Dores and Essich Community

Community Briefing 06-10-23

by

Dear Community Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

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

Important Note:

This briefing was originally started during the Covid pandemic to raise awareness of support and services available to communities, with a focus on resilience. Things have changed a lot since then and we are taking the time to review the briefing, including its format and contents to ensure it remains a relevant and useful tool for community groups. You may notice a slight change in the layout already and this may change further in the coming weeks as we refine it.

Part of this review is to do a refresh and update of the mailing list. One limitation of the current mailing list is we do not have information on the geographic areas each email address overs which meant we could not target specific areas/contacts with information that has a specific geographic focus that has a tight timeline meaning it cannot wait for our fortnightly briefing before being outdated.

As of the 17th of November, we will be moving to a new mailing list which will be made up of emails that have opted in to receive the briefing. You can opt by using this very short survey (link: https://forms.office.com/e/rSS3hXbGTa).

Please feel free to share the survey link with anyone you feel may benefit from the briefing and you are able to leave feedback or comments either in the survey or via email to [email protected].

Contents

Funding

Community Training & Events

Welfare & Poverty Reduction

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Community Safety and Resilience

Funding 

  • SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector.
  • SSE Highland Sustainable Development Fund

SSE Renewables is delighted to announce that the latest round of the Sustainable Development Fund is now open to applications from the Highland region.

The £1M fund is available to help communities realise their ambitions for a net zero future and is open to non-profit making organisations, community groups and charities across the Highland region.  

Successful projects will be those that make a significant difference to the lives of people in the region and support communities in their transition to a low carbon future. For example, by de-carbonising community transport services, enhancing young people’s skills for the ‘green jobs’ of the future, or developing community-owned renewable energy.

The fund, established by SSE Renewables and our joint venture partners, is part of our voluntary community benefit arrangements linked to our onshore developments in the region, primarily the Stronelairg, Bhlaraidh, Dunmaglass and Strathy North Wind Farms. Through the fund, we have already invested over £8M in the Highland region and we look forward to increasing that when awards are made in the Spring.

The fund guidance and the application form are available on SSE’s website here.

The closing date for applications in 12 noon on Wednesday 10th January 2024. Award decisions will be made in April 2024.

If you, or any of the groups you support, have any questions about the Fund or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or by telephone on 01738 351799.

  • The Highland Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
    Please visit the     WEBSITE for full details. Applications will be open between 29 September 2023 and midday 9 January 2024.
  • Applications received by the 27 October – assessed in November.
  • Applications received by the 29 November – assessed in December.
  • Applications received by the 9 January – assessed late January. 

The below online sessions will guide attendees through the form for anyone considering completing an application.

This fund can assist applicants reduce food waste and increase food security in their local area by hosting a community fridge.

information on how community groups can apply for grants to cover costs of democracy matters events. The organisation who are administering the grants will be attending the next event for community councillors this afternoon.

  • Community Regeneration Fund
    A funding boost of nearly £1million investment is set to benefit rural areas across Highland. During the first round of the 2023/34 Community Regeneration Fund 75 applications were considered for this fund and 61 have been approved. Follow the link for a full list of successful projects.

Community Training & Events

  • Community Councils Scotland webpage on Democracy Matters – The second phase has now bene launched and will give people across Scotland the opportunity to come together in to imagine how new and inclusive democratic processes can best help their town, village, or neighbourhood. 
  • SSE Cost of Living Project – Training Information – This SSE funded project will cover the whole Highlands Region, running until March 2024. Some of its activities include:
    • the creation of a website which will enable, and support community organisations help and support the people they work with.
    • Training to equip those working at grassroots level to identify people experiencing issues, start conversations, and respond to conversations about energy and fuel poverty, and signpost to further services.

Please see the attached document for the full information, links, and contact details.

  • Review of Highland Polling Districts and Places – The Highland Council is now asking for views and comments from people and groups regarding a review of its polling districts and polling places. This review will ensure that all electors have a reasonable facility for voting which is also easily accessible to all, including disabled electors.

Welfare & Poverty Reduction

  • 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. 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. They can be contacted on 01463 219742 or email [email protected]

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

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council