Caithness Community Groups See Investment Of Over £150k In Latest Funding Round

23rd September 2020

Seven community projects are to benefit from over £150k of funding following the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund's latest grant awards.

CNSFund Chairperson David Glass said "Our latest grant investments will enable community groups to deliver a wide range of improvements to benefit people living in Caithness & North Sutherland. These include the enhancement and development of numerous community initiatives that are making a real difference to people in need as well as supporting infrastructure improvements to important community facilities".

Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau was granted £29,840 towards the costs of creating two new part-time specialist advisor roles to enhance the advisory capacity of the bureau. The additional advisors will consist of an Employments Rights Advisor and an Energy Advisor to support the charity's high level of enquiries.

Bureau Manager, Isobel Mackay said "Demand for our advice services has continued to grow and employment and energy related enquiries need advisors with specialist knowledge. We are extremely grateful to the CNSFund for the grant support that enables us to recruit and train two new specialist advisors to cover our Wick and Thurso offices as well as our outreach service to North Sutherland. The next two years will undoubtedly be a challenging time for many people and we anticipate an increase in need for these services with furlough support ending and colder weather approaching. The improvements to our advisory team will help to ensure that we have sufficient resources to support those who are in need".

Other awards included £30,000 to Caithness KLICS towards the continued development and service delivery of its young carer service that provides support to young people who have a caring role at home. The grant will be used towards the costs of the charity's project manager. Caithness KLICS supports young carers through one to one support, group activities and by working with schools to ensure they reach the same potential as their peers.

Thurso Community Development Trust was granted £30,000 to towards its Together Thurso Project. The initiative will develop and deliver a programme of community activities that will focus on reducing social isolation to improve the quality of life and well-being of people living in the Thurso and surrounding area. The project has been formed to address the local needs highlighted in the Trust’s 5-year development plan that has been based around extensive community consultation and reflects the needs and aspirations of the Thurso community.

Reiss & Killimster Park Committee saw £30,000 awarded to help refurbish the existing old play park in the village of Reiss. The grant will be used towards the costs of installing new innovative play equipment to provide an inclusive modern recreational facility that will create a welcoming space for local residents and visitors to enjoy.

Pulteneytown People’s Project was granted £21,246 towards the costs of upgrading the Pulteney Centre training & meeting room by refurbishing the facility with new laptops and interactive touchscreens equipped with videoconferencing technology. The enhanced training room facilities will enable the community enterprise to make better use of technology to connect with people and will be used to support young people engaged in its employability programmes as well as providing childcare online activities and learning. The new technology will also enable various outreach sessions such as older people online group activities as well as being available for people to hold online meetings, conferences and training.

Reay Hall SCIO was awarded £7,166 towards the costs of appointing professional services to produce an options appraisal for adopting a phased approach to deliver a major refurbishment programme to bring the Reay Hall up to modern standards. The village hall is in need of a large-scale refurbishment and a feasibility refurbishment plan has already been produced that includes internal and exterior improvements and the creation of more flexible spaces.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue was awarded £2,180 to purchase a new rescue ambulance trailer that will be based in Caithness to support the local marine rescue team’s operations as well as promoting local marine wildlife.

The CNSFund is funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and distributes money to community projects that increase the attractiveness of Caithness and North Sutherland as a place to live, work and invest. Applications are assessed on a quarterly basis and information on how to apply can be found at the CNSFund website, www.cnsf.org.uk or by phoning 07841 204 982.