Newton Stewart Initiative

Newton Stewart Initiative is a community organisation with charitable status, reformed in February 2014 to regenerate our town, involving as many people and groups as possible. NSI aims to develop community facilities, support community led initiatives, businesses and regeneration projects, youth, arts and sports projects and any other project that benefits the community living and working in and around Newton Stewart.

Newton Stewart, ‘Gateway to the Galloway Hills’, is a small market town situated on the banks of the River Cree, in the heart of Galloway. Like many rural communities in recent years, it has suffered from economic decline; job losses; cuts to funding for facilities & services; and a perceived lack of social initiative & investment. NSI are working to bring our small town back to being a wonderful community to live in and showcase the many opportunities available for improvement and revitalisation, both in the beautiful landscape that surrounds us, as well as the inspiring community spirit.

It is our vision that NSI will bring together the aspirations, enthusiasm, skills and experience of the people of Newton Stewart and Minnigaff to create the vehicle of change that will see our town revitalised and turned into a town that is growing in prosperity economically as well as socially.

Our Main objectives for carrying out a buyout are:

• To improve the town centre and provide much needed space for our successful Community Shop
• To make use of a derelict building which has lied vacant for nearly 20 years

In addition to wanting to buy buildings, we have a range of other projects on the move, such as a youth club and detached youth work, the build of an Inclusive Play Park & Changing Places toilet in Douglas Park, a Community Shop which sells second hand goods, with profits going straight back into our Community, running of the Newton Stewart Centre a small community centre in Newton Stewart, and a Community Asset Transfer of the Penninghame Centre to allow for larger premises and opportunities.