A key vision of the DDCA is for Dufftown and District to be a prospering community where everybody can succeed. Some of the strategic aims to reach this vision is to ensure education and training available to all.
As a rural town, Dufftown receives much fewer training as well as wellbeing events and initiatives than some of the bigger places in the country. Dufftown has a disproportionately old population compared to the Scottish average, which puts our community at a relatively high risk of social isolation, digital exclusion and poor mental wellbeing. The DDCA was the key charity in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver critical support through ‘Connect Scotland’ and the recovery fund. Building on this, we are now working to boost community resilience in the pandemic recovery through skills building and wellbeing events.
In spring 2022, the DDCA carried out a ‘Skills and Training survey’, where findings suggest that the majority of participants identify ‘availability of training’ as a barrier to improving their employability and adult learning skills. We believe in having a holistic approach to community development, where mental health and wellbeing is an overarching part of all our projects.
Bushcraft skills training 2022
The DDCA worked with Wild Things: Environmental education in action to deliver an 8-week bushcraft course to Dufftown and District residents. During the course, 4 residents learnt how to handle tools, plant identification, shelter building and cooking in the wild in various local woodlands. Completion of the course offered a NCFE level 2 accreditation.
Poster invitation to the bushcraft skills training can be found here: Dufftown Bushcraft Poster
Dufftown Wellbeing Week 2022
With funding from the Moray Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund, the DDCA organised a wellbeing week with six events between August 8th and 14th, focusing on activities and skills that can improve our mental and physical wellbeing. The aim of the week was to create opportunities for people to meet up, learn new skills and in the long-run improve their overall mental and physical wellbeing. We believe that a person’s wellbeing is connected to their sense of connection with others and feeling empowered to have control over their own lives. Therefore, all the workshops and events during the week were designed to be interactive and confidence-building.
42 participants took part in the Dufftown wellbeing week. Some key impacts were:
- 97% said they met someone new at the events
- 100% said they learnt something new at the events
- 97% said they want to take part in future wellbeing event
The full evaluation and impact report can be found here: Dufftown wellbeing week report
