SCD MONTHLY UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2023
What’s been going on?
As we come into the Autumn months, we are pleased to share the news of our exciting community projects! For updates on community housing, a new government funded renewable energy project for our shop / café and Hub, information about the potential community acquisition of Dalarossie Church and more, read on!
Community Led Affordable Housing
Our revised planning application is now ‘live’ on the Highland Council’s planning portal. To view click on the following link: (20/05029/FUL | Erection of six dwellings | Land 70M NW Of Church Tomatin (highland.gov.uk) Planning reference: 20/05029/FUL
The proposed site layout does not necessarily mean this will be the final layout. It depends on feedback from the planning department.
Once all of the statutory consultees have reviewed and commented, we will have a clearer picture of how and when this revised project may be taken forward.
Dalarossie Church
The specialist condition survey took place on Tuesday 26th September. We await the report and findings to feed into the feasibility study.
In the meantime, Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) have produced a helpful guide to consider the next steps in the journey for communities wishing to explore buying a church.
- Establish a Working Group (get together a group of committed volunteers to take the project forward).
- Gather Information about the Building (get as much information as you can about the building to make an initial assessment).
- Engage with your Community (ensure there is wide support and gather people’s views).
- Learn from other Communities (speak to other communities with relevant experience of buying a church.)
- Explore future uses (consider how the building will be best used in the future).
- Consider your options (ensure the building is right for your needs).
- Make a plan (establish some key milestones and decide how you will deliver the project)
- Initial assessment (consider whether the project can be achieved and whether it is sustainable
- Set up an organisation (establish an organisation to undertake the project- SCD/or a mixture of other community bodies).
- Develop a sustainable business model (ensure you can generate sufficient income to cover your costs).
- Manage in the long-term (develop a long-term plan for the building).
- Consider the Risks (assess and manage all the risks for the project).
Renewables Project for The Strathdearn Hub and Shop/Café
We are delighted to announce we have been successful in both of our grant funding applications to install solar panels and battery storage facilities at The Strathdearn Hub and solar panels at the Café/shop.
The total funding came to £109,458.22 which is 90% of the cost of the project. The financial benefits to both buildings will be significant, not only in reducing energy consumption, and operating costs, but also helping the community towards reducing their carbon footprint now and for future generations.
As we celebrated Scotland’s Climate Week, it is timely to make this practical contribution, as well as reducing the energy bills on both buildings.
We give great thanks to our funders, the Scottish Governments Community Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), and SSE Community Investment Team. Without this assistance we would not have been able to move this project forward.
We will keep you updated on timescales for the install.
Hazelbank Woods
We are in a ‘lull’ of waiting for the application to be assessed and will update accordingly.
We hope to have an outcome towards the end of November 2023.
Community E-Bikes – FREE E BIKE HIRE FOR RESDENTS OF IV13 FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS
Through our colleagues at The Strathdearn, we continue to fund this offer, why don’t you ‘get on you bike’ before winter sets in! Don’t miss out on exploring the many local trails around the village (pick up a Strathdearn Access map at the Hub for routes – we’ve heard up the Clune road is particularly beautiful!).
There have been eight free trials for community members – the feedback has been that the bikes are easy and fun to use. With increasing costs of running a car they have also been great for a more economical way to get to work locally.
To book – email: enquiries@strathdearn.org or call 01808 511700
High Life Highland Membership
Half price to residents of IV13!!!! The below classes require more people to participate, otherwise, unfortunately they will not be able to continue. Please support the classes. High Life Highland have offered a FREE class so you can ‘try before you buy’. Come on get your dancing shoes on for Zumba and stretch it out at the end! SCD pay 50% of the membership fee – contact info@strathdearn.org, or you can attend on as Pay as You Go basis. The more residents that join the scheme the more activities we will be able to bring to The Strathdearn! It’s an incredible offer as there is so much included in the High Life Highland membership!
18:00-18:30 Core HIIT
18:45-19:30 Zumba
19:30-20:00 Stretch and Flex
High Life Highland Lead Coach Hire (youth activities)
We are delighted to announce that High Life Highland have approved the Lead Coach position for Strathdearn! The advert is now live – to view click on the following link: https://www.highlifehighland.org/jobs/chlh-2309-14-tutor-coach-fixed-term-for-45-weeks/
If you are interested in the position (or know someone who might be interested) – why not apply? This aim of this role is to develop fun activities for children promoting health and wellbeing in the community. These activities would take place after school and during holidays as well as supporting the current football sessions on a Wednesday evening.
Closing date for applications: 12/10/23
October Holiday Activities
The October holidays are nearly here – hurrah Halloween is around the corner!
To support local families, SCD have teamed again up with High Life Highland and their Millburn Active Schools October Multi Sports Camp, subsidising places by 50% to allow kids to enjoy a fun-packed few days!
Days / Dates: Tues 17th – Fri 20th
Times: 9.30am – 2.30pm
Location: Raigmore Community Centre
Age: P1 – P7
Discounted price: £6.35 High Life members / £7.50 Non-members
To book or for more information email: info@strathdearn.org
The SCD Snug hosted at The Strathdearn
As we approach Autumn, and throughout the winter months, soup and a roll will be on the menu as well as free tea/coffee newspapers. A lovely warm space to catch up with other residents. Come along on a Tuesday and a Friday, if you haven’t been – all welcome!
For those residents who cannot get along to the Snug, or if anyone knows of someone, please do get in touch with our team at The Strathdearn Hub on either enquiries@strathdearn.org who will do their best to assist.
Upcoming Community Events
Our Events Co-ordinator has been putting together SCD’s forthcoming Autumn and Winter community events! Look out for the upcoming information, it all sounds very exciting!
Community Computer Skills & Online Support Course
And that’s a wrap for the Digital Inclusion course at The Strathdearn!
SCD funded Kirsty and her team at Red Chair Highland who spent four weeks teaching and supporting attendees on how to get the most out of their devices – and taking advantage of the innumerable benefits of using the internet whilst keeping online safety at the forefront.
Insights provided by Red Chair:
● 64% of attendees reported an increase in their level of confidence in keeping themselves safe online after the course.
● 56% of attendees reported an increase in their level of confidence using the internet after the course.
● 100% of attendees said they felt more confident recognising a scam or online threat after the course.
● 86% of people who attended the scam awareness workshop could identify 3 types of common scams after the training.
● 100% of attendees were able to correctly identify how to report online threats and delete scam notifications after the workshop.
● 87% of attendees were able to create passwords that meet 3 of 4 strength requirements after online safety training.
● 63% of attendees could identify three key tips to staying safe online after the training.
● 87% of attendees were able to do at least 4 of 8 essential online tasks after the training.
● 87% of attendees could identify how to spot fake news after the media literacy training.
There was general agreement that the attendees would like to see more digital support in their area – which SCD will look to organise and fund for the community – keeping in mind feedback that evening classes would be helpful for those who wish to attend but have work commitments during the day.
If you have any queries about anything mentioned in this update, please get in touch by emailing info@strathdearn.org or by phoning 07703 328333.
