Community Development Groups Event

Supporting Development groups in their growth and development

HIE and Shetland Islands Council’s Community Development team formed a short life working group to consider how best to bring Development groups together to support their growth and development.  A Shetland Community Groups Event was delivered in October 2022 at Hymhus and Bigton Hall, attended by 39 people, representing 25 different organisations. Development groups were invited to prioritise their main areas of interest and challenges in order to set the agenda for the day.  These were Community tourism; Getting Started with Community Development; Community Housing; and Sustainable Communities.

Workshops and presentations were given from local and visiting speakers - The Bigton Collective, Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust, Community Development Company of Nesting, Development Trust Association Scotland. The day successfully brought people with a shared interest in developing their communities together. Feedback from participants included:

"Good for inspiring groups to push ahead, good to see and speak to other groups, excellent workshops. Excellent event, looking forward to building on the knowledge gained and progressing projects further"

This event links to the ‘People’ and ‘Place’ priorities, helping increase understanding around community development and the positive impacts this can have on communities. In addition, this helps to empower communities to be involved in shaping their futures.