Dores and Essich Community

Community Resilience Briefing 14-7-23

by

Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience.

Funding  

SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:

  • British Ecological Society – Outreach GrantsGrants are available to projects promoting and engaging with the science of ecology. Next Deadline 13 September 2023
  • Mushroom TrustMain focus is on protecting and enhancing green spaces, including horticultural and aesthetic enhancement. Next deadline: 31 March 2024.
  • Localgiving – Magic Little Grants 
    Supports projects involved in mental health, physical activity, reducing poverty, and more. Next deadline 31 October 2023.

Local Improvement Fund

The Highland Alcohol & Drugs Partnership are offering six grants of up to £50,000 to third sector organisations between 2023-2025. The focus is on projects which aim to reduce people developing problematic substance use and offering support for prevention, early intervention, and treatment of alcohol and drug related harm. Expressions of Interest must be submitted by Monday 24 July.

Community Ownership Fund

The Community Ownership Fund is a £150 million fund over 4 years to support community groups across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community.

Closing date: 4 rounds per year until 2025

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

  • Suicide Prevention Scotland – As part of the strategy for reducing suicide deaths in Scotland, Suicide Prevention Scotland will be developing partnerships and working at national and local levels. Follow the link to see their year 1 priorities, action plan, and other information.
  • Highland Alcohol & Drugs Partnership Bulletin 76 – This issue has information on training and links to other useful information.
  • Climate Change Event (Invergordon 26 July 12:30-3:30 & Wick 27 July 10:30-130 ) – The Scottish Government is holding a number of events to shape upcoming climate change policy. The links provide full details, but the events are open to anyone local to the area who wants to share their views on challenges and opportunities for a transition to net zero.
  • NHS Lochaber Redesign – Attached is a letter and Q and A from NHS Highland about the Lochaber Hospital Redesign.
  • Independent Chair Required for Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership – attached is the job advert to appoint a Chair for the HADP. Closing date is 24 July 2023 (midday)
  • Cycling World Championship – Please see the attached document regarding the up-to-date information regarding the potential road disruption associated with the various events across the country. Significant additional traffic is expected on the A82, especially on 5th August.
  • SSEN community Benefit Fund – SSEN has recently set out plans to work with communities to channel funds into vital local projects across the north of Scotland. They have set up a consultation feedback form to engage with all stakeholders with an interest in the community benefit fund. 
  • CyberScotland Bulletin July 2023 – Topics include a new partnership funding initiative, speech on AI and security, and a cyber essentials survey.
  • 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. We 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. We can be contacted on 01463 219742 or email [email protected]

Mental Health and 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.

Emergency Planning 

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council