Our aim is to create a community hub and facilities that will bring the local and surrounding communities together to reduce isolation and enable opportunities for social interaction and growth.
Estimated Price
193000
1. What we want to achieve.
The Cairnbaan Community Trust, (SC052905) wants to refurbish the forestry buildings to provide a community gathering point and flexible workshop and event spaces. We want a community hub that can be used by the community for education such as crafts and Gaelic, health e.g. yoga and other activities, recreation and social gatherings, inside and outside and temporary office space for local entrepreneurs.
Our priority is the smaller of the two buildings which will provide space for community events and workshops, social meeting space, hot desks and a community kitchen. There is external space that can be developed to provide a community garden and outside event space. It is hoped in the future the larger of the two buildings can be developed to provide space for larger workshops and events.
We have divided the work into phases and we are currently seeking funding for phases 1 and 2.
Phase 0: This covers the procurement of the forestry buildings under a community asset transfer funded by the Scottish Land Fund and we have secured initial funding for essential repairs to both buildings to make them safe and weatherproof. The work will start when we take ownership on the 01/08/2025.
Phase 1: Is the refurbishment of the smaller building. This phase will change the internal layout of the building to create flexible spaces. This entails new partitions, doors, lighting and upgrade to the heating. Additional facilities, external and internal, will be needed for disabled and users with special needs. We also aim to fit a community kitchen and social space for coffee mornings. Finally we need to replace windows and install new furnishings and fittings.
Phase 2: Is the landscaping and provision of a community garden and outdoor space.
Phase 3: Is the refurbishment and fitting out of the larger building. In this phase we also plan to look at energy efficiency improvements, e.g. heat pumps and solar panels.
2. Why our project is needed
Currently there is no community centre to provide a focal point or resources for the community. There is a risk of social isolation amongst our older population and there are no facilities for the young people in our village. Community cohesion is being eroded.
We commissioned a feasibility report through Community Enterprise which highlighted the following points. Accessing facilities is difficult without a car, the minimal bus service is a school service with no evening or Sunday services. There are no shops, medical or other services in the village. Despite scoring highly in other domains the area falls into the 10% most deprived areas in Scotland in terms of access to services in relation to the Scottish indices of multiple deprivation. Feedback from local people highlighted that a primary need in the community is an indoor social area and meeting space.
3. The positive changes our project will bring
Our vision is to reduce isolation, improve community life and reflect the cultural, environment and historic heritage of the area. The current priorities for the CCT are.
Bringing the community together to enable opportunities for social interaction and growth.
Advancement of arts, heritage, culture and science.
The provision and organization of recreational facilities to improve the quality of life for the community.
Improving the environment including education about the environment, culture and history.
The relief of thos in need either because of age, ill health, disability or financial hardship.
The refurbishment of the buidings will provide a focal point for the community and the resources to bring the community together especially those that feel isolated. It will provide resources for all ages across the community and give everyone opportunities for development and a sense of purpose and indentity.
Through current engagement with the local community we have already identified skills and volunteers that can contribute to the refurbishment which will foster community involvement from the outset
4. How long will our project run
Phase 1 and 2 of the project will start on: 05/01/2026
The project will run for: 15 months
Our Business plan and the Feasibility report are available on request. Unfortunately the file size was too big to attach.
