A workshop on involving your community in the process of taking on a former place of worship - part of COSS's New Futures Programme
Hosts
Audrey Dunn, Claire Martin and Harry Whitmore, Churches Advisors, Community Ownership Support Service
Event Description
This event is part of our New Futures Programme – Former Places of Worship event series. New Futures is a three-year programme (January 2025-December 2027) funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and Development Trusts Association Scotland to provide enhanced support to community groups considering taking on a former place of worship across Scotland. This programme was launched in direct response to the significant and unprecedented number of former places of worship which are due for disposal over the next several years.
This workshop focuses on rationale and methodology behind involving your community in your project. Consistent and effective community engagement is an essential part of any community organisation. It ensures that your projects are responding to the needs of local people, that your organisation represents the people it claims to, and it sets the organisation up to have a healthy supply of volunteers long into the future. By drawing on successful examples of community engagement, this workshop will give you the tools to confidently plan and deliver a programme of community engagement.
Workshop content
Understanding why it’s essential to involve your community
Ensuring meaningful engagement and how to involve your community effectively
Addressing local priorities
Demonstrating local benefits
Case studies
What will I gain from this event?
A better understanding of what community engagement is, and why it’s important.
Knowledge of effective methods to help engage your community.
Awareness of the tools available to help you deliver community engagement.
Ideas of how to present measurable outcomes to show the benefits your project will bring to your community and place.
Who is this event for?
This workshop is open to individuals and community groups interested in taking former places of worship into community ownership.
Where is this event taking place?
This event is taking place online.
Do I have to pay to attend?
This is a free event.
Further information
For questions and enquiries, please email Louise Paterson, Churches Programme Officer at: louise@dtascot.org.uk
New Futures - Former Places of Worship is delivered by Community Ownership Support Service with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.