Dores and Essich Community

Covid-19

Scam Warning from Highland Council

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Highland Council warns of COVID-19 crisis grants scam

The Highland Council is warning the public to be on their guard for the latest COVID-19 scam which is circulating around the country. Information on this scam was received by Highland Council Trading Standards, through a national intelligence network.

The scam involves a text message which states that crisis grants of £1500 are now available to individuals who need support during the pandemic.  It asks the recipient to click on a link to check eligibility, gov.crisis-grant.com.

Mark McGinty, Trading Standards Team Leader, says: “In this type of scam, the scammers are hoping that those in our community who are in real need of financial assistance will click on the link.  The link clearly isn’t a link to an official Government site and by clicking on it, the recipient runs the risk of opening up their personal and financial data, which will likely be used for criminal purposes with no thought for the harm it may cause the individual concerned.”

Sheila McKandie, Head of Revenues & Customer Services, added: “I would urge everyone who reads this message to help stop the scam by sharing this warning and advice issued by Highland Council with as many family members, friends and neighbours as they possibly can.”

She said: “If you, or someone you know, is needing financial support, the Council’s Welfare Support Team can undertake a welfare check to ensure that their household’s income is maximised by claiming all entitlements that are due.  Our team can be contacted on 0800 090 1004 or by email to welfare.support@highland.gov.uk.  Alternatively, your local Citizens Advice Bureau is on hand and has a team of experts to offer advice and to assist with completing all relevant application forms.”

Any individual who receives one of these scam texts is asked to delete it completely from their device.

Highland Council Trading Standards work in partnership with Advice Direct Scotland (ADS). 

Anyone who thinks they may have been scammed can contact ADS who offer free and confidential consumer advice on Freephone 0808 164 6000 or by email through their website address at:www.consumeradvice.scot

Dores Community Council and Dores Community Development Trust Hardship Fund

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Dores Community Council and Dores Community Development Trust

Financial Hardship due to Coronavirus?

This may be difficulty with fuel bills/ petrol for your car/ food bills.

Shielding?

You may have difficulty collecting medicines/ buying food or school uniform

Need help in any way?

We are here to help.

Contact: 

Ella Macrae Mob: 07713257416, Home Phone 01463 751219

Louise Robertson Mob: 07734469367

Colin McPherson Mob: 07730027384

We have funding available from Highland and Island Enterprises which is independent from the Benefits system and any other governing body. Talk to us confidentially and we will do our best to support you in these difficult times

Covid-19 Community Hardship fund

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DORES AND ESSICH COVID-19 HARDSHIP FUND
The Scottish Government has made funds available to local communities in order to help to offset some of the problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the Dores and Essich area the funds are being administered by the Dores Community Development Trust in consultation with the Community Council.
It has been decided that one of the uses to which the funds will be put is the creation of a hardship fund to assist those in the community whose financial welfare has been affected by the pandemic and for whom other sources of assistance may not be available or sufficient. Grants from the fund will be in kind, not cash, and may take the form of items such as food parcels, fuel cards or essential clothing for children.

The fund will be administered by a sub-committee of three people and any applications to the fund will be treated in strictest confidence and not made known outside the sub-committee. The members are Ella MacRae, Chair of the Community Council, Louise Robertson, head teacher at Aldourie School and one of the directors of the Development Trust, and Colin McPherson, a member of the Community Council and a resident of Scaniport.
It is intended that the process of considering applications will be relatively informal
and non-bureaucratic.

Anyone who wishes to apply for a grant from the fund should contact one of the sub-committee members whose details are below.
Ella MacRae Tel: 07713257416 or 01463 751219; email: ellamac@btinternet.com
Louise Robertson Tel 07734469367; email: louise.robertson@highland.gov.uk
Colin McPherson Tel: 07730027384; email: colin.mcpherson56@gmail.com
Applicants should please provide the following information:
• Name
• Address
• Phone no
• Email address
• Employment status
• Number in household: Adults/Children
• If requesting a food parcel, any food allergies
• Details of request and reasons why an award should be made

The latest Information is also available of other help that may be available on the Highland Council Website https://www.highland.gov.uk/coronavirus