A vastly experienced third sector professional has joined the team at Midsteeple Quarter, the organisation breathing new life into Dumfries High Street.
Kathryn Hill has become the organisation’s new community engagement activator.
In the role she will work with people and organisations to ensure the community remains at the heart of everything Midsteeple Quarter does – including use of its spaces – and encouraging even more residents to become involved in its mission to reclaim the High Street for townsfolk.
A resident of Dumfries town centre, she has worked with charitable organisations in the UK and Canada in a variety of roles for two decades.
As well as her new role with Midsteeple Quarter, Kathryn provides consulting services for third sector organisations as well as being a career confidence coach for professional women.
Kathryn said: “I am delighted to be joining Midsteeple Quarter at what’s a really exciting time, with construction work under way on our phase one development.
“I have long admired Midsteeple Quarter’s work to put community ownership at the heart of the High Street’s future. It’s bold, visionary and the ideal solution to the problem of the decline of our town centre.
“As a Dumfries resident, I care about the town and feel invested in its future. I am looking forward to supporting work to rejuvenate the High Street and getting even more people involved in it.”
Midsteeple Quarter operates on behalf of the people of Dumfries and owns a number of buildings standing alongside the Midsteeple.
Work on the organisation’s first phase of major construction – the transformation of 135-139 High Street into new homes and enterprise spaces – got under way this summer.
Midsteeple Quarter executive director Scott Mackay said: “Kathryn is a great addition to our small project team. I am sure her enthusiasm and experience will prove pivotal as we expand our work and encourage more people to become involved on the journey to make our town centre better and stronger.
"As an organisation owned by the community, this is a really important role for us.”
Kathryn can be reached at kathryn@midsteeplequarter.org.
