News / In brief for 5 October 2011
Mind Your Head
SHETLAND mental health charity Mind Your Head is launching a roadshow this week for young islanders.
Young people who have been carers or experienced mental ill health themselves are being offered the opportunity to be trained to help other youngsters.
The roadshow will tour local schools in 2012 to share positive message about mental health wellbeing.
Jacqui Clark, of Mind Your Head, said: “It is important for the roadshow’s agenda to be led by young people who have lived experience of mental health and for them to decide how they wish to share their message with young people throughout Shetland.
“It may include dealing with exam stress, what it’s like being a carer, how it feels to experience mental ill health – we don’t know until we have recruited our youth volunteers.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about how to volunteer can email jacqui.clark@shetland.org or telephone 01595 745035.
Moving On
SHETLAND’S Moving On project to help disadvantaged people back into the workplace has been shortlisted for a prestigious SURF award for best practice in community regeneration.
Moving On is one of five organisations in Scotland shortlisted under the ‘Employability for All’ category for their job crew project.
A panel of four judges from the Scottish government will be in Shetland on 17 October to judge the project. A winner will be announced on 27 October and invited to a gala dinner and awards ceremony in December in Glasgow.
Earlier this year Moving On was shortlisted as SCVO Scottish charity of the year.
Project co-ordinator Kellie Naulls said: “Being recognised nationally for the work we do helps to us attract new funding to Shetland and also raise the profile of the local voluntary sector.”
Climate Challenge Fund reopens
THE SCOTTISH Climate Challenge Fund is being reopened for projects designed to reduce community carbon footprint.
The CCF has funded several projects in Shetland over the past few years, including Shetland Amenity Trust’s carbon reduction programme that is currently looking into sustainable transport in the isles.
The Scottish government has made £10.3 million available in the ninth round of the fund, and for the first time is inviting the under 18s to apply.
More information on CCF can be found at:
/www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/climatechange/howyoucanhelp/communities/ClimateChallengeFund
Energy loan scheme
SHETLAND has missed out on the government’s £4 million loan scheme for locally-owned renewable energy projects.
The Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is to help fund 42 projects across the country, including 29 community-owned schemes, one owned by a rural business and 12 from farmers.
They include 32 wind turbine projects, 9 hydro schemes, and one anaerobic digestion plant. The loan scheme replaces a previous grant scheme.
In the western isles Barra & Vatersay Wind Energy Ltd received £109,000 for a 0.9MW wind project, while in Orkney, Energy Action Westray won £96,000 for 0.5MW wind project.
Any organisation interested in applying for a loan can contact Community Energy Scotland at info@communityenergyscotland.org.uk or visit www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk.
Fuel poverty
THE SCOTTISH government has announced a 35 per cent increase for fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes by 2015 to help households struggling to heat their homes.
The increase includes £5 million extra for the Energy Assistance Package for the incoming winter.
The EAP is designed to help people on low incomes or benefit with energy advice, benefits advice, help with insulation and other energy efficiency measures.
More information is at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Take-action/Grants-and-offers/Home-Energy-Scotland-Hotline/Energy-Assistance-Package
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