Dores and Essich Community

Community Briefing 31-05-24

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Community Briefing – 31 May 2024

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 

  • May Funding Finder – Highlands & Islands Climate Hub have compiled a list of funds suitable for climate action projects.
  • Scottish Building Society – Up to £5,000 is available for community groups with a focus on creating a sustainable future for vulnerable individuals, including vulnerable youngsters and the elderly. Deadline 12/07/24.

Community Training, Events, & News

  • Whin Park Survey – Highland Council has two possible designs for the upgrade to the popular Whin Park in Inverness and is asking the public to help influence the choice of the final design by choosing their favourite.

The expected timeline for the Whin Park redevelopment is:

  • May 24 – Shortlisting of two suppliers. 
  • June 24 – Public consultation to choose the winning design.   
  • July 24 – Contract awarded.
  • Oct 24 – Works to begin on site.
  • Highland Council Community Wealth Building Strategy Consultation – This survey seeks to learn what the community think of this draft strategy. The views will inform the further development of the strategy and shape the supporting action plan.
  • Highland Mental Wellbeing Resources – This page has been created as a single place to visit which will keep resources designed to support people with their mental health and wellbeing in one place for easy access. 
  • The Highlands and Islands Climate Festival – offers community groups and voluntary organisations £150 to host a climate action event as part of the festival which takes place from 1st – 30th September. In addition, the festival team invite groups to submit proposals with ideas for larger scale events. The fund is open until the 28th June.
  • Your Place Highland – the Highland Place Standard survey  was launched at the end of March 2024. The responses received so far are already being considered to help shape future plans, including the Council’s next Local Development Plan. The deadline to have your say on Your Place has now been extended to Friday 16 August 2024.
  • Wick Roadshow – Scottish Women’s Convention – This ‘roadshow’ event takes the form of informal roundtable discussions, where women can talk freely about issues that are important to them, in their local area. While the SWC asks broad questions, discussions are led by the women. A report is produced, which is sent to women who attended and to local and national politicians. It is hoped that the women will use the document to press for the change that they want to see within their communities. Information gathered then goes on to be included in Scottish and UK Parliament and Government consultations and calls for evidence, so that real women’s voices are heard as part of the decision-making process.

The Scottish Women’s Convention is coming to Wick to hold our ‘roadshow ‘event, this is a free event with refreshments and snacks provided. As sensitive issues are likely to be discussed, we aim to provide a safe, confident, and comfortable space to allow these experiences to be shared. These events are, therefore, only open to women to attend and from the age of 16years up.

Saturday 8th June 2024

11.30am-1.30pm

Community Room,

Tesco Superstore

North Rd,

Wick

KW1 4QS

The Scottish Women’s Convention would love to invite all women within your organisation from that area and we would appreciate it if you could circulate this flyer through out your organisation, to colleagues, friends, family – any women whom you think may be interested in coming along. We want to meet with and hear from as many women in the area and surrounding areas as possible.

To register please click here.

  • Planet Youth May Newsletter – Topics include Planet Youth Update, Mikeysline launching in Caithness, webinars for a variety of topics, and information about sleeping habits.
  • BBC1 is looking for stories in the Highland community – Do you have a cherished local landmark, a personal family heirloom, or a historical artefact with a connection to the Highlands that’s undergoing or in need of restoration? Are you seeking support to preserve your local community’s heritage?

The Repair Shop wants to help! We’re looking to restore historical treasures, revive personal items, and honour crafting heroes in the Highlands. Whether you have a special item yourself, or want to nominate a project or individual, we want to hear from you.

Apply now on the BBC website – https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/take-part/the-repair-shop

  • 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

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

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