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30th Nov 2022
I attended a talk recently on the mental health impact of major traumas on both individuals and communities – traumas on the scale of the pandemic, the current cost of living crisis and, most significantly, climate disruption. The disappointment of COP27 – described by George Monbiot as a ‘now or never’ moment when the world’s leaders effectively chose ‘never’ – will have sent levels of the relatively new mental health condition, ‘climate anxiety’, rocketing. But while individual trauma is reasonably well understood, community trauma is not. And it seems that the psycho-social impacts of trauma on a community can become deeply embedded, long-lasting and highly corrosive to our collective wellbeing. And so I’m beginning to rethink the wider value of community action. At last week’s hugely positive Circular Communities Scotland conference, several members showcased their work. Inspirational stories of community-led initiatives aimed at breaking our addiction to buying ‘stuff’ and appreciate instead the value of repairing, reusing or recycling items that otherwise go to landfill. Moray Waste Busters were particularly impressive in terms of their scale of operation. But now I’m wondering whether their more profound, perhaps unwitting contribution, is actually the protection it affords their community from the psycho-social impacts of trauma.
In the most recent briefing…
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On the ground
Read moreOver the years, I’ve lost count of the Scottish Government Ministers who extol the virtues of local ownership and control. But that Ministerial commitment and belief in the value of community ownership doesn’t necessarily extend to all parts of government or agencies that report to those same Ministers. Yet another long standing community controlled housing association – highly rated on all the standard metrics – has been ‘encouraged’ towards a merger. And it appears that the Scottish Housing Regulator has played an active part in the process. This blatant undermining of the principles of community ownership needs to be challenged.
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On the ground
Read moreAnother example of a public agency’s behaviour that seems at odds with the Scottish Government’s support for community self-determination has come to light on the Isle of Rum. NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage as was) owns most of the island with the exception of the land in and around the village of Kinloch which was transferred into community ownership in 2009. For years NatureScot has been keen to dispose of nearby Kinloch Castle, a late 19th century extravagence of a wealthy textile tycoon. In their rush, NatureScot completely failed to talk to the community landowners next door.
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On the ground
Read moreWith some notable exceptions, those who feel most strongly about their built heritage are those who live closest to it. Which is why a trend has been steadily growing of community groups stepping into rescue old buildings. These buildings may not be of great national significance but to those who know and care about their history they form an important part of local identity. The Architectural Heritage Fund is working with around 70 communities a year to help them become the de facto custodians of their heritage. Scotland’s built heritage consists of much more than castles and large country houses.
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Policy talk
Read moreThis summer, the Scottish Parliament debated the growth of Scotland’s Men’s Shed movement. Not so much a debate as a long line of MSPs queuing up to praise their local sheds and the work of the umbrella body – SMSA – that supports the 200+ sheds around the country. Their cost effective and highly effective contribution to the country’s health and wellbeing is beyond question and yet an inexplicable decision has been made to withdraw all core funding from SMSA as of March next year. If you agree that this makes no sense, you might like to sign this petition.
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Policy talk
Read moreMuch has been said about Scotland’s dysfunctional land market. Not least because of the fact that so much of our land is in the hands of so few. This matters because it ultimately determines much about our ability to tackle key issues such as the lack of affordable housing, health inequalities and the sustainable development of communities in the more remote parts of the country. There have been many calls for more state intervention in the land market and while HIE’s recent innovation is no game changer, it is nonetheless an important step forward and a recognition of where solutions lie.
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Policy talk
Read moreThe Scottish Government’s consultation on its new Agriculture Bill closes next Monday. The huge annual budget (£600m) makes this a rare opportunity for the Government to get much more bang for its buck when it comes to achieving its climate change and biodiversity targets. The Bill also has potentially important implications for other areas of policy interest – land reform and community wealth building. Some aspects of the Bill show real ambition, but in others the Scottish Government fails to go either far enough or fast enough. In SCA’s response we’ll be arguing for much more rapid and radical change.
Featured anchor organisation:
Glenboig Development Trust
Glenboig village is located 3 miles to the north of Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire. Its quiet rural setting belies a significant industrial heritage which included world renowned fireclay brickworks, coal mining and significant rail links.
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