KDP News

Welcome to the KDP Bulletin.
 
Scottish Charity Awards
The Scottish Charity Awards are back for 2021 and are now accepting applications for the following awards categories: Employee of the Year, Trustee of the Year, Community Action, Campaign of the Year, Charity of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Digital Citizens, Pioneering Project and Climate Conscious; with the winners to be decided by a panel of judges and announced on Friday 1 October 2021.
All finalists will also be entered into the running for the People’s Choice Award, giving members of the public a chance to vote for their favourite finalist to win.
Apply before 14 May! 
 
Tesco Community Grants
Community groups across the UK are being invited to apply for funding for local projects that matter to them. The Tesco Community Grant scheme will award grants to charities and community organisations to fund local good causes whose focus is on supporting children and families.
Funding pots of £500, up to £1000 and up to £1500 will be available for projects and Tesco customers will be able to choose which project receives the most funding by voting in store every time they shop.
The scheme is open to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, via an on-line application form. If you are a Tesco customer or colleague, you can also nominate any local project or good cause that you would like to see supported and they will be contacted and if eligible, encouraged to apply.
More information can be found here. 
 
Skills for Work Portal
Young people and job seekers in communities across Scotland will be able to access free training to support work skills and career prospects through the new Skills for Work portal, which has been developed by The Open University in partnership with SCVO and all 32 Scottish local authorities. 
Over 30 courses on the portal offer workplace skills including employability, leadership, communication, and digital skills. The courses, which range from two hours to 24 hours of training, also include skills for life such as managing money and specific modules for those interested in working in the voluntary sector.
To find out more visit the website. 
 
The Plunkett Foundation 
The Plunkett Foundation is a national charity that supports rural communities across the UK to tackle the issues they face through community business. They are classed as enterprises that are owned and run democratically by members of the community, on behalf of the community. From shops and pubs to farms and woodlands and everything in between, the Plunkett Foundation’s small in-house team and network of advisers across the UK provide a helping hand to support groups from their first tentative steps, and continues to be there for them, year after year, as the business develops and grows.
Visit the Plunkett Foundation to find out more. 
 
COVID Testing Survey
NHS Grampian would like to understand how to support people in communities across Aberdeenshire to access COVID testing easily, even when they have no symptoms. This is because 1 in 3 people who are infected do not show any symptoms and can spread the infection without knowing.
NHS Grampian would like to hear from you to help plan COVID testing facilities in your area. Please click here to give your feedback
The survey will be open until the evening of Friday 7th May.
 
Local Place Plans consultation: An opportunity for community views
The Scottish Government has begun a consultation on implementing Local Place Plans, a new type of community-led plan in Scotland.
The consultation, which is open until 25th June, is seeking views around the preparation, content, submission and registration of Local Place Plans. This will be used to develop secondary legislation and guidance around what the plans look like and how they will work.
Local Place Plans were introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 and will be a tool for local communities to think about how to make their “place” better, agree priorities and take action to make change happen.
Submit your views here
 
Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network
Click here to access the MCHLN Spring Newsletter. 
 
Help for Community Groups
Aberdeenshire Council would like to hear from you about small Community projects that contractors may be able to support either by the donation of materials or assistance with practical work.
Examples might be assistance with a Community garden or with a refurbishment project for a local charity, school or youth group.
The project must be within the Aberdeenshire area and each submission will be reviewed and selection made on what type and size of project can be undertaken in each area. They may not be able to assist with all projects, but resources will be allocated equally across the six areas of Buchan, Banff & Buchan, Formartine, Garioch, Kincardine & Mearns and Marr.
If you are aware of any project that requires assistance, then please contact them by e-mail, pearl.strachan@aberdeenshire.gov.uk giving as much detail as possible about the project, what assistance you require and provide a contact name and contact details for the project.

KDP is here to help in any way we can.  Please let us know how we can support you or your organisation.  We will continue to share information and guidance in our Bulletins, however, due to the speed of change and quantity of information, the most current details will be found on our Facebook page (@kincardineshiredevelopmentpartnership).
 
Should you wish to get in touch, our contact details are as follows:
Jacky Niven              Development Officer                       jniven@kdp.scot
Margo Titmuss         Office/Windfarm Admin                  officesupport@kdp.scot

All of this information was correct at time of writing.