The 12 week Branching Out programme in Forres was a great success. Fully booked, the participants had a great time learning a range of bushcraft skills, mindfulness techniques, connections with nature and carried out a range of conservation activities in their local Sanquhar community woodlands.
All participants were engaging in support for their mental health, in a range of capacities, and found the programme of benefit in this respect.
The Active Schools lunch time drop in activity sessions are a safe, welcoming and inclusive space. Pupils have developed so many new skills, built confidence and had an opportunity to socialise with friends and peers. The uptake has been immense and the sessions are always busy. These sessions have become an enjoyable part of the school day for so many pupils providing an opportunity for mainstream and ASN pupils to volunteer and participate together. Supported by our Active Schools Young Leaders who have accrued volunteering hours and gained first aid qualifications and recognition hoodies. The funding from the Berry Burn Community Fund will enable this valued project to continue, grow and evolve.
The support of the Berry Burn Community Fund has been transformative for Abbi’s swimming journey, providing opportunities that would have otherwise been unattainable. The funding has enabled her to access extra training at Buckie ASC, long course sessions in Aberdeen, and essential physiotherapy to stay in peak condition and prevent injury. These have been pivotal in her progress, leading to 6 top-ten finishes at the Scottish National Age Group Championships and the Scottish National Summer Meet. The Fund’s support has been the foundation of her growth, allowing her to thrive and approach the new season with confidence and ambition.
Funding from the Berry Burn Community Fund has enabled Moray Rape Crisis to deliver 7 hours of outreach support per week to better reach survivors of sexual violence in and around Forres. Our project has delivered blocks of shorter-term and longer-term support for survivors of all genders affected by rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse. These outreach sessions have provided a trauma-informed space, in which 18 survivors have been supported to build safety, ways of coping, confidence and well-being. Feedback indicates that this outreach provision has increased access to support for survivors in this area.
We are thrilled to have been supported by the Berry Burn Community Fund to acquire a two wheel BCS tractor and a flail mower, and to use these along with our rotavator attachment at Mandala Garden Project. We are cultivating a 2.5acre vegetable field and a 1.6acre orchard, growing organic local produce for our local community crop share members. In 2024, we doubled the plot in order to be able to reach out to more members. We are delighted the tractor has supported the management of the increased cultivation area with ease.
The Paddock Broom of Moy CIC offers young, neurodivergent learners a safe space where they can begin to build resilience, develop coping strategies and access a Health and Wellbeing curriculum, through animal husbandry, horticulture, art and craft, and community activities.
Our passion is that all our young people develop skills to be able to reach their potentials and become contributing members of our local community.
The funding from the Berry Burn Community Fund has enabled us to expand and develop our horticultural activities; across all weathers and seasons; through the purchase and installation of our new Shetland Peedie Polycrub. Many Thanks!
1st Grantown-on-Spey Guides and Young Leaders have just returned from an unforgettable 4-day trip to Amsterdam filled with fun, friendship and adventure.
The unit would like to thank the Berry Burn Community Fund for their grant which went towards safe, youth group friendly hostel accommodation in the city, the Keukenhof Garden tickets and dinner for the girls at The Hard Rock Cafe. Natalie Sullivan, Guide Leader, who organised the trip said “their support helped everyone on the Amsterdam Adventure make special memories to last a lifetime and also prepare the girls for city life and worldwide travel as they become young adults.”
The Berry Burn Community Fund held my hand throughout the funding period keeping me right. Although The Findhorn Flyers was only a small group, we were able to help two less abled people with their mobility. The funding has kept us going for almost another year otherwise we would have folded last year.
The Berry Burn Community Fund has been central to the development of our outdoor space at Grantown Grammar School. With their help we have been able to build our polytunnel and fit it out with quality fixtures that will last. We are now starting our next venture of growing plants for the school and the local community. With the outside classroom the Science Department can develop their schemes of work, particularly in General Science.
Thank you!
Forres Baptist Church is now able to open its doors to many more community events due to the expansion and remodelling of the interior space at the Clovenside Chapel, Clovenside Road, Forres – part funded by the Berry Burn Community Fund. Events will be scheduled regularly and advertised on Facebook and in the SpotLight Magazines.
