Community Action Plan
The Community Action plan was last updated in 2019 after a further two public consultations by the Development Worker Amanda Davis, who reviews the work that is needed on a continuous basis.
Galawhistle Funding
Coalburn Miners’ Welfare Charitable Society was awarded £5,000 from the ‘Ventient Energy Galawhistle Community Fund’ to deliver food boxes and food vouchers to the most vulnerable in the community of Coalburn. The food boxes will be provided by Poppy’s Tea Room based within the One Stop Shop and the vouchers will be able to be redeemed for food, electricity or cleaning materials in the two local shops. These will be distributed over three months with the help of the many volunteers who have been doing a wonderful job throughout the COVID 19 pandemic.
Funded from the Ventient Energy Galawhistle Community Fund.
The groups priorities are to focus on the Action Plan and other community wishes highlighted through continues consultations.
There after Amanda formed the Community Action Group.
The community action group has already raised the funds for a defibrillator which has been installed at the front of the One Stop Shop and available for the use of the community in the case of an emergency.
Currently the action group is focusing on youth activities along with community Environment and Recreation facilities which in itself brings positive outcomes to health and wellbeing and qualities of life.
Park Concerns - From consulting with the community in 2019 Amanda discovered the play park had its issues with the bark around the equipment, people were being bitten. It was also highlighted how hard it is to keep younger children contained within the park without the worry of running into the road, people requested a fence to be put around the area. Individuals were also keen to provide a park which would include access for all. The fenced area was also highlighted to keep dogs out.
With this all in mind Amanda set the group in discussion with SLC to see what could be achieved.
Tennis Court - SLC are keen to work on this area with the action group as a phase two work load once the park outcomes are confirmed.
Paths and Walks - Amanda provided the opportunity for volunteers to be trained as we have 4 walk leaders currently who are keen to provide small to longer walks around Coalburn.
With this in mind it has lead us to take a closer look at the variety of paths and to work on a project to secure funding to provide access to all to walk to and from school, as well as general community walks.
Amanda is working together with the action group and school to secure funding to develop the paths along with a nature trail for all to be encouraged to enjoy.
Youth Activities - Members of the action group have now been PVG'ed ready to initiate a community kids club.
Coalplay (outdoor play) - Funding has been secured to develop lots of activities for outdoor learning. "City of Play" will be joining Coalburn for a day of fun building a city with pallets and tools for all to lear new skills.
"Coalplay" has also been formed through the action group.
Amanda has provided training opportunities to become outdoor leaders and with this they are to volunteer in the community outdoor fun for the children of Coalburn. Funding has been secured for equipment storage and the group is ready to go in organising some outdoor play.
Defibrillator
Coalburn Community Action Group along with the Development Worker have raised funds through the community to purchase and install this Defibrillator. The money was raised by tombola, raffles, auctions and also donations. A training course will be organised so all are able to use safely once cover-19 restrictions are lifted.
Final Report September 2016
The Community Action Plans set out a vision for the longer term (up to 15 years) with more detailed activity across themes or priorities for the next five years. They will be helpful in guiding community activity and supporting grant applications for projects.
The community gathering in Coalburn in March 2016 was run as an evening workshop attended by over 60 people, kicked off by P7's from Coalburn Primary with their aspirations for the future of the village. The pupils had been working hard to write and rehearse a drama over the previous fortnight; the tensions around play space and youth activities in the village, brilliantly performed on the night to make clear why they thought investment in a 3G pitch, youth club and wheelchair-friendly skate park should be prioritised.
A pupil from Lesmahagow High School took the attendees through local teenagers’ aspirations, developed by fellow Coalburn students at the school. He explained how their age group would like to see more local businesses, better bus routes, more use of the CMWCS building, allotments, better signed walks, more child-friendly areas like play parks (with disabled access), better access to the No.9 Bing.
Access to employment and more jobs featured highly, as did the need to spruce up public spaces in the village, improve streets and pavements, provide more accessible recreational activities for all ages, sheltered housing, and making the most of the CMWCS building, one-stop-shop and the Leisure Centre for community use - all of which would help make the village a more attractive place to live, so helping to bring investment and jobs. There was also an overwhelming desire to retain and celebrate the No.9 Bing... “You know you’re home when you see it!” said one person. “Coalburn’s Eiffel Tower!” said another.
Facebook page
Our Facebook page was set up as a way to interact with the community and gain suggestions whilst also reflecting on the village and it's assets. It has proved to be an effective way of engaging with our community. We regularly update our page with upcoming events and important information. If you want to keep in the loop, give it a like and be notified of when we post.