I joined DTAS in March in the role of Events and Facilities Coordinator. As part of my role, I will be working within DTAS’ Central Support Services to provide broad-ranging cross-team support, with a specific focus on helping the Development Officers to deliver a programme of regional events across Scotland and provide much needed support in the production of the ever-growing DTAS conference.

With family based across Scotland and many happy summers spent in the Highlands, I decided to move to Scotland in January. I was thrilled to get a job working for an organisation that has the empowerment and sustainable development of Scottish communities at its heart. So, when I was given the opportunity to go to the South Lanarkshire regional gathering in April and visit my first Development Trust, I was intrigued to see how all the elements of community-driven development played out on the ground.

The South Lanarkshire regional gathering was hosted by Woolfords, Auchengray & Tarbrax Improvement Foundation (WAT IF) at Loanhead Farm, recently purchased by the organisation following an award from the Scottish Land Fund. We were joined by five other Development Trusts and aspiring Development Trusts from the area and spent the beautiful spring morning learning and exploring the endless community projects WATIF have planned for the site, many of which were up and running already only six weeks after the official opening of the farm.

When looking round the farm, I was struck by the endless opportunities for different community projects when given the right facilities. Loanhead farm is adorned with many outdoor and indoor spaces, and the mind wanders with possibilities – a café, workshop spaces, shared tool sheds, meeting spaces, wedding venue, community cinema room, camping, allotments and even housing – many of which WAT IF were exploring already.

With the café filled to the brim with members of the community enjoying their Saturday lunch with friends and family, and the staff bumbling about with huge smiles on their faces discussing opening the ‘overflow lunch space’ to fit more people in, you look on in awe of what the community has been able to achieve. And even the small things hadn’t gone amiss. With non-binary toilets, all with a variety of sanitary products available – something that is still few and far between in many public spaces – I was struck by how simple, joined-up community-minded thinking had created such a successful and inclusive all-purpose community space.

After piling our plates high with delicious food cooked by the community café and enjoying a lunch in the sun, the afternoon was filled with hearty discussion regarding the challenges and opportunities faced by Development Trusts in South Lanarkshire. It was clear how much drive, energy and ambition was shared among attendees – at times it even felt like a revolution was starting in the barn.

The day provided a great insight into the world of Development Trusts and the ups and downs that come with it. It was inspiring to learn from the innovative strategies in place at Loanhead farm and to meet other members doing equally as great work for their communities. Thanks to everyone at WAT IF for helping facilitate such a great regional gathering.