Budget Cuts Hit Caithness Voluntary Group and All Highland Third Sector

8th August 2018

Budget cuts are now hitting the voluntary third sector in Caithness and the rest of Highland.

Caithness Voluntary Group is member of the Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) and they have been informed of a 13% cut in funding.

Caithness Voluntary Group are no different to any other organisation in the third sector facing difficult financial times.

Allan Tait the Senior Development Officer at Caithness Voluntary Group said,"We are partly funded by the Scottish Government via Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) and partly funded by our own enterprises such as rental income. We have recently been informed by HTSI that our funding is being cut by 13% equivalent to £11,600.

"Our sister organisations in the Highlands are also facing cuts as HTSI look to centralise work at their base in Dingwall."

"This is obviously a worrying development not only for CVG but for the groups and individuals we support and something about which we will be making representations to our elected officials and the Scottish Government.

"We are determined to continue to support the vital Community sector in Caithness but need to balance our budget. One of the measures that we are taking is changing our office hours."

"From 1 October we will now be open from 9:30 - 2pm Monday to Friday. During those hours Helen and Mary will be delighted to help you with services including typing, photocopying, printing of newsletters, quizzes etc, laminating, mailing lists/labels, scanning, tickets and programmes. We also have an Umbrella lottery licence.

Caithness Voluntary Group opened their current office at Williamson Street, Wick in 2004 having previously been based at Harbour Quay.

The team at CVG can be contacted at the office in Wick or by email at -

Allan Tait - allan@cvg.org.uk

Yvonne Hendry - yvonne@cvg.org.uk

Catherine Patterson - volunteering@cvg.org.uk