News

Welcome to the Skye & Lochalsh CVO local News page. It's the easy way to keep up to date with voluntary sector news in Skye & Lochalsh. To send us news items use the online submission form. To receive our local community e-bulletin with the latest news and events click here.

Youth Achievement Awards Get volunteering to count towards a recognised award.  The Dynamic Youth Award for age range 10 to 14 and Youth Achievement Award for 14 plus will recognise community or volunteering work.  Further information on these awards can be found at http://www.youthscotland.org.uk/ or by contacting Annie Davidson the Youth Development Officer at High Life Highland, Elgin Hostel, Portree High School. More... Health & Social Care Forum minutes of meeting We have added the latest Health & Social Care forum meeting minutes to the website.  More... Office Furniture Available for Free also a TV Scottish Natural Heritage are downsizing and have the following items available for free. More... Review of Challenges Facing Consumers and Business in Remote Communities The Office of Fair Trading is launching a fact-finding review to understand more about the challenges facing consumers and businesses in remote communities across the UK. More... Kilmuir Community Newsletter Available to download below is a copy of the February edition of the Kilmuir Community Newsletter. More... Friendly People Urgently Wanted Befrienders Highland is working with many volunteers across Scotland to positively change the lives of numerous people in the Highlands.  Even half an hour a week of a volunteer’s time, from the comfort of their own home, can make an enormous difference to someone who feels isolated or lonely. Through regular friendship by telephone, letter or email, a person’s confidence can be lifted and their lives enhanced – you can never under-estimate the value of a having a friend to chat to or knowing that someone cares enough to talk to you. More... HI-Arts in partnership with Creative Scotland: Visual Artists and Craft Awards Scheme The Visual Artists and Craft Awards Scheme is currently open to applications from visual artists and makers based in the Highlands and Islands.  Ther deadline for applications is March 2nd 2012 (for projects starting no earlier than 1st April 2012).  (The previously separate schemes for Visual Artists, and for Makers, have been amalgamated into one joint scheme).  All decisions will be made by an Assessment Panel with a membership drawn from the panels for the two previous schemes. More... Display Boards - free to a good home! For recycle:  Tri-fold portable display boards, some minor damage but still usable. Call and see at SLCVO office, Tigh Lisigarry, Portree.  Office open 9am - 5pm.  Or phone 01478 612921. More... Crockery - free to a good home! Stock of white servicable crockery available for free - used NHS stock, could suit community hall, social group, etc.  Contact: Kate Earnshaw at MacKinnon Memorial Hospital Broadford on 01471 822137 or email at:  kateearnshaw@nhs.net   More... Nominations Sought for Local Community Awards - 2012 The contribution of local people’s time, effort and energy to improve the lives of others and emerging new talent is once again to be officially recognized with the second year of the Civic Recognition Awards. Elected members from the Eilean a’ Cheò ward are now inviting people living on the islands of Skye and Raasay to nominate representatives from their local community. More... Getting the Older People’s Housing Strategy Right The most recent meetings of Age Scotland’s Local Housing Panels took place in April and provided members with the opportunity to comment on the latest draft of the Scottish Government’s Older People’s Housing Strategy. Representatives from Age Scotland’s membership sit on each of four Panels: North, East, South and West and they are currently looking to recruit new members. More... Scottish Ferry Services - Draft Plan for Consultation Scotland’s island communities make a substantial contribution to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of this nation. Ferry links to these islands and remote communities are therefore an integral part of Scotland’s transport network.  That is why the Scottish Government recently carried out the Scottish Ferries Review. More... Community Trees Fund Now Open! The Tree Council has funds available to assist community groups proposing to undertake well-planned tree planting projects during National Tree Week 24th November to 2nd December 2012.  A condition of the grant programme is that children under the age of 16 are actively engaged in the project. This could be formal groups, such as cubs, guides or youth clubs or else a community team assembled for the purpose of the project. More... What do you think about your doctor? - poll for 16-24 year olds As part of their review of Good Medical Practice, the core guidance for doctors, the General Medical Council in Scotland are very keen to find out what young people think is important for them when they see the doctor and about their doctors’ behaviour? More... University of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Plan 2012-17 The University of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Plan 2012-17 is now available. More... Chance To Get 3G Coverage In Your Community Vodafone are looking to trial new 3G mobile coverage technology in rural communities.  They want to work with 12 communities of between 500 and 1000 population.  Registration of interest has to be done via your local MP. More... Kyleakin Connections - Nice Cafe & Bookshop The Nice Cafe & Bookshop at Kyleakin Connections closed on 7 December 2011 for refurbishment. More... Enter Your Company for the 3 Peaks Challenge 2012 Action Medical Research is looking for corporate teams from across the UK to take part in their famous 3 Peaks Challenge event for Action Medical Research.  The challenge is on for teams of 4-6 to summit the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in the ultimate team challenge. More... Looking for Volunteers? Would you like your organisation to be included in a new national volunteering database? More...