The Scottish Civic Trust, the national voice for local civic and heritage groups, has today (3 February 2025) launched their new strategy Scotland’s Places, People, and their Stories.
Promoting access, improving wellbeing, supporting communities and facilitating learning and skills development are at the core of the new five-year strategy. It highlights the potential of inclusive places and stories to deliver benefits for communities across the country.
Scotland’s Places, People, and their Stories was created following a national consultation with community groups, as well as a research and policy review. The Scottish Civic Trust also sought out public input via social media on key issues such as the climate emergency, sense of belonging and feelings of safety and representation.
The strategy, which builds on the previous strategy ‘Celebrate, Take Action, Advocate,’ sets out how the Trust will support Scotland’s grassroots community and civic groups through campaigning for liveable neighbourhoods, managing a community heritage knowledge hub, hosting regional civic society networks, offering construction sector taster sessions and supporting traditional building skills apprentices.
Key activities that the Trust will continue and expand as part of the strategy include the national Doors Open Days festival, Diverse Heritage project and My Place programme. Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free heritage festival which welcomes more 160,000 people per year. The Diverse Heritage programme works with marginalised people to facilitate integration and belonging. My Place is a three-part programme which includes awards that celebrate community-led placemaking; a built environment photography competition that encourages young people to develop a sense of community; and photography skills workshops that foster community networks with young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Joe Traynor, Director of The Scottish Civic Trust, said: “Scotland’s local civic and heritage groups are integral to caring for, developing and celebrating our shared spaces and stories. In turn, our places and stories combine to form the rich national heritage and identity of Scotland. We neglect our local historic and built environment at our peril.”
Angela Bonney, New Chair of Scottish Civic Trust, said: “I am pleased to help lead the Trust in new and exciting directions. Our membership of 150 grassroots organisations are at the heart of the strategy, and we aim to empower them to care for and celebrate their built and cultural heritage. We look forward to working with them to deliver positive outcomes for Scotland’s communities.”
For more information about Scotland’s Places, People, and their Stories, view the full strategy.