Celebrating Community Action in Cumnock
By Corra Foundation
Today Sharon Dowey MSP for South Scotland joined local people for a community lunch in Cumnock. The lunch brought together partners and projects that are working to bring people together, promote positive wellbeing and act on the change that matters to them.
The community lunch celebrated the important work of local groups and the opportunities for positive action in the future. Joining the lunch were members of local groups all striving to provide safe spaces, combat isolation and improve mental health. Projects in attendance included local recovery group MUMO, Colour Splash delivered in partnership with the NHS to support creative art projects, and Cumnock and District Men’s Shed that recently secured a premises through a community asset transfer.
MSP Sharon Dowey also learnt about “The Nest”, a new community wellbeing hub being developed with support from CVO East Ayrshire, What Matters to you and Corra. The Nest will provide a welcoming space at the heart of the community. The community-led approach that has been adopted will encourage a better sense of togetherness locally by helping create a space that is built around people’s strengths, interests, and aspirations.
“There is real sense of community spirit in Cumnock. It was a privilege to learn about the ways local people are leading the way in the community.” Sharon Dowey, MSP South Scotland (regions)
The lunch also saw the debut performance from the community choir. The choir creates opportunities for people to make friends, laugh and most importantly sing!
“The last few years have highlighted the importance of local people having their voices heard. The community lunch was a fantastic way to champion community-led groups in Cumnock and showcase the ways the are making a difference” Fraser Stone, Community Co-ordinator, Corra Foundation
Find out more about the Getting Alongside Communities and People in Place Programme on the Corra website.
Corra’s People in Place programme
People in Place is currently working alongside eight communities in Scotland, supporting local people to connect, collaborate on ideas, and take action to create positive change.
Corra has worked alongside Cumnock since 2015, You can read about the ways the community continues to come together in the 2022 Annual Update. The Cumnock Community Action Plan has played a key role in supporting activity and developments led by local people.