Friday 29 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
I is for I do
This is Wilson Weir who is a civil celebrant.
Being a civil celebrant allows Wilson to perform civil marriages and civil partnerships in any non-religious venue. From a private garden to the epicentre of love that is the famous Gretna Green, Wilson is a part of many couples' special day.
Civil celebrants are also able to customize the ceremony, and with a whopping 17% of Scotland’s weddings taking place at Gretna Registration Office alone, it’s good to know Wilson and his colleagues are on hand.
FACT 1 – 5,191 couples said "I do" in D&G last year…love is definitely "in the air".
Best part of the job? "I am a part of the biggest and happiest day in a couple’s life. It's a pleasure being at work every day, meeting people from all over the world, watching nerves turn to excitement, witnessing different cultural rituals, being a part of the ceremony, hearing their unique love stories and sharing the joy that this momentous day brings. It’s more a vocation that a job, and one I utterly adore.”
Wilson tells us: “My job is to facilitate happiness. I’ve married couples that have been together for 50 years, same-sex couples who planned the most spectacular rainbow-coloured flare display for the photographer, those who have travelled from every corner of the world. There was even one gentleman (who I knew from school funnily enough) who was in the middle of cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats and ‘popped in’ mid-journey to tie the knot with his long-term partner. Being able to facilitate ceremonies in such uniquely personal ways is of great importance to me and my colleagues.”
Wilson, your job brings happiness to people and makes the "I do" official. It's the way you do this with such enthusiasm, diligence and compassion that makes it so special. No wonder so many people come here to D&G to get married!
P.S. Anyone else reading this thinking Wilson has the happiest job in the world? I’m sure Wilson is inspiring others to investigate this job as a profession now.
Thank you to both couples who were happy to share their day with us – although we aim to promote Wilson's role through this post, the excitement and love you shared with us on your big day was appreciated greatly, not to mention an honour to be a part of. From everyone here at Dumfries and Galloway Council, we wish you a lifetime of happiness.
 Challenge Poverty Week 2023
Dumfries and Galloway Council and The Poverty and Inequalities Partnership are supporting Challenge Poverty Week 2023 that begins on Monday 2 October and concludes on Sunday 8 October.
There will be a week-long programme of videos, downloadable information and events around five key themes – Communities and Volunteers, Housing, Adequate Incomes, Transport, and Food.
Each day we will send out advice and information on where to go to get support on a range of topics. Click here to sign up to our newsletter, select "Council News" and any other topics you are interested in hearing about.
As part of Challenge Poverty Week, we are holding our first region-wide Food Drive. We invite those who can to donate an item or items of food to one of our collection points between Monday 2 October and Sunday 8 October.
All food received will be donated to the food bank in each of the local areas and will go towards helping those in need.
On Tuesday 3 October, a housing event will be held at The Bridge in Dumfries, where you can get information and support on how to reduce energy bills, find out about different housing options, and contribute to the local housing strategy.
To access all of the support and information available during Challenge Poverty Week, please log onto https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CPW2023 from Monday 2 October.
Free Warm Winter Clothes
Each year, we run free Warm Winter Clothes events across the region where you can come along and help yourself to pre-loved warm winter clothes including, coats, jackets, jumpers, cardigans, hats, scarves and gloves.
To allow us to run these events and help people in need we need your help. If you have any warm clothes you no longer need or want, you could consider donating these to one of our collection points:
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Annan Customer Services – Town Hall, High Street, Annan DG12 6AQ
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Castle Douglas Customer Services – Market Hill, King Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1AE
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Ewart Library, Dumfries – Catherine Street, Dumfries DG1 1JB
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Kirkcudbright Customer Services – Daar Road Offices, Kirkcudbright DG6 4PJ
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Lockerbie Customer Services – Town Hall, High Street, Lockerbie DG11 2ES
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Newton Stewart Customer Services – Church Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6ER
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Sanquhar Customer Services – 100 High Street, Sanquhar DG4 6DZ
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Stranraer Customer Services – North Strand Street, Stranraer DG9 7LD
Warm clothes can be donated to any of these locations between Monday 2 October and Friday 27 October.
All donations received will then be given away for free at our Warm Winter Clothes events during November.
Photo Exhibition Marks 35th Anniversary of The Lockerbie Air Disaster
On Saturday, Lockerbie Academy hosted a reception to launch a photography exhibition "Sharing Lockerbie" by Professor Larry Mason. The exhibition has been unveiled through one of a series of events that marks 35 years since the 1988 Lockerbie Air Disaster.
Professor Mason has gifted, installed and opened a permanent exhibition of his work in the school library, which charts and celebrates his love of Lockerbie and his perspective of the town through his 18 visits across 27 years. His exhibition is now on permanent display in the school library, and the school is soon to share details of how it will ensure it's open to the public so that all can see and enjoy Professor Mason's work.
 Walking Netball Starts in Gretna
The first Active Communities Walking Netball session in Gretna was held on Tuesday 19 September. The session was led by volunteers who had completed the Walking Netball Facilitators training delivered earlier in the year by Netball Scotland.
Participants were introduced to the rules of walking netball and enjoyed time practising some skills and drills related to the game. Walking netball has evolved through a greater demand for walking sports that are inclusive for all ages and abilities.
These sessions are a great opportunity for participants to try something new, have fun, become more active and meet new people.
The weekly sessions take place on Tuesdays, 8–9pm, at the Richard Greenhow Centre in Gretna.
For more information or to find out about other Active Communities sessions available around the region, visit the website: https://dgdoingmore.co.uk/active-communities/
 Young People Taking the Lead
Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council (DGYC) and Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) Elections are now open for young people to register their interest in standing as a candidate.
The Youth Council is a youth-led organisation made up of 35 young people from across our region and it is their role to represent the voices of young people on a local, regional, and national level to decision-makers. The Youth Council was established in 2019 and this is the third full-scale elections cycle.
Any young person in S1 or above can become a Youth Council Member. Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament must be aged 14+ at the time of the elections in November 2023.
Young people can apply until 20 October.
 Training for Youth Workers
Youth work supports young people’s social, emotional and educational development in an informal environment. It can be adapted across a variety of settings, and usually engages with young people within their local community.
In our region, a number of organisations provide youth work services. To support the sector across the region, the Council's Youth Work Team has developed training for youth work practitioners and volunteers across Dumfries and Galloway.
The calendar has been developed based on the needs and training gaps the youth work sector identified through partnership forums and the "Working at the Coalface" Youth Work Conference that took place in November 2022. All training is free.
 New Round in Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
The third round of a fund to support community-based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing in Dumfries and Galloway opens today (Friday 29 September).
This year, the total available in our region is £440,217 and is open to projects supporting those aged 16 and over.
The fund has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention and aims to support grassroots community groups in tackling mental health inequalities and addressing priority issues of social isolation and loneliness, suicide prevention, and tackling poverty and inequality.
The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 23 October. Small grants are available up to £10,000 and main grants to a maximum of £50,000. Projects can last no longer than 12 months.
 Better Lives Partnership Opens its Doors
Better Lives Partnership is a registered charity in Dumfries and Galloway that supports autistic young adults and those with additional support needs.
Their mission is to enable autistic people to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives by using a person-centred approach to develop unique opportunities that incorporate employability, skills, work experience and enterprise that may result in the young person obtaining employment, further training or a volunteering role.
The Dumfries team is hosting an open day on Tuesday 3 October where you can meet the team and find out how Better Lives Partnership supports those who use the service. They are also hosting a Christmas Fayre on Saturday 11 November. You can book a stall with the team by emailing lmcwilliam@betterlivespartnership.org.uk
 Winners of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Design Awards 2023 Announced
Dumfries's Ewart Library is showcasing Design Awards 2023 entries, including the winners, from 25 September to 9 October. You can see the latest designs, explore new ideas, and get inspired for your upcoming projects.
The Design Awards are organised by the Council's Local Development Plan Team; three independent judges evaluated the projects and selected those they thought deserved recognition.
Multiply is coming to Dumfries and Galloway
Are you ready to enhance your numeracy skills? Look no further. The new government-funded programme, Multiply, is coming to Dumfries and Galloway.
Designed especially for adults over 19, whether you want to improve your budgeting skills, enhance your job prospects, or simply feel more confident in everyday calculations, Multiply is here to support you every step of the way.
To register your interest, email Multiply@dumgal.gov.uk
Regional Parking Strategy Consultation Starts
Dumfries and Galloway Council is gathering views on parking in the region. This will inform a new Regional Parking Strategy that will set out the vision for parking across the region and will address current issues the Council is facing with regards to parking control, management and enforcement.
At this stage in the development process, no decisions have been made about parking in the region. It is really important you share your views with us so we can gather the broadest range of opinions to consider through the development of the strategy. This will shape parking control, management and enforcement in the years to come.
There are in-person conversations, online sessions, and a survey.
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