The aim of the project is to provide recreational facilities to advance the social needs, health and well being and improve the conditions of life for adults living on the West Ardnamurchan peninsula.
Estimated Price
£6,000
The Shed anticipates running regular informal sessions that encourage skills sharing / development. These will include regular drop ins. The drop ins will provide an opportunity for men and women of all backgrounds and abilities to take part in a variety of skills and crafts in a safe, welcoming and accessible space. These will be supervised by experienced volunteers from the community who have the requisite skills. The types of activities will be mainly vocational such as woodworking, repairing and recycling items and other activities of interest such as crafts, knitting and sewing. In addition to the informal drop ins, we aim to provide a repair and recycle cafe, pop up event on a monthly basis. Where residents can bring along items and enjoy a soup, tea, coffee and cake. Whether it is a drop in, or the repair cafe, members of the community can just meet up and enjoy a chat or just enjoy the company of others, whilst achieving our aim of reducing social isolation and lonlieness and promoting wellbeing. This is particularly important in the West Ardnamurchan area being a geographically isolated peninsula with extremely limited public transport and lack of facilities and would provide much needed opportunities for social engagement, especially during the autumn and winter months where isolation is exacerbated by the closing of/or restricted opening of some local facilities outside of the main tourist season.
We also intend to support other local groups including our Community Garden and Community Centre providing a social hub for Kilchoan. Ewans Room a local well being / mental health charity has also expressed support and a desire for joint working in the future. A community engagement event held at our Show and Sports day last July also saw local support for the project.
Presently we have applied for and received charitable staus (SCO54452) and have opened a bank account in the name of 'Kilchoan Community Shed' as part of formalising the project. In addition we are in the final process of securing a lease for the University of the Highlands and Islands building situated in Kilchoan. The University of the Highlands and Islands have been very supportive of the project and we hope to have the lease signed by July. We have applied for Natiional Lottery Funding to help cover opening costs, refurbishment and purchase of tools.. We expect to hear if we are successful in May. Mowi and the Peregrine Trust, two local charities have also funded us to a total of £2,500 to go towards opening costs.
Additional funding would be required to asssist with the provision of materials for the workshop and to cover costs associated with the planned repair cafe. It is anticipated that we would be self funding after the first two years through the sale of products and donations for services provided.
By supporting the Kilchoan Community Shed you will be meeting the objectives set out in the Lochaber Area Place Plan, having joint aims in the following categories:-
providing opportunities for recreation and social engagement that meet the needs and interests of all residents. Enriching lives and strengthen the bonds within our community
increase dedicated programs to support physical and mental health
strengthen support for third sector organisations, community groups and clubs providing services within the communities
increase the range of inclusive and affordable activities to accomodate varied interests and age groups across Lochaber
provide community spaces for social engagement and drop ins for all ages
provide resources and funding to communities with limited capacity or resilience
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