Hot off the press! Why not have a read of the April newsletter and see how you can get involved in local community action this coming month.
Want to make sure you don’t miss our newsletters? Go to the very bottom of our website to sign up and receive them straight to your inbox!
MoneySaver’s Debt Advice Locator Tool – Find free debt advice near you.
Moray Citizens Advice Bureau – Provides free, independent, impartial and confidential advice across a range of issues including Benefits, Consumer, Debt, Employment, Housing, Legal, Relationships and Immigration.
Moray Council: Money Advice Moray – Help if you are facing money or debt problems including crisis help, income maximisation, budgeting and help to make benefit applications.
StepChange – Free debt advice and money management.
Help for Households – See what support is available to help with the cost of living and find out how to save money with energy saving tips.
British Gas Energy Trust – Charitable trust open to all consumers. They can help actually pay off fuel debt or buy energy efficient goods.
Turn2Us – Find out what benefits and tax credits you might be able to get as well as any trusts or benevolent funds that you might be able get help from.
Financial Conduct Authority – Advice on dealing with the financial impact of the cost of living crisis.
Moray Firth Credit Union – Safe, accessible savings and fair, affordable low-interest loans.
Home Energy Scotland – Impartial energy efficiency advice.
REAP Scotland – Energy advice including help with bills, switching providers, and available grants/loans.
Moray Energy Efficiency Scheme – Scottish Government funded scheme to reduce fuel poverty in Moray. Projects include solar panels and battery storage, internal or cavity wall insulation and air source heat pumps. Check website for more information on eligibility criteria.
Breathing Space – Free, confidential, phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Shout – Free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Papyrus – Suicide prevention helpline for young people.
Samaritans – Provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope
Childline – Counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC.
On March 1st 2023, we hosted our quarterly Dufftown & District community forum. The aim of the evening was to facilitate information sharing between community groups and networking with external organisations, such as Active Schools, Sports Development and Moray Council.
20 participants attended the forum. These included residents of the community, community group representatives, ward Councillors and representatives from Moray Council departments.
First, community groups were asked to give a brief update on achievements in 2022, key activities for 2023 and how to get involved. Residents voiced that what they saw as Dufftown’s key achievements in 2022 were the come-back of many events since the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Dufftown Highland Games. Residents also enjoyed the many walks that the area has to offer. For 2023, residents would like to see the area attract more visitors and shops to regenerate the high street.
The last half of the meeting consisted of focussed discussions around 3 action points in the Dufftown & District Community Action Plan 2021-2026. These were:
Personally, my favourite aspect of this community forum was the chance to hear about all the great work that has happened in the community over the last few months. It was also useful to having the chance to network with organisations from outside of Dufftown & District, such as the Moray Unpaid Work Team. They can carry out work that is of benefit to the local community over the whole of Moray. This includes supporting local charities and community groups, painting, litter picks, grass cutting, upcycling furniture to name but a few.
I am really excited for the next community forum as it will be slightly different… We will be hosting a ‘Meet the funders’ event where some of the key funders in the area will come along to Dufftown & District to speak to local community groups and charitable initiatives! Watch this space for more information to come, and get in touch if you want to be added to the Dufftown & District community forum mailing list!
The full report of the Community Forum March 2023 can be found here: Community Forum March 2023
While the past week’s snow in Dufftown & District has made it feel very wintry again all of a sudden, Spring is definitely on its way. The days are getting brighter, the snowdrops are out in full bloom and community activity is back in full strength! And there has been no limit to the diversity of events on offer here in Dufftown this March. Let me tell you about a couple of my favourites this month.
Having followed the progress down at the Keith and Dufftown Railway Association over the past year, I was delighted to be invited to the inaugural run of the Dram Tram on March 3rd. Volunteers have put in hard work to transform this old carriage into a unique whisky-themed train experience – complete with a bar and snug! On the night, supporters and donors were treated to drinks and nibbles on our journey to Drummuir and back. As it was my first time travelling on this train line, I found it amazing to see familiar buildings and sites from a completely new perspective. The Dram Tram will run bespoke events during the Speyside Whisky Festival and you can book your tickets online. You can also hire the train for private events. I have been told it has already been booked for a wedding this summer – what a great idea! I’d like to thank the crew for inviting me to such a special evening and I look forward to being on board soon again.
To balance the extravagant evening on the Dram Tram, I took the opportunity to ground myself with the DDCA spring gardening workshop (pun intended) on March 8th. Our local gardening genius June provided all the participants with two planters each and all the necessary equipment to plant up a beautiful spring display. Since it is a sin to garden without cake, we were lucky enough that the Bread House Dufftown provided us with yummy treats. The planters need to stay covered until all this snow and frost has disappeared but I look forward to seeing them bloom once the Spring temperatures are back.
For the remainder of March, a couple of more fun activities are on offer. On Saturday March 25th, Le Petit Moose is coming all the way from Banchory to teach a needle punch workshop. And on March 31st, Tuminds from Inverness will be going over an Ipad skills refresher with the Aigan Court residents. As for myself, I will take every opportunity to enjoy those rare rays of sunshine!
Hot off the press! Why not have a read of the March newsletter and see how you can get involved in local community action this coming month.
Want to make sure you don’t miss our newsletters? Go to the very bottom of our website to sign up and receive them straight to your inbox!
Hot off the press! Why not have a read of the February newsletter and see how you can get involved in local community action this coming month.
Want to make sure you don’t miss our newsletters? Go to the very bottom of our website to sign up and receive them straight to your inbox!
Join us for the quarterly Dufftown & District community forum on March 1st 2023 6-8pm at the Royal British Legion Hall.
At the last Community Forum in November 2022, we discussed priorities that groups and individuals would like to work on for 2023. For participants to learn more about current projects taking place, this upcoming meeting is intended for groups to share information about their existing activities and how to get involved. We aspire for the community forum to be a useful platform for each group as they continue to develop their activities. The outcome from the community forum will also help our Community Development Leader to understand how to best support collective plans and projects.
Representatives from all community groups, organisations and individuals in Dufftown & District are encouraged to attend.
An agenda will be sent out to participants before the meeting. Please let us know you’re coming by filling out our online registration form.
Are you passionate about making a difference in our community? Want to support the work that DDCA does? We are looking for new Trustees to join our Board!
The DDCA is a Scottish Charity, comprising of members and trustees. The charity was founded in 1995 and has grown to encompass a variety of responsibilities within the area. We seek to advance community development, improve recreational facilities, and relieve poverty in Dufftown & District.
The Board of Trustees is key to the continued functioning of the charity. Without trustees, we cannot operate. We usually meet monthly to discuss our various projects and activities. Since the pandemic, we have become more flexible and often have hybrid meetings so that trustees can join either online or in-person depending on individual needs and preferences.
In return for volunteering as a trustee with us, we offer the opportunity to give something back to the community, personal growth, and having a role in shaping our many exciting projects.
Criteria for a Trustee of DDCA:
Responsibilities of a DDCA trustee:
Does this sound like you? Get in touch today!
Want some more information? Read our recruitment pack.
Dufftown & District Community Association would like to invite all members our Annual General Meeting!
The meeting will be held on Monday 20th February 7-7.30pm at The Royal British Legion Meeting Room. You can also attend the meeting online. See details at the bottom of this post.
The Board will present the annual report, outlining the past year’s activities. This will include the opportunity to have a look at Clocktower basement drawings, which we have managed to find in the Moray Council archives! Moreover, the AGM is an opportunity for members to have an input into the future direction of the charity.
As a charity, the DDCA relies on the support of our members. We are grateful for you taking the time to attend the AGM so that we can continue delivering on our various projects aiming to promote Dufftown & District and enhance the quality of life for our residents.
Not a member yet? It’s easy, you can become one today by applying online.
Details for joining the AGM online:
Dufftown Community is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Dufftown Community’s AGM
Time: Feb 20, 2023 07:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89857195195?pwd=TXYza2NSbFMxQ0pSN3hJZXpRaWNMUT09
Meeting ID: 898 5719 5195
Passcode: 3M2zK0
Hot off the press! Why not have a read of the December newsletter and see how you can get involved in local community action this coming month.
Want to make sure you don’t miss our newsletters? Go to the very bottom of our website to sign up and receive them straight to your inbox!
