Friday 9 February 2024
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
R is for Ready?
This is Kirsty Beattie.
Kirsty is an Employability and Skills Keyworker.
Kirsty’s role is to support people aged 16 plus to overcome barriers to further education, employment and training in mid- and-upper Nithsdale, and in Sanquhar Academy and Wallace Hall Academy. Kirsty supports clients reach positive destinations in life, and she does this with undeniable commitment to those she supports.
Not knowing what the world of work looks like, being confused about what opportunities exist, scared to ask or apply – it can be a worrying and dark time for someone when looking for employment.
Kirsty’s sunny disposition goes with her, and her ability to alleviate anxieties and lay out manageable programmes of support are a comfort to those she works with.
Fact – 254 people were supported by this service in September alone. Simply incredible.
Kirsty works with school leavers who aren’t sure what the world has waiting for them.
Kirsty is currently helping to develop a program that will support businesses to understand the benefits of hiring someone with autism or Asperger’s syndrome, which will create work placements for people to support them into sustainable employment.
Kirsty assists refugees with accessing services that allow them to transfer qualifications from their home country and match them with an equivalent UK qualification, allowing them to work in their chosen field.
Kirsty recently helped a lady who had happily brought up her children for over 10 years and had dreams to return to work, but who lacked confidence.
Not knowing where to look or where to start, the client was glad to meet Kirsty for a coffee. Kirsty listened to her ideas, her passions, and found that engaging in community activity as a volunteer was an appropriate first step to build confidence before applying for a college course.
This client then worked with Kirsty to apply for a job. The client was unsuccessful. However, the feedback was so overwhelmingly positive that it boosted her confidence so much that she printed off a fresh CV, walked round the corner in her local village, approached a business owner and confidently explained her skills, work ethic and availability. She was offered the job on the spot. That’s one happy client, and one happy Kirsty.
Building confidence, creating opportunities and supporting a client’s individual journey – all in a day’s work for Kirsty in the Employability and Skills team.
Best part of the job? Kirsty says: “The people. Supporting people through their journey is a privilege. I see confidence grow, I see limitless potential in those I work with and only hope I can support them to see this for themselves. Finding alternative approaches to support someone is interesting and whether it be having a simple conversation with a young person about what they like doing, or what they would like to do in the future or researching the specific information needed for someone to achieve a goal, it all helps...and it is the reason I am proud of what I do.”
Kirsty, it is the way in which you integrate yourself into the heart of your communities and the quality of the support you give that shines so brightly. You remove barriers, you create opportunities and alleviate anxieties by being the friendly face who’s always there at just the right time.
Thank you for all that you do. You really are truly valued.
 Jigs and Reels Day of Dance is a Stomping Success
Pupils from across Stewartry and Nithsdale schools recently attended the Jigs and Reels Day of Dance, organised by the Active Schools and Community Sport Team in partnership with local dancing clubs and associations.
Castle Douglas branch of Scottish Country Dancing Association and the Kirkcudbright Scottish Country Dancing Club supported the event in Stewartry that took place on Friday 26 January, while the Dumfries Branch of Scottish Country Dancing supported the Nithsdale event that took place on Wednesday 31 January. The volunteers from these groups are what makes the days as successful as they are.
Over 400 pupils took part this year and spent time in their own schools learning dances and routines ahead of the main events, coming together to dance and have fun. Pupils danced to live music from local accordion player Willie McRobert, who played at both events. St Joseph’s College pupil James Gray played the bagpipes at the start of the Nithsdale event, welcoming the schools to the day.
The enthusiasm showed by everyone for Scottish country dancing was great to see.
 Befriending Benefits
Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project supports and enriches the lives of young people aged 8 to 18 across our region through befriending. Robin Ferguson, the organisation's new Project Manager, took on his new role in January this year and is keen to continue to support young people through the Befriending Project during 2024 and beyond.
Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project is recruiting befrienders across the region. Applicants are welcomed from all parts of the region, but there is a shortage of volunteers specifically in the Stewartry, Upper Nithsdale and Annandale and Eskdale areas. If you are interested in finding out more about the role of a befriender, the team are ready to help.
To find out what's involved, you can read what is involved from a current befriender.
Disability Cricket Bowls Over the Region
Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport has partnered with Galloway Cricket Club development officer, Patrick Druce, for over two years. In that time, the project has made a huge difference to the lives of those in our region with disabilities.
Patrick gives us an update on how the partnership has been progressing:
“We run weekly sessions at Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart and Stranraer, which have gone from strength to strength.
"I visited the North West Community Campus in Dumfries during the early part of the year where I coached cricket to the older children in the learning base. When I started the sessions, it was frantic and some of the youngsters were lacking in confidence and disruptive. When we had finished, they were confident working as a team and really enjoying cricket.
"At the end of term assembly, each participant received a certificate to recognise their efforts through the year. I really felt that we had created a team at North West Community Campus, and gave the youngsters a real connection with each other through cricket.
"Another example of the impact we're having is shown in Helen, a member of our coaching group in Castle Douglas. She was visibly scared of catching a ball at the beginning of the year. Just last week, we had a bit of a breakthrough. During two sessions of catching, Helen excelled with 33 and 43 catches taken in a row. She was confident and showed great skill and enjoyment. She is no longer scared of the ball. This is one example of the impacts of this partnership."
Going forward
"I am looking at delivering more sessions at learning bases across the region. The target age is twelve years and above. I have worked closely with Cricket Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Disability and Active Schools to support this programme.
"We had a disability day at Galloway Cricket Club during our annual cricket week – it was a wonderful day. We did batting, bowling and fielding drills. Lunch was taken in our fabulous pavilion.
"We are working towards running a disability festival at the ground next year, and invite disability groups from across Dumfries and Galloway to attend. Bringing all these groups together for a festival would create a opportunity for cricket to make a real difference for the groups and those who access them."
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Over £620,000 Awarded to Support Community Groups
Projects across Dumfries and Galloway have been awarded £626,895 to support community facilities and mitigate the impact of cost-of-living increases.
The Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme was open to Dumfries and Galloway-based charities, comprising community groups, co-operatives, public sector organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises, community interest companies and community benefit societies.
The funding was split into a Small Revenue Grants Programme open to applications up to £3,000 with 13 applications funded, totalling £33,983. A Main Revenue and Capital Grants Programme saw up to £60,000 available with 28 applications funded, totalling £56,000 capital and £536,911 in revenue.
A Local Action Group made up of representatives from the third, public and private sectors decided what applications were successful, with administrative support from Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway.
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Pride of Scotland Awards
2024 – Nominations Open
The Pride of Scotland Awards, the country’s leading annual celebration of unsung heroes, is currently preparing to shortlist nominations. Now is your opportunity to shine a light on anyone you know who deserves a Pride of Scotland Award.
There are awards for outstanding bravery, fundraisers, children of courage, members of the emergency services, community heroes, carers and campaigners – a full list of categories is available on the website.
Winners will be honoured at a star-studded awards dinner in Glasgow in May, which is widely covered across national media – so as well as a wonderful honour, it can also be a fantastic opportunity to highlight the work of individuals or organisations. You can fill out an online nomination form here. The shortlist will be finalised at the end of February.
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Community Conversation – Long-Term Plan for Dumfries
Dumfries and Galloway Council will host a community conversation on Thursday 15 February to give information about the establishment of a Dumfries Town Board and to seek community nominations for the council to consider in its appointment of a chairperson.
If you'd like to find out about the UK Government Long Term Plan for Towns, the new Dumfries Town Board or nominations for the town board chairperson, then read more on our website.
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