Since 2019, the collaboration between Columba 1400 and WM2U in Dundee has been an evolving, values-led journey towards positive change in how families and communities are supported. At its heart, this partnership has focused on listening to local voices, building trust, hope and empowering communities – particularly parents and practitioners – to lead change from within.
Columba 1400’s Values-Based Leadership Experiences (VBLEs), have been central to igniting individual and community transformation. Delivered to young people, parents, head teachers, local practitioners, and strategic leaders, these immersive experiences reconnected people with their core values and helped them find the confidence and motivation to act on them. For many, especially parents, this marked the beginning of profound personal development – returning to education, finding employment, or stepping into community leadership roles.
“I have been impressed by two things: the parents feel more confident to question what is going on and get involved in developing solutions and they want to do it as a group, assisting each other.” (Dundee Strategic Leader 2021)
“I was isolated, but this group has been part of the change and my overcoming my isolation. Now I am thinking about continuing my studies. Just following the things I want to do, maybe finding a job. Before I was too scared.” (Dundee parent 2021)
From early beginnings in Lochee, where a community garden became a symbol of shared purpose and connection, the work gradually expanded. Although initial momentum was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it also reinforced the importance of the relational, community-based approach.
In 2022 WM2U and Columba 1400 aligned their work more closely with Dundee City Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) approach. This strategic renewal catalysed a broader cultural shift – one that recognised community voices as central to sustainable change, amplifying the voice of local people across eight wards in the city.
By 2023, the approach was embedded in Charleston and Kirkton. Columba 1400’s VBLEs helped parents discover their voice and agency. Charleston Matters, a parent-led group organising activities for families and advocating for their community was formed on a VBLE and received ongoing support from CLD and WM2U. In Kirkton community members went on to take over the running of the family activities, set up a men’s mental health group and use their voice to advocate for change in local planning meetings.
VBLEs with multi-agency practitioners and strategic leaders, alongside the work of WM2U, have helped to shift mindsets, affirm individuals’ belief in their capacity to make a difference and work together to encourage community-led change. The influence of these leadership experiences is evident in changes such as service restructuring to improve accessibility and the strengthening of relationships through initiatives like “Café Conversations” where community members, local practitioners, strategic leaders and elected members get together for regular conversations about solutions that will work locally.
“I have been given the flexibility from my manager to work differently, and I feel supported to move forward and we have some ideas about using community centres and sheltered housing for resident meetings and drop-in sessions, including allowing tenancy officers to work remotely from within the community. I am hoping this will make us more visible and contactable as a housing organisation and put residents at the heart of our work”. (Housing Team Leaders, Dundee)
“Leadership wise I think I am seeing more and more conversations that reflect a certain set of values – people are now talking much more about how we shouldn’t do schools, social work, police, third sector, we should listen properly to families and provide the type of support that matters to them – informed by what they tell us.” (Dundee Strategic Leader 2021)
Practitioners working with young people have also seen practical benefits arising from their VBLEs. In May 2024 Columba 1400 facilitated a VBLE with a particular focus on collaboration between youth workers and teachers working in schools and the community. Participants used the opportunity to develop multiple plans to work together on supporting young people to have a strong voice when taking part in the Columba 1400 Young Peoples’ Leadership Academies (YPLAs). The YPLAs have been followed by support in empowering the young people to apply their values and leadership skills in designing and delivering their own school or community-based projects.
What sets this collaboration apart is its focus on sustainability through relational practice, leadership at every level, and responsiveness to real needs. The work is not just about programme delivery – it is about nurturing the capacity of communities to own their future.
WM2U, in which Columba 1400 is a key delivery partner, is working alongside communities, practitioners and strategic leaders in Dundee to lay the foundations for long term changes in the way public services respond to the voice of local people. As Dundee continues this journey to 2026 and beyond, the partnership represents what can be achieved when the focus is on relationships, trust and hope, when local people are asked what matters to them and practitioners and strategic leaders not only listen, but also act.
This short video speaks about the impact of Columba 1400, What Matters to You and the CLD team in Dundee:
To find out more about this work in Dundee you can read this report and learn more about our Community Partnership Leadership Academies here.