Here’s a quick round up of what we’ve been doing since ACT launched in April 2014. We’ve been listening to your suggestions, taking advice and exploring the most effective ways of achieving our objectives:
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To care for and enhance our environment
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To encourage people to enjoy and benefit from our environment
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To encourage investment that will improve our environment
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To share ideas on how to care for, enhance and enjoy our environment
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To increase opportunities for local people such as work, training and volunteering
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To work in partnership with individuals or groups with an interest in our environment
We’ve taken your suggestions and project ideas to existing groups and created some new partnerships, and with them we have been successful in bringing funding and projects to Argyll and the Isles.
Here’s ACT’s twelve days of Christmas to let you know how we have been delivering our objectives so that they can have a positive impact for your community and your part of Argyll.
| 2. Long Distance Routes | |
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The acclaimed Forestry Commission Scotland/NHS collaboration which offers woodland activities on referral as part of community mental health services. ACT has secured a three-year funding package which has already enabled 19 Argyll based leaders to achieve the training required to deliver programmes which have taken place at Blarbuie in Mid-Argyll, Kilfinan in Cowal and Bute Forest on Bute. Programmes are currently underway in Oban and will start after Christmas in Mid-Argyll and Cowal. A further 15-18 programmes are scheduled for 2017-19 across the area. |
Our Long Distance Routes forum has done some joint marketing and attended the Scottish Cycling, Running and Outdoor Pursuits exhibition in Glasgow. We’re working together to see where we can share resources and continue with more collaborative projects. Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative are also keen to support the group with marketing and promotional ideas. They recently had a hectic tour alongside Mark Beaumont who was filmed walking, cycling, kayaking, and swimming his way around Argyll and Bute. Film launch activities start in January 2017. |
| 3. CANN | 4. Invasive Non-Native Species |
| ACT is one of the 11 strong Collaborative Action for Natura Network consortium which has successfully bid for European funding over 5 years for a programme of peatland restoration on Islay. The project will get underway in Spring 2017. CANN will bring employment and contract opportunities to Islay, and will look at conservation action plans including the management of Rhododendron ponticum in priority areas. | The spread of Rhododendron ponticum, Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed and Mink are big concerns across Argyll and Bute. We’ve just submitted a bid for European funding to develop a programme to support community management of INNS. We are the Scottish representatives in a new partnership with members from Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Finland. |
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| 5. ACT Hubs | 6. ACT Crafty |
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We will be working alongside communities who are looking for some additional support or an injection of resource to take their ideas to the next level. We are particularly keen to develop our local visitor facilities and ideas with the potential for income generation back into the communities where they are based. The Argyll Leader Programme have backed our proposals, and we will get started early in 2017. Got an idea? Tha am post-dealain fo dhìon an aghaidh botaichean spama. Feumaidh tu JavaScript a chus an comas gus fhaicinn.! |
Over 60 Argyll and Bute groups, schools and clubs have enjoyed taking part in our campaigns over the past two years – Act Alfresco, Your Act, the Perfect Picnic, and our recent ACT Crafty have been great fun. We have identified some very creative and resourceful people enjoying the chance to get outdoors and win some funds for outdoor activity. Well done Dunoon Primary, Clyde Cottage Nursery and Ardrishaig Primary who were our ACT Crafty winners. The entries have all been posted on facebook |
| 7. Membership | 8. ACT Argyll |
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Our membership is open to individuals, groups, and businesses. The fees are modest but your support is priceless! Thank you to all of you who have signed up during our early days. You can become a member via our website or get in touch and we can send you a form. All members are invited to our AGM which this year was in the lovely new Civic Centre Annex in Helensburgh. Where to next? Get in touch with venue ideas please! |
We worked with Dunbritton Housing Association in Helensburgh and West Highland Housing Association in Oban, the JobCentre Plus and others to offer eleven 12- month trainee places and 9 work experience placements with accredited training in the use of brush cutters, pesticides, strimmers, and clearing saws, in addition to first aid and working safely certificates. We concluded our programme in October 2016 but are keen to get going again as soon as funds allow. |
| 9. Easy Fundraising | 10. ACT online |
| Did you know that you can show your support while you are shopping, arranging insurance or booking your holiday? Please check in with us at EasyFundraising on your way to the retailer site. | Have you visited our website, liked our facebook page or followed us on //twitter.com/@act_aicct">twitter? We’ve had great fun publicising our own and others’ progress and sharing some of the gems we have discovered. |
| 11. Donations | 12. And finally….. |
| We’ve benefitted from some individual donations and are speaking to developers about regional community benefit funds. Like everyone, we have found this a challenging time financially but our recent project funding awards are helping us to move towards financial sustainability. | We’re delighted with what we have been able to achieve in only 30 months, and knowing that we have some stability with current projects enables us to look ahead with confidence and focus on delivering what we have set out to achieve. |
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There’s loads of information on our website about everything that we’re doing, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions at email Tha am post-dealain fo dhìon an aghaidh botaichean spama. Feumaidh tu JavaScript a chus an comas gus fhaicinn. or tel: 01546 602755. All that remains is to thank all of our members, friends, supporters, advisors, communities and partners for their support throughout 2016, and to wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy new year.
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