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Covid19 – Update – 14 Dec 21

richardx on 14 December 2021

In this rapidly changing environment FACT will endeavor to keep all Town Hall users up-to-date on the latest guidelines issued by the Scottish Government, your safety is our priority. As soon as we know of changes that may affect events or activities in the hall we will let you know.

The Meet and Eat at 12 noon tomorrow (15 December) is still going ahead, the only condition is that groups at a table must not consist of more than 3 households. There will be Track and Trace at the door, hand sanitiser available, and masks must be worn when coming into the hall and when walking around.

The Coffee Morning in aid of Forres and District Pipe Band has been postponed until 2022, date to be arranged. All the raffle prizes donated for the event will be stored safely and used at their next Coffee Morning.

Winter Wonderland Event

richardx on 11 November 2021

Winter Wonderland Event – Forres Town Hall

4 December @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

FACT and Forres Town Hall are holding a Winter Wonderland Event on Saturday 4 December, from 10am until 5pm.

There will be a gingerbread ‘building’ competition with three age categories: primary, secondary and adult and three themes: local interest, most festive and wow factor.  You can download the entry form from here and we have even given you a template to follow.  Test your gingerbread creative skills and have a go.

Throughout the day you will be able to view the marvelous gingerbread creations displayed in the Lesser Hall, browse through a wide selection of festive stalls and in the morning enjoy refreshments provided by Friends of Guiding.  During the Afternoon the will be more refreshments, a cake decorating display, judging of the gingerbread competition with prizes awarded at 4.30pm.

Gingerbread-Entry-FormDownload

Forres Online – Mobile Dropin Session

richardx on 3 November 2021

Forres Online are out and about again. Their first mobile session will be held on Wednesday 10 November 2021, in the Findhorn Village Centre 10am to 12.30pm.

Learn how to improve your digital skills. The sessions are free and are designed to offer help and advice with your digital device, all welcome.

FACT accredited as a Living Wage employer

richardx on 13 October 2021

On 4th October 2021 Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) became accredited as a Living Wage Employer. The Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Forres Area Community Trust receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.50 in the UK or £10.85 in London. Both rates are significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £8.91 per hour. 

In Scotland, more than 15% of all jobs pay less than the real Living Wage – around 350,000 jobs. Despite this, Forres Area Community Trust has committed to pay the real Living Wage and deliver a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work

The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, recognising the value of their workers and ensuring that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay. 

Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 45000 people in Scotland and put over £240 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers. 

“FACT’s aim is to create a better place to live, work and visit” said Debbie Herron Development Manager for FACT, she continued “by making the commitment to our staff to pay the real Living Wage, we are actively delivering this vision. The timing of this achievement now is particularly important as this week is Challenge Poverty Week.” 

Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said: Too many workers in Scotland are in the grip of poverty and employers choosing to pay at least the real Living Wage can loosen that grip. Payment of the real Living Wage allows those in work to become more included in society, better meet their everyday needs, and feel that their value and hard work is recognised by their employer. Congratulations to Forres Area Community Trust on their Living Wage commitment, and I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.

Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said: “We’re delighted that Forres Area Community Trust  has become an accredited Living Wage employer. They join a growing movement of over 1900 employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need to thrive. 

Our Living Wage employer network includes lots of smaller employers as well as larger and iconic brands like SSE, Standard Life Aberdeen, Barrs, Brewdog, & D.C. Thomson. We hope to see many more employers following their example.” 

Forres Repair Cafe – Free

richardx on 13 October 2021

FORRES REPAIR CAFÉ for International Repair Day 

Sat. 16th October, 1-4pm 

Forres Town Hall 

Don’t despair, repair! 

Wobbly chair? TV on the blink? Torn a favourite shirt? Want to learn how to fix it in a friendly atmosphere? Whatever it is, bring it along to the Forres Town Hall and we’ll teach you how! Repairs are free, donations are accepted.

RSVP so that we can see what’s needed and come prepared: 

Please use this link, scan the code or email your request to:  [email protected]  

Repair-Cafe-Poster-2021-International-Repair-Day-first-email-sendDownload

Shared Lives Plus Survey

richardx on 13 October 2021

HomeShare is coming to Scotland!

Shared Lives Plus are the UK network for HomeShare. They believe HomeShare has the potential to change the face of social care in the UK. How? HomeShare enables two unrelated people to share a home for mutual benefit.

This scheme would be a great way to encourage key workers to come to the area or stay in the area such as teachers, nurses, midwives, doctors, care workers etc as well as providing low level support and companionship for householders.  

Please see the links below for surveys regarding this service with a deadline date of 29th October 2021.

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Scotlandsharer

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Scotlandhouseholder

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Scotlandorgs

To find out more visit www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk

Thank you so much for your help.

Forres Youth Concert 2021 – Online Edition

richardx on 8 October 2021

Welcome to the 51st Forres Youth Concert, organised by the Forres Community Activities Association. Due to general restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the difficult decision was made to hold this annual event showcasing the talents of local youngster, online this year in the form of a compilation video, please feel to share with all your friends and family.

The link for the YouTube video can be found here https://youtu.be/4WMYjhmrmUU

Activities Assistant – Filled

richardx on 27 September 2021

  • Job Title: Activities Assistant
  • Employer: Forres Area Community Trust
  • Pay Scale: £9,984 plus pension
  • Hours of Work: 16 hours per week
  • Responsible to: Facilities Co-ordinator
  • Contract Length: until 30th September 2022 – extension subject to funding.

Project Description and Aim

Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) has secured funding through the Beatrice Fund, Peoples Postcode Lottery Fund and the Strengthening Communities Recovery Fund to provide activities and resources to address social isolation and increase connectivity (both digitally and socially) across the Forres area

The project contributes to the following outcomes:

  • To improve the quality of life and resilience of the community
  • To improve the skills of volunteers through training and engagement
  • That people in the Forres area are less isolated and make connections

FACT will manage a programme to provide activities, responsive digital help and services to the Forres community. The programme includes free drop-in sessions, outreach sessions, evening classes, talks and community events and activities.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Excellent IT skills (including proficiency with Windows, Mac, Android and iOS)
  • Excellent communication skills and an approachable manner
  • An organised approach to work and excellent time management skills
  • Experience of working with and supporting people
  • Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
  • Cooperative attitude
  • Experience of working with volunteers
  • Ability to undertake marketing and promotion of the project

Desirable

  • Familiarity with 3rd sector organisations
  • Knowledge of local Forres community and organisations in the area
  • The ability to travel to various locations in our catchment area
  • An understanding of event management

Key Tasks

  • Supporting the Project Coordinators to deliver key project objectives
  • Supporting the development and delivery of activities and events
  • Supporting the marketing of the programme through social media and printed matter
  • Maintaining records of attendance and recording other key information as required
  • Updating and maintaining project equipment
  • Attending outreach sessions to deliver activities in the Forres area
  • Attending evening programme sessions when necessary
  • Supporting volunteers to learn new skills
  • Undertake reception duties in Forres Town Hall
  • And any other relevant duties that may arise as the work of the project evolves

This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies the level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing project needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

Applications

For more information please contact on [email protected] or 01309 674 388.

  • Closing Date Wednesday 13th October 2021 at 12 noon.
  • Interviews on the 18th October 2021
Activities Assistant Application FormDownload