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New Futures: Former Places of Worship Workshops – Series 2 

COSS have now launched series two of the New Futures: Former Places of Worship workshop programme. The purpose of the workshops is to provide specific information on key topics and to increase awareness of the support and guidance available to help steer communities through the process of taking a historic church into community ownership and securing its long-term future as a community asset.

Part 1 of this workshop programme is available to book by following the Eventbrite links:

First Steps to Community Ownership – Workshop 1 – Tuesday 11th November 2025, 12:00-13:30

  • This workshop gives an overview of the first steps to take, and the information needed to help communities make an informed decision. From getting started, to understanding the processes of the Church of Scotland, to building a fuller picture of the support that’s available, we will provide key information and share examples of how communities have done it before.

Planning and your Church – Brought to you by Planning Aid Scotland – Standalone Workshop – Thursday 20th November, 13:00-14:30

  • Any group considering taking on a former place of worship will have to engage with the planning system, navigating change of use, listed building consent and the consequences of ecclesiastical exemption. Planning Aid Scotland are kindly delivering this standalone workshop alongside the New Futures: Former Places of Worship event series to address some of the key challenges and opportunities communities will face engaging with the planning system.

Involving Your Community – Workshop 2 – Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 13:00-14:30

  • Consistent and effective community engagement is an essential part of any community organisation. By drawing on successful examples of community engagement, this workshop will give you the tools to confidently plan and deliver a programme of community engagement to ensure your project is responding to the needs of local people.

Finance and Fundraising 1: Mainstream Funders – Workshop 3 – Thursday 11th December, 12:00-14:00

  • During this workshop you will hear from some of the key funders in the community, and heritage sector and learn what makes a successful funding application.

In the new year, part 2 of this programme will take place, including the following workshops (dates tba):

  • Finance and Fundraising 2: Other Funding Methods – Workshop 4
  • Your Building: A Guide – Workshop 5
  • Business Planning – Workshop 6
  • Financial Planning – Workshop 7
  • Community Right to Buy – Workshop 8