Community Skills Exchange

This voluntary skills exchange is intended to help Skye and Lochalsh community groups to link up and learn from each other. Your experience and skills acquired through working on a local project will be invaluable to other groups just starting out. Help them to feel less daunted and isolated by passing on practical know-how, useful contacts and good practice tips. Your advice could provide a shortcut to their success.

A few lines describing your areas of expertise and the type of help you can offer is all that is needed, plus a contact person for your group. Simply submit your details online through the Contact Us facility for display on this page. Remember, you may find another group can help you achieve something in return.

Local Skills

Skye & Lochalsh Food Link Group

The Food Link group is a voluntary association of local producers, caterers, retailers and consumers with an interest in promoting fresh, locally produced food. Its members believe there are economic, health, environmental and community benefits to be gained from obtaining local food produce. The range includes bread and cakes, yogurt, cheese and crème fraiche, jam, fruit, herbs, salads and vegetables, fresh and smoked fish, and also confectionery. The Food Link Van delivers to businesses throughout Skye and Lochalsh, and can also serve local communities if a number of households can arrange to receive a delivery to one address along the route.

Visit the website or contact the Marketing Co-ordinator for more information. 
Email lesley.linley@btinternet.com www.foodlinkvan.co.uk

Skye & Lochalsh Horticultural Development Association

• Constitutions for both unincorporated and corporated organisations
• Financial management: bookkeeping and budget control
• Project management
Contact: Caroline Haswell, Secretary, 01471 822338
caroline@skyeward.co.uk

Skye and Lochalsh Women@Work

The WEA Scotland's Women@Work Project is a Highland-wide women's network which provides information, learning and support for working women, paid and unpaid. The Project helps women to understand issues, develop skills and enables them to speak out about issues that matter to them in the home, at work and in the community.

W@W provides: lunchtime and evening meetings in seven Highland areas; networking opportunities; newsletters; conferences; training days; e-bulletin; consultation; participation; opportunities to publicise your business.

If you would like to be included on the Skye and Lochalsh mailing list please contact: Fiona MacEwan 01599 566766 or fiona.macewan@btopenworld.com or for more information visit www.weawomenatwork.org.uk

S&L Mental Health Association

• Mental health awareness
• Risk assessment
Contact: Alex Jones, 01478 613533
alex.slmha@btconnect.com
Visit: www.slmha.co.uk

S&L Citizens Advice Bureau

• Training for volunteers in CAB work
• Training for management committees
Contact: Gordon Wight, 01478 612032
SKYECAB@SKYECAB.casonline.org.uk

Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers Project

The Young Carers are children and young adults under the age of 18 whose life is in some ways restricted because they need to take responsibility for the care of someone who is ill, has a disability, is experiencing mental illness or who is affected by alcohol or substance abuse.
Our support groups provide:
• An independent service for us as young carers
• Supporters we can trust to listen, understand and support us
• Time out and space from responsibilities
• Advice and advocacy support when we need it
• Information we can make sense of
• Friends who understand us, whom we can trust
• People to recognise and involve us in decisions
• Outings and opportunities to improve our skills
• All information we share is treated with respect and nothing is shared unless we want it to be. The project works by us being able to trust the project support workers and volunteers.

The weekly support groups meet after school:
• on Mondays in Kyleakin for young carers from south Skye and Lochalsh
• on Tuesdays in Portree for primary school youngsters from north Skye
• on Wednesdays in Portree for secondary school age young people from north Skye
• on Thursdays there is an Arts / Media training group

The project pays for all transport, including getting us home after group meetings, and for respite outings; it also pays for activities and meals or snacks.

You can join Young Carers by contacting the project yourself, or by asking a friend, family member or teacher to contact us for you.
Phone 01478 613617
Email mjagger@slccf.fsnet.co.uk
Send a letter to Victoria Cottage, Hedgefield Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9GF

Glenelg and Arnisdale Community Hall

• Fundraising experience
Contact: Clive Pearson, secretary 01599 522236
Glenelg.clive@virgin.net

Lochcarron Camanachd

• Sports development (Highland Sports Development Club of the Year, 2003)
• Sports pitch: acquisition and funding; maintenance and equipment
• Promoting sport as a tourist attraction
Contact: George Hendry, 
G.Hendry@btinternet.com