Friday, 25 June 2021

RIVERSIDE FIELD SURVEY RESULTS

As promised the results of the Riverside Field Survey are out.  Details here with a report featuring all 160 comments on the project.  This has been sent to Directors of the Trust, the Community Council, the Community Steering Group for Riverside, Planning and shared with the local community. Riverside Field Survey Results | 22 June 2021 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

The Trust facilitated this survey.  The methodology and survey sample size are robust and represents a picture of what the community think of the project.  Your community voice and invaluable comments (for and against) will help guide how this project develops.  The results can help you realise the conflicting messages we hear in several forums when developing a project and how we aim to come to a balanced view on moving forward.  We hope those on the Community Steering Group will help guide Trust Directors through any conditions that may come through the consultative planning process.  This ongoing dialogue will hopefully lead to a consensus that meets the aspirations of the community with a sensible approach to the environment in which we live. 

COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN

After one survey, an ideas bank, two community assemblies and ten community action group meetings (phew!) Nick Wright and his team have oodles of information to help formulate a robust Community Action Plan.   The dialogue continues at the Children’s BBQ and Mini Gala, with more work to do, but this will give us an idea of what to focus our resources and energies on for the benefit of the community.  Catch up on the journey so far here Home | Future Ideas (communityfuture.net)

Thanks to everyone who has participated in this and the Riverside Field Survey.  From my point of view, I am learning so much about the community through the two processes and it has been a great opportunity to listen to what you have to say.

CAPACITY BUILDING

A few weeks ago, I mentioned Teamwork.  Together. Everyone. Achieves. More.  In the background we have been working on what the Trust needs to move forward projects big and small. How we enhance what we already have and what needs do we have.  What staff we need to make things happen. How can we create additional employment.  How we treat, support and credit volunteers for the work they do.  How we work with other groups and stakeholders.  How individuals can simply get involved without being on a committee.  New structures that help people contribute in an effective way. How we raise funds to make things happen. Maintaining communication and dialogue to everyone, including casual observers and potential beneficiaries of what is going on.  The sketch for this has been developed by many community members via the Trust vehicle for several years but now we are focussed on painting the picture.  In some ways it will be painting by numbers as we focus on effective project planning, the principles of which will be used for meeting objectives set out in the Community Action Plan. 

There are 300 Development Trusts across Scotland alone.  It is a movement that brings community members together in an effective vehicle.  We learn from similar communities who have faced the same challenges and share what we (and other community groups in our area) are good at to others.  We are fortunate to have funds that can meet our core costs. We have the opportunity to make even more great things happen.  Hopefully, Team Stratherrick and Foyers will have a pretty good road map to follow by the end of the year (one that avoids potholes!)

If you want to know about some of the groups in this area, check out the website here Clubs & Groups | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

NEWSLETTER

The Newsletter is out – read it here Here it is! | 21 June 2021 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)    

BYE TO JAYNE

Jayne Brinkworth, Support and Development Officer at Boleskine Community Care left her role his week.  She is off to pastures new in what sounds like a fabulous role.  I am sure she will be missed.  Jayne was one of the first to welcome me to my role at the Trust in March and we made sure we caught up before she left.  A little kindness goes a long way.  I have not yet returned the favour and made a cuppa for her yet but if we do bump into each other, I promise I will.  Good luck Jayne, hope all goes well.

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 ...