Caithness groups to benefit from more than £95k in community funding
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Six Caithness organisations have benefited from an overall total of £95,289 from the first round of the 2023/24 Community Regeneration Fund.
Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) is an umbrella term used to cover multiple external funding programmes administered by Highland Council.
The Highland Strategic Local Action Group met last month to consider 75 applications for funding from across the region, of which 61 were approved, totalling nearly £1 million of investment.
Councillor Ken Gowans, chairman of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, said a wide spectrum of projects had been approved from transport schemes to youth work and mental health projects.
He said: “This latest round of revenue funding provides essential support for local jobs and allows Highland communities to grow and develop new opportunities, all of which bring positive actions addressing the issues faced by our rural communities.”
In Caithness, Wick Development Trust has been awarded £32,543 for work on the next phase of the Wick River Campsite. It plans to build a new building to include reception, shop, workshop and a café with community space.
Caithness Mental Health Support Group will receive £25,159 to help provide mental health support at weekends. The group said: “Many people are looking for support but are unable to access it due to work commitments, meaning mental health needs are going unaddressed. As such, CMHSG are looking to pilot an enriched offer of support at the weekends.”
An award of £15,597 is also being made to High Life Highland for its Thurso Young People’s Project, which aims to increase the resilience of young people in the town, many of whom face complex and multiple challenges, through the delivery of a five-month programme of supported youth-led activities.
Also in Thurso, Old St Peter’s Kirk Preservation Association is to be provided with £9000 to commission a conservation professional to inspect the structure and provide a detailed report on the repair works necessary to ensure the long-term stability of the building and ensure continued public access.
Dunbeath & District Centre is set to receive £6672 towards its Jigsaw Project, which seeks to establish a community health and wellbeing centre to improve the lives of local residents.
Finally, Thurso Youth Club will use an award of £6318 to help set up a childcare service in the area. It says a lack of childminders is causing issues and hopes to provide a service to those who need it, as well as registering with the Care Commission.
Eight further projects in Sutherland also received funding through the scheme. A list of all the successful projects is available on Highland Council’s website.
