New National Lottery Funding Awarded

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been granted a further £150,000 over 2 years from The National Lottery Community Fund. During 2023 Sustainable Kirriemuir went from strength to strength, launching our 5-year strategy and registering as a charity (SCIO). We also secured a further 5-year lease for the land behind St. Mary’s Church, where our Community Garden is situated.

In early 2024, we were awarded funding for our recently launched Active Travel Hub project. We also agreed the lease of a 17-acre field on Kinnordy Estate, to begin our Market Garden later this year.

Growing Strong Roots, the 2-year project running from 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2026, will focus on delivering key aims from our strategy. It will act as a foundation for expansion across our themes of Food & Growing, Action for Nature, Active & Sustainable Travel and Sustainable Living, as well as our commitment to providing a positive and enjoyable volunteering experience.

Thanks to the support from the National Lottery Community Fund, we’ll be introducing some new posts. Fiona will move into the role of Communications & Engagement Officer, and we’ve already welcomed our Food & Growing Project Officer, Zoe, to the team. Look out for another new face in August as we adjust roles within our small staff team.

“We’re delighted to have secured a further two years funding from the National Lottery Community Fund in support of our Growing Strong Roots project. These next two years promise to be exciting times for us as we expand our reach, delivering community-led climate work within and around Kirriemuir. A huge thank you to players of the National Lottery”

– Steve Gardner, Trustee, Sustainable Kirriemuir

Our Strategy

In 2023 we launched our 5 year strategy, re-defining our vision, mission and strategic aims.

This strategy, along with our charitable purposes of; the advancement of health and wellbeing, and education, community development, and environmental sustainability, forms the cornerstone of all our work. Read more about our charitable purposes on our Become A Member page.

The National Lottery Community Fund

The Community Led funding aims to support communities to improve the places in which they live and the wellbeing of those most in need. They fund organisations to deliver work that achieves the following outcomes:

    • Everyone in the community has the opportunity to influence and get involved in community-led activity.
    • People in the community are better connected and work together to improve their wellbeing.

It’s important to them that they fund work that is people-led, connected, and strengths-based. As a community-led organisation and two-tier charity, focused on the local area of Kirriemuir and surrounds, our values align closely with theirs. Much of our work is delivered by volunteers, supported by our small team of staff.

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still said: “Every day National Lottery funding is changing the lives of thousands of people in communities across Scotland. This project delivered by Sustainable Kirriemuir, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.

How Can I Get Involved?

Over the next 2 years there will be lots of ways you’ll be able to get involved. We’d be delighted to hear from anyone in the community with skills or just plain enthusiasm who would like to volunteer. In return, we can provide training and support, and you’ll become part of our valuable volunteer team. You’ll meet like-minded people and have fun while helping tackle the big issues, like improving physical and mental health, and reducing environmental impact, at a local level. If this sounds good, visit our Volunteer With Us page for more details and to register.

There will also be lots of other ways to get involved with the project, including:

  • Taking part in our regular volunteering sessions at the Community Garden.
  • Participating in walks, cycles, practical workshops, or attending talks and community events.
  • Contributing to the running of our charity by becoming a member or volunteering your time to help us develop and achieve our aims.

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