We've entered a new month and as always, time is flying by so quickly. And nothing is more true in the CommunityDan diary. I've supported many different groups and people over the last few months and now have a new role to shout about.
While continuing with my freelance projects that I'll update on in a sec, I've now also taken on a part time (15 hours a week) role for the rest of 2024. Employed through the Church of Scotland's Ministries Council, I am so pleased to be supporting St Michael's Parish Church, Linlithgow, as a Community Audit Worker.
It's no secret that there are many changes ongoing within the Church of Scotland just now and this blog will not be going into all that! But whilst there is a lot of negative pressure particularly around the sale of church buildings, there are also many great developments in communities around Scotland.
As part of a union of churches due to officially take place next January, St Michael's will be joined with St Ninians Craigmailen, Torphichen, and Avonbridge churches. The latter two have been without their own minister for many years but with the new union, that will change for the better.
My role is to spend time in Avonbridge, Torphichen and also nearby Bridgend, to get to know the communities not just from a statistical point of view, but by coming alongside local people and understanding their needs, then seeing how the church can be a part of the solution for them. Those who've known me for some time will know that this is right up my street. Walking alongside people to help find the resources to enable them to reach their own inner potential. (It also kind of follows on nicely from the last blog I posted on here)
So this is great and brings an element of security to my income, as well as providing a great opportunity to do what I love doing. But it's not the only thing I'm doing! Of course it's not!!! Here's a summary of other current projects:
Fowlis/St Marnocks Church - supporting a group from within the church who wish to take on this building that is earmarked for closure, and turn it into something very special. (Via Community Enterprise)
Discover Bridge of Allan - supporting this new Development Trust with their funding needs. (Via Community Enterprise)
St Michael's, Cross House - I'm coming to the closing stages of some community consultation, master planning, and funding preparation, for the repurposing of this 300 year old building. (Via Bruce Tait Associates)
Greyfriars Charteris Centre - supporting this former project of mine again, as they explore the possibilities of taking on another community hall.
Fathers Network Scotland - supporting with some background research as they look to widen their support for dads in Scotland.
Life Church Edinburgh - on going support with their funding and development needs, including the recent support to establish a subsidiary SCIO.
Veterans Chaplaincy Scotland - on going funding application support.
Pollok Baptist Church - adhoc funding support following delivery of a training and info session for their new funding team.
There's also a couple of others that I provide random support to, and 3 quotes currently in place for future support to others. Who knew that when I moved into this freelance work back in October 2022 that this is how it would end up. It has been such a blessing to see the work continue to mostly find me, as well as me doing a bit of leg work too with various prospecting meetings.
For today though, I have the additional unpaid role of being dad taxi as our youngest has 2 parties today!!
Until next time....
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