Shaping Places for Wellbeing supports anyone who is looking to take a place-based approach.
The support available to do this sits at three levels:
- Website resources: we have a wide range of resources and tools available on our website that illustrate the support we have given others, its impact and how to undertake the same process.
- Learning network: a network where those leading change locally can come together to share learning. This includes ‘Masterclass’ webinars showcasing what is working for others and explaining the key elements of a place-based approach, then looking at these elements in more detail.
- Bespoke support: we can provide a very limited amount of bespoke support.
Our support is founded on our Local Project Action from 2022-2024 working with seven Project Towns across Scotland (Alloa, Ayr, Clydebank, Dalkeith, Dunoon, Fraserburgh and Rutherglen) to take a place-based approach. The place-based approach we supported our stakeholders with within these towns continues to be embedded into their decision-making processes and the resources produced to support this continue to be utilised. Through Local Project Action we considered how the system operates and identified opportunities for changes in the system to achieve better outcomes.
This work extended to wider Programme participants who benefited from our bespoke support to embed a place-based approach. Developing from our Project Town work in Rutherglen we worked with Clyde Gateway, as well as other stakeholders detailed below:
Shetland Islands Place-based Approach
We supported a Place and Wellbeing Assessment in February 2024 looking at three public sector projects in progress within Brae and the wider North Mainland area. The Assessment furthered work to ensure these transformational projects are integrated with each other and with the needs of the communities they impact at their heart. Read the Assessment report.
We have continued to provide support to Shetland’s approach to place-based approaches and working through Shetland’s Community Planning processes. This has included delivering staff training on a place-based approach and the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes, which they will roll out in 2025 with wider community organisations and teams.
The ability of the Shaping Places for Wellbeing team to quickly understand the support we required, and to provide it in a bespoke manner has significantly helped us move forward around Place.
Ayrshire United Football Academy
We were invited to work with Ayrshire United Football Academy in March 2024. The Shaping Places for Wellbeing place-based approach was drawn upon, and the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes were used to help inform the development of activity for a youth and workforce development programme, and a Community Healthcare Hub.
The Academy found working with the Shaping Places for Wellbeing team a highly productive experience. From the very early stages in planning the workshop, the team quickly grasped the synergy between AUFA’s strategic goals and the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes. This helped to drive maximum value from the event. The process was carefully designed by Susan Beattie (Project Lead) and Alex Wilde (Project Lead) to give a clear structure, but with room for flexibility on the day.
The engagement workshop had a wide range of external partnership participants. Through effective facilitation, a high level of energy and engagement was achieved, all delivered to time. The end product fully met the brief of a five year ‘to do’ list for the community dimension of the Academy’s Business Plan.
Along with Shetland Islands Council and Ayr Football Academy we have been supporting Edinburgh Council, Stirling Council, Inverclyde Council and the Digital Inclusion Team at Scottish Government on the Shaping Places for Wellbeing’s place-based approach. We have also been supporting Clyde Gateway since July 2024.
If the Shaping Places for Wellbeing place-based approach sounds like something you would like to know more about, please contact Irene Beautyman, Place and Wellbeing Partnership Lead, below. Alternatively, follow us on LinkedIn - Planning and Place-Based Approaches, to keep up to date with the Planning and Place-Based Programmes from within the Improvement Service, and X @place4wellbeing to recap on the Shaping Places for Wellbeing Programme’s journey.
Irene Beautyman - Place and Wellbeing Partnership Lead
Phone: 07908 930763
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Planning for Place Programme
The Planning for Place Programme supports councils and their partners to collaborate around place, seeking to encourage place-based approaches to joint planning, resourcing and delivery of places that enable all communities to flourish.
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National Planning Improvement Programme
The National Planning Improvement Champion is responsible for monitoring the performance of planning authorities and providing advice to them (and others) on what steps might be taken to improve their performance.
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Planning Skills
The Planning Skills Programme co-ordinates training events for public sector planning officers, with the aim to develop the skills required to deliver better places.
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Digital Planning
The Digital Planning team at the Improvement Service collaborates with local government to enhance and unify data related to planning and building standards. This work aims to develop a cohesive national data landscape, fostering insights and supporting informed decision-making.
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Shaping Places for Wellbeing Place-based Approach
The Shaping Places for Wellbeing Programme is a joint delivery partnership between the Improvement Service and Public Health Scotland. This forum is for those interested in our work supporting the role of place to reduce inequality and improve the wellbeing of people and planet.
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Place Network
For those interested in the importance of place as a working approach to delivering national outcomes around improved wellbeing and inclusive growth.