Winning a national design award just got easier - new twist on the Scottish Civic Trust's My Place Awards

My Place Awards – Celebrating innovative place-making and dedicated communities

The My Place awards, run by the Scottish Civic Trust, are a unique national celebration of local design and communities. Entries are nominated not by industry figures but by local people who are connected to the project, either because they have been directly involved in its development, or because they have noticed the change it has made to their community.

This year, the nomination process been revamped to make it even simpler to apply. Local people can nominate any project they think is special by tagging @scotcivictrust on social media or by answering a few questions at myplacescotland.org.uk. The Scottish Civic Trust’s team will then follow up with the nominated projects.

Dr Susan O’Connor, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust said:

“We want to make it even easier for community groups’ brilliant buildings and spaces to get recognised, so we’re taking all the hard work out of nominations. Just tag us and we’ll do the rest!”

Community groups can also apply directly to the My Place Awards, making sure all submissions are made by 16 February 2020.

The awards will include a young people's photography competition to reward those of school age who use photos to express their thoughts and feelings about the heritage, buildings and archaeology around them.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said:

“The My Place Awards are such an important part of Scotland’s celebration of places across the country, and the contribution communities have made to improving local areas. The Awards recognise very positive project outcomes for communities as well as highlighting challenges and the way in which these have been successfully overcome.”

“I welcome the Trust’s initiative to make it simpler to apply and would urge people to nominate recent projects that are important to them and that are making a real difference to life in their community.”

Representative for My Place Awards 2019 winner Bellsbank, Natasha Curd said:

“Winning the My Place Awards gave us a sense of pride and it felt good to be noticed, like all our hard work was paying off. We have been inspired to keep blazing a trail for community empowerment projects. In addition to our existing work to beautify Bellsbank, provide food to neighbours in need and host a youth club, we now are discussing the establishment of a community hub and swap shop.”

Chair of award organiser the Scottish Civic Trust, Colin McLean said:

“The My Place Awards and My Place Photography Competition celebrate local places and spaces and aim to empower Scotland’s communities. Local groups and societies are the lifeblood of Scotland’s civic movement and My Place will support and recognise their achievements. I am delighted that the Trust is celebrating their successes.”

About My Place Awards
The My Place Awards, supported by the Scottish Government, celebrate buildings, landscape, public realm and civic projects that have had a positive impact in local neighbourhoods.
Entries in all categories will be assessed on their architectural, heritage and/or place making benefits.
Award winners will be celebrated at a reception at Glasgow’s The Lighthouse in April, be featured in a My Place exhibition at Glasgow’s The Lighthouse, have a short film commissioned about their project and receive PR support from the Scottish Civic Trust and its media partners.
Applications for the 2020 My Place Awards are now open and can be made online at myplacescotland.org.uk/my-place-awards-entry/
The closing date for entries is 11:59pm, 16 February 2020.

About My Place Photography Competition
The My Place Photography Competition, supported by Historic Environment Scotland, is a built environment photographic project for school-aged young people throughout Scotland. It allows them to express their thoughts, experiences and perspectives on the heritage, buildings and archaeology around them.
Entries can be made online at myplacescotland.org.uk/my-place-photography-member-registration
The closing date for entries is 11:59pm, 16 February 2020.

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For images, interviews and further information please contact Erin.Burke@scottishcivictrust.org.uk.

Notes for editors:
The Scottish Civic Trust:
The Scottish Civic Trust’s Mission is to celebrate Scotland’s built environment, take action for its improvement and empower its communities. The Vision which drives this is thriving,
beautiful and well cared for buildings and places, which help to support and sustain a high quality of life.
Founded in 1967, the Scottish Civic Trust exists to help people connect with their built heritage and take a leading role in guiding its development. In its infancy, it successfully campaigned for the restoration of Edinburgh’s New Town and can also claim credit for saving New Lanark – both now part of Scotland’s network of six World Heritage Sites.
In addition to these major milestones, the Scottish Civic Trust initiated Doors Open Days, now the largest free festival of architecture in the U.K. Doors Open Days celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019.
Historic Environment Scotland is the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment. They are responsible for more than 300 properties of national importance, which combined drew in over 5 million visitors last year. Their conservation experts provide guidance, training and technical research into Scotland’s built environment. Through their outreach programme, Historic Environment Scotland promotes community and individual learning engagement with Scotland’s heritage. They contribute to the Scottish Government’s strategy to tackle climate change and reduce Scotland’s carbon footprint.

The Heritage Lottery Fund:
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery and #HLFsupported.

My Place 2019 winner, Bellsbank:
Bellsbank is a rural, former coal mining community that has suffered heavily from the loss of the local industry. It has consistently fallen into the category of the 0-5% most deprived communities in Scotland. The Bellsbank project focused on the implementation of a more innovative and holistic approach to housing stock improvement. The Housing Asset Services of East Ayrshire Council worked to refurbish and beautify buildings in Bellsbank by engaging the community in choosing a new colour palette for the town. The project also supported the local voluntary community group “CANI” to restart a youth club and develop a “dignified food” programme to tackle food insecurity.