July 2017 Volume 23 Issue 6

The Merkinch community newsletter, entirely written, produced and printed in the Merkinch, and delivered by volunteers.

ChangesChanges atat the the Clay Clay Studio Stu- Karate Black Belt Grading Brings Success for Students

As of the 1st of June, Arts in Merkinch are no longer running The Clay Studio and will be concentrating their efforts on the future of The Bike Shed. The Clay Studio will become a social enterprise and will be run by Johanne Kemp.

Johanne is a recent graduate of UHI’s Art Department and she is also a Merkinch resident. She is appealing for help from anyone interested in the future of this facility and in particular is looking for help with running workshops, marketing and general studio support.

Karate Alba held a very successful Black Belt grading where NINE top students successfully graded 1st Dan Black Belt and TWO graded up to 2nd Dan Black Belt. All students trained extremely hard and diligently over a number of years to reach the high standard of Black Belt required by Karate Alba's chief instructor Sensei Dolina Ross. Two Merkinch Senior Students were amongst those who successfully passed their grading. Continued on page 8...

IF ANYONE CAN HELP AND WANTS TO BE PART OF THE NEW ADVENTURE OF THE CLAY STUDIO, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH!

The studio will remain an important part of the

community as a creative hub with workshops for young Learn about seed germination and grow and old, promoting local and emerging artists. your own plant in this fun experiment. Continued on Page 7... See page 11...

Inside Merkinch Arts in Merkinch Boxing Club Partnership Merkinch Sports this News… News... News... News... month: page 3 page 5 Pages 6 & 7 page 10 2 News & Views Events News - Old & New !

Getting Together Over Lunch SKRA Super Sunday

The Big Lunch, pictured below, or Great Get-Together Gala Funday as it's also known, was a big success. We were delighted that approximately 150 folk enjoyed lunch together. Inverness Christian Fellowship made a lovely spread and many folk took ‘doggy bags’ home. Some of the children enjoyed balloon modelling after lunch while the adults were chatting th and meeting new people. 9 of July 12.00pm to 4.00pm

In the backfield between Craigton Avenue and Carnarc Crescent

Free entry and parking!

Barbeque, Stalls, Car boot, Pipe band, Line dancing, DJ Duffy, Rodeo, Mascots and an inflatable Mack!

A great day out for all to enjoy!

For more info you can find us on Facebook or contact Alex on

07484 174249

Volunteers Needed to Deliver the News & Views We need help on the following routes/areas. Each route takes approximately 1 to 2 hours per month to complete. If you can help, please contact us.

Abbey Courts, (old & new) Abban Street Anderson Street Cameron Square Cameron Road Carse Road Glendoe Terrace Grant Street Telford Court Kilmuir Road Kilmuir Court Lochalsh Road Maclennan Crescent Pumpgate Lower Kessock St Rosehaugh Kessock Ave Mill Court

Please call in at 12 Grant Street or ring 240085 if you can help. Thank you.

S E R E N I T Y

Madras Street Hall Serenity is a drop-in centre for females SUNDAY — CHURCH SERVICE — with borderline personality disorder 5PM (BPD) and runs every Monday 10.30am to 1.30pm at Merkinch Community SUNDAY — SUNDAY SCHOOL — Centre. 5PM, DURING CHURCH SERVICE The drop-in is facilitated by people with TUESDAY — BIBLE DISCUSSION experience of BPD and was set up to GROUP — 7PM take people out of isolation and to start socialising. THURSDAY — ROAD TO RECOVERY — 7.30PM At Serenity, we share experiences which is all confidential, have guest speakers CONTACT — TEL: 01463 715809 / and we do arts and crafts activities. 01463 231981 Contact details

Email: [email protected] Madras Street Hall Twitter: #serenity Facebook: Serenity 41 Madras Street Contact: 07523 488163 July 2017 3 Boxing Club News...

"Young Guns" Boxing Results

 Ben Bartlett won his fight against Dundee's David Barty supported by more than 60 of his friends and family and earned a trophy for best boxer of the night at the Ironworks.

 Steven Munro won his bout against Bruce Turriff from Peterhead.

 Callum Turnbull just lost out against Inverness City ABC Boxers have George Reid from Arbroath. been settling into their new base at the Merkinch Welfare  Peter John Stewart lost his fight on a split Hall after moving from their decision against James Dewer from Perth. nearby Carse location. Their new venue is well equipped and provides facilities for all. The main part of the hall houses the ring and punch bags while there is an area set aside for circuit training. The latest toilet  Graeme Anderson was also beaten after a and shower facilities are available for all to use as well. very close contest against Aberdeen's Scott Murray. "I am delighted to be here and there's already a great atmosphere just like our last place. I always want to capture the atmosphere. It allows everyone to work together, closely enough that I can still shout at them  Chudrik Rafael lost his fight against too. The facilities are exactly what we need. Even the showers for male and female boxers make a real Peterhead's Jack Turriff after a split difference. It may not seem like much in comparison to some gyms but we are a boxing club and these decision. things matter."

"When our club was set up we were at the Cameron Youth Centre, but we had a lot of Merkinchers come along. Hopefully, we can be producing champions from here before long."

The boxers recently took part in the "Young Guns" boxing event held at the Ironwroks on Academy Street (see results above). There was a lot of focus on the emerging talent taking on visiting fighters from around .

4 News & Views Walk on the Wild Side

The Walk on the Wild Side project returns for a second year with participants taking part in activities ranging from mountain biking, bushcraft, fishing, gorge walking and canoeing. The most recent outing was a canoeing trip up the through Loch Dochfour and into Loch Ness.

The project will run several events during the summer and then in partnership with Inverness High School will offer 18 places to pupils from August through to November. The groups of young people will be taken out into the countryside to take part in adventurous activities designed to stretch their imagination, build their team building and socialising skills, take them outside of their comfort zone and challenge them both physically and mentally.

The project is

Inverness Boxing Club run by Merkinch Partnership and is funded by the National Lottery through the Merkinch Welfare Hall Opening Times Awards For All scheme.

Boys and Girls aged 5 years to 9 years Monday, Wednesday & Friday - 4.30pm till 5.30pm

Boys and Girls aged 10 years to 14 years Monday to Friday - 5.30pm till 6.30pm

Senior Male and Female Monday to Friday - 6.30pm till 8.00pm

Open to All Saturday and Sunday - 10.00am till 12.00pm

Additional fitness classes coming soon.

INVERNESS TRINITY FOR LEASE: Nicol's CHURCH of SCOTLAND Alastair Stewart

“We aim to be a welcoming fellowship, proclaiming in Corner Shop premises worship the gospel of Jesus Christ, ready to serve with & Son compassion the needs of the community.” Approx. 2800 sq. ft. of storage

Your Parish Church Memorials Ltd & sales space within shop Rev Alistair Murray BD. premises at Nicol's Corner

Sunday Services 11.00am Shop 53, 55 & 57 Grant Street, (Kidzone & Crèche during the Morning Service) Granite Memorials at Inverness. Induction Loop System KEEN prices.

Girls’ Brigade meets Mondays 6.30pm Building comprises of 4 Basement Boys’ Brigade meets Fridays 6.00pm Additional inscriptions in areas - Ground floor shop area - 1st floor has 4 rooms and stairs plus All Welcome any cemetery. small storage room, small The Church Halls are available for children’s parties. kitchenette - WC - 2nd floor has 4 For a colour brochure ring rooms with sloping ceilings. We also collect scrap metal free of charge. White goods such as washing machines are acceptable but not fridges or freezers. Provisional Offers for lease

Anyone interested can contact us via the Church Facebook (min 5 year) being accepted page, by email: 01463 710178 [email protected] now. or by phoning the Church Office and leaving a message on 221490. Contact: Trevor Nicol (www.trinityinverness.org.uk) 12-14 Carsegate Road North, Email: [email protected] Inverness Trinity Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity (SC015432) Inverness, IV3 8DU Text: 07858 120333 July 2017 5 Merkinch Partnership News...

Merkinch Partnership is delivering a range of projects and activities in the coming year:

Employability programme Funded by PCF & DAF – Work Club drop-in sessions, one to one employability skills, digital skills, Universal Credit claims, drop-in benefits advice service. Extended service to 5 days per week 9.30am to 4.00pm due to increased demand.

Merkinch Activity Group Funded by Big Lottery (3 year grant), Scottish Gov’t Resilience Fund & Tesco Bags of Help– addressing social isolation and loneliness, providing opportunities for people to take part in learning and socialising activities which will include walks and visits to local visitor destinations in Inverness and surrounding areas, arts & crafts, drop-in coffee mornings, digital skills, local history, creative writing, photography for 15 hours per week.

Fit for the Future Funded by Children in Need (end of Year 1) – health improvement and sports activities for young people aged from 5 to 18 years, in partnership with Merkinch School and Inverness High School (multi sports, girls football, Flag football, free running, mountain biking and forest walks).

Employability skills 16 to 24 years Funded by PCF & DAF – one to one caseload work with 50 young people delivering mentoring and employability skills.

Goals for the Future Year 2, funded by People’s Health Trust & DAF – youth development project through football training sessions, football league matches and employability skills.

Walk on the Wild Side Funded by Awards for All – outdoors project for young people aged from 14 to 18 years who are in part time education or at risk of being excluded from school, in partnership with Inverness High School. Activities include bushcraft, fishing, canoeing, wood working and gorge walking.

Merkinch Football Academy Stand-alone group – project support, volunteer development and capacity building.

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve & For the Right Reasons Project support and funding applications. Above: Some of the young people in the Goals for the Future project took part in mountain If you are interested in any of these activities and want to find out more please contact Anne on biking on 7th June at Rothiemurchus. It was 01463 718989 or 07872014520. hard work but they all enjoyed it. 6 News & Views Arts News For details of events or other enquiries, please ring 01463 719712 What's On 2017

WEEKLY EVENTS The Clay Studio

33 Grant Street

MONDAYS Merkinch INVERNESS 10.30am - 3.30pm The Crafting Crowd Bring your own project and join this IV3 8AJ sociable group. Phone: 01463 719712 7.00pm - 9.00pm Pol-UK Creative Writing Group Email: [email protected] This group is always open to new Web: www.artsinmerkinch.org.uk members.

TUESDAYS

1.30pm - 3.30pm Blazing Needles If you are interested in knitting or crochet, then this large and welcoming group is for you.

WEDNESDAYS Blazing Needles News 10.00am - 12.00pm The Men's Shed Providing workshops in a huge range of Blazing Needles are a friendly knitting subjects as well as getting involved in and stitching group. We welcome any assisting local groups, these sessions are old and new members. the ideal introduction to the group.

We are planning to be at the Highlands THURSDAYS th th Games on the 15 and 16 of July. 4.30pm - 9.00pm Merkinch Theatre Group Juniors 4.30pm - 5.30pm, seniors Our Summer outing is planned for the 6.00pm - 7.00pm and adults 7.30pm - beginning of August and we are 9.00pm. Whether you're interested in hoping to go to Kincraig Wildlife Park. onstage or off there's a space for you.

Merkinch Theatre Group have two exciting shows on offer on Saturday 1st July

nd The Juniors will present “ALL ABOARD ADVENTURE” at 2.00pm - 5.00pm 2 July 11.00am with tickets at only £3.00

Join the Washbucklers, the most daring, brave, and adventurous pirate laundry service on all of Pirate Island. When they are finally offered their first chance to go on a real pirate treasure hunt, can the gang overcome cursed swords, mythical beings, and, worst of all, sea-sickness to finally become real pirates on the high seas?

The Senior Group’s show is called “SO, THERE IS THIS HOUSE...... ” and they are presenting it at 4.00pm with tickets Meeting at the Floral Hall in the foyer at £5.00 You may buy tea or coffee from the cafe a limited amount of art supply will be available. So, there's this house, a dark house, a ruined place. It sits at the end of a bleak street, in the middle of dead woodland, burned out on An art group not a tutor led class wasteland. Full of memories, full of stories, full of ghosts. Urban myths for more information email: that are just a bit too true, nightmares that walk on two legs. A horror story that always starts the same way. So, there's this house... [email protected] July 2017 7 Arts News For details of events or other enquiries, please ring 01463 719712 Changes at the Clay Studio..

Looking for a creative space to work on your art? Why not try the community space, pictured right, at The Clay Studio!

You will have use of all the facilities and we can provide you with some materials to get you started and arrange times that suit you. All that we ask for is an open donation to the studio. Studio space available:

The Clay Studio 33 Grant Street Inverness IV3 8BN

 £60 per month  24 hour access  Wi-Fi  Use of all facilities

If you are interested, please contact Johanne on:

Above: Studio space is available at The Clay Studio. 01463 719712 Above: The Community Space at The Clay Studio

Saturday Kids Art Club will run from 10.00am - 12 noon on the 1st, 15th and 29th of July

Feel Good with Art Thursday 6th July 10 am—12pm £5.00

Promoting mental health and wellbeing through the therapy of art.

An introduction to art in mixed media.

Contact the studio for further information for further details and booking. Message @The Clay Studio on Facebook or call Johanne on 01463 719712 8 News & Views

Black Belt Grading Success Diner Sloppy Joes The two Merkinch Karate Club senior students who were among those who successfully graded were Caroline Black and Aidin Donaghue.

Caroline Black achieved 1st Dan Black Belt after training hard for over 5 years. She made tremendous personal development over the years with regards to increased self esteem, anger management and respect, in addition to Prep: 5 min learning all that is required Time to cook: 30 min to achieve Black Belt level Above: Aidin Donaghue and Caroline Serves: 6 in Karate. Caroline is very Ingredients Black from Merkinch successfully passed highly regarded in the club their black belt grading. where she helps teach junior  1 tbsp vegetable oil grades.

 1 onion, finely chopped Aidin Donaghue (age 16) was awarded 2nd Dan Black Belt  2 red peppers or yellow peppers, finely chopped following a gruelling, dynamic and highly charged grading. Aidin started training at Merkinch Karate Club 10 years ago at  2 garlic cloves, crushed age 6 years. He is affectionately known as "Flash" by junior members due to his fast movement. Aidin recently won two  400g minced beef Bronze medals at the Scottish National Championships in Edinburgh and has the potential to progress to being a  2 x 400ml cans chopped tomatoes National Team member in future. He is a great role model for  2 tbsp chipotle or smoky barbecue sauce all Merkinch Karate Club junior members.

 4 cheese slices Sensei Dolina Ross is extremely proud of all her Black Belts and the standard they all displayed during their grading.  6 burger buns Merkinch Karate Club train at Merkinch Community Centre  crispy onions, to serve every Wednesday evening and will enrol new members after  iceberg lettuce, to serve the summer holidays.

Method

1. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan, then fry the onion, pepper and garlic for 8-10 mins until softened. Mother Teresa is quoted as saying: ‘Being alone and unwanted is the 2. Add the mince, breaking it up with a wooden World’s biggest disease’ spoon as you go, and stir until it browns all over. Contact the Elderly is a national charity that aims to soften the loneliness and 3. Tip in the tomatoes and chipotle, or barbecue isolation experienced by older people who live alone with little support from family or friends and who find it difficult to get out on their own. sauce, and add a little seasoning. Would YOU like to join us one Sunday afternoon a month to help bring some 4. Simmer for 10-15 mins until the sauce has friendship into your own and other people’s lives - it’s fun - a small group goes to thickened. one of our volunteer hosts homes for a couple of hours - a cup of tea and a blether! A car with a volunteer driver will come and pick you up.

5. Put the cheese slices on top of the mince and Do you live on your own, don’t get out much, do not have many family or friends cover with a lid for 2 mins to let it melt into the visiting, have nothing to do on a Sunday and find it a long lonely day? Then call the number below and join us on the outings. sauce. Do you have an older neighbour or a member of your family who is lonely? Are 6. Pile into the buns with the crispy onions, and you a Health Professional who works with older people? Go tell them about us. lettuce on the side for scooping up the extra Or let us know about them. Contact the number below for details.

sauce. LOCAL CONTACT : Jillian Walker 01463 216124 [email protected] July 2017 9 Upcycling Classes Give New Lease of Life to Unloved Items

New Start are part-way through their 5th “4-week” upcycling classes practising upholstery, painting and wood-working techniques on donated items that have seen better days.

The aim of the classes is to get local folks involved in the new “upcycling” craze that has seen unwanted, brown furniture; old scratched furniture; chairs with grubby seat covers; etc given a make-over. The classes are FREE! If 9 Carsegate Road North you have something at home that has sentimental value but needs a bit of Inverness IV3 8DU “tender loving care”, or brightening up but you haven’t known where to start, contact New Start Tel: 01463 715615 and find out when their next class is available.

By finding new ways of re-using the items of furniture, bits of bikes, washing machine parts, bedheads and bed slats that have been donated to New Start Highland, the project has saved many tonnes being sent to landfill. New Start Highland have been given funding by Climate Challenge Fund to reduce the amount of household items going to waste and helping to reduce carbon emissions.

“We want people to see that they can have something unique, bespoke and right on trend without having to spend much, just some paint, material and a bit of time. We can give you the skills that will let you do this again and again, or come along as a volunteer, continue to help us after having completed your class.” “Three people who came along to our training have decided to take it further and are setting up in business, a fantastic outcome for them and for the environment.”

This project has attracted a great mix of people and the classes are booked up to the end of July, but we hope to run some one-day courses through the summer to bring in some of these new skills.

More “yarn-bombing”, knitting and crocheting; lampshade making, bag making to name but a few. If you have upcycling skills that you want to pass on, please get in touch!

Church of God Pentecostal Church

Pre-Application Consultation Event on the proposed development of Merkinch Primary & Family Centre Campus A public exhibition of the proposals for a new Merkinch School & Family Centre Campus will be hosted at the following locations:

Family Centre Monday 3rd July between 1-3pm

Merkinch Community Centre Tuesday 18th July between 1-7pm Every Wednesday Welfare Hall Tea, Coffee & Fellowship Thursday 20th July 1-7pm 11.00am - 2.00pm

The exhibition will be open to all members of the community and 6 North Church Place, off Friars' Street, Inverness IV1 1PF there will be a drop box for comments.

PLEASE NOTE: No application has been submitted to the Highland Council in relation to this proposal. Any comments made to the Published by Merkinch Enterprise prospective applicant at this time are not representations to the 14 Grant Street, Inverness IV3 8BL council and would not be considered as part of any future application. Tel: 01463 240085 Fax: 01463 717977 email: [email protected] If the prospective applicant subsequently submits a formal application for planning permission there will be an opportunity to make Merkinch News & Views always welcomes input from readers. representations on that application to the Council. If you have an idea for an article, any comments or questions, please get in touch with us at the above address.

Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or of Merkinch Enterprise. 10 News & Views

Sports News Merkinch Sports News Merkinch Sports News

Merkinch Football Academy Report Over 100 kids took part in the CORBETT CUP at Merkinch Primary School last Saturday. This is Merkinch Football Academy's annual competition and this year they received funding from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation who support charity causes in local communities.

Peter Corbett from the Football Academy said "Glorious weather encouraged many parents, grandparents and other family members to come along to support the children. All Finals were very close with two penalty shoot- outs in the Primary 2/3 and Primary 4/5 competitions and just one goal separating the Primary 6/7 finalists."

RESULTS

Duncan Forbes beat Merkinch in the Primary 2/3 Final by a penalty shoot-out and Mikey Mackenzie (Merkinch) received Player of the Tournament.

Merkinch beat in the Primary 4/5 Final by a penalty shoot-out and Luke Hurry (Kinmylies) received Player of the Tournament.

Muirtown beat Merkinch 1-0 in the Primary 6/7 Final and Innes Davidson () received Player of the Tournament.

Above: Merkinch Primary winners of Primary 4/5 competition.

In addition to the Corbett Cup action the Merkinch Girls S1 - S2 team took part in some drills and games at Caley Park, pictured above, on Thursday 1st Above: Muirtown Primary winners of June, along with over 100 girls from all Primary 6/7 competition. over the Highlands.

Right middle: Duncan Forbes winners of Primary 2/3 competition.

Left: George McIntyre from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation presenting one team member with her medal.

Right: The medal presentation ceremony.

July 2017 11

Free Funded Childcare Plant Seeds & Watch Is your child aged 2, 3 or 4? Then you may be entitled Them Grow! to free funded childcare, up to 16 hours per week. Learn about seed germination with

To enrol your child for starting in August then please this fun science experiment. Plant pop into the nursery for enrolment forms or call some seeds and follow the growth of Stacey or Lauren on 01463 234232. They can also be the seedlings as they sprout from the contacted by email at [email protected] soil while making sure to take proper care of them with just the right Please feel free to call and arrange a visit to the amount of light, heat and water. Nursery where the staff will only be too happy to help. You can view the learning opportunities that we have What you'll need available and have a tour of our setting, our garden and our famous mud kitchen.  Fresh seeds of your choice such as

pumpkins seeds, sunflower seeds, lima beans or pinto beans.

 Good quality soil (loose, aerated, lots of peat moss), or buy potting soil at your local garden centre.

 A container to hold the soil and your seeds

 Water

 Light and heat

Instructions:

 Fill the container with soil.  Plant the seeds inside the soil.  Place the container somewhere warm, Fliperz Fun Day sunlight is good but try to avoid too much direct sunlight, a window sill is a On Saturday 10th June, Fliperz held a Fun Day at Merkinch Community Centre and raised £493. The money good spot. raised will go straight back into the nursery for learning resources for the children.  Keep the soil moist by watering it everyday (be careful not to use too A huge thank you to all the children and parents who attended and raised the funds. It was a great fun much water). morning for all the family. The manager and staff are already looking forward to next year’s fun day as its  Record your observations as the seeds going to be bigger and better. germinate and seedlings begin to sprout from the seeds.

We would like to thank the following local businesses for all their help:

 Perfection Hair and Beauty Salon @ The Craigmonie What's happening?

Hotel  Merkinch Community Centre Hopefully after a week of looking after  Kreative Kuts by Kerry  Aquadome them, your seedlings will be on their way.  Rogers Newsagents  Starbucks For seedlings to grow properly from a  Abba Bouncy Castle  Superdrug seed they need the right conditions.  Landmark Water and oxygen are required for seeds  Farmfoods to germinate. Many seeds germinate at a  B&M Superstore  Smyths Toys Superstore temperature just above normal room  Heavely Nails  Hobby Craft temperature but others respond better to warmer temperatures, cooler

temperatures or even changes in Fliperz Availability temperature. While light can be an important trigger for germination, some We currently have childcare spaces available for children aged 2-5 in the Nursery and also for children aged 5-12 in seeds actually need darkness to our Out of School Club. If you are interested in bringing your little one along to join our Fliperz Fun then please pop in germinate, if you buy seeds it should or call Stacey for more information. mention the requirements for that specific type of seed in the instructions. We have private and funded places available. Tel 01463 234232 or email [email protected] Continue to look after your seedlings and Prices are as follows: monitor their growth. For further  Full Day £25.00 (8.30 - 5.30) experiments you could compare the growth rates of different types of seeds or  Half Day £15.00 (am or pm) & Full Week £115.00 the effect of different conditions on their  Out of School Club £9.00 per session growth. 12 News & Views

St Michael & All Angels Scottish Episcopal Church, Abban Street

Sundays in July Family Mass 9.45am

ALL WELCOME

11.00am - 12.30pm on Tuesdays

You are welcome to come to the hall for tea and biscuits.

Priest: Revd Canon Dr John Cuthbert

Web site: www.stmichaelschurchinverness.org

For information on Christenings, Weddings and other ceremonies or events

Tel: 01463 233797

Azhar, now 18, is a local lad from Merkinch. Azhar is a 2016 graduate of the Day1 Program, and he had a fantastic year with his volunteer Day1 mentor, Kenny. Azhar was referred to the Day1 program in his 4th year of secondary school and was unsure of his next steps. The following is Azhar describing the Day1 program in his own words:

“What I liked most about having a mentor, was that it was pretty cool having someone there to keep you right. My mentor was also into similar things as me which made it fun. I could literally ask my mentor to do anything and he would be up for it. My mentor helped me with a CV and settling into a workplace setting by letting me know what was expected at work - which was very different from school! I could relax with my mentor, as he wouldn’t pressurise me, and I think everyone needs that kind of mature friend in their lives – someone who I could ask advice from but not be lectured by. Day 1 Graduation Day. Azhar (2nd left). I would like to be a volunteer Day1 mentor, because if I can teach people to big themselves up (like my mentor did with me) then they will do that more often – and that’s how you become independent, motivated, individual and successful.”

Azhar is now a mixologist at Johnnie Foxes in Inverness, with big plans for his future. We, at Day1, are fortunate that these plans involve us and Azhar will be organising and launching a community fundraising campaign for Day1 in the near future – so watch this space!

Volunteer Mentors are the key to the Day1 program’s success. Year on year, 94% of our program graduates are in employment, education or training at the end of their year with their mentor, with 89% of graduates still in a sustainable positive destination 5 years on.

Day 1 are a Scottish based charity providing young people between the ages of 14 to 17 with a year long one-to- one befriending and mentoring service, the aim of which is not only to help them discover a positive direction in their lives but also to move into work.

How you can get involved: Volunteer as a DAY1 Mentor Visit our social enterprise www.invernesskartraceway.co.uk Volunteer your skills (all profits go to the Day1 program) Website: www.day1.uk.com Email: [email protected]