Welcome to the KDP Bulletin.
We are delighted to add a new regular feature to the Bulletin – the ‘Spotlight On’ will focus on a KDP member; allowing you to introduce your group and tell people a bit about what you do. We’d like to hear about events you have organised, projects you are working on, etc. You might also want to mention any volunteer opportunities you have. If you would like your group to be featured, please get in touch with margo@kdp.scot. This is a great opportunity to spread the word on what you are up to and reach new people.
To kick us off, let’s hear from the inspiring OaKley ASN.
Oakley ASN is building a new purpose-designed facility at Coneyhatch, just outside Stonehaven, where children and young people with Additional Support Needs (ASN) will have the space and resources they need to thrive. It’s been a tough journey. Raising funds, overcoming multiple planning hurdles, and cutting through countless rolls of red tape – it’s felt like climbing a mountain…in socks. But here we are, at the final stretch, and we can see the finish line ahead.
This much needed centre will be a place where children and young people can play, learn, and develop life skills in a safe, welcoming environment. With sensory rooms, role-play areas, and an accessible learning kitchen, this will be a space that meets their unique needs and supports their growth.
Our commitment doesn’t stop with the children. We’ve also worked hard to develop EmbraceWell, a program designed to support the caregivers who often face isolation and emotional exhaustion. By focusing on their mental health and wellbeing, we’re ensuring that families have the strength and resources to care for their loved ones.
We’ve come this far, but we still need help to cross the finish line. A few more volunteers, some extra hands, and continued support are all we need to complete this facility and provide the vital services our community relies on. Whether you have skills to offer, time to give, or ideas to share, your contribution will make a huge difference. Get in touch with us today to find out how you can be part of the journey! Visit OaKley or email info@oakleyasn.org to learn more.
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
There is a fund of £24,247.09, split equally between the two areas. In addition, Arbuthnott has a historical overspend of £2,425.37, giving a fund total of £9,698.17, and Catterline, Kinneff & Dunnottar has a historical underspend of £11,260.18 giving a fund total of £23,383.73.
Guidance Notes and Application Forms are available on the KDP website.
Closing date – 31st March 2025.
If you have any questions or require support with an application, contact Margo@kdp.scot.
If you make use of playparks in Stonehaven or Laurencekirk, get involved and vote for new play equipment.
There are 4 designs to choose from, provided by different suppliers. Voting is open until 17 March and the supplier with the most votes will be selected to begin upgrading the playparks.
The funds for this project come solely from the Scottish Government Play Park Renewal Fund, allowing the community to decide how the funds are allocated.
Get involved here.
The McCarthy Stone Foundation will support grant awards up to £7,500 to over 20 dementia clubs and memory cafes across the country, all of which play a vital role in supporting people in their communities.
You must be working with adults over 65 years of age and specifically be providing services which assist people with Dementia and/or their Carers. This might include services like the provision of Dementia Memory Café’s or Carer courses.
Apologies for the tight timescale – this fund closes on Friday 14th March at 5pm, however it is a short online application form.
More information and to apply can be found on the website.
Tackling Poverty & Inequalities are hosting a Cash First, Human Rights and Dignity Workshop on Tuesday the 25th of March from 10.00am-4pm, at Woodhill House, Aberdeen.
It is aimed at organisations and groups who are delivering, about to deliver or would like more information about a Cash First approach.
By the end of the workshop, they hope people will have:
- a good understanding of the legal and policy background to cash first, the right to food and dignity
- ideas about how a cash first approach can ensure dignity
- reflect on how community food and emergency food projects can promote and safeguard dignity
- explore how to mitigate risk in a cash first approach
- ideas about how community and emergency food projects can work with, support and complement a cash first approach
Book your tickets here.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Macrae at Jennifer.macrae2@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
The National Churches Trust Medium Grant programme offers funding of up to £10,000 towards urgent and essential maintenance and repair projects costing up to £80,000.
Also project development and investigative work up to RIBA planning stage 1, to support churches preparing for a major project, and in developing their project to the point at which they can approach a major grant funder.
Grants will never exceed 50% of the net project costs.
Visit the website for more information.
Aberdeenshire Community Learning & Development service, in collaboration with Youth Scotland, will be delivering various youth work training sessions on Saturday 29th March at Inverurie . This learning opportunity is available for all new or existing community organisations/volunteers delivering or wishing to deliver universal youth work provision in their communities.
On the Day
- Volunteers/organisations will have the opportunity to participate in various practical training workshops, discuss ideas, challenges and possible solutions with regards to universal community based youthwork.
- Volunteers/organisations will have the opportunity to share good practice and foster peer support between groups & Individuals.
For further information contact: douglas.findlay@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Booking is essential.
The Vattenfall Unlock our Future Fund is now open to applications from community groups. Up to £20,000 can be awarded to support practical climate action projects which will reduce the carbon emissions of their services and activities.
This can include things like energy efficiency measures and renewable energy generation for community buildings, purchase of electric vehicles to deliver valued community services, and projects which support local food growing and waste reduction.
The closing date is 12th May.
Visit the Foundation Scotland website to find out more.
There will be an online information seminar on 17th March at 7pm – you can register here, and you can book a one-to-one advice session about your application on 23rd or 24th March here.
Sea-Changers are pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 Coastal Fountain Fund.
The purpose of the fund is to reduce the impact of single-use plastic water bottles on coastal habitats by funding communities to purchase water drinking fountains and install them for public use in busy or environmentally important areas. So far they have funded 40 fountains around the UK.
Grants of up to £2,500 are available, per applicant, towards the cost of a fountain.
They welcome applications from all types of not-for-profit organisations who have identified a need and are well-placed to get the stakeholder involvement needed to make the project a success.
The closing date for applications is Friday 25th April 2025.
More here.
A new Scottish Government survey will help develop the forthcoming Rural Delivery Plan and is an opportunity to take a fresh look at how to bring about change and address the issues in mainland rural Scotland.
Rural Scotland accounts for 98% of the land mass of Scotland and 17% of the population.
The Rural Delivery Plan will cover a range of areas, such as agriculture, transport, housing, health and social care, marine, land reform, population, skills, digital connectivity and economic development.
Please find the link to the survey here.
The Survey is open until 17th March.
The aim of People’s Postcode Trust is to support smaller charities and good causes in Scotland to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.
They support projects under the following categories:
- Enabling participation in physical activity
- Enabling participation in the arts
- Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
- Supporting marginalised groups and tackling inequality
- Improving biodiversity and responding to the climate emergency
- Improving green spaces and increasing access to the outdoors
- Providing support to improve mental health
The funding offered is unrestricted and therefore flexible. It can be used however it is most needed.
The first round of funding for 2025 is 24th March 9am to 31st March 12 noon.
Visit the website for more information.
