achievements and challenges - it was a delight to see the dedication to their area and the environment. Engaging businesses with social responsibility is something we'd like to explore more and there are plenty of visitor attractions that we can try to collaborate with to try provide sustainable income streams for community projects that our Town Hall can deliver - this was a great light bulb moment, as we believe the community should benefit more directly from the huge volume of tourists can use our facilities and infrastructure, and not just an income stream to the businesses the tourists visit. "