Friday, 24 September 2021

5 THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

REFLECTIONS

This week it occurred to me I’ve been working for and advising charities for over 32 years!  SFCT is my first ‘business’, although it behaves more like a community focussed charity than any charity I have worked for.  Good governance helps and that was reflected in a Leadership Training Meeting I attended with other community groups across the Highlands.  It was great to hear the positives that are coming out of the Covid pandemic and community groups working together when before there may have been different priorities.  It helped take a bigger perspective away from our own ‘community bubble’ and I look forward to sharing more war stories with my colleagues from other Trusts and learning how to deal with current and future challenges head on.

COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN

We expect to see the Community Action Plan from Nick Wright and his team next week and then the hard work starts about the best way to implement that.   Updates will be on the website where you can also find new stories, Project Updates and local business listings (and if you are reading this you are here anyway so look around!) Home | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

DISAPPOINTMENT

We applied for three funds over the last six months, rather than rely on funds provided by the windfarms and hydro projects.  We were unsuccessful on all three.  Having spent the time on them it is slightly disappointing but not unexpected.  Two funds have gone specifically to groups who are struggling financially due to Covid or due to Covid have set up new organisations that need support in areas that need it the most.  The third was always a long shot and was missing the evidence of need tied to a big picture strategy that the Community Action Plan, due very soon, will provide.  We will be in a better place next year to achieve funding from that source.

WORK IT

On the plus side we did, alongside the Community Council, recently announce the successful tourism infrastructure fund award for the Foyers toilets.  The design of the toilets is being revisited as in some cases building materials, if you can get them, have gone up 25% since the original budget was proposed.  We also have the offer of funds in writing now and the Trust and Community Council must work closely to ensure conditions and good governance are met.  This can be a frustratingly slow process but an important one.  The Trust have a goal to see every penny from wind farm and hydro over the next five years to be match funded.  This won’t necessarily all come to the Trust to meet the CAP objectives.  There are other groups better placed in the area to do that but we will ensure we support them in their funding applications. We will also utilise our resources to meet the conditions of funding for the benefit of the community, as due diligence and cash flow is often the biggest challenge of all!

CHALLENGES

The work by volunteers on such projects like the toilets and all the projects across the area is amazing.  At a time when across the board in the third sector volunteer fatigue, a lack of volunteers and local group/event activity taking a back seat while people reconnect with their families and their jobs is all too commonplace.  Staff too in the sector are experiencing burn out but for me our new staff team have stepped up.  Again all are dealing with issues big and small in your buildings like Wildside, with your projects, how we communicate with you and I’m pleased to say all remained solution driven.  You talked about the need for staff to support volunteer activity as part of the Community Action Plan and, although a balance of both is important, we seem to be going in the right direction.  Thanks to all volunteers and staff for the contribution you are making.  It is very much appreciated.

Tony Foster

Trust Manager

2026

February (3 stories)

4 February 📣 Noticeboard Update!

We have recently moved our noticeboard to the reception area within the Wildside Centre! Business cards now have their own dedicated board. If you run a local business...

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 ...