Lesmahagow Development Trust is based at the Fountain Community Centre in Lesmahagow. Our organisation is first and foremost community-led, with the community at the heart of everything we do. We are a forward thinking, creative and diverse organisation that has an ambitious and exciting future ahead with a dedicated and committed team of staff, volunteers and Board.

We are looking to add to our staff team as we move forward to the next phase of our development. These newly created positions will be a core part of our organisations vision to increase the opportunities and support services for local people.

Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, we’re looking for a talented, experienced Community Development worker to join LDT and support our Community to develop in ways that are meaningful to them. The role will support the planning and development of community support across LDT activity including our Allotments growing/ greenspace skills programme, as well as volunteering opportunities, and wider events in delivering the Local place plan with our partners.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop activities that respond to local needs in conjunction with the views of our local community members. A key part of this role will be to develop genuine relationships within our communities and create opportunities for individuals to develop their knowledge and skills. By empowering them to take positive steps which will benefit their own health and wellbeing and that of the wider community.

Introduction

Community Land Scotland is a membership organisation which represents the interests of community landowners throughout Scotland and which currently has over 130 Members. It is the national voice for community ownership and land reform in Scotland, the aim of which is to diversify the pattern of land ownership to ensure many more people can benefit from Scotland’s land. Land ownership matters because it significantly influences how land is used and crucially who benefits.

Community Land Scotland operates by taking the real lived experiences of communities and using it to influence positive change.

About the role

Community Land Scotland has a UK wide reputation for promoting community empowerment through the democratic ownership of key assets in local economies, building community wealth and resilience. We are regularly asked to speak nationally within Scotland, within the UK and internationally, on land reform and community empowerment. We are the only civil society organisation that exists to fulfill this advocacy function.

This role would suit a recent graduate or someone with similar experience. The role is envisaged as relatively entry-level in which training and development will take place alongside gaining a wide range of experiences, all of which will support career development.

As Policy Support you will have a specific role within the policy and communications team to help research and shape policy development whilst sharing our message with a wider audience.

We are looking for a Policy Support Officer who is a strong oral and written communicator with strong organisational and administrative skills, who can digest and synthesise complex information and then present it in an engaging format and who has a passion for community-led approaches and land reform.

The main objectives of this post, and outcomes to be delivered are to:

• Help support the organisation’s busy policy agenda with a focus on developing policy to deliver more community ownership, further land reform in Scotland and to help communities deliver their sustainable development objectives
• Promoting awareness and benefits of community land ownership across all communities in Scotland and particularly spreading our message to new demographics
• Demonstrate how more community ownership creates more communities in control of their own sustainable development
• Develop, facilitate and promote networking among a range of partner organisations that promote community ownership and land reform in Scotland
• Work with the Director of Policy to represent Community Land Scotland’s members from Holyrood to local political discussions and in wider forums

See full details and person specification in Policy Support Job Description linked below.

Tiree Community Development Trust (known as “Urras Thiriodh”) are seeking a Head of Comms and Gaelic to take on a lead role in delivering our ambitious ongoing community development work for the beautiful and vibrant Inner Hebridean island of Tiree.

The newly created role combines management and direct project delivery work and would suit a candidate with relevant experience, strong Scots Gaelic language skills, and a pro-active approach looking to take on a challenge in a unique, bustling and diverse community development environment. You’d join a strong established team with a track record of delivering ambitious projects and vital community services, with the goal of ensuring the sustainable development of a small island community, making Tiree the best possible place to live, work and grow. The role involves working across our company group to support communications with key stakeholders, and with a key focus on embedding the use of Gaelic across our work and ensuring ongoing efforts to retain Gaelic as a living community language.

The role will play a key part in the ongoing delivery of our Community Development Plan – tireetrust.org.uk/the-development-plan.

North Berwick Trust is a community-focused charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents of North Berwick. Led by a Board of charity Trustees with the support of two part-time employees, the Trust works in partnership with others to address community needs and ensure long-term benefits for the town through the North Berwick Forever Fund.

The Trust has significant financial assets which allows it to distribute funding through its grant-giving programme to individuals and organisations that promote recreation, culture, sport, education, lifelong learning, and the conservation of North Berwick’s historic and natural environment. In addition, the Trust develops and maintains 20 hectares of its own land holdings for community use.

With a vision to make North Berwick more sustainable, resilient, vibrant, inclusive, and equitable, the Trust focuses on six strategic aims: enhancing community facilities and opportunities, preserving the town’s heritage and green spaces, supporting those in need, and securing long-term funding for future generations.

Background to the role of Chair

Sir David Tweedie, the current Chair of North Berwick Trust, will step down from his role in the summer after leading the Trust through a very successful period. The Trust now seeks an inspiring and committed successor to lead the Trust through its next phase.

Whilst the Trust manages sizable assets, it remains a small organisation that is very much led by the Chair and Board of charity Trustees who are expected to balance both strategic leadership responsibilities and occasional involvement in day-to-day operations.

In addition to leading the Board of charity Trustees, the role demands sound judgment in managing the various governance issues that may arise between meetings. A key responsibility will be overseeing the Trust’s significant financial investments, ensuring that funds are effectively managed to support both current and future community needs. The position is initially for a three-year tenure.

The Trust is looking for the next Chair to have a close connection to North Berwick, whether through living or working in the area. They will have an understanding of local needs and priorities and have an appreciation of how the Trust can add value to support local causes.

The successful candidate will be an experienced leader, capable of providing clear direction and support to the Board and Trust staff, ensuring that the Trust’s long-term vision is delivered. Acting as the Trust’s ambassador, they will be the external face of the charity attending events, community meetings and social functions ensuring that the good name of the Trust is always promoted.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced chair and/or leader that possesses good intellect and the ability to get on well with people. They will have a decisive but calm and empathetic style demonstrating excellent communication and organisations skills.

For those who share the Trust’s commitment to the North Berwick community and have the necessary leadership experience, this is a great opportunity to help shape its future.