Newton Stewart Initiative

“ Our vision is to create a town with a strong sense of community and identity, that is economically and financially sustainable by working for the people of Newton Stewart, alongside local groups, organisations, funders and governmental bodies. We aim to create a future where there are opportunities for people to thrive, not just survive, through socialising, employment opportunities and gaining life skills through volunteering.”

Our mission is to create opportunities for residents to thrive financially, mentally and physically in order to create a town with a strong sense of community and identity.

Newton Stewart Initiative is a community organisation with charitable status, reformed in 2014 to regenerate our town, involving as many people and groups as possible within the DG8 area. Newton Stewart Initiative aims to develop community facilities, support community led initiatives, businesses and regeneration projects, youthwork, and any other project that benefits the community living, working or studying 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.

In the analysis for the Dumfries and Galloway Local Child Poverty Action Report, Newton Stewart was identified as one of the neighborhoods with the highest proportion of 16-to-24-year-olds on the claimant count for unemployment in February 2024. The rate for Newton Stewart was 5.9%. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation shows that whilst part of Newton Stewart are least deprived, there is also a large part of the town which sits in the 9th decile of most deprived. https://simd.scot/#/simd2020/BTTTFTT/13/-4.4588/54.9717/

Newton Stewart Initiative 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. Newton Stewart Initiative is an accredited Real living Wage Employer who are committed to Fair Work First