Community Development Company of Nesting [DOWNLOAD HERE]
Newsletter No 15, October 2023
SCRAPSTORE EXPANSION
Following last year’s award of £112,117 to expand CDCN’s Scrapstore, this project is now nearing completion. Towards the end of 2022, additional access and parking was created at the Aald Skül, and 2023 has seen the arrival of the portacabin which has been linked to the Scrapstore. This has provided much needed additional space for volunteer workstations and storage, allowing us to accept more donated items. The Scrapstore is still doing very well – Ross has settled well into his role as Scrapstore Team Leader, and several new volunteers have started over the past few months. If you are interested in volunteering at the Scrapstore, please email scrapstore@cdcn.co.uk or drop along when the Scrapstore is open (Wednesdays 1-3pm and Sundays 2-5pm).
GROWING SPACES NESTING
CDCN recently secured a total of £97,596.59 from the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to develop a community growing project on CDCN’s land at the Aald Skül. This will include the provision of several Polycrubs, a sizeable allotment area for outdoor growing, and a small community park with trees and other features. Both the Polycrubs and allotments will be available for rent to community members. Therefore, if this may be of interest to you, please register your interest by emailing developmentofficer@cdcn.co.uk or phoning 01595 890 770.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
CDCN has also recently secured a total of £14,700 from the Shetland CLLD Grant Scheme to produce a community development plan covering Nesting, Girlsta and Wadbister with the aim of identifying community priorities in the area over the next 10 years (2024 – 2034). CDCN will therefore be working closely with the local community and Community Enterprise Scotland to identify the ideas, vision, and future challenges for the area. This will then allow us to develop a strategic plan which can be practically implemented over the next decade.
METHODIST CHAPEL
The Nesting Methodist Chapel was put on the open market by the Methodist Church in August 2023. Following CDCN’s ‘Invitation for Ideas’ campaign in 2022, CDCN held a follow up drop-in session at the Chapel in May 2023 to present the proposed ideas to the community. However, attendance at the event was low and no groups indicated a desire to bring any of these ideas forward. CDCN therefore requested more time from the Methodist Church to secure funding for a feasibility study on social housing – one of the ideas identified during the campaign. However, after considering the request, the Church determined they could not delay the sale of the Chapel further given their need to secure funds for the work of the Methodist Church across Shetland.
OTHER NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
- CDCN is continuing its COMMUNITY FOODBANK, having received additional supplies from the Shetland Foodbank in Lerwick in preparation for the upcoming winter. You can GET HELP by emailing developmentofficer@cdcn.co.uk or phoning 01595 890 770 and we will take action from there. Foodbank donation points are still located at Skellister Stores and the South Nesting Public Hall for those wishing to donate food or toiletries. We also have several free ‘Energy Packs’, with each pack including a draught excluder, hot water bottle, disposable dehumidifier, hand/ feet warmers, a torch, and more.
- After trialling a ‘hybrid’ booking system, the NESTING GYM has now returned to exclusive bookings only for gym members – and has seen an increase in gym usage since this change. The hourly rate for bookings is £4 per person, or a total of £8 for 2 or more people. If you are interested in becoming a member of our gym, please email developmentofficer@cdcn.co.uk to request a gym induction.
- Finally, CDCN MEETINGS are held fortnightly on Tuesdays from 7.30pm at the Aald Skül, South Nesting and everyone is very welcome to attend – and you do not have to be a member. However, if you are interested in becoming a member of CDCN, please email developmentofficer@cdcn.co.uk or phone 01595 890 770.
