Highland Council Buses have successfully operated the Foyers – Inverness service since January 2023 as you will know. However, Stagecoach told us earlier this year that they would be able to provide the off-peak service at no cost to the Council, and quoted a price for the peak hour journeys (including pupil transport to/from Inverness Royal Academy) which enabled the Council to make a significant saving. The Highland Council Buses service will therefore be replaced by the Stagecoach one from 20 May. The timetable will be virtually the same as at present.

I attach a copy of the timetable, taken from Traveline Scotland. It has not yet appeared on Stagecoach’s own website but I expect it would be there soon.

The Whitebridge – Inverness service is unaffected.

David Summers

Principal Transport Officer

Some information about this year’s Walking & Wheeling Festival. Please feel free to share on your social media platforms.

Full programme at www.wawfest.com

Many thanks,

Jayne

Jayne Preece

Partnerships for Wellbeing

Health Walks & Events Manager

07824689235

Inverness Walking & Wheeling Festival 2024 

WWW.wawfest.com

INVITATION to attend an online learning session on Local Place Plans

I’m pleased to be emailing everyone with an invitation to take part in an online learning event all about Local Place Plans.   The session will be of particular interest and benefit to anyone who is planning to, or is currently working on, a Local Place Plan.

The event will take place online on Tuesday 28 May from 6:30-8pm and is open to all Community Councils, Community Controlled Groups (e.g. suitably constituted development trusts, community company), Elected Members and any other interested parties – all welcome.

Local Place Plans will be explained and supporting resources highlighted by HC Officers from the Development Plans and Community Development Teams.  Community reps will also be on hand to share their experiences – each taking their own approach to planning for the future of their local communities.  There will be plenty of time allocated too for discussion and Q&A.  Questions can be submitted prior to the event by emailing [email protected]  or asked on the night.

How to book your place

To register for the event and receive your teams link, please Click here to book your place  This link will take you to an online registration form to fill out.  Once you’ve done this and pressed submit, an email will land in your inbox with the link for 28 May.

Attached for further info is a copy of the latest Highland Council LPP Update. 

If anyone has any questions about LPPs or the event itself, please don’t hesitate to email [email protected]

We look forward to you joining us on the night.

Many thanks

Fiona

Fiona Richardson

Community Development Manager

Community Support – Contact and Engagement

Dingwall Council Offices and Service Point

84, High Street

Dingwall, IV15 9QN

Email [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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
• Youth Work Grants & Funding Directory
• Get Grants – provides practical support, training, and advice relating to fundraising.
• Foundation Scotland – Highland Grants
• D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust –funds charities operating in the fields of advancing the arts, health and medical welfare and environmental protection or improvement. Deadline 23^rd May.
• Grants for Good – supports charities that have a positive impact on communities, people, or the environment. Five charities will be selected every 3 months to receive a share of £15,000.
• Let’s DO Net Zero Community Buildings – funds up to 80% of eligible costs for community organisations reducing their building energy costs. Project must be complete by 28 February 2025.

Community Training, Events, & News

• Suicide Intervention and Prevention Programme Training– Training is now being offered in person, this is open to any staff who want to be able to help someone who might be at risk of suicide and to anyone who has previously attended an online SIPP course and would like to practice what they learned previously. The next date is 16^th May 9:00 – 13:00 at the County Community Hospital in Invergordon. Full information: Health Improvement Training (scot.nhs.uk)
• Community Groups – Case Study Guidance – a step-by-step guide on how to plan and create case studies for community groups of all scales.
• Flood Management Consultation on Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVA)
• Welcome poster for Young People moving into Secondary Schools – Young People from Armed Forces families attending Millburn Academy have co-produced this poster will information and facts about moving into secondary schools in Highland.
• 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

• 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/ 

The NHS Highland TEC Team are starting an exciting new resource – TEC Clinics!

Our first pilot clinic is happening on 17 May from 1-3pm.

These will be regular monthly events, at the Inverness Central Library.  It will provide an opportunity for anyone to come along and see how technology can help individuals have healthier and happier lives through the use of technology.

There will be equipment demos, interactive play, and plenty of staff on hand to answer any questions.

I have attached both a PNG (for electronic use) and a PDF (for printing out), which we would be really grateful if you could help  promote.  And of course everyone is invited to pop along to see what the new TEC Clinics are all about!

Help us spread the word to all staff by printing out posters for staff rooms, or referring those you support in the community to come along. 

Looking forward to seeing you all there! 

Many thanks, 

Colleen

Colleen McGee |  TEC Officer

Technology Enabled Care | [email protected]  |  07929 713760 | Chat with me on Teams