Dear Community Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing containing information about support, resources, and events for local communities.

If you have anything you wish to be included in a future briefing, please contact policy6@highland.gov.uk

To join the mailing list for this briefing please complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/e/rSS3hXbGTa

Funding 

• SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector.
• HTSI Funding Support and Advice

Community Training, Events, & News

• Sakura Cherry Tree Project – this project to supply cherry trees for community locations was launched in a joint communique issued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the then Prime Minister Theresa May in Autumn 2017. The only proviso is that the trees should be planted in areas where they can be enjoyed by all, where they can easily be looked after and where people can gather and enjoy the trees. Applications for trees are now open for 2025-2026. If you represent a public space or school interested in being part of this project, and wish to apply you can find further information on the link: History of the Project | SAKURA CHERRY TREE PROJECT (japanuksakura.org)
• Brain Awareness Week – Brain Health Quiz – On Friday 15 March, between 11am and 3pm, pop along to the Inverness Brain Health and Dementia Resource Centre at Unit 2 Strothers Lane to undertake their Brain Health Quiz along with the opportunity to learn more about maintaining a healthy brain. For more information contact NSemple@alzscot.org
• Suicide Intervention and Prevention programme (SIPP) Training – This training will cover information about suicide and how to help by recognising the signs, be supportive and signposting. See the attached document for full information and upcoming dates in April and May.
• Procurement Made Simple: Community Wealth Building – This online discussion on the 12 March will focus on how to build community wealth by using procurement.
• Fort William College – 26^th March from 11am-1pm Fort William College will be offering a free drop-in session to anyone looking to move into work or change jobs. They will be able to help with confidence building, CVs, applications, interviews, and funding and support help. For more information email employ.ability@highland.gov.uk
• Adult Learning Volunteer Training – A one-day training session will be held on 14/03/24, 10am-3pm at Wick library for everyone interested in becoming a volunteer Adult Learning tutor, lunch will be provided. To book a place or for further information; please contact Caithness adult learning coordinator John Riach on 07760 743200 or john.riach@highlifehighland.com
• Planet Youth Newsletter March 2024
• Children and Young People Participation Strategy Survey – This survey will run until the end of March and is intended to capture the views of people up to the age of 26.
• Month of the Military Child – April is the month of the military child, which is an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness for children who are from armed forces families.

Welfare & Poverty Reduction

• Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Programme – This platform is intended to share information about anything relating to holistic family wellbeing and support.
• 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.
• CAB Energy Advice – Citizens Advice Bureau offer free, impartial energy advice to householders. They 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. 0800 028 1456 will bring you to an interactive service which will connect you to the relevant service or you can enter your postcode here to find your local Citizen Advice bureau.
• Armed Forces & Veterans: Education, Health & Housing – Information to support and signpost Highland’s Armed Forces Community:

Mental Health & Wellbeing

• Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training (SMHFA) – This is a 2-day course aimed at anyone interested in increasing their knowledge and understanding of mental health issues. This course is delivered in person, available in Inverness and Dingwall. For more information and Dates view the attached document.
• 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.

Community Safety and Resilience

• Highlands and Islands Climate Hub – Empowers community-led climate action.
• https://ready.scot/ – Tips on steps you can take to prepare your home, family, and business for emergencies.
• 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/ 

Dear Community Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing containing information about support, resources, and events for local communities.

To join the mailing list for this briefing please complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/e/rSS3hXbGTa

Funding 

• SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector.
• HTSI Funding Support and Advice

Community Training, Events, & News

• Highland Gathering – booking for the CAB Highland Gathering is now open. This will be our first gathering since 2020’s one was cancelled due to Covid and we look forward to welcoming you all back to a fantastic day of workshops and networking. If you think this would be of interest to any of your colleagues or partner organisation please pass on the information. The venue remains the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpefffer and booking information can be found at https://www.cabhighlandgathering.co.uk/

Please look to book as soon as possible to ensure you get to the front of the queue for the available workshops! If you have any questions or would like to discuss the event, please get in touch

• Employer Training Webinars – Skills Development Scotland are running a series of webinars such as workforce planning and development, talent attraction, and workplace culture. See the attached document for full details or visit their website.
• Fort William 2040 – this is an ongoing project to co-ordinate and deliver a shared vision for the future of Fort William and Lochaber. Design concepts and initial ideas are available to view at the library along with feedback forms.
• Scottish Rural Action are hosting the event which is free and open to all community councils.  They will be joined by a range of organisations and individuals exploring the practicalities of diversity on boards, succession planning, and how young people can be fully supported to get involved.

See below for further info and the link to sign up:

Welfare & Poverty Reduction

• Best Start Foods – You may be able to get Best Start Foods for your child even if you cannot get certain benefits because of your immigration status (also called ‘no access to public funds). The thresholds required to qualify for this aid is being updated on February 26^th 2024, for full information visit: https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods/public-funds-access    
• Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Programme – This platform is intended to share information about anything relating to holistic family wellbeing and support.
• 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.
• CAB Energy Advice – Citizens Advice Bureau offer free, impartial energy advice to householders. They 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. 0800 028 1456 will bring you to an interactive service which will connect you to the relevant service or you can enter your postcode here to find your local Citizen Advice bureau.
• Armed Forces & Veterans: Education, Health & Housing – Information to support and signpost Highland’s Armed Forces Community:

Mental Health & Wellbeing

• Think Health Think Nature February 2024 Newsletter
• 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.

Community Safety and Resilience

• Highlands and Islands Climate Hub – Empowers community-led climate action.
• https://ready.scot/ – Tips on steps you can take to prepare your home, family, and business for emergencies.
• 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/ 

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

Scottish Water is trusted to care for the water on which Scotland depends and is proud of the service we provide. 

The water and wastewater services we deliver are vital to the daily lives of 2.61 million households and more than 150,000 business premises and support a flourishing Scotland.

Our focus is on delivering an excellent service, providing great value for money, and reducing our effect on the environment, going beyond net zero emissions.

Continual innovation means we can evolve and adapt our work on Scotland’s behalf, and as a key stakeholder and representative on behalf of your community, we would value your feedback. Please can you spare a few minutes to take part in our short online survey? It’s confidential – unless you would like to hear from one of our team on a specific topic. 

https://survey.websurveycreator.com/s/scem23

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Brian Lironi

Corporate Affairs

www.scottishwater.co.uk