CommUnity News

Issue 1 18th May 2020

It’s all right to ask for help At a recent meeting of Collaboration, it was agreed there was a need to start a cam- paign to persuade everyone to realise that it’s all right to ask for help during this time. Neighbours are ready and willing to help and there is government funding to support initiatives. This is a piece written by Marianne Worthy of who has asked for help and realises how crucial that help is. By asking for help, you are helping your community and the NHS, as we all want to keep eve- ryone safe. Your community is there for you, so remember to ask for help.

Because I am over 70 years old, live on my she boxes my order of butter, milk etc so all I own, and had a cough and cold when we went have to do is tap my card and jump in the car. into lock down I decided to self-isolate myself. I Clive and Carol from Kintail Crafts will do ex- could never have done this without the amazing actly the same, they have all been wonderful. help from the local community. Anne Campbell With the weather having been amazing Donald has been fantastic, she phones me every week Mackintosh from plants brings over before she goes to Kyle and brings me all my compost and bedding plants so I really do feel fresh vegetables and fruit. I email Lochalsh I am the luckiest person in the world. I don’t Butchers, and they have said they would deliver know what I would have done if it hadn’t been but I have always been lucky and someone has for the kindness of the local community, I am kindly picked up my order which is all ready and so grateful to them all. I wish I could do some- waiting. When I phone Linda Carr at Inverinate, thing in return. Lochalsh Collaboration leads Lochalsh Community Response

Lochalsh Collaboration, set up a year ago, has really come into its own as a way of quickly col- laborating on community responses to the Covid-19 crisis. The Lochalsh Community Response group meets weekly, by Zoom, led by Pam Noble, Chair of Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust CommUnity News

Welcome message from Pam Noble, Chair of KLCT Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust is communities in Lochalsh and think of how we pleased to welcome you to the first Lochalsh- could help resolve some of them. So we wide newsletter keeping you up to date with all planned a big consultation to try and include that’s going on throughout Lochalsh. We’re in- as many people as possible, but we knew cluding information about things that are hap- that we would need somebody to coordinate pening in the Kyleakin area as there have al- all the work. Around summer of last year the ways been strong connections between Kyle Scottish Government announced a fund – In- and Kyleakin. We’re grateful to Highlands and vesting in Communities – to support commu- Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Govern- nities wanting to work together to find solu- ment for providing funding to enable us to get tions for local issues. It was perfect timingso this up and running during the Covid-19 crisis. we applied to the fund and were lucky to be While the newsletter has come about because awarded a grant to employ a worker to of the current situation, we hope it will continue take on this project. after the crisis is over and life has returned to We were really pleased to appoint Su- the new normal. san Walker early in March with a start date of We’ve been working for over a year now mid-April. However as we all know, we went with representatives of community councils, de- into lockdown on 23 March so our plans for a velopment trusts and other organisations in consultation have been put on hold and Su- each of the seven community council areas in san has instead been working on the Loch- Lochalsh. We’ve been looking at ways of work- alsh Community Response. You can find out ing together to tackle issues that affect the more about what she and others have been whole of our area and we’ve called ourselves doing elsewhere in this newsletter. the Lochalsh Collaboration – it’s maybe not a I hope you enjoy this first issue. brilliant name but it describes the fact that we’re Please let us know what you think, and all trying to work together for the common please send us news and updates from your good. area. We’d love for this to continue and help The first thing we wanted to do was find see us through the present difficult times and out what were the main issues affecting all the into the future. Funding for Lochalsh Community Response By Jo Wawrzyczek

Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust a new Lochalsh newsletter, a virtual meeting (KLCT) has secured £24,125 on behalf of the space, food vouchers, meals on wheels and Lochalsh Community Response for projects videos with Pilates classes and bike mainte- that will support local people during the Covid- nance and repair advice. KLCT has also ap- 19 pandemic. The funding comes from the proached local groups and community coun- Scottish Government’s Supporting Communi- cils if they required any funding and three ties Fund that aims to support small scale com- came forward with proposals. We were munity resilience and has an initial pot of pleased to support the Lochalsh Youth Com- £40m. munity Trust, Kyleakin Connections as well The fund is open to various community as a food project delivered by Kyleakin & organisations including those that are not reg- Community Council. istered charities, however the money can only We expect to submit further funding be allocated through community anchor organi- applications in the coming weeks so if your sations, such as KLCT, that are already play- local group requires funding to support your ing a key role in providing services within the members or local people with services or ac- local community and have established net- tivities that are designed purely as a re- works and connections through the communi- sponse to Covid-19, please get in touch with ty. Jo on [email protected] and we The Lochalsh Community Response is might be able to help. using the funds to support its projects, such as 2 CommUnity News

Food Share programme by Annie Penrod

The Food Share programme is a joint venture needing to shield. They organised a wonder- between the Lochalsh Youth Community Trust ful group of volunteers who are taking this and the Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust. food and delivering it to people who are in LYCT has been working with the local Kyle need. The programme became quite suc- branch of the Co-Op to arrange taking their cessful and management of it was passed to food waste on the day that it is going out of KLCT, which sourced funding to appoint my- date to be used for projects within the organi- self as a coordinator. Using the KLCT Covid- sation. During this unprecedented global 19 response helpline, locals are able to call emergency, the Youth Trust saw that this pro- and request food through this programme. gramme could be useful as a way to help lo- This programme has also expanded to include cals who are suffering due to loss of income or the Spar, who is graciously donat- ing their food waste to a community group in who are overseeing the dis- tribution of it through their blessings box. As this crisis continues, we expect the need for food aid to rise and so have set up a Food Vouchers scheme. The Trust is grateful for all of the wonderful volunteers who have stepped up to aid this project.

The Kyle Blessings Box, in the main car park

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Kyle street volunteers by Kate Hathway The Kyle ‘street volunteers’ came about at the very start of the Covid lockdown around March 25th as there was no apparent re- sponse appearing in the village. Kyleakin had just organised their volunteers so that inspired us to get on with it in Kyle. A quick appeal on social media (on the ‘Community Heart’ page) led to a number of volunteers to be on hand as a named contact for their street in Kyle. A lot of the volunteers were already active in helping neighbours but the volunteer list was a way of ensuring that people wouldn’t be missed out. Using the Covid Mutual resources, post- cards with contact names were distributed around each house in the village. Most people who are self-isolating already have a good net- work of neighbours or family who help with shopping etc but there are definitely vulnerable folk who don’t have this help on tap so the vol- unteers have been brilliant from that point of view and nothing is ever too much trouble. Personally, I phone several folk who are self- Kate Hathway setting off to do a delivery isolating a few times a week to check if they need anything and most of the time I just have a chat with them and a couple of times a week but overall, it seems to work! We have a I pick up shopping or prescriptions. Money ex- WhatsApp group for sharing info or asking change is still a problem as no one has cash, questions and that is our main method of com- nor wants to handle it just now and unfortu- munication between volunteers but we’re all nately the Coop doesn’t take phone payments conscious not to fill it up with too much chat!

Achmore & by Mary MacBeth

Within our Community Council (CC) area Helen and Dawn have set up a Community we have designed, printed and distributed a lo- Support WhatsApp group to assist with sharing cal Helpline leaflet, including the information about trips to the shops, so that Council Helpine number. Dawn Lupton and Hel- folk can picking up and drop off stuff for each en Robertson have volunteered as our points of other. We are aware that this WhatsApp shar- contact and can be contacted on 577225 and ing requires participants to have smart technol- 577322 respectively. ogy to participate, so are relying on those with Gill Harrington, Kyle pharmacy continues phones to look out for their neighbours. If you to deliver prescriptions to all in our area. Gill want to join this group get in touch with Helen cannot leave medications on your doorstep un- Robertson or Dawn Lupton. attended; so whilst, adhering to social distanc- When local businesses get in touch with ing make sure that Gill knows that you have the CC saying that they will deliver food, goods picked up your medication. If you are getting etc to our area we are passing this information family members, friends, neighbours to pick up to Jeannie Matheson who is responsible for medication please ask them to make them- the Achmore Buy and Sell Facebook page, selves known to Gill at the Pharmacy so she which also contains other local information. can inform them of the standards that are ex- You can apply to be invited to join this Face- pected to be met for medication delivery. Book group by clicking invite or by contacting Jeannie Matheson . 4 CommUnity News

Loch Duich by Donald MacIntosh We are so lucky to live in such a caring so we organise these twice a week to different community. At the start of the Covid outbreak areas of the community council area and deliver we put a leaflet through every door in our ar- to the recipients doors, who are all very grateful ea with contact numbers for our response of the hot meals. Liz at TMK Consulting has al- group. We have about eight in the core group so initiated and supplied goods for art packs for and through WhatsApp we communicate and children in the primary school so we are very arrange errands for those who request, from grateful for Liz's support too. We have received prescriptions to shopping, our community is a grant from Highland Council to help with the very supportive and we look out for neigh- art project and the meals. Currently we are bours. working on giving every resident household a We are very lucky that Kintail Lodge voucher to be used in Inverinate Service Station Hotel are giving 70 meals a week free of or Kintail Crafts. We would like to thank all in our charge to people we think need a little help, community for their help and stay safe.

Glenelg, Arnisdale and Corran by Donald MacDonald The community is being supported in a range of different ways in the area covered by Glenelg, Arnisdale and Corran Community Council. The community council recently agreed to support the setting up of a tempo- rary Blessing Box, which is situated in a car parked beside Glenelg Community Hall. It is being looked after by six volunteers and is be- ing regularly used and stocked up with dona- tions from the community. It is recognised that people are really beginning to feel the pinch financially now, so everyone is encouraged to use it if they need to. Donations can be left at the Blessing Box, or at the village shop and is run on the motto “Take what you need and leave what you can”. It is hoped to work with the village hall committee to find a less tem- porary solution, such as a shed and to submit a funding bid to the Scottish Government fund, through Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust, to buy a fridge freezer, to be able to supply fresh and perishable food. The com- Temporary Blessings Box by the village hall munity council has agreed to work with the village hall committee over the electricity free hot meals to anyone in need and is doing 8 costs for this development. -10 deliveries once or twice a week, as well as Glenelg and Inverinate Church and the normal takeaways Thursday to Sunday. Con- community council have worked together to tact her on 07917334423 if you need a free create a team of a dozen volunteers who get meal. Eolach Food, Glenelg has offered to pro- shopping and prescriptions for those who are vide free meals for up to 20 people a week lo- self-isolating. If anyone needs help, they cally, if they are needed. Craig Scobie at the should phone Colin MacDonald on Glenelg Shop has rapidly changed his business 01599522719 or check the community coun- to provide home deliveries which is being very cil’s Facebook page. well received by the community and can be Private businesses are helping too – contacted on 01599522221. Sheila Condie at the Glenelg Inn is offering Stay safe, everyone!

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Dornie & District by Alison Jack In March, Dornie & District Community Council got the ball rolling with a few of us dropping off the Viral Kindness leaflets to households in our area and we co-ordinated this through Dornie Stores. Volunteers came forward to help as a result of this, so we decid- ed to set up a WhatsApp group. We had our first virtual chat in mid-April and two main ideas quickly came into being. The first was a prescription collection and delivery service. Three of the volunteers work for the NHS so it was felt they were the appropriate persons to run that project. Medi- cations are collected and delivered daily on weekdays. We couldn’t have got it off the ground without help and support from Gill Har- rington at Kyle Pharmacy, so thank-you again Dornie Blessings Box, behind the Dornie Hotel Gill! The other idea was a Dornie Blessing The ladies in the shop (Ann Gill, Alison Box born after seeing Kyle and Kyleakin doing Macrae and Suzanne Gill) have been amazing similar. Fay Mackenzie represents Dornie CC and forward thinking in their approach to serv- on the Lochalsh Collaboration so again very ing the Community, for example they have quickly, with support from them and Paul and stepped up their delivery service which has Suzanne from Dornie Hotel kindly allowing us been invaluable to many (Dornie Stores also to use their shed, within a day or two we were now have a Facebook page) collecting food from the Spar at Balmacara We have 10 fantastic volunteers in our Stores (who are participating in Food Share group Cathy Kitson Jones, Michelle Baron, Program) We leave the fresh food in the green Karen MacRae, Janice Nixon, Alison Jack, shed behind the Dornie Hotel until 11pm.It is Fay Mackenzie, Sharon Linton, Campbell then refreshed daily at 5pm. We’ve had a fan- Dreghorn, Tibby Mackenzie and Maggie tastic response, with donations of a fridge/ Grant Fraser who is our contact for freezer, non- perishable food, and even plants and Killilan and kindly passes on information being dropped off. to the Loch Long Community page. Huge To get the word out about both mini pro- thank-you to our wonderful volunteers! If any- jects we have now set up a Facebook page one in our area needs extra help, contact the ‘Dornie & District Community Resilience Lochalsh Community Response Helpline, we Group’ will then be notified and one of our local A particular thanks go to Dornie Stores. Dornie volunteers will help.

Kyleakin & Kylerhea by Caroline Langlands Twice a week there is a meal delivered village and have no access to transport, lifts for those who are self isolating/shielding or ex- overto the Coop/post office. There is a daily periencing financial hardship. This project has newspaper delivery to the old post office in been possible because of the continued sup- Kyleakin where people from the village can port from the Kings Arms Hotel and our local pick up their paper up between 10am and volunteers. Kyleakin and Kylerhea community 12pm (adhering to social distancing council fund this through Highlands and Is- rules). Those who are shielding, can have lands Enterprise (supported by Kyle and Loch- their paper delivered by one of the village vol- alsh Community Trust) and Highland Council unteers. Our village, like many other villages Ward discretionary fund. across has come together to support A “Blessings Box” has been installed each other through the Covid-19 times. There next to the Kings Arms. The Kyleakin Commu- is talk of a village ceilidh when though we nity Minibus have offered those who live in the know this is a long way off. 6 CommUnity News

Plockton by Tristan Southall and Malcolm MacKenzie

The network of volunteers in the Plock- munity Response Helpline. Local businesses ton & District CC area took shape fairly early have also been stepping up to help. In normal on in Coronavirus pandemic and was up and times The Shores, is an excellent res- running well before the Government had even taurant, with a small village shop. But during officially announced lockdown. Initially a sim- the pandemic Steve and his team have trans- ple leaflet which listed phone numbers of local formed the shop to counter service and have volunteers went through every door in the dis- greatly expanded the range of produce availa- trict. Volunteers in the network are able to of- ble, with a fantastic range of fresh fruit and veg fer help with shopping and other errands, and stocking many scarce items like bread such as trips to the pharmacy, post office or flour, yeast and loo roll, even when these were even dog walking. Ticking away in the back- unavailable elsewhere. They are also boxing ground, there is a ‘WhatsApp’ group, which up orders to allow volunteers to do deliveries. connects the volunteers, so if someone is un- The Plockton Hotel are also doing a great ser- able to fulfill a request for help, another volun- vice delivering Fish and Chips around the vil- teer can step in to offer help. lage on a Friday and Saturday night. And After a few weeks of operation, we did Duncraig nursery have been doing deliveries of a survey of all volunteers to see how the net- plants to keep the local gardens in bloom. work was functioning. This showed that we had 27 ‘active’ volunteers, with many more willing to help and on standby. On average, volunteers were helping 2 additional house- holds and mostly they were able to do this without having to do a significant additional number of car journeys to Kyle. Encouraging- ly, 70% of volunteers indicated that they could do more voluntary help. The remaining 30% indicated that their current level of volunteer activity was manageable. Nobody indicated that they were unable to sustain their current level of volunteer activity. In order to access the Plockton & Dis- trict CC network of volunteers people can ei- ther contact a volunteer directly (from num- bers listed on the first leaflet) or be put in Plockton Shores has transformed itself to sup- touch with a volunteer via the Lochalsh Com- port the local community Balmacara, Reraig, Kirkton, , Nostie and Avernish by Vicki Clark and Fiona MacNicol It has been lovely to see the community spirits and keeps the community positive. reaching out to one another (from a distance!). Each of the small villages are looking out for Fiona McNicol distributed posters to be displayed their own residents. Many thanks to all the es- in windows to let others know those inside are all sential workers in our community for all you right. Everyone has been given a local contact do, those who have had to learn to home number to ring if they experience any problems school, work from home or adjust to a new and need help. The Balmacara stores staff de- normal. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch serve a special mention for serving the communi- with your local contacts for any sort of help or ty so well and coordinating food collections for even if you are just feeling lonely and need to the local blessings boxes. Marion Butler has set talk to someone. The community is also inves- up a lovely cheery bus stop in Auchtertyre called tigating a Blessings Box in . the Happy Corner, with children’s art work, books and an honesty box with free food, that lifts locals See photo of the Bus Shelter on P12 7 CommUnity News

Volunteers man Lochalsh Response Helpline by Susan Walker

The Helpline set up by Kyle & Lochalsh munity Trust, and Annie Penrod, the Food Community Trust as part of the Lochalsh Re- Share Coordinator. Volunteers have all signed sponse was manned for the first two weeks by a Volunteer Agreement which guarantees con- Jo Wawrzyczek and Malcolm MacKenzie. fidentiality for anyone phoning the Helpline or Now seventeen volunteers from throughout Food Helpline. The volunteers have shown Lochalsh are manning this servie. Members real professionalism and dedication and thanks of the community who need help with shop- to them, everyone has someone to call if they ping or prescriptions, or practical help such as need practical or food help during this crisis or walking their dog, can phone the Helpline and if their usual network cannot help temporarily. the volunteers will then phone the local groups to tell them what needs to be done. Anyone phoning the Helpline is also offered a Food Helpline option for those who need help with accessing free food.The sev- enteen volunteers attended online training, organised by Susan Walker, Community De- velopment Officer with Kyle & Lochalsh Com-

Skye & Lochalsh Kids Art Club by Sarah Longley

The Sunday after the schools closed at painting and I honestly think anybody can do it, last, I decided in the shower to start a Facebook and more importantly should be doing it, for all Children's Art Club. I'd been running a small club kinds of reasons not least for our mental health. at my daughters' school (Auchtertyre Primary) When I teach I want to empower people (both every Wednesday afternoon for several years adults and children) with a few techniques in us- and felt sad that the kids there would be missing ing different materials but also the idea that they out, so in the beginning it was just our school. CAN do it. Too often children become disheart- Then we decided to expand it to all the children ened, usually around the age of ten or eleven, in Skye and Lochalsh no matter what the age. which then continues to adulthood. My plan is to gather together all the artwork pro- With this extra time forced upon us I hope duced by the children (and hopefully some par- that parents and children might rediscover the joy ents) and make a joyful exhibition in Kirkton of making art together. We can learn from each church hall, when the lockdown ends. other: I learn so much watching my children draw I've seen over the past few weeks a blos- with complete inhibition and joy. As Picasso said soming in creativity online, whether it's music, 'All children are artists'. crafts, cake-baking or photography. This is won- Among the topics we've tackled so far are mark- derful to see. My passion lies in drawing and making with charcoal, mono-printing, clay and water colour painting. I try to fit it in around my own work and homeschooling so it's usually very spare of the moment and spontaneous. I've done short 4 mi- nute videos with my eldest daughter filming on my phone and my youngest helping in the demonstration. They both seem to enjoy it, alt- hough they do complain sometimes! Other mem- bers have shared their own ideas and I love see- ing what everyone is producing, it's incredibly up- lifting. I think art will help us in this long stretch, it's just a case of giving it a go, not worrying too much about the end result and having fun! If you are interested in joining the group just look up 'Skye and Lochalsh Kids' Art Club'. 8 CommUnity News

The Auchtertyre Blessings Bus Stop was set the Food Voucher leaflets and a Blessings Box up as ‘A Happy Place’, with art works by local which is regularly used and topped up by the children, books, bunting, fresh flowers, notices, community.

Local knowledge crossword Set by Gordon McIntyre ACROSS 18 White in Gaelic. 1 Golf used to be played here. 21 Girls name. 4 Castle sits on this loch. 23 Skye Bridge sits on this Island. 6 Another name for a hillfort. 24 & 15 TV policeman from Lochdudh. 11 No ferry here. 25 Hilltop behind Achmore. 12 Coinneach Odhar? 27 You put sheep in these. 14 This saint resided at Kirkton 28 & 3 Down Hotel named after a racehorse 16 There are five sisters here. 29 Girls name (does yummy seafood). 19 Hill behind Kirkton. 30 Local hydro power station here 20 Gavin Maxwell wrote about one. 34 Kyleakin is named after him. 22 Twinned with Mars. 36 They have a lovely voice, together. 26 ‘_____ ye Back’. 37 Local seafood delicacy. 27 Local blues and rock band. 39 Cattle in Gaelic. 31 Made in by faeries. 32 World famous castle named after him 1 2 3 4 5 33 The Skye Bridge had this. 6 7 8 9 10 35 Local National Trust office based here. 11 12 38 It lies wrecked opposite Kyle. 13 39 Small Highland stream. 14 15 16 40 Name for a small farm holding. 41 ‘______Barracks’. 17 18 42 & 6 Down Well-known local photographer. 19 20 21 22 23 DOWN 2 Makes a good soup with potatoes. 24 25 3 & 28 Hotel named after a racehorse 26 27 28 29 5 You use these to catch prawns. 30 6 & 42 Across Well-known local photographer 31 32 33 7 Estate with beautiful gardens. 34 8 Small female deer. 35 36 9 One in Loch Achaidh na h-Inich 37 38 10 Round fortifications near Glenelg. 13 You need this to catch fish. 39 40 15 & 24 TV policeman from Lochdubh. 17 Cult film starring Sean Connery. 41 42 9 CommUnity News

Health advice during the Covid-19 crisis Kyle Medical Practice

Whilst we appreciate all people are doing to help the NHS during this time, it’s vital those with non -coronavirus health concerns still seek help as they would have before the outbreak.

The NHS is here for you, so don’t ignore the warning signs. You are not being a burden, you are looking after yourself and our NHS by doing so.

If you notice a deterioration in your health or someone in your household, call your GP in normal hours, 111 out of hours, or in an emergency dial 999.

Your community pharmacy and your GP are open, please contact them for advice or with con- cerns. f you are concerned about a potential sign or symptom of cancer contact your GP practice to get checked.

If you or your child has an immunisation appointment, make sure you attend, or reschedule if you’re showing symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have a regular appointment for a chronic condition such as asthma or diabetes you should contact your GP and they will advise you. If your hospital appointment has not been cancelled you should still attend.

COVID-19 patients and those displaying symptoms are treated separately.

Procedures for Dental Emergencies

Due to the Covid-19 crisis normal dental services have been suspended on the instruction of the Government and Chief Dental Officer of Scotland. We want the local communities to know that there are procedures in place in the event of a dental emergency.

In the first instance you should call your own Dental Practice as all dental surgeries have an ad- vice and triage service in place.

If you are not registered with a Dental Practice you should contact the NHS Highland Den- tal Helpline on 0845 644 2271 (Monday – Friday 9am -4pm) or NHS24 on 111 (from 6pm Fri- day and throughout the weekend).

In certain circumstances your Dentist can pass you on to the Urgent Dental Care Clinics that have been set up in NHS Highland – there is no direct access for patients to these clinics.

Be reassured that there is always advice available on the end of a phone.

Old Sick Bay Dental Practice, Kyle.

Taic do theaghlaichean Cleachd i aig an taigh Gàidhlig nan Òg www.gàidhlig.scot

Goireasan Gàidhlig Ma tha clann san teaghlach agaibh ann am foghlam tron Ghàidhlig, gheibh sibh taic a bharrachd le goireas ùr a tha a’ nochdadh air làrach-lìn Bhòrd na Gàidhlig. Bheir seo cothrom do chloinn an cuid Gàidhlig a chleachdadh ann an suidheachd na dachaigh le tachartasan spòrsail is beo- thail. Bidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus Comunn na Gàidhlig a’ ruith nan tachartasan aca air loidhne gus cothroman a thoirt do A bharrachd air sin, gheibh sibh taic air dà làrach-lìn eile - Gàidhlig nan Òg agus Goireasan Gàidhlig . Tha iadsan airson taic a chumail ri teaghlaichean, tidsearan agus gu sònraichte clann fhad ‘s a tha sinn uile aig an taigh. Agus, cuimhnich, ma tha a’ Ghàidhlig agaibh, #cleachdi leis a h-uile duine eile aig a bheil i – san dachaidh, air fòn no air loidhne - is mar sin bidh i aig an ath ghinealach!

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Support for Women, Children & Young People Experiencing Domestic Abuse in Skye & Lochalsh

Ross-shire, Skye & Lochalsh Women’s Aid We offer safety planning, emotional and practical support and help accessing local services for housing, benefits, financial & legal advice. Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm 01349 863568 (someone will take the call in our team in Dingwall and allocate to us) [email protected] www.facebook.com/RossShireWomensAid/

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline Specially trained staff available to offer support and information for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, those concerned about someone else and professionals with questions. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 0800 027 1234 [email protected] www.sdafmh.org.uk (webchat available)

Police In an emergency, call the Police on 999. If you are unable to indicate to the operator you need to speak to the police as it is dangerous to talk, press 55 and the operator will know you are in danger.

Breathing Space A space to talk & be listened to. 0800 83 85 87 https://breathingspace.scot/ (webchat available) Weekday Mon-Thu 6pm – 2am; Weekend Fri 6pm – Mon 6am

Samaritans A safe place to talk. No judging or telling you what to do. Just listening Call 116 123 [email protected] https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week More numbers and support available You are not alone. It’s not your fault. We are here to listen.

Support for families Use it at home! Gaelic for young people www.gàidhlig.scot

Gaelic Resources If you have children in Gaelic medium education, you’ll find help for supporting them to use Gaelic more through a new resource on the Bòrd na Gàidhlig website – #Use it at home!. There are lots of activities available whether Leugh is Seinn le Linda for younger children, music tuition classes with Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and outdoors and crafts with Comunn na Gàidhlig. For help with home schooling there are two new websites available - Gaelic for young people and Gaelic Resources where parents, pupils and teachers can find a great range of resources to support learning. These are suitable for people who have Gaelic or don’t – just use the English language version if you’re not a Gaelic speaker. And if you are a Gaelic speaker, please remember to #Useit whether at home, on the phone or online – so that the next generation has Gaelic!

11 CommUnity News CommUnity News Will be produced regularly, we hope fortnightly during this crisis

It is written by the community and edited by Susan Walker, Community Development Officer and Karen MacRae, Coordinator Deadline for next issue: Mon 25th May [email protected]

The first issue has been delivered to all households by volunteers. Future issues will be delivered to those self-isolating, everyone else, please pick it up from your local shop/filling station Or, would you like to receive CommUnity News electronically? Please email [email protected] to tell us Virtual Meeting Space Events A safe way for members of the community to gather, online and by telephone. If you have sug- gestions of other events or would like to host an event, then please get in touch.

Telephone Events 21st May 7pm-8pm Ceilidh of local stories and history An evening telephone ceilidh of stories and local history hosted by Duncan Ferguson, Achmore and Mairi Sine Campbell, Plockton.

Week beginning the 1st of June Wilfar Matheson and friends will chat about the local area of Kyle and how the village and surrounding areas have changed over the decades. Time and date will be published in our next edition.

To access all of our telephone events please ring 0330 336 0036 (charged at local rate) at the given time and enter the pin number 222926 when prompted.

Live Online Events 11th of May Quiz Night for school pupils hosted by Karen and Siobhan from Lochalsh Youth Community Trust. We hope to be able to host more family quiz nights.

Virtual foraging and preserving recipes and tips hosted by Verity and Jenny of Eolach Food, Glenelg. For sign up details and date email Karen at [email protected] or request through our Facebook page. This must be done prior to the event to ensure access.

There will be a regular (informal) Book Club starting very soon. If you would like to join in please email Karen on the news address or check our website regularly or Facebook.

Virtual Pet Show We are inviting all residents to submit photos and videos for an online pet show by 21st May There are 13 classes and all pets are welcome to participate! Best Puppy (under 2), Best Dog (2+), Best Kitten (under 2), Best Cat (2+), Best Croft Animal , Best Bird, Best Small Animal (other), Most Unusual Pet, Best Junior Handler, Pet that looks most like their owner, Best trick (by video), Best pet duo (and two best friends), Pet the judges would most like to take home. Please email your pet photos and videos to [email protected] or send to the Lochalsh Community Response Facebook page. See the website or facebook page for full info.

Thanks from Plockton and the tearaway tortoise who breached lockdown By Charlie MacRae, Harbour St Plockton has been well served during the livery. Alastair Mackay, Plockton postman who lockdown with every resident receiving a paper works in Kyle delivers prescriptions from the through their letter-box on the first day with 41 Kyle Pharmacy when he comes home. Stu- names of young residents offering to do shop- dent Cameron Sharp plays the pipes every ping and even cooking. There are 30 octogenar- Thursday while residents clap. Plockton is so ians in Plockton. Mary Gollan co-owner of the quiet that the main talking point in the past Plockton Inn which is closed due to the lock- week was about a tortoise which escaped from down delivers the newspapers daily before 9am a garden at Rhu and was found 4 days later in with Inn Barman Mick Coe doing the Sunday de- a garden on Harbour St where one of the few tortoises in the village lives. Amazing!!