Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) has launched its new community-led manifesto, calling for a fairer Scotland where local people have the power, investment and opportunity to shape their own futures.
Representing nearly 400 development trusts across Scotland, DTAS works with communities to take ownership of local assets, build sustainable enterprises and drive local regeneration. Its support helps communities safeguard vital services, bring a new lease of life to local spaces and strengthen social and economic wellbeing in towns, villages and islands across the country.
Last year, DTAS supported 81 local organisations, helping them secure more than £1.1 million in funding.
The manifesto highlights the ways in which communities are already leading change – from transforming disused buildings into thriving community hubs, to tackling rural depopulation and building a fairer local economy. However, it also highlights how limited funding and a lack of long-term investment is still holding them back.
To help Scotland’s communities reach their full potential, the manifesto sets out practical steps and policy asks centred around five key pillars:
A sustainable and supportive environment for communities
Developing local democracy
An inclusive, sustainable, wellbeing economy
Land reform and community ownership
A just transition and climate action
Among its proposed actions, DTAS is urging greater investment in long-term community development, reforms to land policy to expedite community ownership, and the creation of a community wealth fund to help local people take on and transform assets for public benefit.
Pauline Smith, CEO at DTAS, said:“Communities across Scotland are already delivering life-changing solutions to the challenges they face – from keeping vital services running to building a fairer local economy. But too often, their ambitions are limited by short-term policy and centralised control.
“This manifesto is our call for change to give local citizens real power, not just a voice. With the right investment and trust, they can shape a fairer, greener and more resilient future for Scotland.”
Case study: Huntly Development Trust
With DTAS help, member Huntly Development Trust has been able to secure the Strengthening Communities Funding needed to grow its organisational capacity and sharpen its impact locally. DTAS’ Community Ownership Support Service has helped the Trust taken ownership of key community assets and accelerate its vision for local regeneration.
Donald Boyd, general manager at Huntly Development Trust, said: “Development trusts across Scotland are the beating heart of local action. We’re practical, on the ground anchor organisations – the “first responders” of community development – finding ways to meet local needs and secure new opportunities for local wellbeing.
“Here in Huntly, our work results in major local benefits and cost-savings to the public purse, but it requires long-term, consistent support.
“While we’ve made great strides in tackling local challenges, the support mechanisms identified by DTAS could help us and other communities across the country achieve so much more to drive lasting change.”
• Three community centres in Scotland have been listed with a “protest price” of £500 million each to highlight their true value, and call for urgent investment to stop closures
• Over a third rely on shared community spaces for their mental health and wellbeing
• Ahead of World Mental Health Day (10th October), a new campaign from Crown Paints and Mind spotlights the role of shared spaces on the nation’s wellbeing
In the lead up to World Mental Health Day (10th October), Crown Paints has listed three community centres with a £500 million price tag on these overlooked mental health lifelines.
These properties, complete with online estate agent listings, include shared spaces for the community in Granton:hub, located in North Edinburgh, Boomerang Community Centre in Dundee and Craigrothie Village Hall in Fife.
It comes as a nationwide survey revealed that over a third (37%) of Scots say these spaces help them escape loneliness, while 34% say having access to community spaces has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
The campaign spotlights buildings in regions among the hardest hit by local authority cuts, drawing attention to the real value of the Scotland’s shared spaces. The warning is clear. Unless the UK unlocks the funding needed for shared spaces at pace, libraries, youth clubs and community halls will disappear, and with them, the beating heart of our communities.
In a bid to get policymakers to recognise the value of shared spaces, the campaign, launched in partnership with mental health charity, Mind, saw listings of the five community centres across the UK hijack property websites, feature in classified ads and even popping up in an estate agent’s window for sale.
The study also found that nine in ten Scots (91%) say vibrant community spaces are important, with 35% expressing concerns for future generations if these places disappear altogether.
Amanda Bolton, a spokesperson for the campaign at Crown Paints said: “When we talk about mental health, we often overlook the walls that quietly hold us up.
“These are the spaces where real life happens. The toddler groups, the art classes, and those evening drama clubs.
“Places that offer comfort, connection and community. By listing them as Britain’s Most Valuable Buildings, we’re shining a light on the everyday spaces that hold our communities – and wellbeing – together.”
Andrew Berrie, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, added: “Community spaces are important for our mental wellbeing. They provide accessible, welcoming places to connect with others and help reduce loneliness, which can have a negative impact on mental health.
“Crown’s research shows the public feel their loss deeply, with many worried about the impact on future generations. Protecting these spaces must be part of the national conversation on mental health.”
As part of the campaign, Crown Paints has launched an online hub with fundraising tips for community centres. This forms part of Crown’s wider Project Possible commitment to supporting communities through the power of paint, with the ambition of donating 50,000 litres of paint or more to support community projects nationwide.
Amanda continued: “From creating more joyful paces through the power of colour, to supporting community regeneration with uplifting murals and paint projects, we’re helping communities to grow and thrive.
“This campaign builds on our Project Possible commitments, showing how we can play a meaningful part in the places that matter most.”
CASE STUDY LISTINGS – SCOTLAND’S MOST VALUABLE BUILDINGS
Boomerang Community Centre, Dundee listed for £500m at https://fliq.co.uk/offers/boomerang-community centre-dundee
This 8,305 sq ft hub has been the beating heart of Stobswell since 1987. Its true value lies in the hot meals shared around its tables, the youth clubs that give young people a safe place to grow, and the support groups that carry people through grief and loneliness.
From toddlers learning to bake to a 98-year-old still teaching tea dances, Boomerang shows how belonging is built – through food, friendship and generations coming together under one roof.
Granton:hub, Edinburgh listed for £500m at https://www.gumtree.com/p/property-for-sale/grantonhub edinburgh/1504285170
Housed in historic Madelvic House, this volunteer-run hub is where culture, memory and community converge. From affordable artist studios to yoga classes and local history archives, it offers opportunities for learning, creativity and connection.
Its true value lies not in its rooms, but in the spirit it preserves and the belonging it creates.
Craigrothie Village Hall, Fife listed for £500m at https://www.gumtree.com/p/property-for-sale/craigrothie village-hall-fife/1504284690
A modest four-room hall, but priceless to the people it serves. For half a century, Craigrothie has been the stage for weddings, ceilidhs, clubs and community suppers. Its walls hold the history of a village, its kitchen fuels friendship over food, and its true value lies in the role it plays as the heartbeat of rural life.
Gracemount Mansion Development Trust has been given £167,340 to buy Gracemount Mansion in the south of Edinburgh in order to redevelop and reopen the asset as a community hub.
The grant is amongst 11 totalling £1,833,622 that have been given to communities across the country in the latest round of awards by the Scottish Land Fund.
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “Over one million people across Scotland now live in communities where assets have been acquired with funding from the Scottish Land Fund. This is a remarkable milestone and displays just how large an impact the Fund has had on communities across Scotland.
“Community ownership is an effective way to revitalise local areas and improve the lives of residents . The latest recipients are no exception and I know that their projects will bring countless benefits to their communities.
“I’d like to congratulate the groups involved and I look forward to seeing their projects, and their communities flourish as a result.”
Lindsay Aitken, Chair, Gracemount Mansion Development Trust,said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Scottish Land Fund. The funds awarded will enable GMDT to purchase Gracemount House and surrounding grounds from the City of Edinburgh Council, as well as a significant contribution towards the essential works required to partially reopen Gracemount Mansion as a community hub in 2025.
“With further funding, the full reopening of Gracemount House will bring back a much needed and desired facility and resource for the community and beyond.
“We must say a huge thanks to the Project team who have progressed the project, GMDT charity Trustees and Members, Friends of the Mansion, the local community, stakeholders, CEC, and of course to the SLF and National Lottery for the funding.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “Like all the groups that have been successful in this round of funding, Gracemount Mansion Development Trust will use their awards to make purchases that will directly improve the lives of people in their community.
“Targeted funding such as this gets right to the heart of local issues.”
And Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“Through the purchase of land and properties including a community hall and a former church, groups will be in a position to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the community. These latest awards will further strengthen the sense of community and empowerment.”
“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Wigtown and Bladnoch Community Initiative
Award – £88,474
Wigtown and Bladnoch Community Initiative (WBCI) will acquire a former Church Hall in Wigtown. The acquisition will bring social benefits by providing space for meetings, classes and skill sharing workshops, as well as exercise, entertainment, and health & wellbeing activities. Alongside the social benefits, opportunities for digital access will also enable employment and enterprise skills.
Tighnabruaich District Development Trust
Award – £61,443
Tighnabruaich District Development Trust (TDDT) will purchase 2 retail units in Tighnabruaich, Argyll and Bute. The group will continue to use one of the units as the location for their heritage centre and will rent out the second unit.
Cockenzie House and Garden
Award – £227,400
Cockenzie House and Gardens will acquire the Cockenzie & Port Seton Old Parish Church and Hall, in East Lothian, and will use the asset as a community hub, offering community space for groups to meet, social activities, pop-up hospitality and childcare provision.
Dunvegan Community Trust SCIO
Award – £361,096
Dunvegan Development Trust will acquire a building known locally as the ‘Gaeltec Building’ in Dunvegan, Syke from a private business. The group will develop the asset into an energy efficient, multi-use commercial and community hub that includes office space, a gym and childcare facilities to address a range of community needs in a remote, rural community.
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust
Award – £267,948
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust will purchase the Taversoe Hotel on Rousay, Orkney. The hotel is the only current hospitality venue on all three islands. The group will operate the asset as a hotel, pub,
restaurant and community space. This asset will serve as a year-round gathering place for the community that will assist in combating rural isolation.
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust
Award – £262,188
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust will purchase a Manse in Rousay,Orkney from the Church of Scotland. They group will convert and renovate the asset into up to 3 separate housing units that will be used for affordable rent.
Toryglen Community Hall
Award – £171,272
Toryglen Community Hall (TCH) will acquire the building in Glasgow that they’ve occupied for 35 years. Community ownership will provide security enabling TCH to improve and extend the building thus, continuing to provide activities aimed at a range of groups.
Bailliefields Community Hub SCIO
Award – £27,500
Bailliefields Community Hub will purchase a small area of land adjacent to the boundary of their existing Community Hub. Acquisition will allow the group to extend existing walking/cycling routes and increase local walking access with a focus on active travel.
Raasay Development Trust
Award – £99,961
Raasay Development Trust will acquire an empty 2-bedroom house in Inverarish on the Isle of Raasay. The group will renovate the house to create affordable rented accommodation for the community.
North Yell Development Council
Award – £99,000
North Yell Development Council will acquire the units 3-4 at Sellafirth Business Park, North Yell, Shetland. The group will use the premises to provide a multi-use office, heritage, events and training space which will be used by local agencies, individuals and community groups.
City Council supports Community Cinema Hubs Project
granton:hub is leased to announce details of the Local Cinema film programme taking place across community hubs in Edinburgh.
The Local Cinema film programme has been funded by the City of Edinburgh Council via the Creative Community Hubs Network, which brings together eight building-based hubs who are engaging with their local communities in creative ways across Edinburgh.
This is the first shared creative programme produced by the hubs network to date, in a pilot project entitled the Community Cinema Hubs Project that is hoped will be extended more widely across Edinburgh into the future.
In an era marked by evolving community dynamics and changing societal needs, village and community halls across The Lothians have developed into central hubs for an ever-growing variety of activities.
In addition to the traditional group meetings, toddler groups and pantomimes, these spaces now foster the growth of small enterprises, facilitate community engagement, and house community businesses, such as post offices, cafes, and libraries.
However, the threat to their continued success lies in the balance as the addition of activities and changes in purpose bring new risks that may invalidate their insurance coverage.
Ansvar, the expert insurers for the charity and not-for-profit sectors, are urging centre committees to verify the adequacy of their existing protective coverage to guarantee the protection of these venues for future use.
There are approximately 3,000 centres[1] across Scotland that host thousands of events and celebrations every year. With some of these halls and centres being built before World War I or to commemorate it, many have been vital community spaces for over 100 years.
The varying usage agreements and quality of provisions and building materials differ considerably across the country. As such, they can face various risks, from accidental damage and fire hazards to potential liability claims.
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, emphasises the importance: “Village and community halls are no longer limited to being mere event venues; they have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of everyday life.
“From hosting yoga classes and farmers’ markets to providing space for personal trainers, art workshops and post offices, these halls have become the lifeblood of community interaction. This evolution has created vibrant ecosystems where entrepreneurs can thrive, neighbours can connect, and shared resources can flourish.
“Indeed, by acting as vaccination centres during the Covid-19 pandemic and, due to the current cost of living crisis, as places families can go to receive emergency food provision, their importance to a community has been reaffirmed. The transformation of village and community halls into multi-purpose hubs is a heartwarming reflection of communities adapting to changing times. However, this also calls for a reassessment of the protective measures in place.”
Due to recent inflationary pressures and the rapid increase in the cost of materials, a significant number of village halls and community centres will now be underinsured.
Adam Tier added: “Being underinsured can have devastating consequences in the event of a large loss or significant damage to these buildings, where policyholders are forced to find the shortfall to reinstate the property.
“These delays in getting back up and running, or in severe cases back open at all, can leave a big hole in the local community. Therefore, it is imperative that a buildings valuation is regularly updated and contents and other items are frequently inventoried.
“We understand the immense value community halls hold and want to ensure they are protected. Without adequate coverage, these community spaces and the clubs and local businesses they support can face significant financial strain or even closure.
“Working with a specialist insurer will ensure that the essence of what makes these community spaces thrive is preserved. They will understand the unique challenges community-driven initiatives face and provide tailored coverage to address those needs, ensuring peace of mind for community organisers and members.”
A new initiative from UK-based charity CleanupUK has launched, offering communities access to free litter-picking equipment to protect their local environment from the impact of litter and to connect communities.
CleanupUK has established litter-picking hubs to mitigate the effects of litter on neighbourhoods and local wildlife in the UK whilst tackling loneliness and isolation that can take place during the winter months.
The Cleanup Hubs have been developed in partnership with local community groups such as youth centres, Councils for Voluntary Services (CVS), city farms, and a local mental health charity. Through collaboration and collective action, these organisations are coming together to serve the local community and to help foster a sense of pride in otherwise challenging times.
CleanupUK will offer litter-picking equipment including high-vis jackets, litter-picking hoops, and litter-picking sticks to local hubs which can be borrowed free of charge by the local community.
CleanupUK and partnering organisations believe that this will:
Support communities to look after their natural environment in a way that suits them
Give communities a place where they can come together and take practical action for the environment
Allow communities to make an immediate positive impact on their local neighbourhoods
Encourage people to connect with those they may otherwise not engage with and help foster a sense of community and local pride
The development of Cleanup Hubs comes against the backdrop of 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) which will see leaders from across the world gather to discuss the impact of climate change on our planet.
CleanupUK Chief Executive George Monck says, “We know that all of us can make an extraordinary impact on society and litter-picking is a great example of that.
“By coming together, local people can prevent harmful litter infiltrating parks and entering our rivers and waterways, all whilst building a stronger sense of community and having fun.”
A full list of current CleanupUK Hubs is below:
The Wharton Annexe, TS24 8NS
Kilmarnock Children’s Centre, TS25 3NU
Jellystone Park, TS4 2SL Belle Vue Community Sports & Youth Centre, TS25 1QU
Up to 40,000 consultations taking place every month
The Near Me video consultation scheme is being extended so patients can use it in community settings such as libraries, community and health and care facilities as well as their own home.
The platform is already being used for around 40,000 consultations a month, helping to ease pressure on the health service, and saving people time and money travelling to appointments.
Near Me consultations include hospital outpatient appointments, GPs, and a wide range of other services including care homes, dietetics and mental health support. Patients should be offered the option of a Near Me appointment, if appropriate, by the hospital, GP practice or other service, along with details of a website address for its video clinic.
Now patients will be able to visit 55 hubs across Scotland which have set up areas for private video consultations thanks to funding from the Scottish Government.
The new hubs provide private confidential space, good connectivity, and help for those with low digital confidence or no access to a suitable device.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf praised the innovative use of technology to benefit patients and ease the pressure of the NHS.
Mr Yousaf said: “Face to face appointments will always be there for people who need them, but Near Me has many benefits to patients, including saving time and money. It is valuable in giving them options on accessing healthcare in a way that is easy and comfortable for them.
“It allows multiple family members to join consultations and saves patients having to take time off work or organise childcare.
“The platform has also reduced the need for travel, saving an estimated 57 million miles of travel since January 2020. That is so important at this time when we are looking at fuel costs and the impact on the environment.”
Andrina Robb, Near Me Support Manager for NHS Highland, said: “The Near Me system is safe and secure, and very straightforward to use. There is no app to download or registration required. Your details remain private, just like any other appointment.
“All you need is a device for making video calls, like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and an internet connection. If you don’t have these things, Near Me rooms are now available in some GP surgeries and other locations such as libraries. You can even invite along a friend or family member for support, and they can join the call even if they live far away.”
A feedback survey of nearly 25,000 users reported an average saving of 36 miles per visit – around 1.4 million miles a month. They survey also revealed 92% said the system was easy to use and 97% would use it again.
