Friday, 18 February 2022

VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME

When the winter sets in and snow is on the ground the last thing on your mind is probably volunteering.  Particularly after Covid, when you want to re-engage with your family and friends.  Trusts all over are finding community activity going back to pre-covid levels very slow.  But it is returning with green shoots of activity happening here and there.  We are preparing for kicking off our Community Action Plan Groups in March and we are asking you to share your skills with us at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SFCSkillsSurvey - go to the website, see our end of February countdown and fill out the survey before then.  For our part we have been speaking to other organisations who can support the work.  Those conversations have been very fruitful with an incredibly positive view of what we hope to achieve – some even wishing they could live here as it sounds quite exciting!

ERROGIE CHURCH VOLUNTEER DAY

Following the consultation last week (thanks to everyone who popped by) the Errogie Team are having a Volunteer Day to clear the area outside and inside the Church.  Details here Volunteer Day at Errogie Church | 17 February 2022 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

WILDSIDE VOLUNTEERING

It is great to see some roots of recovery at the Wildside Centre with more bookings and volunteer led groups starting up.  The intention was never to run top-down events but allow for the community to discover the venue for themselves and experiment with activity of interest to them or explore ideas planned for buildings we aim to open later on.  We have a few things to iron out for the Spring, tidy up inside and outside after building the new pathway, repair the Marquee after it faced the ravages of the winter.  Buildings like Errogie or the Sports Facilities at Riverside Field will have their own purpose and feel, which is why the recent consultation was so important, and all will be distinct to their own area when complete. 

VOLUNTEERING THROUGH TOUGH TIMES

You might think we are coming out of the woods with restrictions being lifted.  I do not know about you but more people seem to have Covid than during the lockdowns!  More than that the cost of living is rising with fuel, petrol, food all reaching epic proportions. Of course people in the Highlands face tough conditions all year round and have built a resilience to it.  I was pleased to be invited to Soup 2 Go’s first birthday in the Wildside mid-March, just one of the activities that support people locally.  So much so I have invited all our staff to come along.  This will be the first time we are all in the room together – some staff I have not yet met in person!  It is an opportunity to plan the next year and discuss how we intend to meet the financial challenges everyone will face as well as our Community Action Plan.

VOLUNTEERING FOR EVENTS 2022

We have had a chance to discuss events for 2022 this week.  A Highland Games, Jubilee celebrations and a continuing Craft and Farmers Market are all on the table.  There is also Winter Wonderland at the end of the year, possibly the return of fireworks in November and support for other community group events throughout the year.  Just as the Summer Fair last year it is a chance for people to reconnect and meet friends (and make new ones).  To discuss and spark new ideas.  To volunteer and achieve something with a beginning and an end. 

Tony Foster

Trust Manager

2026

February (2 stories)

3 February 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library is rolling into the area tomorrow, Wednesday 4th February, so pop along and say hello to Mark! Stop & time: • The Wildside Centre &ndash...

3 February RSABI Fundraising Event

Don't miss out on an incredible evening of music and laughter with the talented Farmers Choir performing in Aviemore late February in aid of RSABI and SAYFC.  ...

January (12 stories)

28 January Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wildside

💘 This Valentine’s Day, find someone who loves you as much as you love rugby 🏉   We’re streaming Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wil...

27 January 🌳 Development of Inverfarigaig Forest School 🌳

A community member has been in touch about the possibility of setting up a Forest School within our community. With the support of the Community Trust, a short survey has...

26 January 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library will be in the area tomorrow, Wednesday 27th January, so pop along and say hello to Mark!   📍 Stopping points & times: • Errogi...

22 January 🔥 Free Firewood Available – Whitebridge Area 🔥

A member of our local community, has been in touch with Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) to let us know that he has a significant amount of larch firewood...

21 January Large grant application from BCC for Foyers Stores Acquisition - Update

A Board meeting is taking place this evening in order for Directors of SFCT to consider the application and agree their recommendation. As the Chair of SFCT explained at ...

20 January Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the public meeting at the Wildside last night. We had a fantastic turnout, with 110 people attending in person and 26 joining u...

19 January Agenda for Public Meeting - Regarding the Foyers Stores Acquisition

Please find the agenda for tonight’s public meeting at the Wildside Centre regarding the proposed community acquisition of Foyers Stores.   1. Welcome &n...

14 January Apply for our Project Coordinator role

👋 Friendly reminder!   There’s still time to apply for our Project Coordinator role at Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust ...

8 January Notice to the Community: Change of Date for Public Meeting on Foyers Stores

Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) would like to update the community regarding the previously announced public meeting relating to the proposed purchase of F...

7 January 🌟 New Year, New Opportunities! 🌟

Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust is here to support your projects with our grants! 💡✨ 📅 Next application deadline: 21st March 2026 Learn more about ...

6 January 🎉 Calling all community organisers! 🎉

Do you run a class, group or one-off activity in one of the local buildings? We’d love to help spread the word! 💛 Our SFCT Community Calendar is looking a ...

6 January Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday 7th January 2026

👋 Hello and welcome to 2026 from SFCT! 🎉 We bring news from the Mobile Library as our first update of the year. 📚 Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday ...