Arran CVS - Archived News on Arran 2011

Date	NEWS ITEM	QUICK LINK
16/12/2011	Arran Community and Voluntary Service has achieved the Committed to Excellence accreditation. This is the outcome of our successful participation in the Big Lottery funded Supporting Voluntary Action (SVA) Quality Matters project. This is an internationally recognised award, which is presented by Quality Scotland. It marks our commitment to continuous improvement, which we demonstrated by carrying out an in-depth assessment of every aspect of the organisation and identifying and implementing key areas for improvement. Which means, among other things, that we will be getting a new front door which you won't need to kick to open!
18/11/2011	The Government's Warm Home Discount Scheme is available to many people in receipt of Pension Credit or certain benefits. Delivered through local energy providers, the scheme is available in 2011/12 from Scottish Hydro, who may be able to help you claim £120 towards energy costs. Call them on 0800 300111 or visit the Department of Energy and Climate Change page if you have a different supplier.
17/11/2011	Our November Newsletter is now available. Older Newsletters can be viewed in our Archive pages.
11/11/11	Further to their successful application to Leader, AIMS Advocacy can now offer their services from the ACVS office on Tuesdays from 10am until 2pm, starting 22nd November 2011. They have referral criteria, which you can discuss by calling them on 0800 652 2986
31/10/2011	Our October Newsletter is now available.
12/10/2011	Two of the organisations to have been awarded funding from Leader will be able to increase their activity on Arran in the coming months. AIMS offers independent advocacy to those seeking support in speaking up for themselves, and will now be able to provide a wider service on the island. They are based in Stevenston, and currently operate an Outreach service. It is hoped that they will be able to identify a suitable base on Arran soon. Visit Arran's Visitor Gifting Scheme had a successful pilot programme, and the project has now been awarded further funding to extend its scope to other tourism operators for the benefit of the island's economy and environment.
06/10/2011	Skills Development Scotland's new section on their website, called My World of Work, is a welcome addition to their already excellent and extensive resource for anyone who is looking for guidance with work, training or indeed identifying their skills. It is well worth a look. They are also organising Scottish Apprenticeship Week, from the 5th to 9th September.	Skills Development Scotland
18/08/2011	Arran Natural History Society has a brilliant diary of upcoming events, ranging from Mountain walks to critter-spotting sessions, all with input from local experts. It is a one-stop guide to many wildlife-orientated organisations.
18/08/2011	The McLellan Arts Festival starts on Friday 2nd September and offers daily events through to the following Saturday. As well as performances of McLellan's work, there are poetry workshops, music evenings, and not one but two chances to hear tenor Peter Wilson.	McLellan Festival
18/08/2011	Arran Mountain Festival runs for 4 days from 16th - 19th September. For a fulll list of events, not all involving physical effort, see their pages!	Arran Mountain Festival
21/02/2011	Fairtrade Fortnight is on its way! February 28th - March 13th The theme this year will be 'Show Off Your Label!' To find out what that could entail check out this link or go straight to Arran's own Fairtrade website
04/02/2011	Rural Network Project Visit is coming to Arran Taste of Arran is one of 5 projects chosen to highlight successful rural enterprise by the Rural Network. They have organised visit days to each of their chosen projects, details of which can be found on their Regional Events page
13/12/2010	LEADER funding awarded to Arran groups Two projects have recently benefitted from LEADER funding - Scotland's Food Island and the Clachan Church Development in Shiskine. Click on the LEADER projects link to find out more about them, and how LEADER may be able to help your group too.
18/11/2010	Planning Aid Rural Gateway's website now has a useful link to a navigable Planning Aid Map, which gives at a glance, up to date information on Local Plans and more. Read the Report from North Ayrshire Council's Community Planning Week, which took place earlier this year.	Rural Gateway
14/10/10	Scotland's Islands - Funding for Spring 2011 - Spring 2012 Groups are now being invited to apply for funding. If your project's objectives are to celebrate island culture, increase island profiles, promote tourism, and increase community and economic development then have a look at the criteria for applying. And get your socks on - the next deadline is 12th November!	Scotland's Islands