Who are we?
We are a group of people who live in Weymouth and love our Town and the countryside around it. There are lots of reasons we think Weymouth is a great place to live. Firstly, we have the sea, lovely beaches and great opportunities for sailing and water sports like kite surfing and kayaking. Secondly, we have our heritage, our quintessential promenade and lovely Georgian buildings.. Thirdly, our Town has some fab shops, and cafes, restaurants and pubs, serving food that that has just got better and better over the past few years and we mustn’t forget our green spaces and terrific walks and cycling paths. Finally, we love Weymouth for its wonderful people (we could be biased of course, but we don’t think so).
What is a Development Trust?
A Development Trust is
- Community based, owned and led
- Engaged in the economic, environmental and social regeneration of a defined area or community
- Independent but seek to work in partnership with other private, voluntary and public sector organisations.
- Self sufficient or aiming for self sufficiency, and not for private profit.
So that’s who we are. We are not for profit, we have no shareholders and if, at any time, we had to close down all assets go to the community.
History
Weymouth Area Development Trust was established in May 2016 as a ‘constituted community organisation’ by a small group of people because a much, much larger group of people suggested it. The need for a Development Trust was then established from research done on behalf of the Weymouth and Portland Partnership and consultation and discussions with residents and community groups.
In March 2017 we were approved as a not for profit Community Interest Company, and are now Weymouth Area Development Trust CIC Ltd. Regulated by the CIC regulator. We are a not for profit company with charitable aims.
Other local coastal towns with Development Trusts include Lyme Regis, Bridport and Swanage.
We love a good story… and we want to share this one with you.
Our logo was inspired by:
The Star Thrower
I was walking along the beach on morning, early. It was after a storm had cleared away leaving piles of seaweed and stuff on the sand. The sun was already warm and it promised a hot day.
I saw a young man up ahead picking something up and throwing it into the sea. A starfish.
He walked a bit further and did it again and again. I looked around me and I realised there were hundreds of starfish on the beach.
When I got to him I asked, “Excuse me but what are you doing?”
He said, “The sun is coming up and it is going to be hot. The starfish will dry out and die. So I am returning them to the sea.”
I pointed up along the beach “But look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”
He looked at me, and then after a few moments he looked at the starfish in his hand, drew back his arm and threw it into the sea.
“Well I made a difference to that one!” he said and continued his work.
I watched for a while and then joined him.
We made a difference.
— Adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren C. Eiseley
I come from the profession of teaching and learning and I am particularly passionate about exploring opportunities to use my skills and knowledge to make a difference to the future of people in the Weymouth area. I was a founder member of the Chapelhay Community Play Garden and the Chapelhay Community Partnership, which secured the lease of the Old Town Hall and formed the Guardians of the Old Town Hall CIC.
I love to work with people who make a difference and the Development Trust has given me the chance to meet the people, businesses, community workers, entrepreneurs, doers and makers all making a difference to this town. I spent 25 years working with teenagers and families in the public and charity sector, and I’ve also run two businesses. I completed a Masters in Peacebuilding in 2016 and spent time in the West Bank as a human rights monitor. My first community project was the Weymouth Peace Garden on the Nothe. I am a member of the School of Social Entrepreneurs, Locality and currently taking part in a Power to Change Community Business Programme.
From connecting people online, to setting up a community for start-ups and entrepreneurs, Weymouth Area Development Trust makes the difference locally. I’m proud to have been in at the start. I work for the NHS locally and serve as councillor for Wyke Regis on Weymouth Town Council. I’m passionate about getting the best for our town and working together in partnership with people and businesses. These are challenging times. We can deliver more when we work together.
I am passionate about developing the local economy and tourism business. I am a manager with Yellow Buses with a big interest in making Weymouth a vibrant place to do business.
After leaving the public sector and then the private financial sector, I have worked within the voluntary and community sector in Dorset for over 20 years. This has given me a good insight into the benefits the non-profit sector provides to and for the communities it supports, whilst knowing the challenges that are always present. Being a resident, living and working in Weymouth for most of my life, I see the aims of WADT are in line with my aspirations for the town – to promote economic prosperity, environmental impact and affordable places to live. I hope to use my knowledge and passion to help develop WADT as it makes a positive difference.