WATIF
We are a charitable community development trust established in 2011 based at Loanhead Farm in rural Clydesdale on the border of South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.
Our vision is..
A beautiful and vibrant place, with a great quality of life for all.
Our aims are:
To support local sustainable economic, environmental, and social development
To own well managed, financially sustainable land and buildings
Our values are:
Inclusion, Honesty, Sustainability, Belonging and Community
WATIF is a passionate and dedicated locally-based organisation focused on improving the quality of life for residents in the WATIF area (see map below). We deliver community development projects that tackle the issues of greatest concern to our community.
Our strategic outcomes
Sustainable economic development: Our income generating projects including housing and Loanhead Farm will be profit-making by May 2028. Loanhead projects include the café, shop, tourism accommodation and commercial events. Social enterprise projects will also create sustainable jobs, work experience and training opportunities for local people.
Environmental improvement: Our green infrastructure plans will include maintaining and developing paths, our land management strategy for Loanhead and environmental improvements. Loanhead will offer multi-functional greenspace and woodland development undertaken sensitively to protect and enhance the biodiversity and natural rural environment. Maintained greenspaces will include quiet and active spaces, wildlife and sensory gardens, as well as space for grass sports and safe play areas for children and dogs.
Social development: Our work to improve local facilities and access to essential services will help address the challenges of rurality including poor transport links, digital exclusion and the cost of living crisis. Our community projects will offer a regular programme of free activities for different ages, groups and abilities, available across different sites and open to everyone. The activities will meet the challenges faced by our community including social isolation and rurality. Projects will enhance health and wellbeing and encourage skills sharing and learning as well as social interaction.
Our six work programmes aim to respond to the unmet needs of our area and include facilities, services, community projects, environment, social enterprises and housing.
VISIT WEBSITE
Head office:
Loanhead Farm, West Calder, EH55 8LN, South Lanarkshire