What significant contribution has the nominee made to their rural community?
Helen and Marjory are the drivers behind the establishment of the Arbirlot Old Kirk. The speed and management have only been possible through their partnership approach. They have been fully inclusive to ensure the voice of the engaged community is heard and feels involved. Initially, they assembled the local community and developed a structured group to collectively voice their aspirations for the former church to become a community hub. Helen and Marjory drove the fundraising to purchase the church; the consultations with the community; listening to how and what people wanted to do with the space and the promotion of the vision. They created the belief that the dream was possible. From the start, they played to their strengths enabling the project to move forward at pace. Their approach has been so impressive and effective. Helen drove the building plans and has acted as project manager of the reconstruction. This has included, hiring local tradesmen; raising funds; driving all over Scotland and the UK for materials; reselling, refurbishing, and recycling. She negotiates for materials and equipment so well that the funds which have been raised have stretched further than if Helen had not led. Marjory - diligently managed all legal negotiations; managed all administration with the Charity Commission, ensuring compliance and legislation has been followed to keep things moving and managed the finances until a treasurer was appointed. She has also established the governance structure and acts as secretariat. She rallies the community and the press and social media.
What has been the impact on their rural community?
Part of the community was initially sceptical of the vision, but the drive, belief and enthusiasm of Helen and Marjory have won people over creating a motivated, innovative, and enthusiastic approach, which many have now embraced wholeheartedly. The community pledged and donated funds for the building purchase; conducted successful fundraising activities, engaged with the physical renovation; donated materials and offered advice and guidance; created an online virtual community and a social media presence until the building is habitable – expected summer 2026. This will truly be built by the community for the community.
The community have driven activity for families; festive activities; local farmer events; supported people on their own and health and wellbeing activities. This could only be done by having strong leaders who the community believe can continue to build the vision. All this in only eighteen months. The momentum is now driving others to come forward and begin the next phase of the vision. As the building becomes habitable the community will have a physical space to develop all the ideas they shared for the community hub. The wider village has also benefitted as parking had previously been a problem and a local farmer has donated land for the venue but also as additional parking space for the village, creating a safer environment for the residents.
How have they involved their rural community?
Helen and Marjory have engaged the local community at every stage of the Arbirlot Old Kirk as their relationships and connections with the village of Arbirlot and surrounding district are historic and multi-generational. They are committed to ensuring that the Arbirlot Old Kirk will be a legacy for the existing rural community and future generations. They realised from the start this could only work with community support and engagement. Initially they called for people to join them who felt the vision was worthy of giving their time to support. They developed a community survey and open space meetings calling all members of the community to voice their hopes and concerns. They offered to visit those who could not attend, wanted more detail or were not sure. Many people took this opportunity. Raising the funds for the purchase was important to create a sense of shared ownership. The funds were raised from all backgrounds within months; such was the belief. The community have ensured that the project is prudent and is budgeted to prevent the project from carrying debt for the community. This makes the longevity and success for the future much more achievable. The door is always open for ideas which have generated some wonderful activities; from a duck race for families to a tractor Santa run and a regular walking group to build a community that has something to coalesce around until the physical building opens. People are already planning the things they want to do in the building.