Supporting Communities Fund - Monitoring of Projects Funded
Argyll and Bute Council · 12 September 2023
Back to Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee — 12 September 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL HELENSBURGH & LOMOND AREA COMMITTEE COMMUNITY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 12 September 2023 SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES FUND - Monitoring of Projects Funded 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide monitoring information on the funding given to community projects from the council’s Supporting Communities Fund. 1.2 The time period of this report covers projects funded within 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22. Due to the disruption of Covid 19 on the planned funded projects of community groups, the council agreed to lengthen the time projects had to be delivered. Therefore this report summarises projects completed within the years disrupted by Covid 19. 1.3 Members are asked to consider the contents of the report showing a summary of the information supplied by organisations in their End of Project Monitoring Reports. 1.4 Members are asked to note the return of monies and that these will be available to fund projects in future rounds of the Supporting Communities Fund.
Page 2
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL HELENSBURGH & LOMOND AREA COMMITTEE COMMUNITY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 12 September 2023 SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES FUND - Monitoring of Projects Funded 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report highlights the positive outcomes for communities in Helensburgh and Lomond through the allocation of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund between 2019/20 and 2021/22. 2.2 A total of 39 projects were awarded funding. Due to the challenges throughout that period for community groups and adjustments that had to be made to the running of their projects, it has been more challenging to receive an End of Project Monitoring Report from all awards of funding. These were exceptional years and we are grateful to the 35 grant recipients who were able to submit information for this report. 2.3 A total of £5,150 in total has been returned; £1,800 to be included in the distribution of the SCF for 2024/25 with the other funds included and redistributed in previous years. . 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee: 3.1 Note the positive contribution of the Supporting Communities Fund detailed in section 4 and the attached table. 3.2 Note that a total of £5,150 has been returned; £1,800 to be included in the distribution of the SCF for 2024/25 with the other funds included and redistributed in previous years. . 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 The funded projects supported approximately 3,700 people to participate
Page 3
in a variety of activities including outdoor activities, community learning, sports, music and mental health. Highlights include: Arrochar and Tarbet CDT brought together senior members of the community and school children, following lockdown, on a regular basis for games sessions and art & crafts. Garelochead Station Trust used funds to help with core running costs, allowing community members including veterans to access support and information to improve their health and wellbeing. Money was also used for social and educational activities, as part of the centre’s programme. Grey Matters Active Ageing were able to cover all rental costs for their new Community Hub in 2021. This SCF fund proved a strong foundation to accessing additional grants for the space and to increasing activities for older people in H&L. Garelochead Riding for the Disabled used the SCF for livery costs for the group’s second carriage driving pony, Isaac. 4.2 The attached table summarises information received from all the individual projects; their impact and achievements within the community. 4.3 35 grant recipients have submitted an End of Project Monitoring Report. 4.4 £5,150 in total has been returned; £1,800 to be included in the distribution of the SCF for 2024/25. The return of funds is a combination of projects under budget or funds unable to be spent. 4.5 In the 2020/21 funding cycle, Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Community Council were granted an extension to November 2023 to complete their project of landscaping the area around the Arrochar War Memorial. They are listed as project no. 1 in the 2020/21 funding cycle list.
Page 4
2019/20 SCF Round of Funding No Organisation Project Funded Award End of Project Achievements No. of people in communities benefitting 1 ACT - Argyll & the Isles Coast & Countryside Trust Moving On sessions for mental health £2,500.00 The trained staff facilitated activities such as green wood working - spoon carving, making shrink pots, weaving, gardening and tidying and participants cooked and shared a communal meal each day. 9 2 Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust (Generation Communities Group) Venue Hire, transport, activities, equipment for a health/fitness walking group £2,000.00 Both adult senior members and school children members all benefited from being able to meet up on a regular basis and share activities and time together. Friendships developed and activities ranged from fun games played together, art and craft work, to be seen locally our kindness tree in the village created by our group together. 31 3 Cove & Kilcreggan Community Council Enhance area, through plants, maps/leaflets and improved on-line presence £1,150.00 The planting scheme did involve a team effort from the community which was beneficial to relationships, with replanting using locally sourced plants. The Visitor App works really well as a means for visitors to gain information about where to go in the local area and it will complement the visitor map and leaflets in our information centre. Unknown 4 Cove & Kilcreggan Lunch Club Running costs £1,554.70 The lunch club offers the opportunity to have lunch and a chat on Wednesdays. The Christmas shopping trip provides a means for the less able to do their shopping with support. Unknown 5 Cove Burgh Hall Speaker fee, workshops, marketing and music performances £1,800.00 Young people from the primary school learned about the environment and developed film and music skills as well as different creative art techniques. Many of the primary pupils (Kilcreggan and Rosneath) took part in the samba lessons. Audiences learnt about local history through the documentary film about Hamish MacInnes and learnt about the making of the film first hand through the Q&A with the director Unknown 6 Enable Scotland (Leading the Way) Food Hygiene training, writing tutor, pots and pans and top soil, seeds etc for kitchen garden/lunch club £2,468.00 Members who completed their REHIS Food Hygiene certificate increased their skills. Everyone felt they had a sense of achievement. In addition once they were on the rota with another member they found they built team working skills, communicated 43
Page 5
2019/20 SCF Round of Funding and writing course better with others, and overcame any reluctance to speak to people they didn’t know. 7 Garelochead Riding for the Disabled Association Upkeep of one horse £2,316.00 We were able to keep our pony as per Riding for the Disabled requirements, meaning that he was able to cater for a good group of our younger riders and did not have to miss any sessions due to illness or wellbeing concerns. This has enabled those of our participants who ride him to have consistent, regular lessons, thereby increasing their rate of improvement. 6 8 Garelochead Senior Citizens Hire of hall, insurance, Christmas lunch and bus trip or theatre outing and speakers expenses. £500.00 Covid impacted the planned outing, so we decided to give our members the gift of chocolates and plants instead of the outing. 18 9 Garelochhead Station Trust Office space rent and costs, transport costs for social and educational activities for a drop-in facility for partners and veterans to access information. £2,245.00 The provision of office space allowed easy access to resources for veterans and their families and provided volunteering opportunities. The GST has built productive partnerships with other veteran projects and organisations. Unknown 10 Grey Matters Cost of 5 excursions for up to 52 seniors and costs for Christmas party for 100 £1,018.50 Through Supporting communities funding, older people from all over Helensburgh and Lomond were able to take part in activities that tackled loneliness and isolation head on. Events took place on a weekend or during a holiday period offering older people something to look forward to when many services stop. We were able to incorporate help from younger people and people enjoyed researching where they were going. 142 11 Helensburgh & Lomond Foodbank Soup makers, kitchen utensils and cupboard for storage for Meal in a bag project £1,018.50 We held a cookery demonstration using tinned and long life items, taking into consideration how long it would take to cook, as many of our clients have issues with utility bills. There were 10 different recipes – all main meals. 50 12 Helensburgh Savoy Towards cost of staging the group's main production, including hire of hall, costumes, insurance and £2,500.00 We were able to guarantee the use and payment of improved sound equipment, which helped with the sound production challenges the Victoria Halls presents, also towards the costs of costuming for the project in order to fulfil the aims of the project. 51
Page 6
2019/20 SCF Round of Funding staff costs 13 Loch Long Jetty Association Print costs for a booklet of Loch Long history, and life buoyancy aids and life ring £1,900.00 We have produced the booklet – this grew from a predicted 32 page to a 64 page booklet. We have had a few articles written by other people and have included what we said we would include. We have had photographs from the Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Heritage Group. We had an article from two professional divers who have an underwater photography business. We have lots of photographs in the booklet. We have an article written by someone in Marine Scotland about Arrochar. 80 14 Project Trust Costs of a Global Citizenship festival including volunteer expenses, travel, printing of resources and staff costs £248.00 The project was attended by 86 primary children and 23 teachers from 17 different primary schools from across Argyll and Bute. The children received three different 45 minute workshops delivered by 5 of our Global Citizenship Ambassadors. Children expressed that they have developed skills such as confidence, cultural awareness and problem solving. 114 15 Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering Towards cost of staging the highland games, insurance, medals, trophies, PA, toilets and advertising, £2,500.00 The event was held and much enjoyed. Piping and dancing convener reported an increase in young people becoming members of the pipe band and local dancing school. 710 16 Route 81 Youth Project Staff costs and materials for 28 week Footprint Friday project £2,477.00 Young people aged 11-17 years signed up to volunteer for the Footprint Friday working group. A ‘starter’ evaluation form was created and given to each member of the working group to complete. The working group encouraged their peers and Route 81 youth members to participate in the projects activities and events (e.g. Beach cleans, Art workshops, Can crushing etc.). All participants were offered the opportunity to participate in the Saltire Volunteering Scheme. They will receive an Award at the next Route 81 Award ceremony post Covid-19! 45 17 Welcome In Extend activities offered by the group, purchase of gardening tools, membership to National Trust and cost of a monthly £2,125.00 There was a real Buzz around the café when we were planning the trips. The consensus of the café friends who participated in the trips expressed that their confidence in travelling outside Helensburgh (4 of them hadn’t left Helensburgh apart from hospital etc in years) had greatly improved and would attempt 16
Page 7
2019/20 SCF Round of Funding local trip for 5 people to teach budgeting skills travelling on their own in the future. Interaction between the café friends also vastly improved and more common interests were highlighted and friendships started to form. The garden also saw an increase in participation with café friends coming on a Monday as well as Thursday to tend the garden.
Page 8
2020/21 SCF Round of Funding No Organisation Project Funded Award End of Project Achievements No. of people in communities benefitting 1 Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Community Council Landscaping the area around the Arrochar War Memorial, in line with the proposed celebrations of 75th Anniversary of VE Day. The project seeks to improve the grounds of the memorial for visitors and residents, and bring the community together to maintain the site. Costs are for the excavation and preparation of ground, for soil, plants, shrubs and deer management provisions. £1,068.00 N/a Extension granted to November 2023. 2 Enable Scotland Jean's Bothy Delivering an ‘Illustrating mental health through the creative arts’ project. This will include photography, song writing, art and drama sessions over a 6 month period that will culminate in an exhibition to showcase members’ work, progress and experiences. Costs are towards the delivery of 20 sessions including tutor fees, materials, and venue hire for the exhibition. £2,500.00 We delivered 14 photography sessions over a period of 6 months to members allowing them to explore different aspects of photography. Themes include plant life, buildings, light and shadow etc. We adapted the sessions in line with Covid guidance so for the majority these took place online. In November 2021 we were able to open the doors to the public for 2 weeks to view over 60 framed photographs illustrating what wellbeing means to different people. The themes that came out of these were growing plants; trees and greenery; books & reading; open water swimming & taking walks. 60
Page 9
2020/21 SCF Round of Funding 3 Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Livery costs for the group’s second carriage driving pony Isaac. £2,500.00 For our participants particularly those who are restricted in their mobility or do not have opportunities to take part in any form of sport, driving or being driven outdoors is thrilling. Two of our carriages have been specially designed and built to accommodate wheelchairs when needed. Some of our participants are able to take the reins themselves which means that they can not only take control of the pony and carriage, but they can work towards RDA competitions that require skill and bravery. This builds self - esteem and self-satisfaction. 3 4 Garelochhead Station Trust A drop-in facility for veterans and their families to access information and take part in activities. The project aims to reduce social isolation, improve health and wellbeing, and signpost to relevant support. Funding is towards the rent of an office space as a drop in facility, provision of office supplies and transportation for group members to educational and social activities. £2,460.00 Covid 19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the service delivery. This called for more innovative and constructive service delivery. A significant part of this redesign was working in partnership with Argyll & Bute Council through their Caring for People team. This enabled the GST volunteers to deliver prescriptions and shopping to those most vulnerable in the community. Garelochhead Station Trust delivered a comprehensive online service to those with internet access and through a postal service to those unable to access the internet. They also delivered face to face support with Trustees delivering birthday cakes to all local members on their doorstep. This was repeated some months later with the delivery of a handmade Christmas card and mince pies. 70 5 Grey Matters Active Ageing Rent for the premises to establish the Grey Matters Active Aging Centre. £2,500.00 We were able to cover all our rental costs for year one and this funding allowed us space to find additional funding for the future. It allowed us to establish the centre as a bright and vibrant hub for older people in Helensburgh and Lomond. The centre is now well known and well used by older people in the community. Unknown 6 Helensburgh and Lomond Carers SCIO Therapist fees to deliver a programme of 288 holistic therapies for adult carers at the Health Centres in Kilcreggan and £2,500.00 Holistic therapies continue to be an integral part of our service which aims to alleviate health issues among carers to help them sustain their caring role. We were able to promote this service on our website, social media, newsletters and emails, raising awareness to existing carers and those newly identified due to the 48
Page 10
2020/21 SCF Round of Funding Garelochhead, and the Carers Centre in Helensburgh, including traditional Indian head massage, aromatherapy, and reflexology. pandemic. Registration numbers are increasing rapidly and we have now been able to re-establish our outreach venues in order to take our services to carers. 7 Helensburgh Art Hub Artist fees, materials and refreshments to deliver Helensburgh Art Hub’s ‘2020 Summer Sessions’. £2,500.00 Due to lockdown, we extended the timescale of the programme, which ended in November 2020 with most workshops being run online via zoom. We ran 29 kids art classes and 18 for adults benefitting 88 children and 77 adults. 165 8 Loch Long Jetty Association Toilet hire, timing hire and insurance to establish the Loch Long Adventure Challenge. £2,500.00 The event was fully subscribed with competitors and was very successful with both the participants and with major community involvement running up to the event and particularly on the day. This was an adventure Triathlon, (kayak, cycle, run) which showcased the geographical and social/sporting facilities of the area and thus served to promote future health and well-being outcomes for the individuals concerned and future tourism within this area. 196 9 Project 81 Youth and Community Enterprise Ltd Staff costs to deliver 31 youth volunteering sessions, 9 volunteer training sessions and 5 community evets for the ‘Volunteering @R81’ project. £2,500.00 Covid-19 restrictions limited what work we could do. Our Youth Hub had inadequate ventilation and Centre 81 was housing key workers – so from June to November 2021, most youth work had to take place outside – it was challenging! Restrictions obviously limited what we could do. Regular weekly youth events were not practical and a new style of ‘pocket projects’ were established. 60 10 Rhu and Shandon Community Council Include venue hire, promotional materials and travel expenses for speakers to deliver a programme of health and wellbeing information sessions in Rhu and Shandon targeting a range of issues including dementia, mental health, arthritis and cervical £850.00 Project not delivered Returned funds of £850 confirmed
Page 11
2020/21 SCF Round of Funding screening. 11 Welcome In Therapist fees to provide a programme of therapeutic activities for people recovering from addiction, as well as those who experience mental health issues and loneliness. £1,800.00 Project not delivered Could not deliver project – funds to be returned – not confirmed
Page 12
2021/22 SCF Round of Funding No Organisation Project Funded Award End of Project Achievements No. of people in communities benefitting 1 Albatross Arts CIC Jean's Bothy Culture Club Pilot: An Albatross Arts CIC & Jean’s Bothy Arts & Wellbeing Collaboration. £2,500 Individuals gained new skills regained confidence of existing skills (i.e. travelling on public transport), and a more in depth understanding of the relationship between cultural activity and social wellbeing. For those feeling excluded, creative engagement supports a more resilient mindset. A resilient person can resist adversity, cope with uncertainty and recover more successfully from traumatic events or episodes. Individuals established a new network of peers / friends which led to a greater sense of belonging and self-esteem. 12 2 Friends of Duchess Woods To construct a new path linking the Nature Corridor path and to lay a flat durable surface on other paths £1,771.07 The newly constructed path between Duchess Gait and Duchess Wood provides the last link in the path network from the sea front, via Glenan Road into Duchess Wood and the wider footpath network in the area. Resurfacing the All Abilities Path has resulted in wheel chair users accessing the Wood 300 3 Garelochhead Station Trust The provision of 2 x 6 weeks online Mindfulness courses. £1,808 GST targeted the socially isolated and engaged them in group activities. Members reported they preferred to engage in craft activities while learning to relax and engage with others, thus building a strong vibrant community. 52 4 Geilston Hall Management Committee The formation of a safe woodland area to provide an outdoor play area for children and also the ability to study wildlife and nature. £2,500 The woodland area has been well used since formation by several groups of children. The After School Club has used in the summer as a play area, and Nursery Rhymes Nursery has brought younger children from the nursery to play in the area. 124 5 Helensburgh Amateur Swimming Club To partner with a local Helensburgh based organisation ‘Pursuit of Wisdom’ to deliver a package of growth mindset training to our coaches and £2,500 Could not deliver project Funds returned £2,500
Page 13
2021/22 SCF Round of Funding young athletes. 6 Helensburgh and District Access Trust Upgrading a network of footpath surfaces, clearing ditches, culverts and overgrowing vegetation and the installation and repair of bridges and culverts. £1,771.07 A large stretch of the Reservoir footpath which suffered from numerous patches of severe wear and tear with underlying terrain matting exposed, and areas of mud, was completely covered with new surface material. On the Upland Way footpath the sections which suffered from areas of water lying and muddy areas were infilled. Both paths can now be walked safely all year round without having to cope with areas of water and mud on the path. They are also suitable for joggers and mountain bikers. 100 7 Helensburgh Art Hub Creative workshops to bring our community together in safe outdoor spaces £2,500 Between August 2021 and March 2022 we provided 17 children’s classes, 26 adult workshops and 4 workshops for children with additional support needs using a blended approach of online or in person as appropriate. In addition, we ran 10 workshops funded by the Art Hub; 6 knitting and crochet workshops as part of our ‘Community Links – Paperchains Community Project’ and 4 BSL workshops. 209 8 Males Tales Helensburgh To offer a more robust and wrap around mental health peer support package to the community £2,500 We run a strict anonymous and no Registration policy at our meetings. However we do have many people informing us of how we have helped. We have also been messaged by people to help with attempted suicides and assist Police Scotland in Helensburgh. 93 9 Plastic Free Helensburgh Informing and educating our allies about the need for achievable lifestyle changes to attain a sustainable community for all. £1,603.58 In 2021 we applied to Argyll and Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund to run a Climate Change Week to encourage Helensburgh to become a greener, cleaner community by taking environmental action to address climate change. We arranged various events to highlight the threats caused by Climate Change: flooding, wildfires, increased migration, loss of biodiversity, etc. But also on the action we can take to reduce our carbon footprint. We engaged with all ages of the community birth-100+ by working with Fun First up to Grey Matters. Offering a week of events, in person and online. 694 10 Rosneath Community Garden Expanding the garden to increase the number of £952.37 This growing season, 2022, has been very successful with an impressive return to the work and investment. A good variety of 133
Page 14
2021/22 SCF Round of Funding growing plots, with some designed for children and the disabled. vegetables were brought on from seed and grew well in the fertile soil. Composting has been a key element of our strategy. 11 Visiting Friends In conjunction with partners to hold x6 coffee mornings, (once a month) for all adults who are at risk of loneliness and social isolation. £2,417 The main achievements of note were holding a ‘Spring Fling’ with Grey Matters and ‘Bake off’ event with Jeans Bothy and a “Walk in the Park” event for the community, as well as 2 other coffee mornings at Helensburgh Community Hub. 120
Page 15
5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The project monitoring form has a section asking for comments on the grant process. Not all applicants have completed this section but of those received, the comments have largely been very positive. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy: None 6.2 Financial: The report sets out the expenditure from the Helensburgh and Lomond area 2018/19- 2021/22 budget for the allocation of Supporting Communities Fund 6.3 Legal: None 6.4 HR: None 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty/Equalities/Islands: Compliant with policy. 6.6 Risk: None 6.7 Customer Service: None Chief Executive – Pippa Milne Policy Lead - Cllr Alistair Redman Communities and Partnership Manager – Rona Gold 17 August 2023 For further information contact: Community Development Officer David Hagerty on 01700 801088 / david.hagerty@argyll-bute.gov.uk.