The Berry Burn Community Fund has allowed us the opportunity to explore the possibility of bringing the much loved Leanchoil Hospital back into local ownership by means of a community asset transfer. The funding has “kick started” a major project which could potentially bring huge economic, health and wellbeing benefits to the local community. The core funding to allow this would not have been available without the support of BBCF.
Grants such as the one we received from the Berry Burn Community Fund are the lifeline of our Scheme allowing us to provide a volunteer based transport service to members in the Speyside and Glenlivet Area who may be socially isolated due to age, disability or infirmity. Last year our volunteers spent 3334 hours arranging and undertaking almost 1400 journeys covering 16398 miles. Our main purpose was medical related appointments but also helping with weekly shopping trips, hairdresser’s appointments and social visits allowing our members a degree of supported independence and having a direct effect on their mental wellbeing.
This funding to purchase new equipment enabled us to engage with over 550 children, young people and adults in Moray over the course of this last year, an increase of over 200% of our previous capacity. We ran a wide range of Music & film based projects, most of which were combined with the outdoors, across Moray and across age ranges & abilities. Alongside the development of technical skills, participants also developed increased confidence, self-esteem, social & communications skills and increased positive wellbeing & mental health in our project. Thank you!
The Kinloss Military Wives’ Choir give around 15 concerts a year to groups and organisation in Moray and beyond. Hundreds of people, many of them old and infirm, are thus able to enjoy the music which can make a very worthwhile contribution to their quality of life. This most generous grant from Berry Burn Community Fund has enabled the Choir to make a significant upgrade to the essential electronic equipment which is so necessary to staging these concerts. All those who listen to next year’s concerts will have an improved experience as a result.
The Berry Burn Foundation support has been invaluable over the years. With out them we would not have been able to continue to play the sport of Shinty in our local town. We are extremely grateful for all they have done for us!
1st Forres Guides trip to Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland, gave the opportunity for 13 girls to attend a Scout and Guide mini Jamboree. At Kandersteg they took part in a number of activities; an International Night sharing information about Forres, photos, ceilidh and food. At the Race the World Night, they were mixed into International teams to participate in different challenges and races. The girls took part in a number of Alpine activities: hill walking, climbing, white water rafting, staying overnight in an Alpine Hut participating in an Alpine Glacial Workshop; and undertook an UNESCO Service Project.
Our SwimABLE & SurfABLE Scotland Projects in collaboration with Active Schools Moray (Forres ASG) have only been made possible, with thanks to funding from The Berry Burn Community Fund, and support by Forres Swimming Pool.
The ripple effect in providing opportunity and support for school aged children, regardless of disability or condition has led to significant positive outcomes. Through water-based activity these young athletes learned through practical experiences, guided discovery and fun. Many skills include lifesaving, fitness and sport which could have been unattainable in mainstream. Thank you to all involved and especially our young athletes who continually inspire us.
The grant from BBCF has helped to keep sailors and all who walk, swim or otherwise enjoy the Moray coast safe. We have demonstrated the need for this by the number and variety of 999 calls to which we have been able to respond and we are now able to do this in rougher weather over a greater area.
The grant from the Berry Burn Fund helped to meet the significant cost of providing uniforms for the youngsters in the Forres & District Junior Band. The 17 young pipers and drummers that currently form the band wear their new uniforms with pride and confidence as they represent the Town in various community events throughout the year. The next stage in the tuition programme is to introduce instruction on the pipes and drums into the Forres Schools as a permanent self-sustaining programme supported by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust.
Findhorn Tennis Club has, with the help of the Berry Burn Community Fund, managed to install a new, modern, safe and efficient perimeter fence to enable play to continue without chasing balls outside of the playing area. Thank you BBCF on behalf of all our members and competitors in the Galbraith Highland League who we entertain each year.
