Welcome To The Newton Stewart Initiative
Newton Stewart Initiative is a community organisation with charitable status designed to regenerate our town.
Our mission is to create opportunities for residents to thrive financially, mentally and physically in order to create a town with a strong sense of community and identity.
Our Work
Community Events
Newton Stewart Initiative organises a variety of community events throughout the year.
Find out more about what’s going on in and around Newton Stewart at www.newtonstewart.org
Newton Stewart Local Place Plan
The Local Place Plan has now been completed and submitted to D&G Council and approved.
Newton Stewart Projects
We’re working on a number of projects to help our community.
Keep up to date with progress on the development of Douglas Park, Vibe 75, The Hut Youth Initiative, Our Community shop, The Grapes Hotel and much more over on our recent news page
Our Funded Projects
| Events Flyer |
|---|
| Aim To provide a leaflet to every household in the DG8 area to let them know what activities and events are on in their local town and towns in the DG8 area |
| Funders Galloway Association of Glasgow, Wigtown Community Shop, Cree Valley Community Council, Newton Stewart and District Round Table, Kilgallioch Community Windfarm |
| Outcome To reduce social isolation, improve mental and physical wellbeing, creating new friendships, learning new skills |
| Vibe 75 |
|---|
| Aim To purchase Vibe 75 through the Scottish Land Fund and other funders to set up a community hub on the ground floor and create a dedicated youth work space on the upper floor |
| Funders: Galloway Association of Glasgow – £2439 – Tables, Chairs, Amplifier Stranoch Windfarm Sponsorship Fund for a free community cafe Scottish Land Fund Community Led Local Development Fund DG Works – Employability Small Grants – Jobs Fayre Elizabeth Drummond Charitable Trust Community Health and Wellbeing Fund- DG Council |
| Outcome The ground floor is currently being used by a variety of groups to offer warm spaces, crafting workshops, markets, supporting people with mental health, reducing social isolation Space to hire in Newton Stewart- Bingo Evenings, Networking Events or Workshops The vision is to turn the upstairs into a dedicated youth work space Plan to purchase it through the Scottish Land Fund |
| Douglas Park |
|---|
| Aim To develop Douglas Park, including a BMX track, inclusive play park and Changing Places Toilet |
| Funders The Holywood Trust Dumfries and Galloway Council Hugh Fraser Foundation Scottish Children’s Lottery Fund National Lottery |
| Outcome The BMX track was built and used weekly by the Galloway Hillbillies offering BMX sessions. The Inclusive Play Park in Douglas Park is finished and there are new swings, an inclusive play frame and an Inclusive roundabout. A teen pod shelter has been built and a Changing Places Toilet installed as well as a toilet available for events at the park |
| Grapes Hotel |
|---|
| Aim To create affordable accommodation on the upper floors, and also create a new home for the popular community shop |
| Funders Scottish Land Fund Architectural Heritage Fund Rural Housing Fund |
| Outcome Further funding applications will be made to ensure the completion of the build. Further funding applications have been put on hold due to the issues of the SEPA flood map Due to further funding cuts, it has become increasingly challenging to move this project forward. |
| Youth Work |
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| Aim In partnership with D&G Youthworks to develop Youth Work in the area. |
| Funders The Holywood Trust National Lottery Community Fund. Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Amazing Summer Fund Cash for Kids |
| Outcome Regular Youth Work activities are run throughout the Year All events and groups are free and food is provided at them all. Club 180 is our weekly darts group that meets at Vibe 75 every Wednesday evening. The group recently won an award for their achievements. NSI Youth Work Team are finalists in this years Awarding Wigtownshire Awards for Youth Group of the Year |
| Happy Daze |
|---|
| Aim A reminiscence group to bring people together to remember the good old days |
| Funders Communities Health and Wellbeing Fund EDF power solutions UK’s Stranoch wind farm sponsorship fund. |
| Outcome Providing warm spaces and hot drinks. Helps to reduce social isolation, signposting and reminiscing. Meets on the last Thursday of each month |
| NSI Community Shop |
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| Aim To provide affordable items to residents of Newton Stewart and Minnigaff and to encourage recycling, reusing and reducing waste going to the tip |
| Funders NSI Community Shop is funded through the profits it makes selling items that have been donated by residents in the town. |
| Outcome The shop is situated within the building that was the former Tourist Information Office at Dashwood Square car park The proceeds go back into the Newton Stewart and Minnigaff community, in the form of funding local projects and events. The shop gives away a percentage of it’s profits to other local groups and organisations in and around the town Waste reduction and recycling items that would otherwise go to landfill |
Want to get Involved?
If you’re interested in getting involved in different activities across the community then get in touch!
Newton Stewart Initiative are always looking for new members, volunteers and trustees.
Drop us an email info@newtonstewartinitiative.net