Connecting Communities

Pauline is the Head of Operations in Scotland for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and had been looking for a way to reconnect with East Ayrshire communities after the previous development manager moved on. The work being done by the CCLP caught her eye and so the partnership was established.

"We had previously had a very good relationship with East Ayrshire communities but we had lost touch. When we discovered the CCLP pulling together projects with the National Lottery we saw the chance to look again at some of our projects we had little direct contact with. Through the CCLP we were able to appoint a new Development Manager in November 2020"

The idea was to help community groups that already existed develop their ideas and write funding bids to achieve their objectives. Elaine Stewart was the new Development manager and became so successful in connecting and inspiring groups that another post was created.

So many groups increased their activity and began to run events that a Sessional Events Co-ordinator was necessary to support them in running and recording the events through photography. Taylor Ellison-Quinn took on the job.

"I'm really interested in the history of communities and what has happened in the past. Although working with communities was relatively new to me, that interest helped me engage with them to help support their objectives. It was work that created the communities, when the work went away the communities and the people stayed but there were less opportunities. The new wind farms are bringing back benefits and opportunities."

Together Elaine and Taylor worked to offer direct support and encouragement in very practical ways to individual groups.

Perhaps the most profound form of assistance though was, as the name of the project suggests, to connect those communities.

Taylor makes the point;

"I learned quickly that there are lots of people doing good work but people don't see it happening. One positive change I have noticed is that more people are becoming aware of what is going on and are supporting each other."

There is clear evidence that without some of these links people would have given up because they were stuck, didn't know what to do or didn't have the energy to keep going apparently alone. Those connections not only inspire creativity, action, participation and mutual support, but combining efforts attract more funding. Rather than competing for resources, linking projects can provide a stronger case and reduce risk for funders.

The plan for the future is to continue to support these community projects and the ones that have sprung up as offshoots. As Elaine had to give up her managerial role on being elected as the local MP a new manager is being appointed.

The hope is that the groups will continue to flourish and in turn inspire others.

Investment from wind farm community benefits, the Scottish Government, the National Lottery and local enterprises themselves help to bring skills and ideas to an area that had its heart ripped out with the closure of the mines. The communities and the people who make them are now creating their own futures in innovative and exciting ways.

The CRT through the Connecting Communities project aims to help make the most of that investment to ensure the benefits are maximised to create a lasting legacy and a real sustainable future for everyone in the area.

The last word goes to Pauline;

"It has been long overdue to get back into East Ayrshire but this has been one of the most successful in terms of the amount of funding we have been able to bring in. To date we have had in excess of £500,000 funneled in to the community."