The pandemic has deeply affected our community over the last two years, but we came together to support and help each other. Since the last Spirit of Community event in 2014 we have seen many changes and lots of Forres area based organisations have made a difference to where we live. The aim of the event is to bring together community representatives to discuss what we have in common and identify what our priorities are for the next 5 to 10 years building on what we already know and can do.
6.30 p.m.⠀⠀Tea, coffee and networking
7.00 p.m.⠀⠀Welcome, hosting and introductions by Seymour Monro
7.10 p.m.⠀⠀ Short presentation about what progress we have made over the last 8 years and how that informs our plans for the future.
7.30 p.m.⠀⠀Discussion groups (30 minutes per session) on the following themes:
⠀⠀⠀⠀1. The Local Environment
⠀⠀⠀⠀2. Transport, Traffic and Access
⠀⠀⠀⠀3. Leisure and Tourism
⠀⠀⠀⠀4. Facilities and Services
8.05 p.m.⠀⠀Rotate to second theme group
8.35 p.m.⠀⠀Summary of each group and feedback – facilitators can feedback on the top 3 items for each table
Forres Town Hall will be closed from Wednesday 22 December 2021 from 12.30pm to Wednesday 5 January 2022 at 10am.
We plan to open from 10 – 12 Monday to Friday in the New Year unless there are changes to the current Covid19 restrictions. If our opening hours are affected we will let you all know via our website forresarea.org or Facebook.
Warmest wishes from everyone at FACT for a happy, safe Christmas and New Year.
FACT will be holding its Annual General Meeting and 10th Birthday Celebration on Friday, 26th November 2021 at 5.30pm. Members and supporters are invited to join us for the meeting and celebration in Forres Town Hall.
For full information and documents please click the the link AGM Info or contact our reception office 01309 674388 or email [email protected]
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.”
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.
An activity day where people can try their hand at drumming, listen to children’s storytelling sessions and enjoy a spot of Highland dancing and piping is taking place this month.
Forres Area Community Trust is staging a ‘Find Out the FACTs’ event in Grant Park on 21st of August.
The event is to showcase what the Trust does and how the Forres Town Hall is used.
Kirsty Williams, who is the Old Persons’ Project Co-ordinator with FACT and who is organising the day explained: “We are really looking forward to Find Out the FACTs which is really an opportunity for people to come along, have some fun and find out more about what we do.
“FACT works with so many different partners and we have a very busy schedule with loads of activities that support many different groups in the community. All we want to do at our Grant Park event is spread awareness of what’s available to do in the area, not just by ourselves but those organisations and groups we work in partnership with to make the area a better place to live, work and visit.”
“Through the pandemic, FACT really came to the fore and we worked with a range of partners to support those who were vulnerable or struggling during the lockdowns, but now things are getting better and restrictions are easing, we are working on promoting our classes and workshops and just want to showcase what we and our partners have to offer the people of the area.”
In March, it was announced that FACT had taken ownership of Forres Town Hall after a successful community asset transfer process. The Trust had been managing the building since 2018.
It is now pushing forward with a fundraising strategy to raise the £3.4 million for a regeneration project to redevelop the building as a thriving venue and facility fit for the 21st century and to provide services and resources for the area into the future.
Kirsty said: “FACT is delighted to be the custodian of the Town Hall on behalf of the community, and our event will also allow us to talk to the public about the hall and what the plans are for its future. We can also share with attendees about all the great activities that take place in the hall.”
Find Out the FACTs will take place between midday and 4pm on 21st of August.
FACT secured funding from the Scottish Government, via Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), from the Communities Recovery Fund.
Kirsty said: “HIE is co-ordinating the Communities Recovery Fund in the Highlands and Islands, on behalf of the Scottish Government, for all eligible community organisations, who are implementing changes to reintroduce the delivery of existing services and activities that have been suspended or severely reduced because of COVID-19 and/or deliver new services identified as a priority by the community as a result of COVID-19.”
“We are delighted that our event is able to go ahead after securing this funding. There will something for everyone. We have some great entertainment lined up and there is something for all age groups. We have drumming with Active Minds Moray, Forres Online will be there to explain how they can help people improve their digital knowledge, we will have storytelling from Margot Henderson, Scottish country dancers and pipers from the Forres and District Pipe Band.
“We invite people to come along and bring a picnic and spend the afternoon with us. It’s a real community event. Wave Radio are supporting us by handling the announcing and the organisers of the Forres Highland Games which have been hit hard by the pandemic are lending us tables and chairs.
“If a picnic is not your thing, we will be situated near Mather’s so there will be an opportunity to grab something from there as well, and for kids to not only enjoy what we have on offer but have fun at the playpark and in Grant Park too.”
Forres Area Community Trust would like to buy equipment and crockery to stock the kitchen in Forres Town Hall, for use at community meals and coffee mornings.
Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) is a development trust that works within the Forres area to support community development and empowerment. We run various projects that include befriending for older people, digital connectivity and running Forres Town Hall to benefit the community. This includes support groups, charities and activities including coffee mornings and events.
How this cause brings people in the community together
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have worked with many groups to reach those that are the most vulnerable and isolated. Going forward we know the Town Hall will open again to the public. We know many people will be looking forward to meeting friends and getting out. We aim to provide a safe and comfortable space for this to happen and having equipment to ensure changeovers will be essential
Here at Forres Area Community Trust we are delighted today to receive this letter of Commendation for our efforts in assisting the community over the past months! A big thank must go to all staff, Board Members, Volunteers and members of the public for their contribution!
A bid
to buy Forres Town Hall and turn it into a venue for community, business and
training events has been successful in the latest round of grant applications
to the Scottish Land Fund.
Forres
Area Community Trust has been awarded £116,365 to purchase the hall, which has
been a feature of the town’s High Street since 1829, in order to provide
community facilities, meeting rooms, study and workshop areas, training
facilities and co-working hot desks.
Debbie Herron, Development Manager Forres Area Community Trust, said:
“We are delighted at the news that Forres Area Community Trust has been awarded the SLF funding to buy Forres Town Hall on behalf of the community. This endorsement of our work means that we can continue to work to support the development and resilience of our community into the future.”
Securing
the Town Hall into community ownership and having the support of the Scottish
Land Fund is the first step in redeveloping and refurbishing the building for
the benefit of the community.
Fabio Villani Chair of Forres Area Community Trust said:
“The Scottish Land Fund’s generous support enables us to purchase Forres Town Hall as well as to further develop our plans for its future. It marks an important milestone in the history of Forres, as one more key element of the town’s heritage is fully returned to the direct care of the local community. It also marks an important milestone in the development of FACT as a key organisation in helping the people of Forres make the most of the Town’s many assets. ”
If anyone would like any further information, please do get in touch on 01309 674388, [email protected] or pop into the office between 10am and 1pm through the week.
