Cuminestown
Fettercairn
New Deer
Rothienorman
Strathdon
Funded by
Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) is an innovative approach to delivering sports and cultural activities on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council. The organisation provides a wide range of services to communities across the region, promoting positive mental health and physical wellbeing. Whether you live, work, or visit Aberdeenshire, LLA offers access to fun and educational activities, from mountain to sea.
If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Cameron. He’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Just send him an email whenever you have a chance.
COMING SOON
The Community Culture & Heritage Fund offers an exciting opportunity for organisations, clubs, volunteers, and creative practitioners to develop new or enhance existing creative or heritage activities in Cuminestown, Fettercairn, New Deer, Rothienorman, and Strathdon.
Professional creative practitioners must be based in Aberdeenshire and able to bring their talent to at least one of these five communities.
Applicants must demonstrate how their project or activities will benefit the wider community.
The Community Culture & Heritage Fund is a rolling funding program. Please note that we cannot accept additional applications once the allocated budget has been fully committed. We encourage interested parties to apply as early as possible to ensure consideration.
We will respond within two weeks to inform you whether your application has been successful.
Deadline will be displayed when the fund is launched.
Who can apply: Organisations, Clubs, Groups, Associations & Societies
Amount: Up to £1,000
The applicant must be from or partner with a constituted group to apply.
The grant must be paid into a bank account registered in the group’s name (not an individual’s account).
All activities, projects, or equipment purchases must benefit the wider community. Events should be open to the public, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. Community members should be able to access activities or events as participants or audiences. Activities can be closed or private in certain circumstances, for example, in schools, sheltered housing, care homes, or for participants with specific needs, but should be inclusive in nature.
A maximum of 35% of the total cost can be allocated for fixtures, fittings and repairs.
More information on how to apply will be issued when the fund is launched
A Skills Sharing Programme
Background and Purpose:
The Online Bothy is an innovative skills-sharing programme designed to empower volunteers and practitioners in Aberdeenshire. Delivered by NEAT as part of Live Life Aberdeenshire’s Positive Action Grant, this programme has supported volunteers to enhance their community engagement practices, project management techniques and governance knowledge through a series of interactive online sessions.
Sessions Delivered:
Over the past year, we have successfully conducted five 1-hour sessions over five weeks, each focusing on different aspects of community engagement work and personal development. Here’s a brief overview of the sessions:
- From Idea to Reality: Guided by an experienced Project Manager, participants learned how to turn their ideas into thriving projects, whether large festivals or small Conversation Cafés.
- The Power of Knowledge Sharing: This session provided a platform for volunteers to share their experiences and learn from each other’s successes and challenges.
- How to Apply For Funding: Participants discovered the key components of a successful funding application and learned how to effectively communicate their stories.
- Tips for Successfully Marketing Your Project: Delivered by a marketing professional, this session equipped participants with top tips on reaching their audience and engaging people.
- The Key to Success: Unlocking the Power of Knowledge Sharing: In these friendly sessions, participants connected with like-minded individuals, shared experiences, and built a network of helpful contacts.
Impact on Volunteers:
The Online Bothy has been incredibly beneficial for volunteers. They have gained valuable skills, built confidence, and formed supportive networks. The interactive and relaxed format has made learning enjoyable and effective, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Looking Ahead:
We are excited to announce that we will be running another series of Online Bothy sessions over the next year. This programme will continue to be FREE to attend, but sign-up will be essential due to limited places (average course value: £450).
The dates for these sessions are yet to be confirmed.
The Parent Council (PC) in Fettercairn has always been dedicated to being the voice of parents and enhancing the children’s learning and overall experience in the village. By organising events and activities outside of school hours, the PC plays a crucial role in enriching the community. One of their most exciting initiatives, now successfully completed, was the creation of a large mural on a public-facing wall of Fettercairn Primary School building, funded by the Community Culture and Heritage grant.
The Vision
This mural project, long-discussed but previously hindered by funding challenges, finally came to life. The PC secured the talents of freelance muralist Paco Graff, who designed and produced the mural. This vibrant artwork has added a colourful and uplifting feature to the school, enhancing the daily environment for students, families, and teachers.
The Process
To ensure the mural reflected the spirit of the community, Paco Graff created three draft designs. These designs incorporated ideas and drawings from the pupils, giving them a sense of ownership of the project. The final design was chosen through a vote by the children, ensuring their voices were heard.
Once the design was selected, Paco painted the mural on large wooden boards, which were installed on the school wall by local joiner Colin Smith from CWS Solutions.
Volunteer Project Management
Local artist and PC member Nicole Smith managed the project. With two children at the school and a background in creative projects, Nicole was well-equipped to oversee the mural’s development. She coordinated with the school and Paco Graff, ensuring the project ran smoothly and documented the artist’s progress.
Nicole was supported by Parent Council Secretary Simon Gall, who brought extensive experience in arts and cultural projects.
Community Impact
This mural project was more than just an art installation; it was a testament to the power of community collaboration and the importance of involving children in creative processes. By bringing together local talents and resources, the Fettercairn Parent Council created a lasting legacy that will inspire and uplift the community for years to come.
The vibrant mural now stands as a symbol of the community’s spirit and creativity, enjoyed daily by pupils, parents, teachers and passers by. The successful completion of this project highlights the positive impact of this project and the importance of supporting artistic endeavours in local communities.
Funded by
