Voluntary Action in Badenoch and Strathspey

26/05/2026

A big thank you to Macdonald Training for providing us with another excellent Mental Health First Aider training event recently. We were delighted to offer free places on the course to representatives from various community organisations in Aviemore who attended along with employees.

Alice Fogg from Voluntary Action in Badenoch and Strathspey said: "The opportunity to take part in this training was fantastic and I came away feeling much more confident about having conversations in the workplace about mental health. This training is something we probably would not have done without you giving us the opportunity. Thank you so much to TSL."

A big thank you also to the staff at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts Aviemore Hotel- the venue was excellent and the staff made sure everyone was very well looked after.

We are very proud that over 10% of our workforce are now qualified Mental Health First Aiders.

18/05/2026

🌳 Help Shape the Future of Mossie Road Play Park 🌳

As part of the Grantown Community Action Plan 2025, we’re looking for ideas from adults, children, and young people to help shape improvements to the play park.

Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey — and help any children in your household add their ideas too as separate individuals 😊

Feel free to get in touch with [email protected] if you have any questions!

📅 Survey open until 11 June

🔗 Here is the link:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=brXwiRZt6E-duhdvqUD3yd8njo7I-U9Nsqgrb05T499UODhWVUFNVEU5N1VZN1NIR1hMVTNBQlZPTC4u&route=shorturl

Please feel free to share with others in the community!

21/04/2026

📢 Calling all Cromdale and Advie residents 📢

14 May Cromdale and Advie Community Meeting Community Benefit Options

📅 Date: Thursday 14 May
⏰ Time: 7pm – 8.15pm
📍 Location: Cromdale Village Hall
🙋‍♀️ Who can come?: Any residents of Cromdale and Advie
🎯 Aim: To understand the community’s preference for the options for administering the Community Benefit funding from Pauls Hill Windfarm which currently can’t be accessed due to no Community Council

There is currently over £50,000 in a community benefit fund from the Paul’s Hill Windfarm that can be used by Cromdale and Advie for the community. This could be for things like playparks, sports facilities, events, clubs and much more. However, the funding is currently unable to be accessed because Cromdale and Advie are without a community council. There is an upcoming meeting – organised by members of the community – to look at options to access the money so it can be spent to help the community.

It’s really important that the community of Cromdale and Advie knows about the meeting so people to have the option to learn more and share their thoughts.

🫵 What can you do?
1. Come to the event! No need to RSVP.
2. Tag your friends and neighbours from Cromdale and Advie in this post
3. Send the flyer to your friends and neighbours from Cromdale and Advie
4. Share this post about the upcoming event on social media

Cromdale and Advie Parish Church Cromdale Village Hall Strathspey Rovers Soccer School

08/04/2026

Badenoch and Strathspey Residents - Are you on a private water supply or sewerage system, or interested in rural water in Scotland? 💧

The Rural Water Agenda, led by Newcastle University and Scottish Rural Action, has been working since 2023 to raise awareness of off-mains water and wastewater challenges in rural and island communities — and there are some exciting updates.

A new Rural Water Digital Hub is now live at ruralwater.scot, bringing together research, information, and a growing network of people, projects, and technology supporting rural water solutions. Feedback and suggestions are very welcome.

The team also recently took part in World Water Day 2026, hosting a global workshop on rural community water challenges and sharing learning from across five continents.

📅 You’re invited to the first online meetup on Thursday 14 May at 12:30pm

This will be a relaxed Zoom session with open discussion and breakout rooms to talk about real rural water issues — from compost toilets to influencing policy and everything in between.

Register here: https://ruralwateragenda14May.eventbrite.co.uk

A great opportunity to connect, share experiences, and shape the future of rural water in Scotland.

An online meetup to chat about all things related to off-mains water and wastewater in rural & island Scotland!

23/03/2026

Help inform the National Park's next Local Development Plan 🏘️

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has launched a call for sites and ideas to shape the next Local Development Plan. This is an opportunity for people to suggest how the National Park develops in the years ahead and how landscapes, communities and natural environment are protected and enhanced.

🔗 Add your ideas here: https://cairngorms.co.uk/taking-part/consultations/the-next-local-development-plan/call-for-ideas

12/03/2026

Do you live in Kingussie? Have your say on opportunities for the community - at Market Stance and the area from Gynack Gardens to Ardvonie Park. 💬

🔗 Fill out the survey from Kingussie Community Development Company below!

Kingussie Community Action Plan 2025 In November 2024 a survey was undertaken by Voluntary Action in Badenoch & Strathspey (VABS) on behalf of Cairngorms National Park Authority to seek residen…

12/03/2026

📢 Research survey call out – disabled, neurodiverse, blind or visually impaired, D/deaf participants

Lead Scotland are looking for disabled people, neurodiverse people, blind or visually impaired people, D/deaf people or people who have long term physical or mental health conditions to complete a short survey, telling us about their experiences with cyber crime and online safety.

- The survey has 22 questions, and will take about 15 minutes to complete.
- You DO NOT have to have had an experience with cyber crime to complete the survey.

The survey is open until 31st March 2026.

If you would like to take part in the research, please complete the survey which can be found here:
👉️ www.lead.org.uk/2026/03/10/cyber-research/

Badenoch and Strathspey Access Panel Cllr Muriel Cockburn SNP

📢 Research survey call out – disabled, neurodiverse, blind or visually impaired, D/deaf participants

Lead Scotland are looking for disabled people, neurodiverse people, blind or visually impaired people, D/deaf people or people who have long term physical or mental health conditions to complete a short survey, telling us about their experiences with cyber crime and online safety.

- The survey has 22 questions, and will take about 15 minutes to complete.
- You DO NOT have to have had an experience with cyber crime to complete the survey.

The survey is open until 31st March 2026.

If you would like to take part in the research, please complete the survey which can be found here:
👉️ www.lead.org.uk/2026/03/10/cyber-research/

CyberScotland

17/02/2026

Emergency First Aid in the Workplace
HTSI Main office, Dingwall
23rd February from 9am to 4pm
£80 for HTSI members

This course is suitable for those in a lower risk workplace or higher risk workplace with low numbers of staff. This is a regulated qualification which meets HSE requirements.

Register here:
https://lnkd.in/eSQ8CUVT

17/12/2025

🟣Big changes have come to fundraising standards! 🟣

From November 2025, a new Code of Fundraising Practice has come into practice.

Here are 3 actions that charities and community organisations can take to improve their fundraising practice :
1️⃣ Read the new Code – it's shorter and clearer (and linked in the comments)
2️⃣ Update fundraising policies accordingly and review annually
3️⃣ Ensure your Board, staff and volunteers understand the new Code, with training if needed.

Please get in touch at [email protected] or on www.vabs.org.uk if you have questions!

27/11/2025

🎄 BSCC December 2025 Events Calendar 🎄
We’re delighted to share the full programme of festive activities taking place across Badenoch & Strathspey this December provided by Badenoch and Strathspey Community Connections!

From Christmas lunches and coffee mornings to indoor kurling, health walks, nativity events, and community celebrations, there’s something for everyone throughout the month.

If you’d like to join any of their events or need more information, please contact the BSCC Office:

📞 01479 810 004
🌐 https://www.bscc.scot

Our Christmas Events for 2025! If you are interested in any of our events, please get in touch with the BSCC Office for more details!
01479 810 004
Please help us spread the word. :-)