Projects completed in 2018

Re-Tweed

Year Completed: 
2018

Funds Received - £3,500.00

Re-Tweed received £3,500 in June 2018 towards the cost for a Volunteer Support Worker.  Funding was matched with impact funding.  Since receiving the funding 18 volunteers were involved, most of whom are graduates from Re-Tweeds Level 1 training course.  3 out 18 where not former students.  Volunteers come from a wide range of women from different backgrounds, some with complex health issues or others wanting to return to work.

 

In 3 years Re-Tweed have gone from having 1 member of staff to having 8 members of staff, all local, 4 of whom were former students.  All volunteers get personal development training and are told that ReTweed is not a final destination and are encouraged to continuously move forward.  Training included first aid, health & safety, customer service, business gateway training.  We also held a volunteer development session to sit down and discuss what has worked and what has not worked and how do we improve it.  Most important was the sense of achievement the individual women felt and the impact that this also has on each family and the wider community.  2 volunteers have gone on to set up their own businesses and 5 more are in the process of setting up their own businesses.  ReTweed are providing wrap around support. 

 

Trading income from the items that are made continues to increase.  £2k in 1st year which raised to £6k in 3rd year.  Profits from trading being channelled into supporting the new businesses being set up.  We have a shop is based in Eyemouth and products also being sold around the area and as cultural exchange gifts.  We also hope to raise the trading income above the funding income.  Constantly evaluating our environmental, social, business objectives.

 

Business model has been sold to Dumfries & Galloway Council and Langholm Initiative. Highlands and Islands also looking for ReTweed to deliver the model to them.  We are also in talks with Scottish Prison Service and Remade Network and online sales are being developed.  The funding received from BWCF and other local windfarm funds inspires other larger funders to also support.

 

Thank you for believing in us.

Verbal report received a our AGM in August 2019

The Learning Space

Year Completed: 
2018

Funds Received - £2,718.00

In September 2018 The Learning Space received £2,718.00 to renovate the scotch ovens at their premises in Gavinton.  The Learning Space work with local young people with learning barriers.  Funding was put towards reinstating the old ovens that had not been used for a near 50 years.  Local trades men quoted to do the work, with Craftec selected to make new doors for the ovens.  Local builder, Border Build & Renovation, had family connections and helped to reinstate the chimney and repair slates etc.

Now being fired up, by the young people, to dry out, this takes time and needs to be done slowly.  Looking to use gas burners to make it quicker to heat up.  As far as possible all ingredients for the bread etc are sourced locally.  New baking project in the pipeline with ideas to make it a more commercial social enterprise project.

Verbal report received at our AGM in August 2019

 

 

Outside The Box

Year Completed: 
2018

Funds received - £2,965.00

In December 2018 Outside The Box received funding to run 3 Nourish and Natter Sessions.  These sessions where designed to target people on the fringes and to try to improve their wellbeing.  Sessions where arranged for older people to meet and taster sessions where provided in different areas that they had shown an interest in i.e. cycling, seated movement.

The funding received allowed us to pay trainers and the hope is that those who attended will look to continue with these activities.  The connection with the different trainers has facilited other sessions throughout the area.

Verbal report received at out AGM in August 2019