The outcomes of the prestigious 2024 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were announced tonight (05/12/24) at a celebratory presentation event in Glasgow’s Voco Grand Central Hotel. SURF were delighted to be joined by over 250 guests to celebrate the 26th annual SURF Award programme.
Representatives of the five category winning initiatives for 2024 were personally congratulated on their inspiring work by the Scottish Government’s Minister for Employment and Investment, Tom Arthur.
The SURF Awards are delivered each year by SURF, a regeneration forum with over 300 cross-sector member organisations across Scotland, in partnership for 21 years with the Scottish Government. The purpose is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland, which is particularly prevalent given the current financial climate.
SURF’s panel of 15 independent judges are drawn from national regeneration bodies and community groups. They carefully assessed all of the varied SURF Awards nominations in five thematic categories, visiting 15 different shortlisted initiatives from the Scottish Borders to Orkney, before selecting the following category winners:
Creative Regeneration: Narture CIC (Ayr, South Ayrshire). Narture CIC is transforming empty, run-down properties into vibrant creative hubs. Breathing new life into neglected areas, revitalising not just the appearance of the town but also its community spirit and economic prospects.
Removing Barriers to Employability: DFN Project SEARCH Ninewells (Dundee). Delivered through a partnership, the DFN Project SEARCH programme supports young people with diverse additional needs into meaningful employment.
Housing and Regeneration: Kirkhope Steading (Ettrickbridge, Scottish Borders). The purchase and conversion of a disused stone farm steading into five affordable homes for rent and a business unit with four workshop spaces and three office spaces.
Community Led Regeneration: Bute Community Forest (Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute). The project aims to increase access to woodland assets, through recreation and environmental education activities.
Improving Scotland’s Places: Molendinar’s Flourishing (Glasgow). St Paul’s Youth Forum, a crucial community anchor organisation, have been supporting the transformation of the area, including the reopening of Molendinar Community Centre, creation of a community farm, and the opening of a world-class community golf facility.
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The five winning projects all demonstrate the value of a long-term approach to regeneration, with dedicated partners working strategically and inclusively to develop comprehensive plans and deliver real and sustainable benefits for all.
The evening concluded with an after dinner speech from Cora Bisset a multi-award winning theatre/film Director, Actor and Writer based in Glasgow. She has developed her craft as a Theatre Director for more than 20 years, and has recently been very busy diversifying these skills in writing and directing for film.
Since 2003, the SURF Awards have been delivered by SURF in partnership with the Scottish Government. SURF is also grateful for additional support provided by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, Scottish Procurement Alliance and Scotland’s Towns Partnership towards the delivery of thematic categories.
Quotes:
Emma Scott, Events, Information and Communications Manager at SURF, said: “The SURF Awards highlight that regeneration projects make a real difference to Scottish communities, and the people who live there. This is demonstrated by the committed work of this year’s 15 shortlisted initiatives who, despite increased pressure on demand for services and in the face of unprecedented challenges, showcase what can be achieved when people come together, working in partnership, to make a lasting change within their communities.”
Brian MacDonald, Chair of SURF, said: “Last year we celebrated 25 years of acknowledging and learning from those committed to making improvements in our communities. As we move forward, we need to recognise that the environment we operate in is becoming more challenging as budgets come under greater pressure. Faced with these additional challenges, it is important that we continue to provide a platform to celebrate the achievements of those who go above and beyond in making improvements in our communities. The efforts of all of those considered for the SURF Awards are considerable and deserve to be applauded.”
Tom Arthur, Scottish Government Minister for Employment and Investment said: “The SURF Awards have gone from strength-to-strength in showcasing what can be achieved when communities lead on driving social, economic and physical regeneration.
“We must take the opportunity to celebrate and learn from this year’s winning projects, which demonstrate the art of the possible. I am delighted to attend the awards ceremony once again to recognise their inspiring achievements.
“Regeneration plays a crucial role in supporting our national ambition for all Scotland’s people and places to thrive and flourish.”
Kimberley Guthrie, Chief Officer at Award Sponsor Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “People make places, as we see with the community-led local innovation, vision and determination which lies at the heart of improving so many. It is fantastic to celebrate inspirational examples from across Scotland where real imagination and collaboration is unlocking projects, which are allowing communities to invest in their assets to create more sustainable places for the future. They are blazing a trail for others to follow.”
