Stirling let’s get together programme

Published 29/02/2024.  Last updated 26/03/2024

The Let’s Get Together programme in Stirling was co-ordinated by the Community Development Team who are part of the wider CLD team sitting within Stirling Council’s People and Community Wellbeing Service.  The ‘Let’s Get Together’ programme ran from September 2022 to March 2023 and offered a variety of opportunities to bring people together over the winter months in a safe, warm and welcoming environment.  

Addressing Community Need 

Although aimed primarily at people who might be experiencing hardship connected to cost-of-living pressures, including older adults and people claiming benefits, the initiative recognised the narrative from many communities that energy costs were a significant factor for many people’s finances.  

Covid Recovery Survey Data was suggesting many people, especially older people, were worried about energy costs and many had not returned to social activities following the pandemic. Officers were also noticing limited activities within our priority communities following the pandemic and a need to ‘restart’ many social networks and community events. Locality action plans included consultation reporting older people dropping out from community activity following accident or illness. In addition, feedback suggested isolation being an issue for older people, who may not receive visits from family/friends who live elsewhere due to high public transport costs in some areas. 

The initiative linked to the Council’s Priorities of Improving Health & Wellbeing Outcomes and creating Thriving Communities as well as linking into the Stirling plan, and locality action plans and the CLD Plan.  

Description 

Let’s Get Together was intended to: 

  • help our communities have opportunities to get together and participate in community activities over the winter months 
  • provide warm, friendly spaces for people to visit, socialise and take part in activities 
  • build sustainable activities in communities through re-starting previous activities or creating new opportunities
  • support those people who faced the biggest challenges over the winter with rising energy costs 

Part of this programme involved developing pop up charity shops in those communities who faced the biggest challenges and who did not have this alternative to shopping. This was a pilot project to establish the approach. 

The team worked with national charity retailers based locally (Mary's Meal, PDSA, The Salvation Army, Shelter, Strathcarron Hospice), to establish pop-up charity shops which were ran in the communities of Balfron and Fallin.

Each of the pop up shops were provided with support from the Community Development Team, who facilitated the event, booked the venues and provided transport where necessary.  The charities themselves came and ran their stalls at the event raising funds for their charities.                                       

The team worked with community organisations throughout the Let’s Get Together programme. Although community organisations were approached to establish  interest and to help promote the shops, there is a recognition this was limited and did not establish enough of an ownership for the community as was hoped. 

Following the pilot and evaluation, the team are seeking to take this forward over the winter with community organisations more fully involved in decisions around the focus of these activities and supporting them to evolve. 

Impact 

The evidence showed the charities appreciated the opportunities to establish connections with communities and sell warm clothing and other goods to local people. The activity provided a social focus for the community where people could get a cup of tea as well as a ‘browse’ in a warm space which was well received. 

The challenge has been in connecting to the local community in a way  where communities felt they had  ownership of the event.  

Feedback gathered from the charities and local people were highly positive. Charities in particular were keen to take part in any future events.  

Next steps 

In going forward into this winter the intention is to establish links to charities and communities at an earlier stage and connect in to established local events and activities, including the local foodbank’s Food larder initiative. Communities have already expressed an interest. 

Reflections 

The focus needs to be on stronger community involvement in development of the programme and linking to established social networks and events.  

Tea and coffee in a social setting is a must to create the relaxed atmosphere and encourage people to browse. 

Volunteering opportunities would also be a good way to involve younger people 

Other information  

Contact email: robertsp@stirling.gov.uk 

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Stirling let’s get together programme

Published 29/02/2024.  Last updated 26/03/2024

The Let’s Get Together programme in Stirling was co-ordinated by the Community Development Team who are part of the wider CLD team sitting within Stirling Council’s People and Community Wellbeing Service.  The ‘Let’s Get Together’ programme ran from September 2022 to March 2023 and offered a variety of opportunities to bring people together over the winter months in a safe, warm and welcoming environment.  

Addressing Community Need 

Although aimed primarily at people who might be experiencing hardship connected to cost-of-living pressures, including older adults and people claiming benefits, the initiative recognised the narrative from many communities that energy costs were a significant factor for many people’s finances.  

Covid Recovery Survey Data was suggesting many people, especially older people, were worried about energy costs and many had not returned to social activities following the pandemic. Officers were also noticing limited activities within our priority communities following the pandemic and a need to ‘restart’ many social networks and community events. Locality action plans included consultation reporting older people dropping out from community activity following accident or illness. In addition, feedback suggested isolation being an issue for older people, who may not receive visits from family/friends who live elsewhere due to high public transport costs in some areas. 

The initiative linked to the Council’s Priorities of Improving Health & Wellbeing Outcomes and creating Thriving Communities as well as linking into the Stirling plan, and locality action plans and the CLD Plan.  

Description 

Let’s Get Together was intended to: 

  • help our communities have opportunities to get together and participate in community activities over the winter months 
  • provide warm, friendly spaces for people to visit, socialise and take part in activities 
  • build sustainable activities in communities through re-starting previous activities or creating new opportunities
  • support those people who faced the biggest challenges over the winter with rising energy costs 

Part of this programme involved developing pop up charity shops in those communities who faced the biggest challenges and who did not have this alternative to shopping. This was a pilot project to establish the approach. 

The team worked with national charity retailers based locally (Mary's Meal, PDSA, The Salvation Army, Shelter, Strathcarron Hospice), to establish pop-up charity shops which were ran in the communities of Balfron and Fallin.

Each of the pop up shops were provided with support from the Community Development Team, who facilitated the event, booked the venues and provided transport where necessary.  The charities themselves came and ran their stalls at the event raising funds for their charities.                                       

The team worked with community organisations throughout the Let’s Get Together programme. Although community organisations were approached to establish  interest and to help promote the shops, there is a recognition this was limited and did not establish enough of an ownership for the community as was hoped. 

Following the pilot and evaluation, the team are seeking to take this forward over the winter with community organisations more fully involved in decisions around the focus of these activities and supporting them to evolve. 

Impact 

The evidence showed the charities appreciated the opportunities to establish connections with communities and sell warm clothing and other goods to local people. The activity provided a social focus for the community where people could get a cup of tea as well as a ‘browse’ in a warm space which was well received. 

The challenge has been in connecting to the local community in a way  where communities felt they had  ownership of the event.  

Feedback gathered from the charities and local people were highly positive. Charities in particular were keen to take part in any future events.  

Next steps 

In going forward into this winter the intention is to establish links to charities and communities at an earlier stage and connect in to established local events and activities, including the local foodbank’s Food larder initiative. Communities have already expressed an interest. 

Reflections 

The focus needs to be on stronger community involvement in development of the programme and linking to established social networks and events.  

Tea and coffee in a social setting is a must to create the relaxed atmosphere and encourage people to browse. 

Volunteering opportunities would also be a good way to involve younger people 

Other information  

Contact email: robertsp@stirling.gov.uk 

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