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Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience.

Funding  

SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:

• Paul Hamyln Foundation – Youth FundSupports organisations whose main purpose is working with young people (14-25) experiencing disadvantage in a way that builds on their strengths and potential. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no defined deadline.
• Inspiring Scotland – Support in the Right Direction Aims to ensure people who use social care have access to independent support, advice, and advocacy. Next deadline 15 September 2023.
• Marsh Charitable TrustProvides funding to help small organisations pay for various running costs, including volunteer expenses, training days, and equipment maintenance. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

• Community Map Scotland – This software is available to community councils for free for 12 months. It is useful for enabling communities for creating Local Place Plans. It incorporates many different datasets about the local environment, pollution, planning, transport, and community features. IT could also be a way for community groups to engage with their communities and highlight specific local areas of interest or concern.      
• Think Before You Link (TBYL) – The National Protective Security Agency has launched a new app which will assist users of social media to identify fake profiles used by malicious actors to gather sensitive information by approaching individuals offering unique business opportunities.
• Cost of living support – Highland Council webpages on support and information to help with the cost of living.
• Help during the cost-of-living crisis – Scottish Government advice and information.
• Energy Advice – Inverness Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau offer free, impartial energy advice to householders. We provide advice to help reduce household energy use, save money, and understand energy bills and support householders to manage energy debt. This can be done in person, over the phone or by video call. We can be contacted on 01463 219742 or email energy@invernesscab.org

Mental Health and Wellbeing

• NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing. Register for the event by following the link.
• Cost of living crisis and your mental health
  Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.

Emergency Planning 

• Met Office Weather Warnings – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-11-04
• Met Office Weather Ready https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/weatherready 
• Scottish Flood Forecasting – Provides up to date information on when and where flooding is expected to occur over a three-day period.
• Floodline Scotland https://floodlinescotland.org.uk/ 
• Ready Scotland – preparing for emergencies https://ready.scot/

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

Proposal to establish Gaelic Medium catchment areas for Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Inverness Royal Academy, Dingwall Primary, Dingwall Academy, Millbank Primary and Nairn Academy

Please find attached letters in both English and Gaelic along with the list of schools and libraries relating to the above school consultation sent on behalf of Ian Jackson, Education Officer.

Kind regards

Linda

Linda MacIver

Administrative Assistant 2

Business Support

Council Offices

High Street

Dingwall

IV15 9QN

Tel: 01349 868692

Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience.

Funding  

SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:

• The Tree Council
  Assists schools and community groups proposing to undertake well-planned tree planting projects during National Tree Week. They will fund trees, hedges, and orchard trees and reasonable costs of supports and aids. Next deadline 3 December 2023
• LocalGiving – Magic Little GrantsWelcome applications from projects in a variety of areas including improving mental health, reducing poverty, and responding to climate change. Next deadline 31 October 2023.
• Volant Charitable TrustSupports groups who are addressing poverty and deprivation, with an emphasis on women, children, and young people. Next deadline 2 October 2023.
• Highland Cross Grants
  They will fund capital assets, including minibuses, buildings, and equipment that will benefit people in the Highlands for the foreseeable future. Next deadline 30 September 2023.

HTSI Funding Opportunities – Attached to this email are also details of funding opportunities compiled by HTSI. Further information, resources, and advice is available from their funding development officer at: https://www.highlandtsi.org.uk/funding 

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

• Bird Flu Reporting – Due to the continued threat of bird flu please do not touch any sick or dead wild birds you may find. If you do spot dead birds in the numbers shown below, please call Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on 03459 335 577 or report online:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds. 1 dead bird of prey (including owls), 1 or more dead waterfowl (swans, geese, ducks…), or 5 dead birds of any other species.
• SEPA Water Scarcity in Scotland – Businesses using water are being urged to build water efficiency into their business plans as despite above average rainfall recently, periods of water scarcity are becoming more frequent and can escalate quickly. Further information is attached to this email and the latest SEPA Water Scarcity can also be viewed here.
• Suicide Intervention and Prevention Programme Training – This training is delivered over 2 x 2hr sessions and complies with Heath Scotland’s requirements for suicide prevention training. Attendants will learn about recognising a person at risk of suicide, how to ask about suicide including the ability to display listening and questioning skills, an awareness of the impact of attitudes on suicide, and how to signpost to appropriate support. View the attached document or follow the above link and select SIPP Training under ‘available courses’ for a list of upcoming dates up to December and how to apply.
• Cyber Scotland August Bulletin – Contains information on the latest cyber threats and scams.                 
• Cost of living support – Highland Council webpages on support and information to help with the cost of living.
• Help during the cost-of-living crisis – Scottish Government advice and information.
• Energy Advice – Inverness Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau offer free, impartial energy advice to householders. We provide advice to help reduce household energy use, save money, and understand energy bills and support householders to manage energy debt. This can be done in person, over the phone or by video call. We can be contacted on 01463 219742 or email energy@invernesscab.org

Mental Health and Wellbeing

• NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing. Register for the event by following the link.
• Cost of living crisis and your mental health
  Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.

Emergency Planning 

• Met Office Weather Warnings – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-11-04
• Met Office Weather Ready https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/weatherready 
• Scottish Flood Forecasting – Provides up to date information on when and where flooding is expected to occur over a three-day period.
• Floodline Scotland https://floodlinescotland.org.uk/ 
• Ready Scotland – preparing for emergencies https://ready.scot/

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

 There is a new Tiachi class starting on Monday 11th September in Dores Hall with John Grocott.

7pm until 8pm..£7 ..if popular will be on Monday evenings

Hi,

I am getting in touch as you might be interested in hearing about our health walk project.

We currently run 13 health walks throughout the Inner Moray Firth which are led by teams of trained volunteers.

We recruit, train & support volunteers in their role; our walks are designed to be inclusive (some volunteers have completed the additional ‘All Ability Walk Leader training and Dementia Friendly Training). We also work in partnership with other organisations to set up and deliver a health walk.

Walkers can choose to join the walk themselves – there’s no specific referral process, though some do join after being advised to get more exercise by a health professional.

We are always looking for new volunteers, group members, and organisations/individuals interested in starting a health walk in their area.

I hope you find the information helpful and if there are people you could share this information with please do!.

Please let me know if you would prefer not to receive further information from us.

Kind regards,

Jayne

Jayne Preece   (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (am)

07824689235;

Partnerships for Wellbeing

Health Walks & Events Manager

Walking & Wheeling Festival Inverness

www.wawfest.com

Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience.

Funding  

SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:

• Aviva – Community Fund
  Supports projects focused on climate change and financial wellbeing. Applications open all year with quarterly funding rounds.
• The Rayne Foundation
  Offers grants to organisations tacking young people’s mental health, arts as a tool for social change, quality of life improvements for carers and older people, and better opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers. Apply at any time, with decisions taking up to 6 months.
• FareShare
  They distribute food destined for waste to charities and community groups who transform it into meals for vulnerable people. Anyone can sign up that will use the food to make a difference in their community.

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board Member Recruitment – the SFRS is seeking new board members, find attached a document with full details. Application deadline is 21 August 2023.
• Avian Flu Advice and Reporting – Members of the public should avoid touching sick or dead wild birds and visitors to coastal areas are advised to keep their dogs on a lead to avoid them picking up dead birds.

If you find a single dead bird of prey, swan, goose, duck or gull or five or more dead wild birds of any other species at the same time, you should report them on gov.uk‘s ‘Report dead wild birds‘ page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds alternatively, you can phone the GB phone helpline: 03459 33 55 77.

• Cost of living support – Highland Council webpages on support and information to help with the cost of living.
• Help during the cost-of-living crisis – Scottish Government advice and information.
• Energy Advice – Inverness Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau offer free, impartial energy advice to householders. We provide advice to help reduce household energy use, save money, and understand energy bills and support householders to manage energy debt. This can be done in person, over the phone or by video call. We can be contacted on 01463 219742 or email energy@invernesscab.org

Community Engagement

Scrutiny of the Visitor Levy Bill – A new bill has been proposed by the Scottish Government that would allow local authorities to introduce an additional charge when someone pays for overnight accommodation. Visitor Levy Bill

MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee are looking at the details of the proposals, and want to know what people think about them. Knowing your views will help them think about ways that could improve the proposed law, and whether the draft Bill should be passed into law by the whole Parliament.

There are a number of ways that you can get involved. For example over summer the Participation and Communities Team are offering extra support for communities, groups and individuals who want to get involved. This could be a facilitated workshop in your area or online. 

How to Get involved

Call for Views – Share your views with the committee

Online conversation – Please submit your views using the digital consultation tool

People are invited to add their ideas and issues to the platform and also rate and comment on other ideas. This will give the committee an indication of the issues relating to the proposed Bill and whether people are in favour or not.

Community Engagement – The Participation and Communities Team are offering extra support for communities, groups and individuals who want to get involved. This could be a facilitated workshop in your area or online. Please get in touch if you are interested. There is also a conversation guide which you can download to use with your groups.

We have produced a Conversation Guide you can use to host a conversation in your own community and send the views back to us.

The call for views closes on 1 September 2023.

If you would like support using the online platform or would like to support a group discussion in your community, please email our Participation and Communities Team at pact@parliament.scot

Mental Health and Wellbeing

• NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing. Register for the event by following the link.
• Cost of living crisis and your mental health
  Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.

Emergency Planning 

• Met Office Weather Warnings – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-11-04
• Met Office Weather Ready https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/weatherready 
• Scottish Flood Forecasting – Provides up to date information on when and where flooding is expected to occur over a three-day period.
• Floodline Scotland https://floodlinescotland.org.uk/ 
• Ready Scotland – preparing for emergencies https://ready.scot/

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council