Your Voice Matters: A Look Back at Our First Community Drop-In

On Saturday 17 May 2025, something meaningful took place at Our Lady of Reconciliation Church in the heart of our community. It wasn’t a major announcement or a ribbon-cutting ceremony — it was something far simpler, and arguably far more important.

It was a conversation.

Our first Eldonian Community Trust drop-in meeting gave local residents the opportunity to meet the newly appointed board of trustees — the people now responsible for guiding the future of the charity — and to share their concerns, their hopes, and their ideas for our community. It was the first time in a long while that the Trust had opened its doors, not just to explain plans or report on progress, but to listen.

And that’s exactly what we did.

A Fresh Start

Our Lady of Reconciliation Church opened its doors for the first community drop-in hosted by the new board of trustees.

Our Lady of Reconciliation Church opened its doors for the first community drop-in hosted by the new board of trustees — with the warm welcome and support of Fr Richard Ebo, the parish priest, whose presence and encouragement meant a great deal to all who attended.

As many in the community know, the Eldonian Community Trust has been through a difficult few years. Following regulatory concerns, governance challenges, and a period of serious uncertainty, a new board of trustees was formally appointed in March 2025 at an Annual General Meeting hosted by the Charity Commission's Interim Managers. Since then, we’ve been working hard to rebuild the Trust — not just in paperwork or policy, but in trust, transparency, and relationships with the people we serve.

This drop-in meeting was the first public step in that rebuilding journey.

We chose Our Lady of Reconciliation Church not just because it’s a well-known and well-loved space in the area, but because it’s a place where people feel welcome, safe, and able to speak freely. That spirit carried into the meeting, where attendees sat with trustees over a cup of tea and spoke from the heart.

What We Heard

What emerged from these conversations was not a list of complaints, but a deep concern for the wellbeing of the Eldonian community — and a shared desire to see it thrive once again.

Some residents raised serious concerns about housing conditions, particularly issues like damp, repairs, and a lack of communication from housing providers. These are challenges affecting many families in the area, and we want to be clear about our role as a charity.

While the Eldonian Community Trust does not own or manage any housing, we know just how important safe, secure homes are to people’s wellbeing — and we hear the frustration when things go wrong.

That’s why we’re committed to doing what we can to support residents. This includes listening to concerns, helping people understand their rights, signposting to the right services, and where appropriate, advocating on their behalf. We’re also working to build stronger relationships with housing associations and relevant authorities so that the voices of residents are heard — and taken seriously.

We also heard from parents and grandparents who are worried about young people in the area. With limited activities, sports, or structured programmes outside school, there’s a growing fear that too many children are being left without safe, positive outlets for their energy and potential.

At the same time, we listened to older residents who spoke of loneliness and isolation — especially since COVID — and their desire for more opportunities to connect, contribute, and feel valued.

There was a lot of honesty. There was some frustration. But most of all, there was hope — and a real willingness from residents to be part of shaping the next chapter of the Eldonian story.

A Board That Listens

As trustees, our role isn’t just to oversee the charity — it’s to be present, accountable, and in touch with the community we represent. The drop-in made that clear, and it reminded us of why we stepped into these roles in the first place.

Lord Chris Rennard, Chair of the Trust, said: “There is much justifiable anger about the loss of many local facilities. The Charity — which is entirely separate from the Housing Association — is now under new leadership. The former directors have been replaced, and we are here to listen and work with everyone in the community for good charitable purposes. We’re also very grateful to the Charity Commission for their support in helping us move forward.”

Looking Forward

Some of Our Members gathered outside Our Lady of Reconciliation Church after the drop-in — a strong show of community spirit and shared commitment to shaping the future together.

As a result of this meeting, we’ve already begun mapping out several areas where the Trust can make a tangible impact.

Brian Jones, fellow trustee and long-standing community advocate, added: “These kinds of conversations are vital. We’re not here to guess what people want — we’re here to ask, to listen, and to act. That’s how we build trust, and that’s how we move forward together.”

We’re actively exploring new youth programmes, including potential partnerships with the Scotland Road & District Junior Football League, who we recently worked with to deliver the first Eldonian Community Trust Cup Final. This could include a summer football camp, mentoring sessions, and leadership activities for boys and girls of mixed ages.

We’re also engaging with external organisations and public bodies to help amplify the voices of residents affected by housing issues, ensuring those in power hear the concerns raised and take meaningful steps in response.

In the coming weeks, we hope to publish an initial “community priorities framework”, shaped by what we heard during the drop-in, and designed to guide our work over the next year. This will cover key themes such as housing advocacy, youth support, elderly wellbeing, and community engagement.

And crucially, we’re committing to regular community drop-ins, all to be held at Our Lady of Reconciliation Church, with dates announced well in advance. These will take place monthly, which will give residents the opportunity to speak to the Trust, to seek guidance and support and we hope more and more residents will join us to keep the conversation going.

How You Can Get Involved

We can’t do this alone. The success of this charity depends on the involvement of the community — not just in showing up, but in helping shape our mission.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Attend the next drop-in: We’ll post the date soon.

2. Volunteer your time or skills — whether that’s helping out at an event, supporting young people, or lending your voice to a campaign.

3. Stay connected: Follow us on social media, check the website, or sign up to our mailing list.

4. Talk to us: If you’ve got an idea, a concern, or something you want to share, we want to hear from you.

Thank You

To everyone who came to the first drop-in: thank you. Your honesty, warmth, and willingness to engage has set the tone for everything to come.

This is your Trust. And we’re here — not just to run it, but to build it with you.