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The project set out to establish a focal point and a well used resource matching the needs of local people in an area showing signs of multiple deprivations (as identified in the 1991 census)
The original concept proposed converting a shop unit into a tenant-managed drop-in-café. The proposals were accepted by the Scottish Office for funding from their Urban Aid Programme. Following some months of development work the original concept of managing a drop in café was untenable. At this point however the capital work had begun and full responsibility for the project including employment of the development worker was transferred to the area Housing Manager. The drop in café concept was dropped in favour of establishing a general community resource.
The development worker took up post in 1994 when the premises had been converted and were operational. The next two years were used to develop the lounge into a community resource and to identify and work with local people to take over the management of the project.
In April 1996 there was local government reorganisation and the projects key link to Dundee City Council was transferred over to the New Neighbourhood Resource and Development Department. Overall responsibility for managing the project was transferred to the Neighbourhood Development Officer for the Central Area. The development worker had responsibility for the day-to-day management of the project including the development of the facility in partnership with local residents. The development worker also carried out administration duties and support and supervision of volunteers. A cleaner was employed to carry out cleaning duties. A core group of local residents undertook volunteering duties and assumed more responsibility for providing services. The project was first registered as a charity in 1996.
Also the Kirkton area had been targeted for a community regeneration approach and gained Priority Partnership Status. The project continued to maintain levels of community involvement and meet the priorities outlined in the community regeneration programme, Stability, Sustainability, Empowerment and Prosperity.
The user groups of the project then got together and sent representatives to the Beauly Lounge Youth Provision Group who then became the Management Group of the project and formed the new constituted group "The Community Lounge Group" taking over the responsibility for managing the project.
The group submitted a bid for extended funding to the Priority Partnership to extend into the adjacent premises. An Evaluation Report was undertaken by The Northern College of Education. The findings were that the project continued to be an established community resource.
The bid was approved in 1998 for extension funding until 2001 and capital costs awarded for the purpose of carrying out adaptations to the shop unit at 6 Beauly Avenue.
The project officially opened the new extended premises on 25th March 1999 and continued to be a focal point in the community meeting the needs of local people. It is the first step in the community capacity process and this is the project's uniqueness.
The project still did not have administrative support and this was not available until 2000. The project also recruited sessional staff to carry out some of the programmes.
The community lounge group were successful in obtaining a further two years funding from the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) to allow the management group and its partners to move towards independence both organisationally and financially. This would also allow for some form of partnership with the local authority concerning the services the project was to provide to the community and what mutual expectations there might be concerning support and collaboration. (as suggested in the Evaluation Report 2000 by Northern College).
The project was successful in obtaining a further three years SIP's (Social Inclusion Partnership) funding until March 2003. On the 27th June 2002 the project changed its name to Kirkton Community Support and the next step was for the management group to become a Board of Directors by being a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee in Oct 2002. During the transitional period between our funders, SIP's stepped in to bridge this gap to enable the Board of Directors to finish their funding application and to wait for the decision.
In 2005 we were very successful in setting up the partnership of Dundee Community Transport. This scheme was set up in partnership with Dundee Voluntary Action, Volunteer Action Point and Dundee Accessible Transport Action Group to ensure that volunteer, community and statutory groups have affordable access to accessible transport. They purchased a brand new IVECO mini-bus with a lift for wheelchair users and able bodied persons to travel together. We are currently training drivers to MiDAS certificate standard. Dundee Community Transport
We are currently working with Consultants from Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland to improve the skills of the board. We have just completed a 5 year Business Plan and have submitted a new Lottery Application. We have also approached some Trusts & Foundations to help support us in our work. Check them out here Our Funders
We are also planning to build an extension out the back of our premises as we need extra space and we plan to run cookery classes again so need to upgrade and extend our kitchen! Check here for our plans!
If you have a spare few pounds you would like to give then please visit our Donations page. This page also holds our current fund raising events so check back regularly. Click Here To Donate
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