Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company have been supporting members of the community throughout the Cost-of-Living crisis and continue to offer support during these difficult times.
Cost-of-Living Grants
In 2022 the Community Company released funds of £18,250 in Cost-of-Living grants.
This was funded by the SSE Blairaidh Wind Farm which is sited above the Dundreggan Forest.
We are delighted that forty-seven members of our community benefited from the Cost-of-Living grants.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureau can advise on available support and offer guidance on a large variety of issues affecting households. This help is free, independent and impartial.
Citizens Advice Bureau services are available to everyone. Addiction, available benefits and energy saving are some of the issues CAB can help with.
There are drop in services but it is advisable to make an appointment. You will be assured of full confidentiality.
Cost-of-Living Support
The Cost-of-Living Crisis can make some people feel isolated which can seriously affect mental health.
There are many government led and voluntary services offering guidance, advice and support particularly to vulnerable groups.
Poppy Scotland offers support for serving and ex-serving personnel and the whole of the Armed Forces community, including family members.
Money Helper includes links to budgeting, debt management guides and sources of support.
Turn To Us provides links to grants from employers; many have grants for current and ex or retired employees.
ALISS is a local information system for Scotland.
Trussel Trust provides emergency food and support to families and individuals living in poverty. They also support a nationwide network of food banks.
These links are just some of the sources of support that are available.
Community Larders
In October 2023, after much consideration and planning, the Community Company set up three Community Larders; Fort Augustus, Invermoriston and Dalchreichart.
The Community Company previously distributed Cost-of-Living grants; however, in the interests of fairness and transparency, the board of directors agreed that Community Larders were a fairer and more equal way of sharing the Cost-of-Living funds across the community.
Government support relies heavily on means testing and the Community Company cannot subject applicants to this process. This makes fair distribution of the available funds challenging.
There can often be a fine line between those who qualify for Government support and those who don’t, but this does not mean the latter are any less deserving of our support.
So, the Community Company built the Community Larders. Open to any member of the Community, you can take what you need, leave what you don’t need, swap or donate items that you will not use.
This system gives the Community Company a fair, equal and positive way to support the Community during the Cost-of-Living Crisis.
The dedicated volunteers, most of whom are on the Board of Directors, regularly source non-perishable food items like dried pasta, rice, tinned food like beans and meat and cereals.
In addition to these, there are soaps, shampoos, deodorants and washing powders.
Top-ups are made when needed but these can often be on a weekly basis. Without our volunteers, keeping up with this workload would be a challenge!
In August 2023, SSE asked employees to make donations to kick start the Community Larders. Amazingly, the staff at SSE contributed over 600 items which were gratefully received by the team at the Community Company.
Recipes
The Cost-of-Living Crisis has inevitably meant less people eating out or treating themselves to a takeaway and instead eating more at home.
Of course, not everyone enjoys their time in the kitchen and cooking can be a laborious exercise for some. We have gathered together some useful recipes to help. Most of these are cost-effective, quick and simple.
Click on the buttons below to be redirected to the recipe pages. You can email us if you have any recipe suggestions you would like to share and we can add them to list.
Meat Dishes
Vegetarian Dishes
Pasta Dishes
Goodto.com offers fantastic cost effective family recipes for £1 or under.
And who doesn’t like a dessert? Bakingwithgranny.co.uk gives a multitude of traditional Scottish including Shortbread and Strawberry Tarts.
Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company 