SLCVO Weekly Round-Up 20th - 25th October

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 Wednesday 29th October from 12–3pm at Kyleakin Community Hall. Organised by Skye and Lochalsh CVO in collaboration with Rag Tag and Textile, the event aims to support community groups in Skye and Lochalsh who are working to reduce landfill waste and promote a circular economy through repair, refurbishment, and recycling initiatives. The event is free to attend, and registration is still open for community groups keen to get involved.

• You can register here. [slcvo.org.uk]

SLCVO Newsletter October Edition Now Live

Michelle also completed the latest edition of the SLCVO newsletter, which is now available to read online. This issue includes:

• Charity Requirements - Annual Reporting reminder

• Recycle those old electrical goods with ILM collections in Skye

• Help for the landline digital switchover

• Winter is coming - Highland Councils Winter Resilience Programme

• Funding Highlights and upcoming deadlines

The newsletter is a great way to stay informed about third sector developments and opportunities for partnership across the region. You can read the full newsletter here.

Good News to end the Week

We ended the week with great news, the Skye and Lochalsh HWWS Collaboration Project Community Outreach Hubs has reached the second stage of funding, bringing us closer to opening the hubs in April 2026. You can read about the hubs on the SLCVO website.

Identifying Community Need: Why It Matters and How to Do It Well

Understanding what your community needs is the foundation of any successful project, funding application, or local initiative. Whether you're launching a wellbeing programme, applying for grants, or shaping services, identifying need ensures your work is relevant, impactful, and inclusive.

To understand what your community needs, it’s essential to engage a wide range of voices, including marginalised groups, people with lived experience, young people, older adults, and those who don’t usually participate in consultations. Their insights can uncover hidden challenges and help shape more inclusive services. Partnering with trusted local organisations is a great way to reach underrepresented voices and build stronger connections.

Listening to the community is key: start with conversations, host informal events or drop-ins, use surveys or suggestion boxes, and engage with local groups, schools, and health services. Asking open questions like “What’s missing in your area?” or “What would make life better here?” can spark meaningful dialogue. For more ideas on how to engage, check out the SLCVO Toolkit

Using local data is a powerful way to understand your community and support your planning, funding applications, and service delivery. Sources like census and population data, health and wellbeing indicators, and statistics on poverty, housing, and employment can provide valuable insights. Reports from The Highland Council and NHS Highland can be accessed from the Highland CPP website.

Mapping existing services is a crucial step in understanding the local landscape and ensuring your work adds value. Start by exploring what’s already available, then identify where gaps exist and who might be underserved—such as rural communities, carers, or young people. This approach helps avoid duplication and ensures your efforts complement, rather than replicate, existing provision. A useful resource is the Skye and Lochalsh Third Sector profile available on the SLCVO website.

Once you’ve gathered feedback, take time to reflect on what you’ve heard. Look for recurring themes, prioritise urgent or underserved needs, and check your findings with the community to ensure accuracy and relevance. A simple needs matrix can be a useful tool to rank issues by urgency and impact, helping you focus your efforts where they’ll make the greatest difference.

Identifying community need isn’t a one-off task—it’s an ongoing conversation. The more you listen, learn, and adapt, the more your work will resonate and make a difference. Whether you're applying for funding or designing a new service, start with need—and let the community lead the way.

• For more information about identifying community needs visit SCDC website https://www.scdc.org.uk/community-engagement

• For more information about the National Standards for Community Engagement see https://www.scdc.org.uk/what/national-standards

  
  

If you are looking for support to plan community engagement and identify needs SLCVO can help you contact Michelle.seviour@slcvo.org.uk

How to Plan a Funding Application: A Step-by-Step Guide for Community Groups

Applying for funding can feel daunting, but with the right approach, your application can stand out and secure the support your project needs. Whether you're applying for a small community grant or a larger wellbeing fund, here’s a practical guide to help you through the process.

Understand the Fund. Before you start writing, take time to:

• Read the fund guidelines carefully – What are the priorities, outcomes, and eligibility criteria?

• Check deadlines – Late applications are rarely accepted.

• Clarify what’s funded – Some funds exclude salaries, equipment, or capital costs.

• Tip: If unsure, contact the funder to ask questions. It shows initiative and helps avoid wasted effort.

Align Your Project with the Fund’s Goals. Funders want to see how your project:

• Meets community needs

• Delivers measurable outcomes

• Supports their strategic priorities

• Use their language. If the fund mentions “wellbeing,” “inclusion,” or “resilience,” reflect those terms in your application.

Plan Your Application. Break your application into clear sections:

• Project summary – What are you doing and why?

• Need – What issue are you addressing?

• Activities – What will you do, when, and how?

• Outcomes – What will change as a result?

• Budget – Be realistic and transparent.

• Monitoring – How will you measure success?

• Tip: Use bullet points and headings to make it easy to read.

Build a Strong Case for Support. Use evidence:

• Community feedback

• Statistics or local data

• Quotes from service users

• Previous success stories

• Show that your project is needed, doable, and impactful.

Collaborate and Get Feedback. Ask a colleague, partner, or volunteer to:

• Review your draft

• Check for clarity and typos

• Ensure the budget adds up

• If possible, involve your community in shaping the application—it strengthens your case.

Submit and Follow Up. Double-check:

• You’ve answered every question

• You’ve attached all required documents

• You’ve submitted before the deadline

After submission:

• Keep a copy of your application

• Be ready to respond to queries

• Celebrate your effort

Funding applications are more than paperwork—they’re an opportunity to tell your story, share your vision, and build support for your community. With preparation, clarity, and passion, your application can make a real impact.

To find a funder go to

• Funding Scotlanda free online database that you can use to search for funding. https://funding.scot/

• Foundation Scotland https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/

• The Highland Council website https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory/17/grants/category/155

If you are looking for support to plan a funding application n SLCVO can help you contact Michelle.seviour@slcvo.org.uk