Friday, 03 February 2023

FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

1 What have you learned this week?

This week I was online for the Community Council and then up in the Highlands for the Board Meeting and the Errogie Steering Group Meeting.  I have also been doing some volunteering in the evenings and, when not doing that, driving others to their volunteering.  It got me thinking, not about bricks and mortar of projects, but outcomes.  Work on community consultation now means we have a wealth of information about the direction the community wants to go.  This is useful, as the last thing we want to do is open a facility that will not be used!  But what are benefits for us beyond the activities within them?

2 Promoting Accessibility

Those visiting our buildings will be able to do so with relative ease. This applies to physical accessibility whereby improvements have been made which make it much easier for those with varying needs to enter and move around the building .  For example at Wildside we improved the walkways and have ramps out of fire exits based on your feedback.

3 Reducing disadvantage and exclusion

Many of the activities offered within our buildings are geared towards reducing social isolation and offering support to people who are facing disadvantage in its many forms such as living alone, living in poverty, suffering from physical or mental ill-health, disabilities, being a lone parent or having a care responsibility. For people who are unable to travel this would isolate them from key social and recreational activities and our 20 minute communities policy ensures that a building will be nearby for you to use and engage with.

4 Promoting Inclusive Communities and Employment

Community ownership of SFCT will safeguard the facilities and services as well as help to create new amenities which are in demand. It will also create new jobs, trainee and volunteering opportunities.  Our community buildings will be the hub for community activity and it encourages people to work together with a shared purpose. It will empower the community to take control of the facilities and the services that they need and develop them to meet local demand. It enables those who are most isolated to increase their social involvement, and the intention is to expand this by implementing a bottom up programme of social and leisure activities.

Shared projects led by the community will help to build a stronger sense of local identity, pride, confidence, achievement and belonging. Once completed this will be an example of what can be achieved when the community works together. The projects will provide multiple opportunities for people to get involved in their community.   These changes will enable people to improve their confidence and self-esteem, as well as long-term health, hence leave them better placed to take advantage of other opportunities open to them.

5 Outcomes in action

Here’s the latest news from Soup To Go – brilliant work Fantastic Fundraising! | 31 January 2023 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

You too can get involved in projects – check them all out here and get in touch if there is something of interest.  There is a ‘Get Involved’ button on each project and a ‘diary’ of activity to get up to speed – from Wildside to Errogie to Foyers Bay to Riverside to Communications to Housing to Pathways to Playparks to After School Care.  It’s not about the bricks and mortar – it’s the friends you make with a common interest and what you learn along the way!  Go here Projects | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

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 ...