CLD Final Annual Report for CPP2021 to 2024
Argyll and Bute Council · 6 November 2024
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group — 6 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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CLD Annual Report 1 Argyll and Bute Community Learning & Development (CLD) Partnership - 2021-2024 Final Annual Report
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CLD Annual Report 2 Welcome from Chair ............................................................................................................3 Vision, Values and Role of the Partnership ........................................................4 Education Scotland HMIe Visit - January 2024 ..............................................5 Performance and Achievements ..............................................................................6 Case study 1 - RainbowFest 2023 .............................................................................7 Case study 2 - The Give Back Group ................................................................8-9 Case study 3 - Youth Work in Kintyre ...........................................................10-12 Case study 4 - Making a difference through Community Development .......................................................13 Case study 5 - The Power of Partnership Working ...................................14 Case study 6 - Health and Wellbeing ..........................................................15-16 Case study 7 - A Learner’s Journey ......................................................................17 Case study 8 - Bute and Cowal Development Trusts .....................18-19 Priorities for 2024-2027 ...................................................................................................20 Thanks to our Partners .....................................................................................................21 Contents
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CLD Annual Report 3 As the chair of the Argyll and Bute Community Learning and Development Partnership, I am delighted to present our final Annual Report. Community Learning and Community Development services (CLD), although separate, collectively aim to work together through enhanced collaboration and purposeful engagement to improve and enhance the delivery of our services. This involves identifying learning needs, addressing gaps, and developing, delivering, evaluating, and reviewing multi-agency learning and development. CLD involves working with groups and individuals of all ages to participate in learning, personal development and active citizenship. Our focus is on providing support to disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals or groups with the aim of bringing about change in their lives and communities. Over the past 18 months the partnership has produced a number of successes, which has helped us in realising our vision of “working together to improve lives across Argyll and Bute”. We continue to empower individuals and communities to lead sustainable, fulfilling lives through continuous learning, cooperative problem solving and removing barriers to engagement. This has led to improvements in the Health and Wellbeing of those attending our programmes. The Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013 mandate stipulates that all local authorities must develop a plan every 3 years. Our Plan outlines how we will effectively co-ordinate and ensure a quality provision in collaboration with our main stakeholders and associated partners. Argyll and Bute Council is legally responsible for taking the lead in meeting the requirements of the CLD Regulations. It is crucial to emphasise that partners must also be actively and meaningfully involved, and take collective ownership and responsibility in order to develop, implement, and evaluate the plan. In the last 18 months, there has been a continued collaboration with partners to enhance the learning experience in our schools and communities. Strong Partnership working has led to clearer governance and reporting arrangements, which continue to be in place through the liveArgyll board, Community Planning Partnership (CPP) and Community Services Committee. The current Community Learning Strategic Partnership Plan 2021-2024 focuses on six key themes: 1. Digital Skills 2. Core Skills 3. Learning, Life and Work 4. Health and Wellbeing 5. Your Voice 6. Learner Offer This report showcases examples of qualitative and quantitative case studies and data that highlights the impact of our delivery that meets these 6 key themes. In January 2024 CLD - Argyll and Bute Council underwent a successful progress visit from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe). Findings and recommendations were published in February 2024, overall the visit and feedback was extremely positive. In December 2023 The Minister for Higher Education, Further Education and Skills, arranged to carry out an independent review of CLD across all local Authorities in Scotland. The official findings will not be published until September, therefore any findings or recommendations are outside the scope of this report. However once published, any recommendations will be used to develop the outcomes for the new CLD Strategic Partnership Plan 24/27. Although the last three years have been challenging, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Key Partners, Volunteers, Adult Learners, Young People and Community Representatives for being able to deliver on the key outcomes of the Strategic Partnership Plan. The 2021 -2024 Strategic CLD Partnership Plan is currently being reviewed and a consultation with key stakeholders has been carried out to decide the new priorities for the next three years. The new plan 2024 – 2027 is due to be published in September 2024. Rhona Grant Chair CLD Partnership Welcome CLD Annual Report 3
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CLD Annual Report 4 Our Vision “Working together to improve lives across Argyll and Bute by empowering individuals and communities to lead sustainable, fulfilling and happy lives through continuous learning, cooperative problem solving and removing barriers to engagement, health and wellbeing.” Values The CLD Partnership has adopted the principles, values, ethics and competencies set out by the CLD Standards Council for Scotland. The principles that underpin CLD practice are: Empowerment - increasing the ability of individuals and groups to influence matters affecting them and their communities Participation - supporting people to take part in decision making Inclusion, equality of opportunity and anti-discrimination - recognising some people need additional support to overcome the barriers they face Self – determination - supporting the right of people to make their own choices Partnership - ensuring resources and the range of skills and capabilities available are used effectively Role of the CLD Partnership • Being responsible for the development implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Argyll and Bute CLD Plan. This will include the appropriate risk management and mitigations given manpower and resources available • Ensuring strategic priorities are aligned to key local and national plans, while ensuring there is no duplication of work • Sharing and analysing data and identifying gaps to inform planning and decision making • Fostering collaboration and where possible sharing resources across the partnership • Putting in place delivery/workstream group arrangements to ensure effective implementation at operational and local level, taking into account geographical variations/needs • Evaluating and reviewing the CLD plan on a regular basis, taking into account changing learner needs, while ensuring a culture of self-evaluation and improvement • Communicating the work of the partnership to key partners, raising the profile of the work of the partnership and sharing and celebrating key successes • Identifying and sharing examples of good practice • Contributing to Education Scotland CLD inspections and other appropriate CLD quality assurance measures Our Vision & Values
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CLD Annual Report 5 In January 2024, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) Inspectors visited Argyll and Bute Council to undertake a Community Learning and Development (CLD) progress visit. As with previous inspection models, the starting point for the inspectors is to measure the progress and delivery of the current CLD Strategic Partnership Plan, as well as the self-evaluation process of all key stakeholders. The Self-evaluation that took place, is based on the following two high-level questions and five themes across four quality indicators that are outlined in the national document ‘How good is our Community Learning and Development?’ Leadership and Direction • Governance (QI 6.1 Raising standards) • Capacity for improvement (QI 6.2 Securing improvement) Performance and Outcomes • Analysis and use of data and other information (QI 1.1 Performance against aims and targets) • Success for all (QI 2.3 Improving life chances) • Skills for learning life and work (QI 2.3 Improving life chances) During the visit, HMIe Inspectors talked to learners and community representatives, CLD leaders, managers, staff, and volunteers, and other key stakeholders. HMIe Inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of local authority CLD partnerships’ approach to self-evaluation and planning for improvement, and considered progress made against identified priorities in their CLD plans. Key Strengths HMIe Inspectors identified a number of strengths in CLD provision, and examples of progress since the previous visits in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Among key areas of strength identified were: • Self-evaluation is accurate and HMIe were in agreement with the strengths and development areas identified • Governance and leadership of CLD is effective • The CLD Partnership Group supports effective collaborative working • The use of Basecamp is allowing effective communication and information/ data sharing across the partnership • CLD has established and is further developing strong partnerships with schools, which are tailored to the needs of individual schools and pupils • Almost all learners are demonstrating improved health and wellbeing outcomes Improvement Areas Improvement areas identified were: • The need to make improvement outcomes more clearly measurable in improvement planning • The need to ensure CLD planning is coherent and aligned with planning at Argyll and Bute Outcomes Improvement Plan level • The need to develop individual learning plans with learners within CLD HMIe Inspectors concluded that there was no requirement for a follow-up visit relating to CLD in Argyll and Bute. A report on progress will be submitted to HMIe in January 2025. Education Scotland HMIe Visit – January 2024
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CLD Annual Report 6 Performance and Achievements The percentage of groups who say their effectiveness has increased as a result of capacity building by the team 90% Gaelic Language community groups received capacity building support sessions 45 Home Safety visits carried out (2023) by Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Community Action Team and Operational Crews providing home fire safety advice 888 Community groups received community capacity building support 95 Individuals completed CLD nationally recognised awards 493 Young people (12- 19yrs) registered and engaging per month in learning activities/ programmes 147 Young people attended MSYP roadshows across Argyll and Bute 447 Adults registered and engaging per month in learning activities/ programmes 156 Adults engaged in Community Based Adult Learning events and informal engagement 1524
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CLD Annual Report 7 Need for the project/activity It was identified through consultation with partners, young people and adults that there was a need for inclusive events and spaces for LGBTQ+ community members and their allies to celebrate diversity and be themselves in a safe and inclusive space. Furthermore, travel to this type of event is not always possible for people living in rural areas highlighting a further need for our community members to have access to an event of their own. Secondary benefits will include the creation of groups/forums for this community, which will be supportive in relation to LGBTQ+ and help grow the wider network. Description liveArgyll Community Learning (Adult and Youth Services), in partnership with Oban Pride, hosted the inaugural RainbowFest event on the 1st of July 2023 in Ardrishaig, Mid-Argyll to coincide with events held at other locations over Pride month. Adult Learning Groups and Youth Action Groups were consulted and were part of the planning, organisation and delivery. The event was free and open to all and provided information and support from relevant services. Arts and crafts stalls, entertainment including music and dance performances, LGBTQ+ story time, soft play, food and drink, and more, encouraging people to come together in a relaxed atmosphere and to learn and celebrate diversity whilst engaging in a range of activities without fear of stigma, judgement, or discrimination. Impact The family friendly event was a great success and attendance surpassed expectations, with over 100 members of the public in attendance. Young people from local Youth Action Groups alongside a variety of partners including liveArgyll Libraries, NHS Highland, Police Scotland and MAYDS provided assistance and support in organising and volunteering at the event. Feedback and evaluation of the event from those in attendance reported improved confidence and self- esteem, being able to come together in a safe environment and socially interact with others that brought about positive wellbeing. Evidence • Photos and newspaper articles • Feedback from people who attended • Learning and Volunteer Opportunities • Accredited and wider achievement awards (five Volunteers achieved Saltire Awards) • Recorded the number of people engaging and attending RainbowFest 2023 consultation station feedback: “Times are moving forward. I’ve been so impressed with older generations supporting their children to be more gender fluid.” “Welcoming” “Fun” “Great atmosphere” “Warm welcome” “Lots of info” “Nice people” “Lovely event” Case Study 1 RainbowFest July 2023
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CLD Annual Report 8 Case Study 2 The Give Back Group Need for the project/activity The need for the Give Back Group was identified following learners from the Snowdrop Centre MS Argyll completing their SQA Health and Wellbeing Award with Adult Learning. After discussion on how the participants would like to move forward, the group agreed that they would like to continue to improve their learning, core skills and wellbeing and also wanting to give something back to their community. Description The learners attending the Give Back Group are all adults with long term physical and mental health conditions. The group meet every Wednesday and work together to ‘give back’ to their community by creating and making items for their pop up shop and in turn fundraise for their centre. The group set up their shop at various events held at the centre and receive donations for their items from community members attending. The group are facilitated to plan, organise and deliver in all aspects of their project and work successfully as a team. The group works at their own pace and with flexibility, which is determined by the health challenges, they constantly face. In addition, five members of the group are undertaking a SQA Volunteering Award giving them the opportunity to develop their volunteer skills and to recognise their achievement through formal qualifications. Impact The group enjoy the challenge of learning a new creative skill as they volunteer for the Snowdrop Centre not only to raise funds for their pop up shop but also volunteering to help out at events, with the local food share and with administration tasks too. The group agree that participating in this experience has improved their confidence and self-esteem while giving meaning and purpose to their lives. Overall they feel more valued which in turn has a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. Evidence Community Learning has supported the group in achieving their motivations by encouraging the group to make decisions for themselves and supporting them to contact appropriate agencies who can help the group further define their role. • The group made the decision to continue to carry on • The group have raised £600 for the Snowdrop Centre • Development of Volunteering Skills • Achievement of Accredited Learning Qualifications
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CLD Annual Report 9 Impact is demonstrated through adult learning evaluation. “I really enjoy learning and doing my SQA, looking forward to finishing and getting my qualification” “I just enjoying being part of the group, it’s a good support and I like being able to volunteer and give back” “It gives me something to look forward to and structure in my week” “Just getting to group after losing my husband, and being with others and taking part in volunteering is helping me” “I feel I can talk in the group and share and I don’t feel judged about my health condition” “It’s good for my mental health” “It boosts my self-confidence and give me purpose in life” “Seeing people and not being judged, there is always someone to listen and it really helps me. I don’t feel alone and it helps me to improve my wellbeing” “I proved to myself I can take part in education even though I am retiring!” Feedback quotes from Snowdrop Centre staff: “The impact of self-esteem has been boosted. Self-confidence has increased and their feelings of being a valuable citizen” - Manager “The group are getting stronger at working on their own initiative and their planning skills and identifying resources has improved” - Outreach Worker Case Study 2 (Continued) The Give Back Group
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CLD Annual Report 10 Case Study 3 Kintyre Friday Night ‘Street Sports’ Project Need for the project/activity In a recent youth consultation conducted by the Kintyre Youth Action Group, it was found that many young people are greatly impacted by the following concerns: • Adequate resources • Wellness and physical activity • Alcohol/substance abuse • Risky/criminal behaviours. To address these issues, the following suggestions were put forward: • Increased availability of sports/clubs/activities after school • Enhanced support beyond school hours to address worries and concerns • Measures to promote a sense of safety within the community Description The second annual Friday Night ‘Street Sports’ Project at the Aqualibrium All Weather Pitch in Campbeltown was successfully completed in spring 2024. Thanks to the support of the Campbeltown Community Windfarm Fund, this project provided a positive and healthy outlet for P7 pupils in their transition to the Grammar School. The collaborative efforts of various organizations including liveArgyll Youth Work, Active Schools, The Hub, Campbeltown Grammar School, KADAS, and Police Scotland made it possible for fifty young people to engage in a variety of sports activities, fostering relationships and accessibility to services within the local community. Impact Most young people who took part said they had improved in many areas, such as their physical and mental health, confidence, social skills, and ability to make positive choices. They loved the variety of sports available and the chance to hang out with their friends in a safe and structured environment at night. All the young people were excited to do it again next year. Evidence • Young People continued to engage in Youth activities • Young people interacting with others • Development of social skills and communication and building relationships • Young people sharing their experiences
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CLD Annual Report 11 Case Study 3a Kintyre Music Project Need for the project/activity The Kintyre Youth Action group surveyed young people aged 11 to 18 and found a need for extracurricular activities to support their learning and development, including activities promoting skills development, socialisation, and mental health support. A subgroup within the group, that were surveyed, highlighted that they were interested in starting a music group. This led to the planning and implementation of a charity song project. Description The Kintyre Youth Music project is dedicated to providing comprehensive musical guidance and tuition to young people in Kintyre. Their program spans a wide range of music-making elements, including instrument tuition, general musicianship skills, music theory, song writing, recording, and music production. Through their weekly group sessions, they actively support young people in exploring and mastering these different elements while nurturing their individual abilities and interests. The project empowers young people to unleash their creativity by creating their own musical compositions and collaboratively working on group pieces. Notably, the group’s charity single ‘Our Own Way’ was written, recorded, and released on YouTube, successfully raising £155 for a local cancer charity. Check out the song here. Impact All participants in the project have experienced improvements in their confidence, core skills, and ability to make new friends. They have also recognised the significant benefits of creative expression on their mental health and well-being, while concurrently enhancing their musical skills and knowledge. The group is actively engaged in working on their next piece of music and eagerly exploring future performance opportunities. Evidence • Young People are reporting improved confidence and self-esteem • Young People have improved their core skills; communication, numeracy, ICT, working with others & problem-solving • Young People have gained a positive experience through regular attendance on the learning programme • Young People evaluations, musical pieces created, pics, case studies
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CLD Annual Report 12 Need for the project/activity Young people aged 11 to 18 in the Campbeltown area need increased opportunities for structured extra-curricular learning programmes, especially in the creative arts. The Youth Action Group’s consultation in 2022 confirmed that film-making is a suitable opportunity that young people would like to pursue. Description In the spring of 2024, a passionate group of young individuals in Kintyre eagerly engaged in a captivating film-making initiative to unravel the art of crafting films using their personal smartphones. Over the course of ten weeks, seasoned filmmaker Alasdair Satchel gracefully conducted sessions, exploring a myriad of film-making elements. These encompassed film composition, continuity shots, editing, narrative development or story-telling, the captivating realm of stop-motion animation, as well as delving into the art of conveying emotions and sensory exploration. Guided by Alasdair’s expertise, the participants were encouraged to collaborate and bring to life their own short films, incorporating the newly acquired techniques. These will culminate in an exclusive screening, a celebration to be shared with their friends and family, to be showcased on the grand screen at Campbeltown Picture House. Impact The young people thoroughly enjoyed creating and practising their short films, and they generated some fantastic concepts. Participants observed significant improvements in their film-making knowledge, skills, general confidence, core skills, and ability to make new friends, and motivation, among other areas. One participant confidently stated: Evidence • Young People are reporting improved confidence and self-esteem • Young People have improved their core skills; communication, numeracy, ICT, working with others & problem-solving • Young People have gained a positive experience through regular attendance on the learning programme • Post-programme evaluation, photos and short films created • Young People have improved their physical and mental health and wellbeing • Young People have improved their aspirations and motivation Case Study 3b Kintyre Youth Film-Making Project “Recording myself helped to boost my confidence and I made new friends as well.”
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CLD Annual Report 13 Making a difference through Community Development Community Learning and Development (CLD) has a powerful impact on the lives of learners and communities, supporting them to identify and work towards change. Whether that change takes place in an individual’s life, helps to create a resilient and enterprising community or contributes to better public services in a changing landscape, Scotland has a need for successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors working together to build a shared future. Community Development is well known for its’ ingenuity and creative solutions and workers have mobilised themselves in other ways to deliver their core work. Here is an example of this practice. Need for the project/activity The learning disabled community in Argyll and Bute are very small and rurally dispersed. They find it hard to have a voice, and they face considerable barriers in daily life as well as in communicating. Description The Community Development Service invited the group to attend the Community Planning Partnership’s locality group. This group brings all the statutory partners together for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area together. They meet quarterly in a hybrid fashion. The group agreed they would like to attend and they said that they would like to be supported by the staff at the Lochside Centre and to appear online. Two centre users represented everyone. We helped them to prepare a paper for the agenda and explained to them what to expect. We listened to their ideas on what they wanted to say and advised on what was relevant for this group. There were three people on the screen and they spoke about their issues with housing, access to work, and travel. Fyne Homes and TSI offered to get in touch at the meeting as they were also attending and the meeting support team offered to contact Transport. Subsequently the engagement officer of Fyne Homes visited the Centre to meet the attendees and brought some gifts for their garden. Margaret from the TSI visited the centre and spoke to them about supported employment and volunteering. The Community Development Officer is now supporting them to become a community organisation and helped them to run their first AGM. Impact This was an exceptional result from one meeting and brought them 3 offers of assistance, raising their profile and the issues faced by one of the most vulnerable groups in Argyll. Partners were pleased to hear from them and keen to help. Evidence Testimony of the Centre manager in conversation - very pleased with support offered. Lessons Learned Don’t underestimate the ability of learning disabled people to advocate for what they need – they just need support to do it. Case Study 4 Making a difference through Community Development
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CLD Annual Report 14 Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Engagement and Educational Delivery Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Community Action Team and Operational Crews throughout 2023 and the early part of 2024 have been delivering various education programmes and engagement sessions to Primary and High Schools across Argyll & Bute as well as to the wider community on Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs). The Primary and Secondary schools visits which were held mainly face-to-face and a few remotely over Teams included Water Safety in Scotland Water/Ice safety presentations, Road Safety, Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) Education delivery and Fire safety education including bonfire education. Careers Day & Stem Fest In 2023 we also worked closely with the Developing Young Work Force (DYW) on various school career open days in Argyll & Bute High Schools. We supported two Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) engagements in Campbeltown and Tobermory High Schools. Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) In 2023 a total of 888 and up to April 2024 a further 271 home fire safety visits have been made to residents throughout Argyll and Bute educating on and providing home fire safety advice. CPR Awareness Sessions Some of our education sessions have also included CPR Awareness sessions demonstrating basic life support through the application of CPR. Case Study 5 The Power of Partnership Working
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CLD Annual Report 15 Case Study 6 Health and Wellbeing Making a difference through Community Development The covid-19 pandemic has brought immense challenges for the work that the CLD sector delivers. The enforced lockdown and measures for reduced contact have meant that our reach with learners has been impacted as our important face to face and small group work approach has been affected. The sector is, however, well known for its ingenuity and creative solutions and workers have mobilised themselves in other ways to deliver their core work. Here is a really good example of this practice and work carried out by the Community Development Team. Need for the project/activity The Welcome In recovery café following a hiatus post-COVID had asked to meet Community Development to discuss the future of the group. As one of only a handful of groups in Helensburgh addressing recovery from drugs and alcohol, the group was considering ending its activities due to lack of volunteers and a heavy workload for the 2 active volunteers. In discussion with the local Community Development Officer it was suggested that the committee wished to relaunch and since April 2023 had been working with Community Development, NHS (ADP), and With You to relaunch a weekly recovery café in Helensburgh. Leading to its re-launch date in September the group met on a fortnightly basis building its volunteer team with the help of With You who identified people in active recovery ready to take on these volunteer roles. The need for a recovery café is highlighted by the national drug death stats and, in Helensburgh filled an identified gap in the provision for peer-led recovery. Description The Welcome In recovery café takes place on Thursdays weekly at Helensburgh Parish Church and since its relaunch is attended by approximately 10 café friends, 6 volunteers in active recovery and on average 3-4 members of paid agency staff. The group since its relaunch has looked to build the skills of volunteers and have had discussions with Community Development and liveArgyll looking at training opportunities for the group. Since its relaunch With You have taken the role as the lead partnership and are helping the group with larger funding applications to ensure its ongoing sustainability. Impact Community Development have had an important role in helping the group state their motivations for continuing as a community group and once deciding to continue, to contact appropriate agencies who can help the group further define their role. This included: • Setting up some initial meetings with NHS ADP and With You , who were considered key partners • Having visioning sessions for new volunteers – to agree on a set of shared values and looking at what training development activities they would be involved in • Helping group identify larger subject-specific funding streams • Give advice on good governance and basic committee skills training to new committee members Now that the group is working with a lead partner With You, there is a lesser role for Community Development Officer between the start date of Sept 23 – December as the group becomes more established. Community Development will be working with the group in 2024 to identify future development training opportunities.
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CLD Annual Report 16 The group from being on the cusp of “folding” are now an important part of the recovery landscape in Helensburgh. By involving suitable partners and alerting them to the group’s intention to continue, support in the form of staff from With You have helped the group offer a weekly recovery café while the confidence of new volunteers build. It is anticipated that some volunteers will join the committee following committee skills training in 2024. CD will be working with the group in 2024 to identify future development training opportunities. Evidence • Email correspondence • Presentations • Volunteer policies • Grant applications • Feedback Photo/evidence for visioning days Lessons Learned The group from being on the cusp of “folding” are now an important part of the recovery landscape in Helensburgh. By involving suitable partners and alerting them to the groups intention to continue, support in the form of staff from With You have helped the group offer a weekly recovery café while the confidence of new volunteers build. It is anticipated that some volunteers will join the committee following committee skills training in 2024. Case Study 6 (Continued) Health and Wellbeing
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CLD Annual Report 17 Margaret Denvir has been volunteering at the Mid- Argyll Community Learning Hub every week for over a year. She works with people who drop in and also has face to face with our regular attendees sharing her knowledge and supporting learners to improve their digital skills. Margaret’s role plays a significant part in the hub allowing us to support more learners to improve their skills, as well as free up the Adult Learning worker to support more people in their learning journey at the hub. Margaret has also been an Adult Learner with us for over six years and has been supported to develop her skills for learning, life and work, and to improve her confidence, self- esteem and wellbeing. Margaret has had many challenges to overcome; most significantly in relation to her mental and physical health. However she has shown her determination to move forward positively in her life, and her commitment to improving her life situation. Margaret has regularly attended Adult Learning opportunities some of which include wellbeing groups, life skill workshops, employability groups, and courses. Notably she has achieved an SQA Health and Wellbeing Award Level 4 and SQA PDA Self and Work Award Level 4. Margaret was also nominated for a Volunteer of the Year Award 2023! Where is Margaret now? Margaret is now a university student studying a Certificate of Higher Education in the English Language. She has completed her first year successfully and is embarking on her second! Margaret also remains a key part of our Community Learning Hub as she continues to support our learners as digital skills volunteer. Finally Margaret recognises the importance of maintaining her health and wellbeing and continues to learn and develop in this area through attending the Mid Argyll Adult Learning Let’s Grow Group, where she volunteers for various project outdoors in nature. “Adult learning have proven time and time again the lengths they will go to help someone find themselves by looking outside the box. I know that I wouldn’t be in the position I am today of it weren’t for their help as my health and wellbeing, mental health and even my education has flourished. Adult learning has given me the courage and confidence to fight for dreams I never thought possible.” Margaret Denvir Case Study 7 A Learner’s Journey
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CLD Annual Report 18 Making a difference through Community Development Need for the project/activity The need for this project was identified by a former Vice Chair of the Bute and Cowal Development Trust who suggested a meeting of Development Trusts could foster good relationships and encourage joint working between organisations facing similar challenges. Since the first meeting in July 2022, discussion topics have included: • Recruitment and retention of volunteers • Rural location challenges • Identifying partners and how they can support the work Trusts are doing • Delivering and influencing Local Place Plans / Community Action Plans • Community engagement • Taking on premises and staffing local facilities • Development Trusts’ role in the community • Fundraising and identifying funding sources • Larger trusts supporting smaller ones • Joining DTAS for newer Trusts • Community Planning opportunities • Community wealth building • Support from the Community Development team at Argyll and Bute Council Facilitated by the Community Development team, bi-annual meetings provide a platform to share information, identify local needs and offer the opportunity for Trusts to ask questions of one another, access Community Development resources or conduit to other Argyll and Bute Council services. Meetings increase opportunities for wider networking and sharing of best practice. • What’s App group established for Trusts to connect between meetings – this was arranged by Community Development and has since passed to Trusts for themselves to administrate • Information and minutes shared with around 14 organisations, with representatives attending meetings as and when it was helpful to them • Share information on free training opportunities and resources Impact The impact of this work is expressed by continued attendance, there was an initial attendance of 11 Trusts at the first meeting in July 2022, this has settled to 5 attendees on the subsequent 3 sessions, the latest one on 7th November 2023. At the meeting in May 2023 Pamela Barnes from DTAS delivered a presentation on the benefits to Trusts of joining DTAS. The Partnerships Development Officer from Argyll and Bute Council also delivered a presentation on funding challenges and opportunities. Information from this session was shared with 14 organisations. Meetings consist of an informal evening gathering with no formal structure or learning. There is a suggested agenda that people can add to before the meeting. Trusts occasionally attend Community Development Training sessions, with 1 Trust attending our Funding Training session in September and 3 Trusts attending our Community Action Plans/Local Place Plans training in November. There are 3 Trusts who are members of the Area Community Planning group, a further 2 sent representatives to deliver presentations on community projects. Trusts also receive the regular Communities Bulletin. Case Study 8 Bute and Cowal Development Trusts
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CLD Annual Report 19 Case Study 8 (Continued) Bute and Cowal Development Trusts Evidence • Attendees of the group report verbally at the end of each session whether they found it useful • Joining or attending ACPG • Attending our training, completing training evaluations, however these are anonymised • One–off emails seeking guidance on funding opportunities or Community Action Planning. Good strong relationships being built between Trusts and with CDO as a reliable point of contact in the Council Lessons Learned • The Trusts value the sessions, the desire is to meet twice yearly. Non- attendees also find information sent to them useful and can send questions in • DTAS support new and existing groups to raise local profile, connect with others across Scotland, access funding and attend national events including conferences • What’s App passed to Trusts to self-administer, Trusts all have one another’s email addresses too, not sure how regular the contact is • Could be more opportunities around capacity building, particularly to link with ACPG and Community Councils especially in areas that are missing a Community Council/not quorate • Next meeting is likely to be early in May 2024 At Bute & Cowal Community Planning Partnership Group meetings there are occasional brief updates from development trusts from across the area. At one of these meetings, it was suggested that a separate network would be useful to allow community development trusts to share their plans, learn from each other’s experiences and build positive connections for the future. Ailie Law from Argyll & Bute Council Community Development Team took on the task of contacting each of the trusts across Bute and Cowal and co-ordinating what became a series of online network meetings, some with guest speakers. Below we hear from a couple of the Trusts: “Having attended each meeting on behalf of Dunoon Community Development Trust (DCDT), I am happy to report that these were all valuable opportunities to connect with neighbouring development trusts. As the newest trust in the area addressing issues in the main town, these meetings provided us with an opportunity to outline what DCDT is working on, and how this is designed to complement the action of other trusts across our rural peninsula. We were able to learn about the contrasting challenges more rural trusts face, and the different opportunities that they have found to fund their work. The meetings have built positive relationships for the future and will help to ensure clear communication going forward. They also have the potential to seed joint initiatives between trusts for the benefit of our community.” Ann Campbell, Manager, Dunoon Community Development Trust “Thanks for inviting DTAS along to your meeting…. It was great to hear about recent and upcoming activities from some development trusts in the area….fantastic to see development trusts come together to build a regional network, and great that Argyll and Bute Council is supporting this. Really interesting to hear about the support that David (Rennie) provides too from Argyll and Bute Council. So valuable to have a good source of up-to-date funding opportunities, that can otherwise be quite overwhelming. See attached a PDF of my presentation to share with everyone….. (plus) links that folk might find useful.” Pamela Barnes, Membership and Engagement Officer, Development Trusts Association, Scotland
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CLD Annual Report 20 New CLD Strategic Partnership Plan 2024-2027 Review of membership to ensure it reflects all aspects CLD and the wide range of partners who contribute to CLD outcomes in Argyll and Bute and the wider work of CLD such as adult learning. Continued Development of shared vision, values and aims. Consultation process including engagement with CPP, ACPG’s, Youth Forums and 3rd sector partners. Creation of measurable improvement action plan, outlining key priorities and lead responsibilities. Continued Improvement sharing of information across partners through Basecamp platform provided by Community Development. Publication of New CLD Strategic Partnership Plan September 2024. Priorities for 2024-2027“I’ve always wanted to learn how to sew, and this programme has given me the skills and confidence to make my own clothes. It’s been incredibly rewarding” Billy McTaggart
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CLD Annual Report 21 Partners With thanks to our partners within the Argyll and Bute CLD Partnership liveArgyll • HSCP - Public Health • Argyll and Bute Council Education Service • Argyll and Bute Council Economic Growth • Argyll and Bute Drugs and Alcohol Partnership • Argyll College UHI • Third Sector Interface • 3rd sector community organisations representative • Strategic Housing Forum • Skills Development Scotland • Department for Work and Pensions • Community Planning management team • Argyll and Bute Council Community Development team • Police Scotland • Scottish Fire and Rescue • Argyll and Bute Social Work