SLCVO

The Skye and Lochalsh Community Wellbeing and Support Forum is a collaborative space for community groups, third sector organisations, and public sector partners to share ideas, propose projects, and shape local health, wellbeing, social care, and welfare. Part of the Skye and Lochalsh Health, Wellbeing, Welfare and Social Care (HWWS) Collaboration led by SLCVO, the forum was created in response to community feedback calling for a shared, inclusive platform to support joint p

This week’s blog highlights the rich tapestry of cultural, recreational, and sports third sector organisations across Skye and Lochalsh, alongside an update on SLCVO’s Spring Training Sessions and what the team has been working on. Team Update This week, Jo-Anne and Matt have been focusing on adult social care—an area where our Befrienders Service contributes alongside many other community groups across Skye and Lochalsh. Early in the week, we were preparing for next week’s D

This week’s blog highlights support for older people across Skye & Lochalsh, signposts useful local services, and explores why intergenerational work is so important for our communities. Team Update This week, Jo-Anne and Michelle met with Jo Cowan, Age Scotland’s National Community Development Officer, who is planning a series of events over the coming months to bring together local lunch clubs and other groups supporting older people. It was great to catch up with Jo and di

This week we explore how to get involved in volunteering, what a group needs to consider when changing their governing documents, and take a look at support for village halls including SCVO’s Village & Community Halls Handbook and OSCR's guidance. This week, the SLCVO team was working at around 50% capacity as Jo‑Anne was off ill for three days. When she was working, Jo‑Anne supported a couple of groups looking to update their governing documents and met with a couple of peop

This week we highlight new collaborations supporting cancer bereavement, update on the Community Outreach Hub project, and shine a spotlight on vital local services shaping community wellbeing. Third Sector Support Services This week, Michelle has been busy working on our Service User Survey and Membership Review, along with planning our spring training week at the start of March.   She has also been reviewing the updated UK‑wide Charities Statement of Recommended Practice: A

This week we explore how the third sector brings investment into Skye and Lochalsh. We highlight the scale of funding flowing through local charities—almost £30 million—and where that investment is going, from community facilities and health projects to support for young carers. Nearly £30 Million Flowing Into Our Communities Through Charities Charities bring a significant and often under‑recognised level of investment into our local communities. New analysis from publicly av

In this week’s blog, we’re sharing a round‑up of key activity across SLCVO, including team highlights, our latest performance statistics, an update from the ‘Gaps in Services’ workshop held in November, and a short introduction to governing documents Third Sector Support Services On Wednesday, Michelle hosted the second Reduce, Recycle, Reuse  event, bringing together a range of community groups to explore actions in more depth and establish a working group to take forward th

The First Blog of 2026 by Jo-Anne Ford SLCVO Chief Officer   The SLCVO team is excited about the year ahead, with several new projects on the horizon. We’ll continue to build on our training and support services for community groups and deliver regular outreach sessions across the area.   I kicked off the new year at the Skye and Raasay Future Board meeting, where partners including The Highland Council, HIE, Development Trusts, SLCVO, and the West Highland Chamber of Commerc

As we wrap up for the year and prepare for the Christmas holidays, this will be our final blog before the SLCVO team takes a well-deserved break. We’ll be back on Monday, 5th January, ready to continue supporting our communities in Skye and Lochalsh.   The focus of this blog is helplines and support services available over the festive period. We know Christmas can be a challenging time for many, so we’ve pulled together key contacts for mental health, wellbeing, food support,

This week, SLCVO has been supporting groups with governing documents and policies, so our latest blog explores why these are vital for community organisations. It covers the risks of relying on old trust deeds, the advantages of incorporating as a SCIO, and the key elements every governing document should include. Village Halls and Deed of Trust Across Skye and Lochalsh, there are around 30 village halls and community spaces serving as vital hubs for local life. These spaces

This week’s blog takes a closer look at two recent forums hosted by SLCVO: the Skye and Lochalsh Community Wellbeing and Support Forum on 19 November, and the Skye and Lochalsh Drug and Alcohol Forum on 27 November. The Skye and Lochalsh Community Wellbeing and Support Forum  is part of the Skye and Lochalsh Health, Wellbeing, Welfare and Social Care (HWWS) Collaboration, led by SLCVO. This forum provides a collaborative space for community groups, third sector organisations,

This week, we spotlight the working week of our Third Sector Support Officer Michelle Seviour. From sharing wellbeing directories and attending training on Community Benefit Societies to exploring Martyn’s Law and promoting cybercrime awareness resources, Michelle’s week was packed with practical support and strategic insights Meet Michelle – Our Third Sector Support Officer Michelle Seviour is SLCVO’s Third Sector Support Officer, working 21 hours a week over three days. Wit

This Week’s Blog: Spotlight on Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle This week, we’re shining a light on the important work of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Working Group, highlighting the work of local groups and looking at what we need to do next. Why Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle? Every item we throw away impacts our planet. By reducing what we buy, reusing what we can, and recycling responsibly, we cut waste, save energy, and protect natural resources. Small changes—like repairing inst

This week’s blog is full of action and a lot of miles travelled by the team. With highlights from the Highland Hospice Inverness Conference, tips for trustee recruitment, and a call for new Befrienders in South Skye. There’s exciting progress on the Skye & Raasay Community Benefit Fund, plus new funding for reuse, repair, and nature projects. SLCVO at the Highland Hospice Community Partnership Conference 2025 This week, Jo Ford, SLCVO’s Chief Officer and Matt Davis, our Befri

This week's blog, we look at the community-led sustainability at the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle  event in Kyleakin, share key updates on identity verification requirements from Companies House, and offer practical governance advice for boards. With AGM season underway, we also responded to common queries from local groups preparing for their meetings. AGM Season: What Should Your Group Be Doing to Prepare? This time of year is often a busy one for many community groups, with Annu

With the October holidays, things have been a little quieter however, its been a productive week behind the scenes, with us having time to focus on preparing for the upcoming Reduce, Reuse and Recycle event, finalising the latest SLCVO newsletter, and developing best practice guides to share through the blog. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle With Jo Ford off this week this week, Michelle Seviour has been busy preparing for the upcoming “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” event, happening on

This week’s blog is packed with updates—from vital support for unpaid carers and addiction recovery services, to reflections from our AGM and exciting upcoming events. Whether you're looking to connect, collaborate, or simply stay informed, there's something here for everyone working to build stronger, more resilient communities.   With the start of the October school holidays, direct third sector support enquiries often slow down. Many volunteers and board members take a wel

It’s been a week full of collaboration, creativity, and community impact. From engaging workshops and strategic meetings to preparations...

It’s been a busy week at SLCVO with Jo Ford taking some time off to recover from a chest infection and our Third Sector Support Officer...

Welcome to this week’s SLCVO blog, where we spotlight the vibrant work happening across Skye and Lochalsh’s third sector. From strategic...