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Highland Council Advice about Funding and Events June and July 2024

Funding

SCVO is a key source of funding information for the third sector.
HTSI Funding Support and Advice
Youth Work Grants & Funding Directory
Get Grants – provides practical support, training, and advice relating to fundraising.

Climate Action Fund – This is a small funding pot available for funding applications up to £500. Applications are assessed on a rolling monthly basis. The grant is intended to kickstart climate change projects within communities or carry about community engagement.
Scottish Building Society Foundation – will aim to invest in the long-term future of communities in Scotland. They are looking to provide financial support to charities and community groups.
2024 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration launched yesterday at a special online event. You can read the press release here:https://surf.scot/2024-surf-awards-launched-online/

The purpose is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland.

The 5 categories this year are:

Community Led Regeneration
Creative Regeneration
Improving Scotland's Places
Removing Barriers to Employability
Housing and Regeneration

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 2^nd September.

You can download all of the application materials and find out more about the Awards here: https://surf.scot/surf-awards/surf-awards-2024/

Community Training, Events, & News

Local Place Plan - On 28 May 2024, staff from The Highland Council’s Development Plans Team and Community Development Team hosted a Local Place Plans Learning Event online with communities from Highland. Communities had the opportunity to form and convey their own proposals for the development or use of land and buildings in their areas through Local Place Plans, which are then submitted to the Council for validation and registration. Registered Local Place Plans are taken account of by the Council in Planning, and communities can find their plans helpful in bidding for funding and in taking action, including working with others.

The event attracted around 100 attendees. Representatives from the Black Isle, Kinlochbervie, Garve, Nairn, and Kinlochleven shared their experiences thus far with preparing Local Place Plans, then Council staff shared the ‘Why, Who, How, What, and When’ of Local Place Planning, including sharing guides and templates that the Council has prepared to assist communities. A productive Q&A rounded off the evening. A recording of the event, together with a copy of the presentation slides and the Q&A, are available at www.highland.gov.uk/localplaceplans

Armed Forces Families Highland Newsletter
Community Wealth Building Strategy Consultation – A draft Community Wealth Building Strategy has been developed setting out a 3-year vision. We want to hear from the community what they think about the strategy, proposed vision, and areas for development. This will help inform development of the strategy and shape the action plan.
Whole Family Support Workers – 3 posts with Thriving Families – Goodmoves – This role will work alongside schools and other statutory and third sector partners, delivering tailored preventative and early intervention support to families in the Inverness High School Associated Schools Group Area.
HTSI Awards – Nominations are now open for the Highland Third Sector Awards 2024. Deadline 5pm July 17^th.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Strategic Service Review Programme - The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has launched an online survey as they consider future changes to our emergency service.

There are issues that the service must address with the ageing estate while ensuring that they are best placed to meet the changing community risk across Scotland.

The survey, titled Shaping Our Future Service: Your Say, is open until 30 June 2024 and marks the first stage in engagement with communities, staff, representative bodies, partners and elected members.

Background Video - SFRS launches Shaping Our Future Service: Your Say survey - YouTube
Background Information and Survey Link - https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/get-involved/consultations/shaping-our-future-service-your-say/

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 hereto 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.