Our Projects
The Helping Hands Fund
The Helping Hands Fund provides one off financial assistance for people living in Ardgay & District and Creich Community Council areas who are facing financial hardship. Grant Payments of up to £250 will be paid to households who require support with heating costs and purchase of energy efficient white goods. (One grant per household.)
So, if you are worried about heating your home, and if you are on any kind of benefit please get in touch to find out if you are eligible. Click here for further information.
Email beth@kyleofsutherland.co.uk or call: 01863 766190
Please note that funds are limited – and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Superfast Broadband
In 2018 a grant from the SSE Beatrice Fund allowed Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust make an investment in equipment that is allowing local company Highland Wireless to roll out superfast broadband in the area. Over 100 properties in the local community have signed up to receive this transformational service.
KoSDT Green Health and Natural Assets
KoSDT are excited to announce that we have been successful in our bid to the Robertson Trust to develop a new three-year strategic project that will deliver support for residents in financial hardship alongside enhancing health and wellbeing outcomes through increased community engagement with the outstanding natural assets that are found in the Kyle of Sutherland such as our forests, woods, lochs and rivers.
Over the next three years the project, led by Project Manager Beth Simco, will develop and deliver outdoor focused activities in partnership with relevant local groups and regional partners, linking nature and the environment with positive wellbeing and educational outcomes. The Sutherland Girls on Boards initiative, which will be a key part of the project, is a great example of the type of initiative that will be developed.
This new strand will be delivered alongside enhanced delivery of our established financial hardship support schemes, such as the Helping Hands Home Energy project, with new strands developed specifically to support those under 25.
The project will also link with the new Kyle FEEDS project (Food, Environment & Exercise; delivering sustainability).
Kids (P1 – P7) Outdoor Adventure Club in Gearrchoille Community Wood
As part of the above project, KoSDT in partnership with Gearrchoille Community Woods and Tain Active Schools, Highlife Highland are working together to create a Kids Outdoor Adventure Club in Gearrchoille Woods and we are looking for volunteers to kick- start it.
To kick-start the club, we are collectively looking for three or four volunteers that will support and help run the club – with the thinking that the time committed is not too much (as it will be shared between volunteers). All volunteers will be cared for by Highlife Highland and KoSDT, no experience is necessary, and training will be given if appropriate.
No time/day has been set for the club, as we wanted to remain flexible as possible with volunteers – we can work around you.
If you have any thoughts or are interested, we’d love to hear from you! Contact Beth on beth@kyleofsutherland.co.uk, call 01863 766190 (Option 1) or drop us a message on Facebook.
Sutherland Girls on Boards
Sutherland Girls on Boards is launching sessions throughout the week, next week on Lochs Migdale, Brora and Shin. The first session is on Monday (29th May 2023), followed by sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (AM/PM).
Sutherland Girls on Boards aims to reduce some of the barriers to accessing the outdoors therefore all Under 18s programming is free, thanks to our funders. The adults programming uses a tiered pricing system. All equipment is provided too! Booking is essential: linktr.ee/sutherlandgirlsonboards.
A wee reminder that they are not a lesson provider, but instead a safe space to immerse yourself in the local community/environment, improving mental and physical wellbeing via paddle power!
For more information or any worries/questions drop them a message on their socials or email hey@sutherlandgirlsonboards.com.
KOSDT and The Sutherland Community Partnership
KoSDT is an active participant in the Sutherland Community Partnership. The Partnership brings together the core partners (see diagram) and the community to tackle inequalities across Sutherland.
KoSDT also employ the SACC Project team. The SACC Project supports the delivery of any actions that are decided by the Partnership.
If you would like to be more involved in the Sutherland Community Partnership or attend a Partnership meeting please contact sutherlandcommunitypartnership@gmail.com
The Sutherland Adaptive and Collaborative Communities (SACC) Project.
The SACC Project work closely with the Sutherland Community Planning Partnership (SCP) to support its aims and priorities with a particular focus around addressing inequalities in specific communities and Sutherland wide. The team of three help to increase community resilience, enable and support community empowerment and participation, and ensure communities have a strong voice in local decision making.
Current Projects include:
Seedlings for Sutherland
Current Transport Services across Sutherland
We also manage the Sutherland Wellbeing website – sutherlandwellbeing.com which signposts to all the local and regional wellbeing services and has a current Events Calendar which contains many of the local, community events going on across Sutherland.
This is also published weekly on the Sutherland Community Partnership facebook page Sutherland Community Partnership | Facebook Sutherland Community Partnership | Facebook alongside our Friday update which contains funding information available for groups, local jobs and training, and other Sutherland information and opportunities.