Community groups, local people and key stakeholders are coming together to think big, work out what’s most needed, and make it happen. Working with the Community Councils, the Area Partnership and East Lothian Council and other allies we will bring additional resources, enthusiasm and energy to help shape a new and better normal for everyone.
We mustn't forget people's immediate needs and priorities, but we must also make time to imagine the kind of future want for our communities and our world. If we don't, we'll always be responding to problems instead of creating a future where all can thrive.
Let's imagine a future full of possibility, let's imagine a future where no one is left out, where Dunbar, East Linton and the local villages are home to thriving people, where nature thrives on the land and in the sea. Imagine a future where we have this, while also respecting the wellbeing of all people, and the health of the whole planet.
What if we were a Good Food Community? In which no one goes hungry, everyone has access to good, healthy food and access to land – if they want it… See Local Good Food Alliance
What if we were a Good Enterprise Community? In which everyday necessities are produced and available locally, everyone has access to meaningful and rewarding work, where new and existing businesses are inspired and supported to be part of the solution…
What if we were a Good for Nature Community? In which we value and restore our local environment – and measure our progress by the number and diversity of birds, insects and other wildlife…
What if we were a Good Energy Community? In which new housing costs nothing to heat, older housing has been made warm and comfortable and locally owned renewable energy supplies our needs…
What if we were a Good Community? In which we are connected to our neighbours, our streets have become places for social interaction and for children to play, in which everyone has the chance to learn and share new skills, in which caring and sharing are the norm… See Local Community Halls Network
Exactly how the What If Network develops, what we do and how, will depend on what members want, the changing COVID-19 restrictions, our success with fundraising and so on. However we plan to work in two overlapping phases: developing plans and and then making them happen.
Currently the main areas of activity include:
Ola Wojtkiewicz, What If? community engagement manager
Making plans is (relatively) easy. But they’re useless unless turned into effective action and bring about worthwhile change. It won’t necessarily be quick and it will take hard work. A key element of this will be securing funding to extend and grow existing projects and to develop new ones.
By working together, sharing members’ experience, contacts and other resources, the What If Network will: