Networking and making links
Arranging to meet useful contacts in your area is the best way to let people know what you do and to find out what local support is available. To find out who to arrange meetings with, you will need to research the links below. The more people you meet up with the better. Different people will give you different perspectives on your work and routes forward. Local partnerships will be able to offer strategic support for local outcomes, whereas local projects and people may offer more practical support. A bit of both is often required.
Making links with local support structures
Your local Council is home to a number of support structures from your local community planning partnership to your local community learning and development team. Other support structures also exist such as Community Health Partnerships and Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) local offices. Find out what these structures do and how they can support your work.
Local support workers
Local support workers can’t support your work unless they are aware of what you do. Job titles, remits and where you will find these workers may vary across Scotland.
Finding a local champion
A local champion can create links for your work which may lead to increased support. There is no hard and fast rule for finding a local champion. People will champion your work if they understand and support both the outcomes you intend to achieve and your approach to achieving them. People elected by the community are often keen to find out about projects which deliver improvements for the local community. It is prudent to approach elected representatives from a range of political parties.
Community projects in your area
Successful community food projects make time to meet people involved in other community-led projects within the local area to swap project management experiences, share in local funding opportunities and increase awareness of their work locally. If you are networking locally you will be aware of local projects. By searching through the networks listed you may find more to build links with.
Using local suppliers
Using local suppliers is an opportunity to build up relationships with local businesses. Most local suppliers are listed in local directories.