Gabriel's Wharf is one of the assets managed by Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) which is a social enterprise and development trust which seeks to make London's South Bank a better place in which to live, to work and to visit. CSCB has transformed a largely derelict 13 acre site into a thriving mixed use neighbourhood by creating new co-operative homes; shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes and bars; a park and riverside walkway; sports facilities; by organising festivals and events; and by providing childcare, family support, learning, and enterprise support programmes. So like they say there is another way, can we make it happen here in Edinburgh? Come along tonight and get inspired. CSCB Website Wikipedia On CSCB
Thursday 29th May 7pm - 9pm
Talk and discussion, by Wendy Reid of Development Trusts Association Scotland. Learn how local people can set up Development Trusts to improve the quality of life in their community.
At The Canongate Project Shop, 8 St Mary`s Street, just off the Royal Mile
About Development Trusts From DTAScot website -
What are they?
Development trusts are community run organisations that :
aim to achieve the sustainable regeneration of a community and therefore are concerned with the economic, social and environmental and cultural needs of their community are independent but seek to work in partnership with other private and public sector organisations are owned and managed by the local community aim to generate income through trading activity that enables them to move away from dependency on grant support. All trading surpluses are principally reinvested in the organisation or community.
What do they do?
Local people set up development trusts to tackle local issues and to improve the quality of life in their community. As a result, development trusts become involved in a very wide range of activities.Just some of the activities which development trusts are currently involved in include…………….running the local shop and post office .....…developing play park and recreational facilities ……...managing a housing development...……developing renewable energy projects such as wind farms …..……managed workspaces …………setting up training programmes …………running childcare or youth services …….……preserving the local heritage …………restoring and conserving historic buildings …………countryside ranger service........running the village petrol pump.......a multi purpose arts and crafts centre....property development......tourism......environmental improvemnts ....childcare.....furniture recycling.....running a sports centre ....commercial forestry and woodland management.....
In short, anything and everything that might help build a vibrant and sustainable community.
Despite the diversity that is reflected in what they do, all development trusts are underpinned by a strong ethos of self help and self reliance and a belief that community regeneration which is achieved through community owned enterprise is the way to build strong and sustainable communities.
