Tuesday, 28 November 2023

THE PULSE SURVEY

The Pulse Survey is conducted every 12 months and is to assess the impact work volunteers do across the Stratherrick and Foyers area on behalf of the community.

The people who filled out the Pulse Survey in 2023 were roughly in the same age range as last year, same male/female gender split (36%/61%/4% prefer not to say) and a slight variation in location with a greater number from Gorthleck and Torness and less from Whitebridge (29% Foyers, 32% Gorthleck,9% Whitebridge, 16% Errogie, 9% from Inverfarigaig and 5% Torness ). 

This survey was promoted over 16 days via email, website, social media and word of mouth.  With 338 occupied households in the area over 15% of households are represented, and therefore this gives us a high degree of accuracy that these results reflect the thoughts of the community as a whole.  The number of participants was up last year and eight people chose to remain anonymous compared to four people last year.  As last year, we have kept those responses in the results. 

Developed in association with SCDC (Scottish Community Development Centre) we’ve seen some improvements and areas to work on. Thank you to those who filled in the survey. We know we can always do better, and will aim to do so, but the results are below.

Tony Foster, Trust Manager

                                                                      2023                    2023                    2023                    2022                    2022

                                                                     AGREE    AGREE/DISAGREE               DISAGREE           AGREE              DISAGREE

Communication from the Trust               75%                     19%                     6%                             81%                     2%

Although down from a staggering 81% last year this remains strong and far better than three years ago.  Communication can be quite labour intensive.  Thanks to external funding we have two marketing and communications staff for the next three years.

Decision making transparent                   34%                     30%                     36%                     42%                         27.5%  

We now have the Community Action Plan and Place Plan to determine the Boards future actions.  Despite weekly project updates, our minutes being available to members and the annual report being distributed to most households last year we still have an issue with transparency.  The CAP and Place Plan will link what the majority of the people wanted us to develop locally to the decisions made or considered but moving to charitable status and some open meetings may help.

Good idea what Trust Supports               63%                     25%                     12%                     65.5%                      8.5%

Again this is fairly equal to the previous year, which reflects the information around the Community Action Plan and Place Plan.  The ‘Trust’ supports what the community wants, as reflected in the CAP and Place Plan.  Far better than three years ago.

Know how to get involved with Trust    70%                     23%                     7%                             82%                     4%        

Again most people know how to get involved with the Trust but this could do with some more targeted work and information for new people to the area.

Trust is accountable on decisions            57%                     16%                     27%                     57.5%                       20%      

This year we continued empowering groups to make decisions to help advise the Board on their projects.  We also attended Community Council and reported on all projects and where they were in planning.

Working to make a better place for all   64%                     20%                     16%                     64.5%                       15.5%

Working to make a better place remains roughly the same as last year, which is encouraging.

Family has Benefitted                                47%                     27%                     26%                     51%                           26.5%

Slightly down on last year.  With the work on providing wood last year, grants for food and fuel and maintaining sport, study, group grants and providing buildings for free use it would have been nice to see some improvement here.  However this has only increased in the ‘those in need’ categories.

Community has Benefitted                       64%                     25%                     11%                     63.5%                         8.5%

The community has benefitted remains roughly the same as last year.  Again whilst high we would have liked to see some movement here.       

Supports Voluntary Sector                        75%                     21%                     4%                             73.5%                    4.5%

A slight increase here, perhaps largely to do with the support we give groups from funding, raising external funds and staff support.  Very similar to previous years.

Empowered people                                     55%                     34%                     11%                     57.5%                         13.5%

We continue to get more people involved in actioning projects and decision making.  Again we’d like to see this improve over time but this year remains the same.

Conserving the Environment                    45%                     32%                     23%                     40%                             13.5%

A strong theme in the CAP and one that underlines everything we do.  People are moving out of the undecided area to agree or disagree.  Again far stronger than three years ago.

Land Management & Land Use                36%                     43%                     21%                     29%                              24.5%                 

Up 7% which may reflect your view being reflected in the Place Plan but after a drop last year this is moving in a positive direction this year.

Maintain Rural ID                                       45%                     36%                     19%                     36.5%                            17.5%

One of the pillars in the CAP, along with conserving the environment, and reflected in our approach here.  This has improved slightly as we attempt to make changes for the better but maintain the rural identity.   Again more positive than three years ago.

Creating Jobs                                                55%                     31%                     14%                     49%                              13%

We are creating more jobs in the local area.  This is all positive and has improved on last year and better than three years ago.

Retain Young People                                  34%                     39%                     27%                     31%                              24.5%

Broadly the same but work is being done in this area, particularly regarding housing for young people.  Again better than three years ago.

Attract Work Fam                                        25%                     46%                     29%                     24.5%                           22%

Broadly the same but work is being done in this area, including development of the after school project at the primary school.

Create Sustainable Tourism                      29%                     45%                     26%                     31%                               20%      

A slight difference as we create facilities, hope to sustain pathways and encourage and promote local businesses when we can, this helping support local employment.  There is a balance to be achieved here whilst conserving the environment and maintaining our rural identity whilst having an infrastructure and facilities other communities enjoy.               

Creating Opportunities For All                 35%                     43%                     23%                     33.5%                          34.5%

Slightly up but very similar to three years ago.

Those In Need                                              70%                     23%                     7%                        62%                            8.5%

A big jump this year and over the last three years which may be reflected in our support during the cost of living crisis with funds for fuel/food and wood.  Although this help ends this year it was provided when it was needed the most.

Health & Well Being                                    61%                     29%                     10%                     55.5%                        13.5%

Again a big jump here with support we have given alongside partners.

Collaboration externally                            50%                     39%                     11%                       49%                            8.5%

Broadly similar and something we need to promote more as we work with other stakeholders and agencies on CAP and Place Plan outcomes.  This eases the burden on our own resources but still maintains outcomes

Aware I can get actively involved            84%                     14%                     2%                          86.5%                          4%

Broadly similar, but shows an inclusive community.  Thanks for filling out the survey

Score out of 10 2022                                   6.5                                                   

Score out of 10 2023                                   6.6

2026

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