Your Building: A Guide

Date: Thursday 22nd January

Hosts: Audrey Dunn, Claire Martin and Harry Whitmore, Churches Advisors, Community Ownership Support Service

Guest Speakers: Lucy Stewart, The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and Andrew Aldous, COSS Facilities Management

This event is part of our New Futures Programme – Former Places of Worship event series. New Futures is a three-year programme (January 2025-December 2027) funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and Development Trusts Association Scotland to provide enhanced support to community groups considering taking on a former place of worship across Scotland. This programme was launched in direct response to the significant and unprecedented number of former places of worship which are due for disposal over the next several years.

Event description:

Former places of worship can present unique challenges in terms of facilities management and require a thoughtful approach to ensure the suitability of the building for its use. This workshop will cover the operational side of repurposing a former place of worship for community use. During this workshop you will hear from The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and COSS Facilities Management and learn about what is involved in maintaining a historic building.

Workshop content:

· What is facilities management?

· Risk management

· Maintenance of historic buildings

What will I gain from this event?

• An understanding of facilities management in relation to former places of worship
• An understanding of what is involved in operating and upkeeping a historic church building

Who is this event for?

This workshop is open to individuals and community groups interested in taking former places of worship into community ownership.

Where is this event taking place?

This event is taking place online.

Do I have to pay to attend?

This is a free event.

For questions and enquiries, please email Louise Paterson, Churches Programme Officer at: louise@dtascot.org.uk

New Futures - Former Places of Worship is delivered by Community Ownership Support Service with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.