Tread Magazine - Issue 2

Page 22

ISSUE 2

Tread

TRACING THE CHANGING PATTERN OF THE SCOTTISH BORDERS COMMUNITY WORDS ALANA BLACK

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irmly stitched to its textile manufacturing heritage, the Scottish Borders’ patchwork of rural towns presents unique challenges. With a focus on building confidence and wellbeing, the Scottish Borders’ collaborative, human approach to cultivating strong communities is what makes it stand out. During the 19th century, the Scottish Borders became a hub for textiles manufacturing. With this new industry, whole communities formed around the mills and factories, providing stable jobs, a thriving economy, and vibrant social networks. Things began to change in the 1980’s and 1990’s when shifts in consumer attitudes – especially toward the quality of clothing - occurred. This, coupled with the major outsourcing of production to adapt to globalisation, resulted in huge changes for people in the Borders. The knock-on effects of diminished manufacturing in the area have continued to have an impact, many generations on. Approximately 122,000 people call the region home. The National Record of Scotland cites that, between 1998 and 2019 the population increased by 8.9%. On face-value, these figures seem positive, but when you scratch beneath the surface, the numbers paint a stark demographic picture. Of those relocating to the Borders, the 65 – 74 age group grew the most – by just shy of 50%. In stark contrast, the 25 – 44 age group suffered a significant decline of just under 25%. Like many rural areas, the Scottish Borders suffer from limited suitable and affordable housing, few job opportunities, and poor transport links. This ecosystem of disadvantage forces many young people to flock to the cities, in search of new experiences, for work or further education. Often, they never return. Or, when they do, it is later in life to raise their family. This results in an imbalance in diversity of thought, experience, and people. Our communities are only as rich as the people in them, and young people are

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their lifeblood. The burden to support young people in rural areas is often heaped onto the dynamic and innovative social enterprises and community groups that form to address some of the endemic challenges.

KNITTING TOGETHER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY Local funding programmes such as LEADER have played an important role in supporting projects that strengthen the community. LEADER is a bottom-up method of delivering support to communities for rural development. Grants are awarded by Local Action Groups to projects that support delivery of a Local Development Strategy. The aim of LEADER is to increase support to local rural community and business networks to build knowledge and skills and encourage innovation and cooperation in order to tackle local development objectives. Gary White is the Chair of the Scottish Borders’ local LEADER Local Action Group (LAG) which has supported a number of youth focused projects. “Scottish Borders has some of the best youth work provision in Scotland,” says Gary. “ Our youth work networks are well organised and deliver some really innovative work, but there are still a lot of young people in need that aren’t accessing those services”. Gary adds: “Many young people particularly if they’re struggling with confidence, may not be attracted to traditional types of youth work”. So, how do we create a community that appeals to broader range of young people? “Young people particularly after the recent lockdown, can find themselves isolated and getting into spirals of negativity. To reach those isolated young people we need to understand and support what wellbeing means for them personally. This can have a consequential effect in terms of building confidence and empowerment”.

“...the Scottish Borders suffer from limited suitable and affordable housing, few job opportunities, and poor transport links”


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