SLCVO Weekly Round-Up 29th September - 03 October

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 Michelle Seviour stepping in to keep things running smoothly. The team supported local groups, progressed key projects, promoted upcoming events, and strengthened partnerships across the area.

Monday: Parkinson’s UK Engagement in Broadford

Michelle started the week by following up on contacts made at the Parkinson’s UK Information and Engagement session held last Friday in Broadford. The event was a warm and welcoming gathering, with over 30 attendees enjoying tea, coffee, cake, and meaningful conversation.

It was a great opportunity to connect with Belinda Graham-Marr, Parkinson’s UK Local Advisor based in Tain, and Anita Jeffries, Area Development Manager. Most attendees were already part of the Skye and Lochalsh Parkinson’s Support Group, which meets bi-monthly at An Acarsaid Care Home in Broadford. The group offers a vital space for people living with Parkinson’s—and their families, friends, and carers—to share experiences and support.

Following the session:

• The support group has now been added to the Skye and Lochalsh Wellbeing and Community Support Directory, download the Directory here

• Parkinson’s UK has been invited to join the Highland Wellbeing and Welfare Support (HWWS) Forum in November.

Tuesday: Promoting Upcoming Events

Michelle spent Tuesday spreading the word about two exciting events coming up later this month:

• Cybercrime and Fraud Awareness

  • Tuesday 28th October at 2pm (Online)In partnership with Police Scotland, we’re hosting a free online session to help community groups better understand and protect themselves against cyber threats like phishing emails and ransomware. With many third sector organisations relying on online banking, remote working, and portable IT equipment, this session is a must-attend.👉 Book your place now

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Event

  • Wednesday 29th October at Kyleakin Hall We’re teaming up with Rag Tag and Textile to host a community event focused on reducing landfill waste. It’s a chance for groups already working on sustainability projects to connect, and for others to explore new ideas and opportunities.👉 Find out more and register

Wednesday: Building Partnerships for Autism Support

Michelle rounded off the week with a positive meeting with the Senior Branch Development Officer from National Autistic Society Scotland. The conversation explored ways for the Skye Autistic Support Group to collaborate with the Highland Branch of NAS, with the aim of strengthening support for autistic people and their families in Skye and Lochalsh.

Driving SARF Forward and Strengthening Community Connections

​Although Jo Ford was under the weather for part of the week, when she was able to work, she completed the Expression of Interest for the Skye and Lochalsh Community Outreach Hub—a vital step in developing a mobile support service for local families and individuals.

She followed up on registrations for SLCVO’s AGM on 15th October, and spent time helping several local groups and individuals reconnect after meeting at recent community events. 

The rest of Jo’s week was dedicated to Skye and Raasay Future (SARF) activities. She focused on aligning local initiatives with SARF priorities and spent time preparing the agenda and supporting notes for next week’s SARF Board meeting, ensuring everything is in place for a productive discussion.

Shaping the Future of Skye and Raasay: What is SARF?

Skye and Raasay Future (SARF) is a collaborative movement to shape the future of our islands. Launched in 2021, SARF is the official Area Place Plan for Skye and Raasay, built through co-production between local residents, public sector partners, and third sector organisations. At its core, SARF is about putting community voices at the heart of decision-making. It sets out a shared vision for how our places can grow, thrive, and respond to challenges—from housing and transport to climate action and digital inclusion.

How Does SARF Work?

SARF is coordinated by SLCVO (Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations) and guided by the SARF Board, The Board meets quarterly to steer the direction of SARF, using collective leadership to align resources, support projects, and ensure community priorities are front and centre.

SARF’s work is delivered through the SARF Delivery Programme, which includes over 40 active and emerging projects. These projects span a wide range of themes—from infrastructure and housing to health and economic development—and are led by local organisations, public bodies, and third sector groups. Explore current SARF projects here ›

How Can You Get Involved?

There are several ways to join the SARF journey:

• Keep up to date with progress on the SLCVO website https://www.slcvo.org.uk/sarf

• Submit a Project - Have you got an idea that supports SARF Priorities? Submit it via the SARF Delivery Programme form.

• Share Your Story - We’d love to showcase the amazing work happening across Skye and Raasay! If your organisation is delivering a project that supports SARF Priorities you can feature it in SARF newsletters contact Jo Ford at sarf@slcvo.org.uk.

• Stay in the Loop Sign up for the SARF Quarterly Newsletter to receive updates, opportunities, and insights.

Supporting Local Groups and Celebrating Volunteers at SLCVO

Alongside our project work this week, SLCVO continued to support local groups with a range of practical needs. From answering accounting queries and promoting job vacancies to helping shape new project ideas and funding applications. Meanwhile, Matt Davies, our Befrienders Manager, was hard at work with our volunteers and clients. This week included:

• Training a new volunteer who’s joined the service to support isolated individuals across Skye and Lochalsh.

• Saying a heartfelt goodbye to a long-standing volunteer who has been with the Befrienders service since it began—over six years ago. Their dedication and compassion have made a lasting impact, and we’re incredibly grateful for their contribution.

To next week

Next week promises to be another busy and inspiring one at SLCVO. On Monday, we’re looking forward to the SARF Board Meeting, where partners will come together to review progress, share updates, and continue shaping the future of Skye and Raasay through collaborative leadership.

Later in the week, we’re excited to support the Community Transport event led by Dunvegan Community Trust. This initiative is part of their ongoing work to tackle transport challenges across North West Skye—an issue that affects everything from access to healthcare and employment to social connection and sustainability.

🚐 Find out more about the Dunvegan Community Transport Project here.

We’ll be sharing updates from both events, so stay tuned—and as always, if you’d like to get involved, reach out to the team!