Sepia

Dalbeattie Community Initiative, which is the lead in the former Dalbeattie Primary School regeneration project (Rocks and Wheels), was formed in September 1997 in response to a number of local business closures and the subsequent negative impact on the local economy and the community. The Initiative’s aims and objectives remain the same: “To act as a catalyst within the community, to respond to local needs and effectively reflect local priorities in order to promote and encourage the economic, social and physical growth of Dalbeattie and the surrounding district”.

In addition to the “Rocks and Wheels” project the Initiative also runs the following community projects:

• Community Admin Services                                                                     
• Preloved Charity Shop                                         
• Visitor Information Point
  
• Preloved Awards 
  
• Walking Festival
• Hardrock Challenge 
• What's On Guide 
  
• Community Screens Project with Dalbeattie High School 
  
• Kippford Pontoon and Slipway 
• Musical Minds 
• Solway Forest and Red Squirrel Network
  
• Community Outdoor space maintenance
• Christmas Lights
• Outdoor gym in Colliston park
• Community Ebikes
• Dalbeattie Matters Website & facebook
• Foodbank
• Burn Street Box
• Supports JAS P Wilson Pop-up shop management

The Initiative has a volunteer management team made up of 9 Directors, a Secretary and Treasurer and employs 5 members of staff:

The Business Manager, Michelle McRobert, operates from the main office at 16 High Street. Michelle maintains the company's administration, and the development and management of our  projects and services. In doing so, she collaborates closely with DCI Directors, staff and volunteers as they take forward their work.

Initiative shop and Visitor Information Point Co-Ordinator, Jenni Kingan, is based at 16 High Street. Jenni coordinates the Visitor Information point dealing with such matters as stock selection, presentation, and pricing policy, and supervises the group of volunteers who provide the essential staff which make the VIP work.

Project Developer, Maria Rawlings, has been in post since December 2021and is working specifically on the regeneration project for the old Primary School site based from the office at 71 High Street. Maria is working with the volunteer steering group to develop their community's ideas into a viable business model for the Listed buildings and surrounding 5.3 acres of grounds. 

Maria shares the office with Tom Marshall, the E-bike Co-Ordinator, who with a team of local volunteers organises rides in the area to help build confidence and wellbeing, and Donna McKnight the Dalbeattie Foodbank Co-Ordinator. Donna is the main contact and works with a team of volunteers to open the foodbank on five evenings a week. In addition, the Initiative also has a team of volunteers who give up their time and expertise to assist with all of the projects.