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

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

Contents

Funding

Community Training, Events, & News

Welfare & Poverty Reduction

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Community Safety and Resilience

The Highland Council Budget Phase 2 – The public are invited to complete a second survey to help inform final budget proposals which will be considered 29 February 2024. For more information see the attached document and to take part visit: https://engagehighland.co.uk/budget-engagement

Funding 

• SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector.

Community Training, Events, & News

• NHS Pop-Up Events – The NHS team based in Invergordon Hospital are holding a pop-up community event to promote local services. This will be held at the Averon Centre, Alness in the recreation hall on Thursday 1^st Feb, from 1pm – 4pm.

For more information or book a table contact: [email protected]

• Online Community Resilience Course Prospectus – The attached prospectus from the Met Office outlines the courses available for 2024. The courses are free, but it is necessary to register to receive joining instructions and handouts.
• Planning Digital Intergenerational Work – this free session will cover how digital can be used to connect generations. Sign up for here: 15th Feb, 1.30pm – 3pm  or 14th March, 1:30pm – 3:00pm

Welfare & Poverty Reduction

• Caithness Winter Support guide – Attached is a resource for various support systems in Caithness. Discover assistance with food, energy, community hubs, employment support & benefit advice.

Feel free to get in touch with the specific groups for a friendly chat about the support they have to offer. They’d be happy to provide you with more information.

• 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

• 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