Fairtrade Fortnight 22nd February - 7th March

See our Events page for more information, and see Fairtrade's website for more nation-wide events.

Fairtrade Fortnight is coming around again!

The fortnight of February 22nd to March 7th promises plently of Fairtrade fun. Keep your eyes on the Arran Fairtrade website for details.

Age Unlimited Scotland

are helping support the development of Social Enterprise in Scotland, where the enterprisers are over 50 and have project ideas aimed at service users over 70. If you have any project ideas that might fit the bill, check out the website or click on the link to their pamphlet.

Arran Elderly Forum Information Meeting

A meeting at the Ormidale Pavillion, on Wednesday 17th February, is open to anyone over 55 who might want to know more about the island's facilities and services for the elderly. The Forum hope to have Parliament and North Ayrshire Council representatives present at the meeting, which runs from 11am onwards. Contact the office on 01770 600 611 for more information.

First Aid at Work Training

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce are organising a

3-day training course, designed to equip participants with the knowledge to cope with the role of first aider in the workplace.

The course meets with Health and Safety Regulations, and will run at the Ormidale Pavillion from 22nd to 24th February 2010. For more information, contact Anne on 01292678666

Rural Priorities funding rate goes up to 90%

The Scottish Government have announced an increase in the grant rate for community projects under the Rural Priorities part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

From 3rd September 2009, all new applications under the Community Services and Facilities option will be considered for a 90 percent grant rather than the 50 percent currently in operation. The new rate will apply to projects approved from Spring 2010 onwards.

SCVO to operate Rural Gateway website

From spring 2009, the SCVO Rural Team will be running the Rural Gateway website, under the new banner of the Scottish National Rural Network. Click here for the latest news.

Avenues of support for Social Enterprise

At open sessions recently held on Arran and Cumbrae, an Irvine-based organisation called opp2mise (opportunities to move into Social Enterprise) made themselves known as a valuable source of advice and support for any local groups considering embarking on a Social Enterprise. Firstport also provide a Scotland-wide service, which is currently free of charge, thanks to funding from Communities Scotland.

Kilmory Hall on Arran is an example of a well-established Social Enterprise. They support a paid member of staff, and provide premises for services and events such as the local post office, community meetings, art exhibitions and farmers' markets. They have recently hosted a Leader-funded Harrier Viewing project.

The Rural Gateway website has details of forthcoming Social Enterprise information events in Scotland.

opp2mise

Firstport

Kilmory Hall

Rural Gateway