community
What does “wellbeing” mean to you?
Welcome to the second of Kincardine and Mearns local community plan priorities.
Communities, both place-based and people sharing a common identity or affinity, have a vital contribution to make to health and wellbeing. Community life, social connections, supportive relationships and having a voice in local decisions are all factors that underpin good health, however, inequalities persist and too many people experience the effects of social exclusion or lack social support. Participatory approaches directly address the marginalisation and powerlessness caused by entrenched health inequalities.
The assets within communities, such as the skills and knowledge, social networks, local groups and community organisations, are building blocks for good health. Many people in Kincardine & Mearns already contribute to community life through volunteering, community leadership and activism. Community empowerment occurs when people work together to shape the decisions that influence their lives and health and begin to create a more equitable society. This is not about a DIY approach to health; there are important roles for NHS, local government and their partners in creating safe and supportive places, fostering resilience and enabling individuals and communities to take more control of their health and lives.
Over the next few weeks we will share with you some stories about wellbeing and what it means to a variety of people. Look out for our first blog next week.We hope you enjoy
A Nation of Cyclists
The famous Dutch obsession with bicycles is clearly paying off – a recent study has shown.
While there have been a plethora of studies demonstrating the health benefits of cycling as a means to reduce the risk of sedentary lifestyle diseases and all-cause mortality, the study “Dutch Cycling: Quantifying the Health and Related Economic Benefits” – is the first to actually quantify the health benefits and related economic benefits at a population level in the Netherlands. Currently, about 27% of all trips in the Netherlands are made by bicycle and the weekly time spent cycling is about 74 minutes per week for Dutch adults of 20 to 90 years of age. Even more noteworthy and remarkable, over half of the total life expectancy increase calculated in this study is being achieved by cycling among adults aged 65 and older.
The study clearly shows that Dutch investments in bicycle-promoting policies, such as improved bicycle infrastructure and facilities, are likely to yield a high cost-benefit ratio in the long term. Health benefits translate into economic benefits of over 5% of Dutch GDP. To calculate the economic health benefits of cycling, HEAT (Health Economic Assessment Tool) uses a standard value of a statistical life (VSL) to monetize the number of deaths per year prevented by cycling. With a Dutch VSL of € 2.8 million per prevented death, investment in cycling is an extremely wise economic investment. The €0.5 billion per year spent by the Dutch government on road and parking infrastructure for cycling is estimated to yield total economic health benefits of € 19 billion per year!
Investments in high quality cycling policies and infrastructure produce great benefit over the long term. Cycling for transport delivers wealth and health, quality of life, for people and for cities.
North Kincardine Treasure Map
Newtonhill, Muchalls & Cammachmore Community Council have been busy developing the North Kincardine Treasure map. 
Its aim to encourage people to explore North Kincardineshire supports the work we have been doing to enhance and increase activity in the local area. A copy of the map has been delivered to all dwellings in Council Ward 17, highlighting five key trails with points of interest along the way. An interactive website provides additional information and routes and will develop into a valuable archive of the area.
The ‘Treasure Map’ project was linked to an Integrated Travel Town Project and a Community Sports Hub (CSH) ‘healthy weight project’. It encourages local residents to get out and about and tells them more about their local area. This is community and Council working together to create something special for the whole community!”
Want to know more? Visit http://www.discovernorthkincardine.org.uk/index.html
All Change!
“A true community is not just about being geographically close to someone or part of the same social web network. It’s about feeling connected and responsible for what happens.”
In a change from our previous blogs K & M Communities is going to focus on the topics you have told us are you important to you, the priorities in our Local Community Plan. They are;
- Strong Communities
- Connecting People
- Wellbeing
Over the next few weeks and months we will share with you some information and thoughts on these priorities, what’s happening in your local community and how you can have a voice in deciding what’s important in the future. We’re starting off with Connecting People. We hope you enjoy!
Cornerstone
Cornerstone, an award winning and pioneering Scottish charity is looking to recruit new Board members to be part of our transformational and pioneering journey to transform social care in Scotland. www.cornerstone.org.uk
What we are looking for:
Essential:
People with the passion to make a difference
Pioneering individuals who want Cornerstone to thrive
People with an understanding of what it means to be a Director of a company – both the responsibility and the privilege
Desirable:
We are particularly looking for people who have public sector experience in commissioning, health or social care policy and/or the planning and influencing of change in social work practice .
We would love to hear from people based in areas out with Aberdeen
As we are an organisation that embraces diversity we would love to hear from you if you are female, a person with a disability or someone from any other minority group
We are also interested in people who have experience of being cared for or supported by Cornerstone either the person themselves or a family member
If you would like to find out more please contact Edel Harris CEO or Peter Nicholson Chair of the Board on edel.harris@cornerstone.org.uk or 01224 256001
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Dementia Friendly Aberdeenshire
Dementia Friendly Communities in Kincardine & Mearns are working to raise awareness of the early stages of dementia and to reduce the stigma attached, enabling people with dementia to continue to remain active participants in their communities for as long as possible, live well and not be isolated from their communities. All it takes is learning a little about dementia and doing small things which can make a big difference. The Project Officer, Karen Wood, is available to come to speak (free) to all community groups in the K&M area. For more information please email karen.wood@avashire.org.uk, or phone/text 07585 242428.
Scottish & Southern Energy Networks Resilient Communities Fund
Scottish & Southern Energy Networks Resilient Communities Fund – North of Scotland: £285,000 of funding available in 2017 
The fund is open to constituted community groups, not-for-profit organisations and registered charities working in our north of Scotland network area. The fund will support projects that:
- Protect the welfare of vulnerable community members through enhancing their resilience and improving community participation and effectiveness.
- Enhance community facilities, services and communication specifically to support the local response in the event of a significant emergency event.
To discuss a potential application, or for general information and advice about the fund, please contact the Community Funds Manager: Lindsay Dougan on 0141 224 7729 or email: lindsay.dougan@sse.com. Deadline: 15th June 2017.
Two Great Opportunities for Young People
See below for information on a brand new young people’s funding stream connected to the 2018 Year of Young People.
Developed by EventScotland and Young Scot, the Create18 funding programme is open to groups of three or more young people, aged 8-26, from all across Scotland to stage their own events. Create18 will distribute £42,000 of funding through grants of up to £1,000 for each event.
Event ideas could include film festivals to gigs, theatre and dance performances to art exhibitions, sports competitions, fashion shows and nature trails. The fund will be administered by Young Scot and decisions will be made by a panel of young people with support from Young Scot and EventScotland.
The Year of Young People 2018 is the next in the series of Scotland’s Themed Years. It aims to inspire Scotland through its young people, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for young people to strive for success. For more information including a full press release – click here
To apply for Create18 funding, visit young.scot/YOYP2018
Your Voice Your Choice Kincardine & Mearns is nearing the end of this year’s application phase!
Do you have an idea for a project which will help make a positive difference to health, wellbeing or community links for Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnshaven or St Cyrus?
If so, you could apply for up to £10,000 from a total available fund of £30,000. There is still time to submit an application for this year’s funding before the deadline of Friday 26th May.
Application forms are available from:
Aberdeenshire Council, Viewmount, Stonehaven
KDP Office, 42-46 Barclay St, Stonehaven
What’s On Bervie Shop, 75 King St, Inverbervie
You can also download the form from the website: www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/Application-Form-South-Mearns-2017
What is this?
This is an exciting initiative where decisions on which projects get funding are made not by politicians or officers but by the people who will benefit the most – the people who live in the Coastal Strip villages of Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnshaven and St Cyrus. ‘Participatory Budgeting’ as this process is known is all about removing barriers and getting communities directly involved in local decision-making – putting the power in the hands of the local community.
Who can apply?
Anyone who has an idea that will benefit people living in the eligible Coastal Strip villages above. This can be any community group (including informal groups), voluntary or non-profit organisations.
Where can I get further information?
If you would like some advice or support with making an application, please get in touch – we have a team of advisors who would be delighted to help.
Email: yourvoiceyourchoiceKandM@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Tel: Aberdeenshire Council Community Planning (01569) 768327
Your Voice Your Choice Kincardine & Mearns
Community Planning in Kincardine & Mearns and partners have been delighted to hear lots of great ideas for this project to date. Not-for-profit groups in Inverbervie, Gourdon, Benholm, Johnsh
aven and St Cyrus are invited to bid for up to £10k from a total pot of £30k to improve health, wellbeing and community links. Community members decide which groups receive the funding at ‘The Big Event’ which will be held on 24 June. The deadline for applications is 26 May, so there is just a fortnight left to get your bids in! Plenty of advice and support is available – see the Facebook page for more details https://www.facebook.com/Your-Voice-Your-Choice-Kincardine-Mearns-1682423285392707/ and please Like and Share widely.
K&M Communities 