Dumfries and Galloway Council

08/09/2026

The final week of this wonderful exhibition. Get yourself along to Dumfries Museum to see it, plus lots more :)

08/09/2026

As it is Scottish Learning Disability Week, service users at Stranraer Activity and Resource Centre (ARC) have been meeting the them of "I am here to be seen" by producing wonderful artwork that is being exhibited this week in the Stranraer Millennium Centre.

Through art and craft, participants use colour, texture and imagination to express emotions, experiences and ideas while supporting mindfulness and wellbeing.

Visitors can enjoy the artwork, discover how creativity supports wellbeing and purchase selected pieces. Proceeds and donations will support the ARC Comforts Fund, helping to enhance activities and opportunities for people who use the service.

Public drop-in sessions will run from 11am to 3pm today (Tuesday 8 September) and from 10am to 12pm on Thursday 10 September. An art therapy session, open to everyone, will follow on Thursday from 1pm to 2.30pm.

07/09/2026

Earlier today we introduced you to Kieran, a social worker in the council's Complex Care and Support Team.

Kieran is joining social work colleagues in making a pledge to mark Scottish Learning Disability Week. Kieran's pledge centres around communication, ensuring everyone has their voice heard even when there are barriers to that. Read our blog below to learn more about Kieran's pledge, and his experience of supporting people with learning disabilities as a social worker. 👇

For Learning Disability Week, Kieran, a social worker in the council’s Complex Care Team, shares why being heard matters and how small, thoughtful changes can help people feel understood, included and in control of their own lives.

07/09/2026

Some more good news to start the week. Well done to everyone on their qualifications and successes :)

North West Community Campus and Langlands Staff Celebrate SVQ Success

Five members of office staff at North West Community Campus and Langlands are celebrating after successfully completing SVQ qualifications.

Over a period of 14 months, the five staff members committed to developing their skills and knowledge through their SVQ studies, balancing their qualification work with the demands of their day-to-day roles within the school.

The qualifications were delivered through Dumfries and Galloway College, with staff receiving valuable guidance, encouragement and support from assessors throughout the programme.

The successful staff members are:

· Suzanne Johnstone – SVQ Level 7 Management

· Lynsay Nisbet – SVQ Level 6 Business and Administration

· Kerry Hoskins – SVQ Level 6 Business and Administration

· Cheryl Young – SVQ Level 6 Business and Administration

· Julie Donnelly – SVQ Level 6 Business and Administration

Completing an SVQ while continuing to carry out their normal working responsibilities required considerable commitment, organisation and dedication from all five members of staff.

Head Teacher Barry Smith said:

“We are extremely proud of Sue, Lynsay, Kerry, Cheryl and Julie and their achievement in successfully completing their SVQ qualifications.

“To undertake a qualification over 14 months while continuing with their normal working duties demonstrates a fantastic level of commitment and determination. It is particularly pleasing to see our staff taking the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge and invest in their own professional development.

“As a school, we are very proud to invest in our staff and recognise the important contribution they make to the wider school community. Supporting professional development benefits not only the individuals involved but also strengthens the skills and expertise within our school team.

“We would also like to thank Dumfries and Galloway College and, in particular, Andrea Muir who supported our staff throughout the process. Their guidance and encouragement were greatly appreciated.”

The successful completion of the qualifications highlights the importance of lifelong learning and professional development, while recognising the valuable contribution made by the office team to the smooth running of North West Community Campus and Langlands.

The school would like to congratulate all five members of staff on their achievements and thank them for their continued hard work, dedication and commitment to their roles.

(photo shows, from l to r – Barry Smith (HT), Sue Johnstone, Kerry Hoskins, Lynsay Nisbet, Julie Donnelly, Andrea Muir (From DG College)

07/09/2026

Today marks the beginning of Scottish Learning Disability Week. Over the course of this week we'll be celebrating the people across Dumfries and Galloway with learning disabilities and additional needs, and we'll also be shining a light on council staff who ensure those needs are met. Some members of the Complex Care Team have chosen to make pledges under the themes of the week.

Meet Kieran, a social worker in the Complex Care Team who shows up every day to make a real difference in the lives of the people he supports. Kieran is passionate about ensuring people's voices are always heard, even when there are communications barriers to cross. Later today we'll be sharing more about Kieran with a special blog piece exploring the things that make him love his role as a social worker.

💬 Kieran's pledge this year is to: "Promote inclusion, listen to and value the voices of people with Learning Disabilities and support their right to live fulfilling, independent lives within their communities."

Well done, Kieran; and thank you for all you do!

04/09/2026

🎾 Here are a few more photos from the official opening of the new Dumfries and Galloway Indoor Tennis Centre at King George V Sports Campus in Dumfries.

The new three-court indoor facility is already providing year-round opportunities for schools, clubs, families and players of all ages and abilities.

Its official opening marked a significant milestone for tennis in the region, with partners including the LTA, sportscotland, Tennis Scotland, Queen of the South Community Trust and Dumfries and Galloway Council highlighting the centre's role in growing participation and removing weather as a barrier to the sport.

The opening was also an opportunity to remember Keith Thom, who sadly passed away in October 2024. As Chair of the Dumfries and Galloway Tennis Group, Keith was a driving force behind the project and a passionate advocate for inclusive sport. Members of Keith's family attended the opening, where a commemorative plaque was unveiled in recognition of his lasting contribution to tennis and wider sporting activity across the region.

You can read more about the opening and what the new facility means for tennis in Dumfries and Galloway in sportscotland's feature: https://orlo.uk/jeI38

04/09/2026

💙 We’re proud to have been recognised as a Fostering Friendly employer by The Fostering Network.

Foster and kinship carers play a vital role in providing safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people.

Our new Foster Friendly Policy provides practical support for colleagues who foster, provide kinship care or are going through the process of becoming foster carers.

Read more about our Fostering Friendly recognition: 🔗https://orlo.uk/LsEdG

03/09/2026

🎾 We're delighted to see the Dumfries and Galloway Indoor Tennis Centre officially open. The new facility will support year-round access to tennis and create more opportunities for people across the region to get involved in sport.

03/09/2026

♻️ You can now recycle used vapes from home

Place disposable or rechargeable vapes in your own clear, sealable plastic bag, around A5 size and leave it on top of your bin on your normal collection day.

Household batteries should continue to be placed separately in your council-provided pink battery recycling bag.

Vapes contain lithium batteries, which can cause fires if they are damaged after being placed in household waste or recycling bins.

Recycling them separately helps protect collection crews, recycling staff and facilities.

Remember :
💨 used vapes = your own clear, sealable plastic bag
🔋 household batteries = council-provided pink battery bag
🗑️ leave both on top of your bin on collection day

03/09/2026

Crime fans, this one’s for you! 📚🔎

Join local authors Mark Carr and May Rinaldi at Castle Douglas Library on 16 September for an afternoon of crime writing, behind-the-scenes insights and conversation. The free event runs from 2-4pm and all are welcome. Find out more and book your place with Dumfries and Galloway Libraries.