Friday 1 September 2023
Welcome to Community, your Dumfries and Galloway community bulletin.
We are always keen to hear of any positive stories about things that are happening in your community and would like to feature them in Community – please email us at communitybulletin@dumgal.gov.uk and one of our reporters will get back to you.
 A to Z of Dumfries and Galloway Council
G is for Get on yer Bike
This is Peri Wallach.
Peri is the Bikeability Coordinator for the region.
Peri organises the Bikeability programme to all 99 primary schools across the region with her dedicated team of trained tutors.
Bikeability (formerly known as cycling proficiency) aims to develop essential cycling skills in primary pupils that increase their confidence and abilities to cycle safely on the road.
Peri – a lover of all things cycling and running herself – promotes this important programme with knowledge, professionalism, and passion in equal measure, attracting like-minded people along the way. Starting only a year ago Peri has grown a pool of volunteer Bikeability tutors from zero to 20.
Peri has always worked in roles that help young people with their overall health and wellbeing and says, “I want to encourage others to be more active and enjoy being active daily. It’s great to see children develop their skills and abilities in cycling while having fun; I do not think they realise how much physical, mental, and social developing takes place during these sessions. It’s heart-warming just seeing them love being outdoors and active with their friends…even when it’s freezing cold in January!"
FACT– 60% of schools took part in the programme last year. That’s 1,150 young people completing level 1 and 1,250 completing level 2 across 61 schools in one year. That’s a lot of safe cyclists.
Whether it’s a young person learning to cycle for the first time or learning how to carry out a bike safety check, Peri is happy knowing that everyone is learning how to look after themselves while taking part in a fun, social and healthy activity – not to mention learning an alternative way to travel.
Best part of the job? “I love every part of my job, in particular working with the most enthusiastic volunteers, their collective love of cycling and the programme is infectious. We have so much fun; they are world-class volunteers who create so many opportunities for young people and are so supportive and enthusiastic about what we aim to achieve. It’s a joy to work with them and see the impact they make every day.”
Peri, you, and your wonderful team have boundless energy and enthusiasm to support young people to cycle safely within this beautiful region. Because of you the future looks more active, healthier, safer – and fun. Thank you.
 Ross with Director of Skills, Education & Learning Gillian Brydson and Anne Harkness, Schools Digital Manager.
Ross's Storey
In 2013 Ross Storey started at the council as a Modern Apprentice in the Schools Management Information Systems (MIS) team. Here, in his own words, is how he progressed in his own development to secure a role as an ICT Development Officer in the Education ICT Team.
"I started at the council as a Modern Apprentice in the Schools MIS team, I was still in S6 at the time and finished off my final exams in May 2013 while working and learning the new job.
"Six months later I was successful in gaining a permanent position in the MIS team as MIS Assistant and continued my Modern Apprenticeship qualification (SVQ 3 Business and Administration) alongside this, where I completed the course in December 2014.
"In 2018 I was successful in gaining the position as Education Systems Support Assistant, the following year in 2019 I then successfully gained the position as Education Systems Support Officer. Although I was progressing in my work career, it was in the summer of 2019 I also decided to further progress my academic career, and I decided to start a Graduate Apprenticeship with Robert Gordon University and enrolled on the course IT Management for Business to try and gain a degree.
"The course was full time. However, because it was distance learning it meant I could continue in my job at the council full time as well, which was supported by my line manager and the Director of Education. While undertaking the degree I further progressed my career in the council in 2021 by gaining a position as Education ICT Support Technician.
"Towards the end of my degree in 2022 I was again successful in further progressing my career. I am now an ICT Development Officer in the Education ICT Team. After three and a half years of study while working full time my course is now officially complete, and I graduated in July 2023 with the degree of BSc IT Management for Business. I’m looking forward to continue working and furthering my career in Education in the council."
 Pictured presenting the award for The Choose to Lead Programme at the east Leadership Academy is Sammie Smith, Grants and Administration Officer from the Holywood Trust.
Two leadership academies were held this summer, one in the east of the region at Lockerbie Academy, and one in the west at Kirkcudbright Academy. A total of 35 young people from across the region took part in the two-day sports leadership courses, led by the Active Schools and Community Sport Team.
Young people applied to do the course that includes the Go Lead Sports Leadership Award, which covered themes such as communication, organising, planning and evaluation and the STEPS (Space, Task, Equipment, People) principle. The two-day courses also include safeguarding and protecting children, forward planning, Saltire Awards registration and a number of practical delivery sessions.
The training days give young people the necessary skills to organise, support and deliver sporting sessions in their school and local community. The young people then get opportunities to gain further skills, experience, and qualifications as part of their leadership journey, which can enhance employment opportunities.
The Leadership Academies form part of the widely recognised Choose to Lead Programme that takes place across our region, which is supported and funded by The Holywood Trust. Choose to Lead is for young people aged 12–25 years, and supports them in following a leadership journey suited to them. Choose to Lead teaches values and promotes involvement in sport and physical activity that will leave a legacy to develop our next generation.
New Parkinson's Café to Launch in Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright is to host a new monthly café for people living with Parkinson’s in
Stewartry. Starting next month, the café will be a regular, informal opportunity to access support and meet other people who live with Parkinson’s.
Lynn Jackson, who retired from her counselling practice in 2018 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, last year relocated to Kirkcudbright to be closer to family. Having been used to various support groups in her previous location, she searched around for something similar.
No longer able to drive, it became a challenge for Lynn to attend the nearest groups in Dumfries and Annan. Recognising the gap in the area, she made contact with Parkinson’s UK, which is now facilitating three initial sessions of the Stewartry Parkinson’s Café.
Starting in September, the café will run on the first Tuesday of every month, starting at 1.30pm at The Johnston in Kirkcudbright. Guests have been invited to the first two sessions, with Parkinson’s Local Adviser, Lorna Fraser, to be on hand on 5 September 2023 and the Parkinson’s Nurse, Shona Graham, coming along on 3 October 2023.
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Marking Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding's Birth
The Lord Dowding Committee in Moffat are pleased to announce the arrangements to mark the birth of Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding on Sunday, 3 September at Station Park in Moffat.
A short service will start at 2.30pm presided over by the Rev. Elsie MacCrae, and thereafter will be open to all those who wish to lay a wreath. The Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE will lay a wreath on the day.
The Dowding family have ties to Moffat, and Lord Dowding's achievements are recognised in the Dowding Memorial in Station Park, Moffat.
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SHAX Pop-Up Shop to Relocate to the Crichton
SHAX, a homeless support charity in Dumfries, has this week announced its plans to relocate its town centre pop-up shop to The Crichton. The charity, which started trading in 2012, currently operates from a busy warehouse location at The Crichton, and in September 2021, as part of a post-Covid recovery plan funded by the Scottish Government’s Adapt and Thrive programme, opened the doors to a pop-up shop on the town’s Nith Street.
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After a positive start and a successful trading period in 2021/2022, a decision was made to extend the lease and to continue running the town centre shop, but following a temporary closure due to severe flooding in December 2022/January 2023, the current impact of the cost-of-living increases, as well as ongoing recruitment challenges, it is no longer viable for the charity to continue running two retail outlets.
As part of longer-term plans for SHAX, the team is continuing to work with colleagues at The Crichton Trust to explore options for a new purpose-built facility at The Crichton.
SHAX will continue trading in the town centre shop until 26 August (Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm), but thereafter staff and stock will be transferred to the SHAX warehouse at The Crichton. No further donations can be accepted at the town centre shop, but the warehouse at The Crichton will continue to be open to the public (Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm) and customers are welcome to browse, shop or drop-off donations during these times. A collection/delivery service is also available on request, just call SHAX on 01387 245358 for more details.
 Wilson Auto Repairs Outstanding Support for the Armed Forces
The 2023 winners of the Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Awards from the Ministry of Defence for their outstanding support for the Armed Forces were recently announced. Of the 19 Scottish employers/recipients, one of the businesses to receive the Gold Award was from Stranraer – Wilson Auto Repairs – and they will be presented with the Award at an awards ceremony in Edinburgh Castle in October 2023. Well done to everyone involved at Wilson Auto Repairs.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme was launched in 2014 to recognise and reward UK employers for their support and commitment towards the Defence community. There are three tiers of award – Gold, Silver and Bronze – for employers who pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to the Armed Forces Community in alignment with the Armed Forces Covenant
A hospital in the region has achieved an exceptional standard in the care it delivers to patients. Staff at Castle Douglas Hospital say they are ‘ecstatic’ after being recognised with Level 3 Silver Care Assurance Award – following a series of unannounced inspections.
A series of unannounced inspections under the Excellence in Care framework took place looking at a range of aspects within the hospital’s performance, including food, fluids and nutritional standards as well as pressure ulcer standards.
The Excellence in Care framework is a national approach to develop and improve, integrate and co-ordinate the way nursing and midwifery services are delivered within the Scottish public sector to ensure everyone receives a consistent standard and quality service.
Excellence in Care is intended to ensure that people who use services within NHS Scotland can have the confidence that no matter where they are cared for, they will consistently receive high quality nursing care delivered in a compassionate way by confident and competent nurses and midwives.
Lisa Rennie, Senior Charge Nurse, said: “Everyone was delighted when the news came through.
“This award is about measuring the quality of care being delivered in Dumfries and Galloway, and it’s really just a fantastic confirmation of the excellent quality of care that we strive to deliver at Castle Douglas Hospital.
“It takes a lot of work to deliver that standard of care, and we’re committed to maintain this work in order to provide the best care we possibly can.
"I have been working with the team for three years now and the result is testament of the hard work from the whole multi-disciplinary team."
 Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Cleans Up
Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club is an active club formed in 2002, and serving Dumfries and its immediate environs. The group is committed to community work in Dumfries to create a sense of pride and improve the appearance of the town.
Recently, members of the group could be seen in locations across Dumfries working to improve the appearance of some bus shelters. We think they have made a terrific difference!
The commitment of the group to protecting our environment has also recently included environmental projects through its service section to raise awareness of plastic waste and non-biodegradable materials on our shorelines. The group also has a successful track record of fundraising and community events including Santa's Grotto, Solway Sportive and Run4Health.
If you'd like to find out more about Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club, you can read more on their website or Facebook page.
 Community Safety Survey Needs Your Views
Dumfries and Galloway Council's Community Safety Team (CST) is required to carry out an annual Community Safety Survey to gauge how safe residents feel in their communities, and what priorities the CST should have moving forwards.
The CST consists of eight patrol staff based across the region. These patrols are out from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 11.30am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays with the aim of deterring antisocial behaviour and detecting and ultimately fining those offending. They also offer a mediation service to assist neighbours to resolve disputes. The results of this survey will also influence and help direct public information campaigns.
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