1 minute read
1: Quality of Life
Big Fat Goal
Improve the quality of life for everyone in the town, focussing where need is greatest.
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Priorities
1. Healthcare maternity services; clinics; sexual health; mental health
2. Poverty social housing; employability; funeral, fuel & food poverty; resettlement
3. Drink/drugs risky behaviour; emergency to recovery pathways
Fit With Borderlands 4 Themes
Enabling infrastructure
Improving places
Supporting business, innovation and skills
Encouraging green growth
There are long-standing issues of poverty and deprivation in Stranraer. The town is one of five poorest areas in the region, according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. Over half our citizens are officially categorised as ‘Financially Stretched’. More than double the number of people in town are ‘Poorer Pensioners’, compared with the wider region.
It’s well evidenced that poverty is the key marker for poor health and wellbeing. For some, juggling 3 low-paid jobs with childcare, they are time poor. For others, with no work and poor prospects, they are time rich, cash poor and without support, skills and a leg-up, opportunities are closed to them. Both scenarios limit locals’ ability to fulfil their potential as a contributor to their town. We’re all the poorer for this in an unequal world.
Our first Strand aims to right this balance by addressing the breakdown in some key services. Place Planning has been the catalyst for partners who provide services in these areas to come together and begin conversations. The next stage is to work with local people who need help to scope and cost options. A wellbeing hub could create change across these connected issues. A transport hub and review of public transport could help people get to work. All solutions very much rely on partnership working and co-designing solutions with service users. If we can get these right, we will all be better
SOME FAMILIES ARE DESTITUTE… THAT’S THIRD WORLD TALK
MY 14 YEAR OLD FRIEND IS DOING COKE. IF SHE CAN FIND DEALERS, HOW COME THE POLICE CAN’T?
YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL TO AYR FOR CREMATION. IT’S NOT RIGHT AND IT’S MORE COST
GETTING TO THE LABOUR WARD IN DUMFRIES IS A RISK TO LIVES
I HAVE A 5-HOUR ROUND TRIP TO DUMFRIES FOR APPOINTMENTS. LAST TIME, THE CONSULTANT COULDN’T SEE ME
