Lesmahagow Development Trust was established on the 28th August 2009
We are an independent, not-for-profit charitable company with the objective of funding and implementing projects to enhance the facilities and environment of Lesmahagow.
LDT was set up with the over-riding aim of implementing projects and providing support to make our village a better place to live. Like most rural areas, Lesmahagow faces multiple challenges; economic, social and environmental. Whilst we can’t fix all the issues that arise we try to chose our battles wisely and take on the more important ones where we can.
Our trustees are all voluntary but through sound financial planning and management we have now been able to hire some staff to help push things forward.
We currently have a part time activities co-ordinator and office manager. She has a few social groups established for toddlers and pensioner as well as running our day to day administration and keeping us all in line.
Our part time development officer is now in place pushing forward our main projects and helping to bring funding from other sources to top up our own funds. When not working on our projects he is available to Lesmahagow Community organisations to assist them in identifying and applying for grants to undertake their own projects.We also now have team of Hallkeepers, working to run The Fountain and rejuvenate it to make it a vibrant and indispensable community facility. We hope to add to the hall team going forward.
Our main funding comes from our investment in a commercial renewable energy project. In 2013 the opportunity to invest in a 3 wind turbine scheme came along. It was too good an opportunity to pass up and we set up a wholly owned subsidiary Lesmahagow Ltd to hold the shares in the turbine company. Not long afterwards an additional turbine was added to the scheme. The income from these investments have enabled us to set up a number of projects. You can see more details of these in our projects section of the website.
To be successful, LDT needs the support of residents, so why not become a member? It costs only £3 for life!
As a member, you will receive updates and progress reports. You'll be able to attend and vote at general meetings and provide advice, guidance and help on the direction and development of the Trust; the future of Lesmahagow is very much in your hands.
A Community consultation and needs analysis carried out by consultancy company SKS Scotland in July 2018 identified that provision of more activities for young people, tackling social isolation for older people and those with poor health, and addressing inequalities by bringing people together for social events and experiences, are all areas that LDT can support directly through the activities and projects it runs.
Our community plan is due to be updated and will include current views and suggested areas for future projects.
With the availability of the Fountain Hall the opportunity for delivering projects has been significantly increased and this will be reflected in the updated plan.
Potential new developments from the 2018 plan included increased educational and learning opportunities, after school care, young people's drop in sessions and one off seasonal crafts and produce events. The size of the previous building used by LDT restricted the numbers of people attending activities and the poor disabled access and direct street entrance made it unsuitable for most of these developments. A larger building that was fit for purpose for the activities that LDT runs was a priority for LDT and we now have that with the Fountain.
The potential of a larger building was highlighted in the market research in 2018 and illustrated some interest in long term office space rental, meeting rooms and hot desks.
Current Activities and Markets
The membership of LDT is approximately 130 people, illustrating good community support for the activities delivered and the potential to grow provision if a larger space is secured.
Consultation has illustrated a strong interest in more social, educational and learning opportunities for older people in particular, together with increased toddler provision, after school care and drop in sessions for young people.
Delivery model: We currently employ two part time staff to develop, plan and deliver activities, increasing the level of partnership working (e.g. with Healthy Valleys) and bespoke project development. Skilled volunteers will continue to play an important role in the delivery of some activities and LDT is also in a position to employ additional sessional workers to deliver specific projects or activities (e.g. youth work). LDT will generate a small amount of income from hire of space to businesses and individuals, together with activities although this is not expected to cover running and staff costs. LDT is committed to delivering activities with relevant social outcomes for the local community and is able to use a proportion of the annual windfarm income to do so.
Activities: We envisage in the coming years continuing and growing current activities and anticipate that increased numbers of people will attend. Additional groups will be run for older people and toddlers and new activities will be piloted with partners, including adult learning opportunities, an after school club and young people’s drop in sessions e.g. film nights, informal smoothie bar. The delivery of these activities will be through LDT staff, volunteers, partner organisations together with sessional staff employed by LDT for delivery of specialised activities, e.g. Youth work, Yoga.
Project Outcomes
LDT is focused upon addressing the identified needs of the community and achieving positive social outcomes by securing a long term, welcoming premises as an Activity Centre.
It will:
- Provide social activities and opportunities for young people and families in Lesmahagow, including informal learning and health and social activities that increase confidence and skills.
- Support older people and those with poor health by working with partners to deliver health and wellbeing activities and addressing social isolation by providing social groups and opportunities to meet informally.
- Tackle inequalities by bringing people together socially and delivering projects for the benefit of the whole community, including intergenerational activities and opportunities to volunteer, so sharing skills and experiences.
The Research in 2018 indicated that local people are happy to pay a small amount to access activities. It is envisaged that when LDT secure alternative and more suitable premises there will be some rental income from hot desks, office and meeting space, with the remainder of the running costs being covered by LDT on an annual basis.
Conclusions
LDT’s Vision is to grow its facilities and activities sustainably to enable it to deliver more positive outcomes for the local community and it is now working towards building ownership and creating an Activity Centre for Lesmahagow. It will continue to fund the existing staff posts to develop, plan and deliver activities and will employ specialised sessional staff for specific activities as required.
LDT has a strong Board and committed staff, is well supported by the local community and is in an excellent position to deliver its vision as it has secured a regular long term income from its wind farm investment and is able to invest directly in its building, staff and activities programme.