Welcome to the KDP Bulletin.
Mearns FM is now on DAB Digital Radio, broadcasting across Aberdeen and the Mearns as well as on FM 105–107, RadioPlayer, Radio Garden, and smart speakers. This milestone means your community station is louder, clearer, and more accessible than ever.
Community radio is more than music – it’s about people. At Mearns FM, we deliver local news, celebrate achievements, support events, and give airtime to businesses, charities, musicians, and unsung heroes. We’re neighbours and friends connecting towns and villages across the North East.
We also provide a professional live sound service for public events – from galas and discos to sports days and concerts. Whether you need announcements, background music, or full-stage sound for performers, we’ll make your event shine. Bookings are now open for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026: events@mearnsfm.org.uk.
This autumn, you’ll find us at the Stoney Bonfire Festival, local galas, and school events. Don’t miss our highly popular 80s & 90s Themed Disco Evening in Inverbervie on October 25th, with children’s discos earlier in the day – fantastic fun and vital fundraising for the station.
We’re also developing a ‘Student Sound-Off’ initiative to give young people a platform, from DJ slots to a ‘Student Voice of the Month’ feature. Students, share your thoughts: secretary@mearnsfm.org.uk.
Local businesses can reach thousands of listeners with our highly competitive advertising and sponsorship packages. Special Christmas bundles are now available – contact sales@mearnsfm.org.uk.
Mearns FM runs thanks to 25 volunteer presenters. Every donation helps keep us on air – request a payment link at secretary@mearnsfm.org.uk. Join us at our AGM on Sunday 5th October 2025, 7.30pm at Stonehaven Legion. All welcome.
Get in touch:
- General enquiries: secretary@mearnsfm.org.uk
- Events: events@mearnsfm.org.uk
- Engagement & initiatives: secretary@mearnsfm.org.uk
- Artists: studio@mearnsfm.org.uk
- Presenting: volunteers@mearnsfm.org.uk
- Advertising: sales@mearnsfm.org.uk
The Mickel Fund grants are distributed twice a year with the sole purpose of improving the lives of others through charitable donations in and around Scotland, and where possible on a global scale.
They focus on five core funding priorities:
- the advancement of education
- the prevention or relief of poverty
- the advancement of health and saving of lives
- the advancement of art, heritage, science and culture
- the advancement of public participation in sports.
The application process will re-open on 19th September 2025, and more details can be found on the website.
A new survey co-ordinated by the Aberdeenshire Whole Family Wellbeing Team has been launched for families across Aberdeenshire to help better understand their needs, priorities and experiences. The ‘What Matters to You’ survey explores key areas identified by families themselves, including access to and availability of services, health and wellbeing, finance, behaviour and relationships, employment, housing and living conditions and volunteering. It also includes a space to share anything else that matters.
The insights gathered will play a vital role in informing and shaping future decision-making and service planning across a variety of services in Aberdeenshire. The voices of families really do matter – by participating, families will help to inform services with their planning and while reviewing services and activities within their community.
You can complete the short survey here.
Anyone requiring help to complete the form can contact the Whole Family Wellbeing Team directly on 0800 298 3330 or by email at fwh@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
The aim of People’s Postcode Trust is to support smaller charities and good causes in the 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 (Focus on organisations that actively support specific mental health issues)
The funding offered is unrestricted and therefore flexible. It can be used however it is most needed.
Visit the website for more information.
The fund will reopen to applications on Thursday 25 September and closes 12 noon Monday 6 October.
The Platinum Jubilee Coastal Path project covers the Kincardineshire section of coast as a legacy tribute to her late Majesty.
The Mearns Coastal Heritage Trail (MERCHAT) covers the St Cyrus to Johnshaven coast.
The North East Scotland Coastal Trust (NESCAT) is a newly established charity dedicated to enhancing the unique coastal heritage of Aberdeen City and Shire. NESCAT’s flagship initiative is the creation of a 140-mile coastal walking trail, stretching from the Angus border in the south to the Morayshire border in the north. With an ambition for this world-class trail to become one of Scotland’s Great Trails, celebrating the diverse natural beauty, rich cultural legacy, and vibrant communities along our coast.
Read their latest updates – MERCHAT – Platinum Jubilee Coastal Path
Listed and unlisted Christian places of worship needing major, urgent structural repairs can apply for grants of up to £50,000. The funding, made available through the National Churches Trust’s Large Grants Programme, will cover up to 50% of larger, more complex projects costing over £80,000, incl. VAT.
Funding is also available for projects costing more than £30,000, incl. VAT that improve facilities such as kitchens and accessible toilets, etc to enable increased community use.
Priority will be given to architecturally and historically significant buildings. There is a two-stage application process.
The deadline for stage one applications is midnight on the 4th November 2025. Applicants will be informed of the stage 2 deadline if they are successful at stage 1.
More here.
This year, Challenge Poverty Week is Monday the 6th-Sunday the 12th of October, and the daily themes are:
- Monday – Social Security
- Tuesday – Better Jobs, Pay, Hours, Conditions & Workers Voice
- Wednesday – Better Investment in Life’s Essentials
- Thursday – Better Investment in our Communities
- Friday – Warm Homes, Green Travel, Safe Climate
Tackling Poverty & Inequalities is proposing a collaborative social media effort, and would like to share your good news stories, short case studies, advertisement of services, images, short clips etc. on their social media pages.
They hope to share content relevant to each day’s theme but also advertise what support is available in Aberdeenshire.
The deadline for any content being shared is the 26th of September. Please send to –Rhian Michie rhian.michie@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
The Scottish Government has announced the launch of its new Community Arts Fund, a flagship programme designed to expand access to creative opportunities across the country.
The fund makes up to £320,000 available to support projects that encourage greater participation in the arts at a community level, and is open to community groups and organisations across Scotland, particularly those committed to widening access to cultural experiences.
Eligible organisations can apply for up to £35,000, and the fund is expected to support at least 10 charities.
The closing date for applications is the 18th September 2025. Activities will be delivered between January and December 2026.
Learn more here.
Connecting with Communities is a mobile food service that operates to help rural communities across Aberdeenshire access affordable and healthy goods at a low cost. It is a service that has been developed in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council.
When residents visit the Connecting with Communities van, they have the opportunity to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, and other healthy goods at affordable prices. There is also some additional good quality free FareShare food available which varies from week to week.
The service also provides access to additional support, including access to benefits and budgeting advice, free period products, free recipe cards, and referrals onto other services.
Take a look at their brochure to see where they visit and when. If you have any queries about the service, please contact pantry@cfine.org or 01224 596156.
The second round of SSEN’s Regional Community Benefit Fund is now open. Not for profit organisations throughout SSEN Transmission’s network area can apply for a share of the £2m funding from this round.
The fund priorities are:
- People: Focussing on skills, training and employability
- Place: Emphasising the community and culture of the north of Scotland
- Alleviating Fuel Poverty: Looking at strategic ways to help people across the region
Awards are from a minimum amount of £40,000 up to £500,000, and the application deadline is 12 noon on 19 November 2025, with awards expected to be made in February 2026.
Further details and guidance on eligibility can be found here.
The Hugo Burge Creative Communities fund will go towards supporting organisations, festivals, fairs and community groups that develop and deliver initiatives focusing on culture and creative arts in their local area.
For projects of £10,000 and under, the Hugo Burge Foundation is happy to fund the whole project. For applicants asking for more than £10,000, they ask that a minimum of 30% of the project budget is covered via alternate funding sources.
The maximum award is £15,000, and the next deadline is 30th September.
Visit the website for more information.
Applications are now open for the Scottish Government’s CARES Development Fund, which supports communities to take the first step in either community-owned renewable energy projects or investigating shared ownership, and is open to communities at the start of their community energy journey.
First steps include:
- Raising awareness of your energy project idea.
- Completing an options appraisal to understand the types of projects you might carry out.
- Completing a first step feasibility study to see if your idea might work.
- Funding some staff time to progress your idea.
Grant funding of up to £30,000 is available to cover up to 100% of eligible costs. Funding must be used to meet a key and achievable project milestone by the end of February 2026.
Applications will be open until funding is fully allocated.
Visit the Local Energy Scotland website for more information.
