Castletown gets a share of £50,000 community response package from SSEN
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Castletown is one of 36 communities across the Highlands and Islands getting a share of more than £50,000 from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to support the coronavirus response.
The money comes through SSEN’s Resilient Communities Fund, which was repurposed in March and allocated in early May to help local efforts in looking after those most vulnerable during the pandemic.
Castletown and District Community Council applied on behalf of the local Covid-19 response team and £1550 has been awarded to provide a phone service and hot meals in the area.
Christine Stone, spokeswoman for the group, said: "Vulnerable members of the community are having some of their needs met because of this support.
"This money helps provide hot meals and a dedicated phone service for people who are feeling isolated and value a voice on the end of the line. It is a befriending service at a local level."
Several community councils in Sutherland are also among the beneficiaries. They include Tongue, Scourie and Durness, all receiving £1550 each for food-related projects.
A total of £51,810 was awarded, with other initiatives ranging from community befriending schemes to the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to and tablet computers for older people to stay in touch.
On the Isle of Barra, funding for Castlebay Community Council (£1550) will support home deliveries, a food bank, a telephone service for adults with additional support needs, free hand sanitiser for vulnerable people and key workers and virtual craft sessions.
Nik Wheeler, head of SSEN’s Highlands and Islands region, said: "Our teams have always been part of the communities we serve, and over the past few months we’ve been working hard to keep the power flowing to the homes, businesses, care homes and hospitals across our region, as everyone knows how important electricity is in the nation’s fight against coronavirus.
“It has been heart-warming to see how quickly communities have rallied round to look out for each other and support those most vulnerable, so I’m pleased our repurposed Resilient Communities Fund will help in their ongoing response, reaching 36 different communities across the Highlands, the Western Isles and Orkney.”
Since its launch in 2015, SSEN’s Resilient Communities Fund has now provided over £2.7 million to 538 local community projects to build resilience and protect those seen as most vulnerable. The criteria for this year’s fund was changed following consultation with SSEN stakeholder groups, which strongly supported opening the fund early and targeting coronavirus response.
