A Community Conversation in Clackmannanshire
The voice of the community is at the heart of everything we do at What Matters to You. Our work is helping us to see - and hear - valuable insights that we are using to help influence how services are delivered locally, and in a way that matters to those who use them.
As the recently appointed Coordinator in Clackmannanshire for What Matters to You, I have been learning from local communities, Clackmannanshire’s Family Wellbeing Partnership (FWP) and our work in other areas. Investing my time early on to meet local communities, families and those delivering services, listening to their experiences, aspirations, has helped me to understand some of the opportunities for better accessing and developing services in ways that really put the person at the centre.
So, on the 12th of March, What Matters to You, in partnership with the FWP and Columba 1400, brought together an amazing 30 members of the local community, representatives from various local groups, and councillors to dig deep into what really matters to people living in Clackmannanshire.
Listening, learning, and connecting.
We know from our codifying report that you should not ask for people’s views on what is important to them unless you are ready to share power and create the agency for others to lead the change themselves. I was delighted therefore that local decision makers - Provost Donald Balsillie, Councillors Scott Harrison, Jane McTaggart, Kathleen Martin, Fiona Law and Kenneth Earl - were in the room, ready to listen to community members and frontline staff, hearing firsthand their priorities and ideas for the Clackmannanshire of the future.
The meeting provided a space for honest and sometimes challenging conversations. People shared their experiences, hopes and ideas for the future, reinforcing the importance of collective action in making meaningful progress. For communities, it was about connection and having pride in where they live. This was reinforced by a member of Crochet Comforts, who said:
I have lived in my court for nearly forty years, I have good neighbours they are good folk who helped bring Wimpy Park back to life. I’m proud of them, I’m proud of the park. I didn’t know about Crochet Comforts until, my daughter and local CLD youth worker who grew up in the community, told me about it. I like a routine. I go shopping with my brother on a Tuesday morning but I gave that up so I could go to the group, and I now go shopping with him in the afternoon. My wee group is the icing on the cake.
The fact that ten members of this group prioritised this gathering in their busy lives demonstrated to me just how important being heard was, and is, for groups like these.
Adding further, Kateryna, a member of the Ben Cleuch Poly Tunnel Project, shared the group’s hopes and dreams about not only growing fruit and vegetables for their tables, but about growing together to create something powerful that positively impacts physical and mental wellbeing for all those that join them:
In the beginning we had a small poly tunnel where we planted seeds together, grew some vegetables and salad and cooked together using the vegetables we grew. But now we want to build more. We want to make a garden accessible to all in the Clackmannanshire area. We want to create a space open to all communities that would attract tourism and for the space to be open to different groups to come and use, where school children could come and learn to grow vegetables and cook, instead of going to a shop.
We believe that good things start from seeds where there is lots to learn from each other. We all come from different cultures and communities, where different cultures can learn from each other, scaffold and support.
This tells me that connection is the root of action and that meetings of hearts and minds like these are an essential part of providing a platform for community voices to build a sense of hope that change is possible.
So what you might then ask. Where did it take us?
Emerging themes and actions.
There were some common themes and goals that emerged which won’t be surprising to those of us who work in this field, and I am sure would be found in communities across Scotland.
- Creating shared spaces: The importance of having accessible community spaces where people can gather, support one another, and collaborate on local initiatives.
- Strengthening community voice: People in Clackmannanshire know what they need. By sharing stories and aspirations, their voices can be amplified to ensure their ideas and assets are recognised, valued and supported.
- Building on hope and opportunity: There was a strong desire for continued collaboration, building on positive experiences and with a focus on practical steps to bring about change, from enhancing local services to fostering new opportunities for young people and families.
And actions? This event was never intended to be a one-off and represents another step in supporting the rich experiences offered by the range of community groups in Clackmannanshire. A priority for me in my new role will be to continue to connect with and deepen my engagement with community groups, families and decision makers. I will be continuing our conversations, gathering stories and gaining a deeper understanding of the hopes and aspirations of the amazing people I met.
Moving forward together.
The event continues the conversation, one that will shape the way local services evolve in response to community needs. What Matters to You is committed to listening, learning, and working alongside people to support the changes that matter most to them and being a valuable partner in Clackmannanshire’s FWP. Harnessing the sense of hope that we saw on the day, the belief that anything is possible when you work together towards a shared vision.
The day reminded me yet again that positive change begins with listening and then identifying action. I am grateful for the chance to learn and to nurture these relationships, making sure that What Matters to You continues to add value – and hope – for the people of Clackmannanshire.