Community Resilience Briefing – 27 January 2023
Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,
Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience.
Covid, Colds, and Flu related information
- NHS Inform Covid data
- NHS Highland local vaccination information – this includes information on the winter Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Flu vaccination programme which is now underway.
Funding
SCVO is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:
- The Robertson Trust – Large GrantsFocuses on work addressing the impacts of poverty/trauma on financial wellbeing, emotional wellbeing/relationships, or educational and work pathways. Apply anytime, decisions can take up to three months.
- Foyle Foundation – Schools Library ProgrammeAccepts applications from state funded schools, giving priority to primary schools and focusing on funding library/reading books. Apply anytime, decisions can take up to four months.
- Home Heating Support FundProvides financial relief to energy consumers experiencing financial hardships regardless of the fuel or payment method used. Applications open until 31 March or until funds are exhausted.
The Household Hardship Fund
Provides small grants to groups who can pass the funding on directly to low-income individuals and families. Grants are only available to groups who did not receive funds from the previous round (Nov/Dec 2022) and once applications worth over the total amount available have been received no new applications will be accepted.
Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships Local Improvement Fund Small Grants
The Local Improvement Fund allows HTSI to offer grants of up to £5,000 for agencies and community groups in the third sector, to support delivery of the Highland Alcohol & Drugs Partnership Strategy in 2023. The purpose of the funding is to enable activities and services to develop in ways that prevent and reduce alcohol and drug related harm.
Grants will be awarded using a style of participatory budgeting at six local events across the Highlands from 6 – 24 March 2023.
How to apply
Applicants will be asked to submit a brief online form, providing details of what you intend to do. This may be running a pilot project, scoping out existing provision or alternative ways to research solutions for your community.
Application deadline is Wednesday, February 15, 12:00pm
If you’re invited to pitch, you will have three minutes to describe your proposal, along with a few minutes to answer questions. You may not use power point, but props/costumes are encouraged (not provided).
You may invite as many people to the event as you like, but only five of your guests will be allocated a vote. Other attendees will vote for their favourite bid and those with the highest percentage of votes at each event will be awarded the grants, subject to the amount available at each event.
If you have any questions please contact:
Marion MacNeil m:07826821545 email: [email protected]
Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience
- Money Counts Courses 2023 – Attached is information on courses aimed to build the confidence of staff working with people who could benefit from income maximisation help and what support services are available. The courses are delivered online across a variety of dates.
- 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.
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.
- 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
- 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
- Floodline Scotland https://floodlinescotland.org.uk/
- Ready Scotland – preparing for emergencies https://ready.scot/
Other
Cairngorms National Park Authority Elections – Nomination forms are now available for anybody wishing to stand as a candidate in the Cairngorms National Park Authority board election. Candidates must be over 21 years of age, but do not need to be a resident in the park area. Five board members are directly elected for a period of four years, and the deadline for nominations is 4pm Wednesday 15 February.
Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst
Community Support and Engagement
Highland Council