KDP is delighted to announce that we will be hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Event on Thursday 25^th April in Stonehaven.
This will be an ideal opportunity to let people know what you do and where you need volunteer support.  It will also be a chance to network with other like-minded groups.
We have a limited number of tables available for community groups and voluntary organisations in Kincardine & Mearns, so if you are interested in getting involved, please contact Margo at margo@kdp.scot.
 

Grants of up to £500 are available to schools and educational organisations across the UK seeking funding to kickstart projects that will benefit their students.
The Twinkl Prize Draw Community Collection will help fund any type of project, such as setting up a breakfast club, resourcing after-school activities, purchasing new playground equipment, upgrading an ICT suite, or kickstarting big projects.
The fund opens to applications every half-term, and applications should be submitted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team on behalf of the school.
Prize winners will be chosen at random from all qualifying entries within thirty days following each closing date. One or more winners will be drawn in each draw at the discretion of the prize giver.
The closing date for applications is the 17th March 2024.
Find out more on the website.

Kincardine & Mearns Youth Clubs (KMYC) have brought three free universal youth clubs to the major settlements of the Kincardine and Mearns. Portlethen, Mearns and Stonehaven have run successful youth clubs since 2022-23.
The youth rights focused organisation would now like to expand youth clubs to the more rural settlements and are about to establish a fourth youth club in Auchenblae after the Easter break.
Feedback from young people and parents highlights the value placed on having a safe place to go to socialise and have fun with other young people with support available from trained youth work volunteers.
The new Auchenblae volunteer team want to know what young people would like to see in their new club so they can get some resources. Please complete the form and tell them your hopes and ideas, Auchenblae Youth Club Survey (google.com). The club is for the young people aged 10+ years.
If you would like to keep up to date or want to get involved in the Auchenblae Youth Club, visit: A Youth Club for Auchenblae? | Facebook
Read the latest developments with KMYC by visiting Kincardine and Mearns Youth Clubs – KMYC | Facebook

A “Menopause Matters” event is being held in Inverbervie on Thursday 7^th March from 7pm – 8.30pm.
For more information take a look at the poster.  
For more information please contact Cllr Alison Evison on 07855682845.

The Scottish Children’s Lottery Trust funds organisations supporting the most vulnerable children and young people who are at a high risk of being negatively impacted by poverty.
The are two funds available to applying charities:
Small Fund – maximum award of £5,000
Medium Fund – maximum award of £10,000
The next closing date is 11.59pm on Friday 15^th March.
To learn more and apply, visit the website. 

Climate Week North East is back for the 10th year, offering an exhilarating 10-day  (15^th – 24^th March) programme packed with over 80 diverse events aimed at tackling the pressing issues surrounding climate change. From engaging discussions to hands-on workshops, nature walks, courses to community clean-up drives and more, this initiative promises something for everyone who’s passionate about safeguarding our planet.
Check out the brochure and website and book your place on the events now while you can.

The Ian Findlay Path Fund supports the improvement of local paths within and between communities, making it easier for people to choose active travel and public transport for everyday journeys.
Applications close on 8th March 2024. Please contact the team at ifpf@pathsforall.org.uk to discuss your project proposal. 
Click here for more information. 

The GoFurther Fund is committed to transforming local lives alongside GoFibre’s mission of improving rural connectivity and addressing the digital divide head-on. The Fund provides grants to local projects and activities under the following four categories:

• Creation of new jobs or opportunities
• Developing skills and the local economy
• Promotion of good health and wellbeing
• Contribution to Net Zero targets

Go Fibre are delighted to open the second round of funding from the 15th February to March 31st to community projects and charities based in Aberdeenshire and Angus.
To find out more and apply visit the website. 

An exciting Volunteer opportunity has arisen for a member of the public to be appointed as a ‘Lay’ Chair of the NHS Grampian Organ Donation Committee.  This is a voluntary position to empower a public voice to lead on this important committee.  
The Committee meets 4 times per year in person, at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and pre-meetings are held before each Committee to brief the Chair on the business that will be discussed and to offer any support or information that will be helpful to the Chair.  Any training or additional support will be provided by the Public Involvement Team. 
Please click here to see the role description.  To read about the 10 year vision for organ donation in the UK please click here.
For more information or to express your interest please contact gram.involve@nhs.scot  
Closing date to express your interest is 29 February 2024.

The St John’s Hill Windfarm Community Fund is open and accepting applications from groups and projects which benefit the communities living in the community council areas of:

• Arbuthnott
• Catterline, Kinneff & Dunnottar

This year the Fund is £23,161.86, which is split equally between both Community Council areas.  Arbuthnott’s Fund is £11,580.93 and Catterline, Kinneff & Dunnottar has a Fund of £11,580.93 plus an underspend from previous year’s of £6,015.13, giving a total of £17,956.06.
Guidance Notes and Application Forms are available on the KDP website.  
Closing date – 31^st March 2024.

The Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership has launched its budget engagement programme and would like to ensure wide representation from across our communities.
They have developed a public engagement page with a short survey which people can access here.
The consultation is open until 26^th February.

The British Heart Foundation has opened applications for a Free BHF-Funded Defibrillator, closing on 28 February 2024. 
All eligible UK-based community groups can apply for one package.
A limited number of funded defibrillators are available in each annual funding cycle. Applications will be reviewed monthly against a set of criteria so awards can be made to communities that need them most. Areas prioritised include those with fewer registered defibrillators and communities where local health needs indicate a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. 
To learn more and apply, visit the website. 

Grants of up to £15,000 are available through Community Connect, a funding initiative run by Scotmid. Through the programme, financial support is available to local groups and charities for projects benefiting communities near Scotmid or Semichem stores. Projects should be completed within 24 months of receiving the award.
To determine funding distribution, Scotmid members play a crucial role by collecting Community Connect votes every time they shop in-store. The three Good Cause Groups from the North, East, and West regions with the highest votes will receive financial grants. The group with the most votes will receive £15,000, while the two runners-up will receive £5,000 each.
Applications are currently being accepted and the closing date is 5 pm on the 7th March 2024.
Visit the website for more information. 

The Happy Days Children’s Charity is inviting applications for funding towards trips, respite breaks and group activity holidays for disadvantaged children and young people with additional needs.
The charity awards funding for different types of activities to support families with children aged 3-17 who have a disability, a special need or have been abused.
Grants are available for the following activities:

• Family Day Trips
• Family Holiday Breaks
• Group Day Trips and Visiting Theatre
• Group Activity Holidays

Applications for family activities are accepted from parents, guardians, grandparents or siblings, as well as GPs, consultants, nurses or social workers.
Applications for group activities are accepted from organisations such as SEN schools and groups, young carers and women’s refuges.
Applications can be made at any time.
More information here.