The Presiding Officer is visiting Sauchie and Alloa in the Mid Scotland and Fife region this month to meet local people to talk about their Scottish Parliament.
The visits continue a series of events in each of the eight Scottish parliamentary regions to mark the Scottish Parliament’s 25th anniversary. The events are to hear people’s reflections on the Parliament and to understand more about what they want from their Parliament in the future. They will also reflect on 25 years of devolution and the impact of the Parliament on local communities.
Taking place on Monday 20 January, the visits have been set up in collaboration with community partners Wimpy Park Community Group, Sauchie Community Group, Scottish Rural Action and Forth Valley & Lomond Youth Local Action.
The morning will see the Presiding Officer and Mid Scotland and Fife MSPs join the Chatty Latte Café at Sauchie Resource Centre, which started to encourage socialising after the pandemic and provide a free warm space for the community. MSPs will then get a tour of Wimpy Park in Alloa from volunteers and residents to hear more about their work to re-establish the space as a resource for the community, reinstating the gardens and play area.
In the afternoon, the Presiding Officer and MSPs will visit the Bowmar Centre in Alloa for a community conversation with local groups. There will be opportunities for MSPs to hear about local projects and for local people to share their views about the issues that matter to them about the role, purpose and future of the Scottish Parliament.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “I’m excited to continue our visits across Scotland to meet with local people and to hear their views on the Parliament and their aspirations for its future.
“I’ve so far visited four regions across the country from Shetland to Hawick and what has struck me with every visit is the passion and drive of the work that is going on the length and breadth of the country to improve the lives of those who live and work in our communities.
“I’m really pleased we’ve partnered with four local groups on this visit to Sauchie and Alloa and I’m looking forward to hearing more about how the Parliament can best represent people in Mid Scotland and Fife and to hear more about the exciting community projects that are taking place here.
“Scotland’s Parliament belongs to its people and it’s vital their voices are heard and help shape the Parliament’s future.”
Kate Turner, from Sauchie Community Group said: “Sauchie Community Group is delighted to have this opportunity for our members and users to speak to and get to know our Holyrood parliamentarians.
“Chatty Latte is a weekly coffee morning-style event, started to encourage socialising after lockdown and provide a free warm space for people to come and enjoy a cuppa and camaraderie.
“It’s one of our favourite events that has grown from strength to strength. It’s a great group of people to meet and learn about our group and community from.”
Mary Fox, from Wimpy Park said: “The Wimpy Park Community Group was established in 2017 with an aim to take over the wasted land within the walled garden. The community group secured a 19-year lease from the Council and have since reinstated the gardens and play area and host 4 community events each year in the park and local Bowmar Centre.
“Volunteers of the Wimpy Park Community Group alongside partners who have supported our work including members of Neils Hugs (supporting families affected by suicide), Play Alloa (supporting children and young people with additional support needs) and Community House (supporting local residents of all ages through group work sessions) all look forward to this event.”
Michaela Scott, member of Forth Valley and Lomond Youth Local Action Group, said: “Along with our fellow youth groups, the Youth Local Action Group is very excited to meet the Presiding Officer and our regional MSPs.
“We are looking forward to the two-way conversation between the Parliament teams and the young people we’ve invited along to this event, including the youth members and volunteers from the Clackmannanshire Council Youth Forum, the Stirling High School Climate Ambassadors, the Hawkhill Community Centre, Active 8 Sauchie, and The Gate, as well as our friends from the Fife Youth Local Action Group.
“We hope this is the start of a long-lasting collaboration between the Scottish Parliament and the youth voices in our region.”
Mia Lalanne, Rural Youth Action Network lead at Scottish Rural Action, said: “The enthusiasm from rural young people and community-led groups across the Mid Scotland and Fife region to participate in this event and engage directly with the Presiding Officer, the MSPs, and the Scottish Parliament teams has been remarkable.
“Rural and island areas are the worst hit by today’s cost of living, climate, biodiversity, and housing crises, and those residents innately understand the needs and opportunities to address those challenges.
“The run-up to this Community Conversation has clearly demonstrated that rural young people and their communities are keen to share and engage with decision-makers, and greatly welcome any opportunities to help shape the Scottish Parliament.”
The Mid Scotland and Fife visit is the fifth of eight planned events across Scotland for the Presiding Officer to meet communities to hear about the issues they care about and encourage more people to join in with the work of the Scottish Parliament, as it marks 25 years.