The Coalburn Miners Welfare
Charitable Society
The Coalburn Miners' Charitable Society has been at the heart of the local community for many years, with many of the town's population registered as members. We aim to improve the facilities and services available to this former mining community by working in partnership with others to achieve common goals. Given that the voluntary sector in this area generally lacks resources and the support infrastructure due to funding constraints, the Charitable Society has an important role to play in providing resources and leadership to the community and voluntary sector locally.
The Objectives of the Coalburn Miners' Charitable Society is to provide facilities for such forms of recreation and other leisure time occupation as are conducive to the improvement of the conditions of living of the inhabitants of Coalburn and neighbourhood thereof within the Society's sphere of operations as defined from time to time and in particular (but not exclusively) such of the inhabitants as are members of the Mining Community provided that nothing herein contained shall authorise the application of the property to purposes which are not in law charitable. The Society will not be identified with any party or sect.
The Charitable Society's trading arm is called the Coalburn Miners' Welfare Society and Social Club, which through income generation helps to support the fantastic facilities and activities here for the members and wider community. Our Lounge and Function rooms are extremely well used, particularly at weekends. Our Lounge area can be hired for community events such as Weddings and Parties or for business events like conferences or seminars. We have WiFi internet access throughout the building and a hearing loop in the main hall. Remember, all profits generated by the social club will be utilised by the charitable society to maintain and develop facilities and usage for the community we serve.
Guinness World Record attempt at Coalburn Sustainable Saturday
Sustainable Saturday launch took place at 5.00 pm on Friday 27th August in Coalburn Miners' Welfare with Karen Gillon MSP starting the proceedings. MSP Aileen Campbell also took part in this event and was present at the launch. This event was a 'Guinness Book of World Record' attempt to generate as much electricity over 24 a twenty four hour period using bicycles. Unfortunately the record was not broken as not enough participated during the night and this resulted in the attempt being 3609 watt hours short of the target. The current record stands at 12,953 watt hours with this attempt achieving 9344 watt hours. James has contacted the 'Guinness Book of World Records' to ask if they will recognise this achievement as this was attempted over one 24 hour period and the current record was done over three eight hour periods. This event was well attended with 886 people participating in the attempt and all those you participated enjoyed the day and will receive a certificate for their efforts. There were a number of stalls at the event on the Saturday and plenty of activities for all to enjoy. 400 people attended the Open Day.
Community Jobs Scotland SCVO
Coalburn Miners’ Welfare Charitable Society has been fortunate over the last few years employing young people through SCVO Community Jobs Scotland scheme. Most of the employees working with us through this scheme have managed to secure employment once their time with us has finished with the exception of a few. Coalburn Miners’ Welfare Charitable Society gains as the trainees can help carry out duties that would otherwise be done by the current staff. This helps the staff concentrate on getting more activities and services into the Centre.
Emma Reid
Administration
Amy Slater
Recycling Operative
FUNDING
Roof Repair to Coalburn Miners Welfare and CMW Bowling Club
The roof repair to Coalburn Miners’ Welfare and CMW Bowling Club was carried out week commencing Monday 11th June. Total cost of repair was £20,711.
£7,711 was funded from Galawhistle Community Fund and £13,000 from Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Trust. This will secure both buildings long term for community benefit.
Health Engage
Coalburn Miners’ Welfare Charitable Society received funding from People’s Health Trust using money raised by Health Engage through The Health Lottery to deliver a number of course and activities within the One Stop Shop over a two year period including a computer course. Courses were delivered in the One Stop Shop on a Wednesday from 10.00 am - 12.00 noon and from 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm. The courses accommodated all levels of skill including those that are complete beginners. All course finished in December 2015 from this funding.The participants were encouraged to be involved in the decision making of the subject of each course. The courses that were funded by this were an Arts and Crafts Course which was held once a week on a Wednesday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm and a cooking course which was delivered on a Tuesday after school from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm.
Development Worker
In March 2019, the Coalburn One Stop Shop received funding from the Big Lottery Fund to employ a brand new development worker in a three year post. This purpose of this role is to develop the issues that have been identified in the Community Action Plan and to review if these are the right options for the community. The Development worker will work closely with the community, engaging with groups and individuals to discuss what they want and how to fulfil the community needs to make Coalburn, and surrounding areas, a better place to live whilst also using the Coalburn One Stop shop as a community hub. If you have any ideas or constructive criticism that you feel will help better the community, please do not hesitate to get in touch via email or Facebook.
