Successful Projects
Berwickshire Agricultural Association
Year Completed:
2015
Berwickshire Agricultural Association were successful in obtaining a £2500 grant from Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund in autumn 2015, which enabled the replacement of a considerable proportion of the wooden sheep hurdles that are used for Berwickshire County Show and other events. The stock of hurdles were 30 + years old and had been repaired in many cases. As prevention of disease at sheep gatherings is of paramount importance and a regulatory responsibility, it was becoming increasingly difficult to justify repair of the wooden hurdles because they were difficult to clean to an acceptable standard. Further, our stock of hurdles is loaned out to the local pony club and farmers for lambing so it made sense to try to raise funds to replace the stock with metal hurdles.
The award from Blackhill Community Fund allowed us to replace the wooden hurdles with 254 5ft hurdles, and we were also able to purchase 4 metal stacking pallets with which to store and more easily transport the metal hurdles before and after the show period.
Berwickshire County Show attracts a significant number of both local and farther travelled sheep to the breed sections held on the 1st Saturday of August. Last year’s event saw nearly 300 individual sheep entries and over 50 different exhibitors from as far afield as East Lothian, Northumberland and Roxburghshire, and this number is increasing year on year. Good quality, easily assembled sheep accommodation for the show is essential to make best use of time during set up and on the day, while ensuring that animal health standards are met. We are very pleased and proud to have a stock of sheep gates that are useful for show purposes, but can be of use to other groups and farmers during the rest of the year. Many thanks to Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund for making this happen.
Natalie Cormack
Photo Gallery:
Interest Links
Year Completed:
2015
Interest Link Report to Blackhill Windfarm Fund on the grant of £1,500 made in December 2015.
1. Aim
We aimed to benefit 10 people with learning disabilities in Duns and Gavinton, and achieved exactly that (all live in Duns) through the 1:1 links and the four befriending groups we run. Over the whole of Berwickshire, 48 children, young people and adults with learning disabilities benefited, along with over 70 carers. This report covers all our activities in Berwickshire, not just the ones specifically funded by the grant.
We aimed to benefit 10 people with learning disabilities in Duns and Gavinton, and achieved exactly that (all live in Duns) through the 1:1 links and the four befriending groups we run. Over the whole of Berwickshire, 48 children, young people and adults with learning disabilities benefited, along with over 70 carers. This report covers all our activities in Berwickshire, not just the ones specifically funded by the grant.
2. Activities included:
People linked 1-1 have gone fruit picking, to the beach, swimming, walking, making stop animations, going to the cinema, visiting Dunbar, having lunch, drawing, dancing at a Country & Western Club, lunch at Carfraemill, visiting the the Hirsel, visiting Edinburgh Dungeons and going on train journeys o the new Borders Railway.
People linked 1-1 have gone fruit picking, to the beach, swimming, walking, making stop animations, going to the cinema, visiting Dunbar, having lunch, drawing, dancing at a Country & Western Club, lunch at Carfraemill, visiting the the Hirsel, visiting Edinburgh Dungeons and going on train journeys o the new Borders Railway.
The three youth groups (Children’s, Young people’s and ACE groups) did a great range of activities, including: bushcraft and wild play sessions; scrapbooking, Halloween and Christmas parties, going to the panto, group games, film nights, arts and crafts, Decoupage sessions, bingo, parachute games, sock tig, and pottery sessions.
The Children’s Group and Youth Group both had large drama/film projects, which can be seen on the Videos page of our website at www.interestlink.org.uk
2016 Berwickshire Art and Evaluation, with two spin-off films. This was a children’s art project, but with a strong evaluation angle with input from children, volunteers and parents.
2016 Interest Link Through The Ages and 2016 Interest Link News: these were entirely for fun, with heavy use being made of green screen to insert backdrops.
Both sets of films were premiered to group members’ family and friends.
2016 Berwickshire Art and Evaluation, with two spin-off films. This was a children’s art project, but with a strong evaluation angle with input from children, volunteers and parents.
2016 Interest Link Through The Ages and 2016 Interest Link News: these were entirely for fun, with heavy use being made of green screen to insert backdrops.
Both sets of films were premiered to group members’ family and friends.
The adult Coldstream Group had BBQs, played croquet, giant jenga, tried archery, went to the beach at Berwick-on-Tweed where they paddled in the sea, collected shells and flew kites. They enjoyed scrapbooking, a quiz, crocheting, decorating mugs, darts and table football. Something for everyone!
3. The difference made:
The main intended outcomes for the project included (as per Section 3.b. of our application):
It will foster the social networks of people with learning disabilities and increase their community engagement with local organisations, activities and initiatives.
It will overcome the barriers that can prevent them from enjoying a high quality of life, improving their confidence, self-esteem, life skills and physical & mental wellbeing.
It will provide high quality respite for carers, improving their wellbeing and making family life more sustainable.
The main intended outcomes for the project included (as per Section 3.b. of our application):
It will foster the social networks of people with learning disabilities and increase their community engagement with local organisations, activities and initiatives.
It will overcome the barriers that can prevent them from enjoying a high quality of life, improving their confidence, self-esteem, life skills and physical & mental wellbeing.
It will provide high quality respite for carers, improving their wellbeing and making family life more sustainable.
We work to create true and equal friendships and social networks, in the firm belief that these are essential for human happiness. The more specific outcomes we are looking for (happiness, confidence, self-esteem and lifeskills) flow as a natural result of these friendships, and the evidence below hopefully illustrates them in all their diversity. Benefits for carers are also reliable: parents can really enjoy their respite because they know the person they care for is enjoying themselves with trusted friends.
An independent evaluation of the Coldstream Group is attached: this is structured round the outcomes we aimed at for people with learning disabilities, with sections on Happiness, Self-belief and confidence, Lifeskills and Friendship 4 recent case studies are also attached, and look at the benefits to people with learning disabilities and carers.
Quotes from recent evaluation workshops illustrate the wide range of impacts, including those on volunteers.
The parents quotes are probably the best perspective on benefit, for example:
“She feels (one of the volunteers) is the best thing ever, she has made friends here. It’s difficult for her to try new things, this has helped her confidence to try. I remind her how she didn’t want to come to this group to start with and how much she loves it now – so I use it as an example and she’s more likely to try something else.”
“I’d like to say how much I appreciate the brilliant work you guys do and the positive effect you have on S. He really enjoys the group and looks forward to Tuesday nights. He comes home happy and relaxed which has a positive effect on the whole family. S has benefited in so many ways. The group has given him a chance to experience activities with people his own age group – developing his confidence and social skills. A huge “Thank You” to everyone!”
The short evaluation films made by the Children’s Group can be seen at http://www.interestlink.org.uk/videos.htm (Titles are “2016 Berwickshire Art and Evaluation” together with “Parent Interviews” and “Bonus Animation”).
An Impact Report, with quantative data on how many people across Berwickshire experienced each of the outcomes in our application will follow in the New Year.
4. Financial report,
The grant was fully spent on the areas intended (though none was spent on salaries). The breakdown is as follows:
Item £
1:1 Volunteer Activity Costs 356
1:1 Volunteer Travel 718
Group Activity Costs 231
Group Travel 123
Venue Hire 72
Total 1,500
The grant was fully spent on the areas intended (though none was spent on salaries). The breakdown is as follows:
Item £
1:1 Volunteer Activity Costs 356
1:1 Volunteer Travel 718
Group Activity Costs 231
Group Travel 123
Venue Hire 72
Total 1,500
5. Changes to staff
In August 2016 , the role of Berwickshire Co-ordinator was split as it was too large for one person. Judy Kay stayed on to manage the Adult Service, and was joined by Kate Borthwick, a longstanding volunteer who now manages the children and young people’s work
In August 2016 , the role of Berwickshire Co-ordinator was split as it was too large for one person. Judy Kay stayed on to manage the Adult Service, and was joined by Kate Borthwick, a longstanding volunteer who now manages the children and young people’s work
Andrew Findlay, 06 December 2016
Abbey St Bathans, Preston & Bonkyl Community Council
Year Completed:
2015
Grant Recipient: Abbey St Bathans, Preston & Bonkyl Community Council
Grant Awarded: £1000
In 2014 Abbey St Bathans, Preston & Bonkyl Community Council began an extensive community consultation exercise to help us develop a collective vision for future community led regeneration in our area. Following a series of community events, stakeholder interviews and focus group meetings a Community Action Plan was produced which outlined the key projects & activities people in the community wanted to see happen over the next 2-3 years, including a playpark in Preston, a community broadband scheme and a new village hall in Abbey St Bathans. The grant from the Blackhill Community Windfarm Fund contributed towards the cost of printing and distributing a copy the plan to every household in the community council area. A new community organisation, the Preston & Abbey Community Trust has been established to lead on the delivery of these projects and new volunteers, identified through the consultation process, have been recruited onto the board of the Trust. Work is already progressing on a broadband project and a new village hall for Abbey St Bathans.
Photo Gallery:
A Heart For Duns
Year Completed:
2015
Blackhill Wind Farm Community Grant
A Heart for Duns (AHFD) was awarded £4,750.00 in a letter dated 22 August 2014. The grant was for:
Professional Support 3,250.00
Subscriptions and Travel expenses 500.00
Training and Development 1,000.00
In late August 2014 AHFD achieved SCIO status (SC045056). In the period from September to December 2014 AHFD continued to offer a range of events in the Volunteer Hall, Duns while developing its ideas for the future, with a Feasibility Study and Business Plan funded by Big Lottery.
AHFD was also negotiating with Scottish Borders Council (SBC), the tenant and operator of the building, and the Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (LRFCA), the owners, to take on the lease of the Volunteer Hall, following SBC’s decision to focus on premises that it owns and to withdraw from leased venues. Agreement was reached in principle for AHFD to take on the lease with effect from 6 April 2015, with financial support from SBC and in kind support from LRFCA, both for an initial period of three years.
Although the lease has yet to be signed, its terms have been agreed and AHFD did take responsibility for the operation of the Hall on 6 April. In order to achieve this AHFD has appointed an Administration/Events Support Officer, funded in part by the Wind Farm grant, and a Housekeeper, funded from earned income.
In addition volunteers have received a range of training, primarily related to the operation of bars and catering facilities. In addition further training is planned in first aid and for scaffolding safety. The Convenor undertook a media relations course at Carlisle.
Volunteers have also participated in the work of the Borders Touring Network, including attending meetings, visiting theatre groups and performances.
This grant has been crucial to giving AHFD the confidence to take on the operation of the Hall and to safeguarding this popular facility for the people of Duns.
Derek Janes January 2016
Photo - 'The Scratch Choir performing Handel's Messiah in the Volunteer Hall to mark the Hall's 120th anniversary in February 2015'
Borders Talking Newspaper
Year Completed:
2015
We are most grateful to the Trustees of Black Hill Wind Farm Community Fund for the £3408 grant for rent, rates and electricity for our premises in Duns Working Men's Institute. This support has helped enable us to continue to provide our much-valued, reliable service .
Every week, a team of local volunteers produces a free digital audio recording of edited news items from the local papers, which is distributed to anyone who can’t see to read or can’t hold a newspaper. Our service promotes the well-being of our listeners (mostly elderly) by giving them access to news of local events and activities. Being well-informed of local issues helps reduce their social isolation and increase their quality of life.
With over 70 volunteers, we also offer opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to become socially involved and make a contribution to their local community. Retired people share experience gained while working, those who are unemployed benefit from increased self-esteem, and all volunteers develop new skills.
In addition, our regular use and rental payments help to sustain a historic building in Duns.
With many thanks on behalf of our listeners and volunteers from
Wendy E Moss
Wendy Moss (Ms)
Manager, Borders Talking Newspapers
Photo Gallery:
