Over our typically quieter summer period, we’ve enjoyed a few special visits from high-profile individuals in the public and private sectors.

In June, we welcomed leaders from the Scottish Government’s Directorate for Strategy and Delivery for two days of learning at CentreStage. Both days were filled with conversations about the power of place and our aspirations for the future. They left feeling energised, and grateful for our staff’s positivity and support during the visit.

The Director General of Communities, Louise MacDonald OBE, spent the morning with us in July. As Louise approaches retirement, she has been keen to engage with community organisations at the forefront of social change, public sector reform, and tackling child poverty. Following her visit, we received a special ‘thank you’ note expressing her enjoyment of the passion in energy evident in every conversation. As well as her appreciation of how closely we are already working with the Scottish government to align and deliver our priorities.

Marion Fulker AM, from Perth, Australia, popped in on day 3 of her study tour of Scotland. Marion is investigating approaches to social change and has several regional and community development projects across the country on her list – we were privileged to be one of them. She was joined by Alastair Dobson, Managing Director of Taste of Arran, and it’s thanks to him that this visit was possible.

We feel centrally positioned with the current Scottish Government’s priorities and our neighbourhood model fully demonstrates just what is possible when come together and work with the willing. Each visit serves as recognition of what we, together with our neighbourhood partners, are achieving. The question now is what more can we do together? and we’re already working towards the answer.