Your Community Your Voice
Stirlingshire lies between the lowlands and highlands of Scotland and is commonly known as the gateway to the Highlands. Stretching from Crainlarich to Cowie, Bannockburn to Balquhidder, Stirlingshire consists of a diverse mix of urban and rural communities.
SVE supports groups to identify the strengths in every community and provide them with resources to help them thrive.
Get Involved in Your Community
There are many ways to get involved and make a difference in your community. Whether you volunteer your time, share your ideas, support a local group, take part in community activities or have your say on issues that matter to you, every contribution helps create stronger, more connected communities.
Your voice is one of the most powerful ways you can contribute. By sharing your experiences, ideas and views, you can help influence decisions, shape services and make sure that the things that matter to local people are heard.
Your Voice Matters
At SVE, we believe people care deeply about the places where they live and the issues that affect their lives. Whether it is improving local spaces, supporting health and wellbeing, creating opportunities for young people, protecting the environment or strengthening community connections, people are passionate about making a difference.
Sometimes people are described as being “disengaged” when traditional ways of involving communities do not reach them. We believe meaningful community involvement starts by listening to people in ways that work for them and creating opportunities for everyone to participate.
Good community engagement means:
- Listening to people’s experiences and ideas.
- Involving communities in decisions that affect them.
- Making it easier for people to take part.
- Recognising the skills, knowledge and strengths that already exist within communities.
Supporting Community Empowerment
SVE works alongside communities, public sector partners and voluntary organisations to support meaningful involvement and community empowerment.
We work with partners to ensure that community voices are reflected in planning, decision-making and the delivery of services. If you would like to get involved, share your views or find out more about opportunities in your community, please get in touch.
Community Engagement Resources
There are a range of organisations and resources available to support effective community engagement, including:
- Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) – resources and support for community development.
- CLD Standards Council Scotland – professional guidance and standards for community learning and development.
- Place Standard Tool – a way for communities to discuss what makes a place a good place to live.
- National Standards for Community Engagement – guidance on involving communities effectively.
Getting Involved Locally
SVE works closely with partners including Stirling Council to support community involvement across the area.
There are many ways to get involved in local decision-making, including:
- Taking part in consultations.
- Joining local groups or community networks.
- Attending community meetings and events.
- Sharing your views with local representatives.
- Getting involved with projects and activities that matter to you.
Stirling Council’s Community Engagement Team provides support to communities and community organisations across the Stirling area, including advice and support around:
- Starting and developing community groups.
- Governance and running organisations.
- Community engagement and involving local people.
- Funding and finance.
- Developing projects and local plans.
- Partnership working and influencing decisions.
- Community surveys and understanding local needs.
- Training and resources.
Community Councils
Community Councils provide a link between local communities and public bodies. They represent community views, comment on local issues and help ensure that residents have a voice in decisions affecting their area.
Find your local Community Council and discover how you can get involved here.
Having Your Say Beyond Your Community
Some issues that matter to communities require action at a wider level. SVE can support communities and organisations to understand how they can engage with regional and national decision-making.
You can have your say by:
- Responding to consultations.
- Contacting your elected representatives.
- Taking part in campaigns and discussions.
- Engaging with the Scottish Parliament and other decision-making bodies.
The Scottish Parliament provides opportunities for people and organisations to contribute to discussions, respond to consultations, submit petitions and engage with committees.
You can find recent consultations here.
Your Community, Your Voice
Strong communities are built when people have the opportunity to participate, influence decisions and work together to create positive change.
If you have an idea, want to get involved or would like support connecting with opportunities in your community, contact SVE.
