We wanted to give our community a little advance notice about some changes we have recently become aware of on Facebook (Meta), which may affect how we share information through the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust Facebook Page.

Meta has introduced new limits around the number of external webpage links that some Facebook Pages can share within a month. Under the current limits we are seeing, this could mean that we are restricted to just 2 external links per month.

For a community organisation like ours, this could have a significant impact on how we communicate with our followers.

For example, when we share a news update, event information or community announcement, we will often include a link to the SFCT website or another relevant webpage so that people can find the full information. Having to work within such a small link allowance means we may need to carefully consider which updates we link to directly on Facebook.

Meta does offer subscription options which increase the number of links that can be shared. The option currently available to us starts at £33.99 per month, which would work out at over £400 per year for the additional allowance, which would allow us up-to 10 links per month - For comparison, we currently share 30+ links per month. This is a significant cost for a community organisation and something we need to consider carefully.

Over the coming weeks, we will be experimenting with different ways of sharing our content and looking at the options available to us. This may mean changes to our usual social media calendar, including prioritising certain website links and finding other ways to direct people to information.

If you run your own business, organisation or community Facebook Page, we would recommend looking into this yourself, as these changes could also affect how you share content and links with your followers.

Please bear with us while we take some time to understand the changes and work out the best way forward. We will keep our community updated as we learn more.

In the meantime, you can continue to find our latest news, events and information on the SFCT website, member emails and other social media channels.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these changes with you.

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

Tomorrow, Thursday 1st October, drop in anytime between 2.00pm and 6.00pm at The Wildside Centre to view our brand-new Community Gym!

We're delighted to invite local residents, supporters, funders and community partners to come along and see our new facility ahead of its official opening on Friday 9th October.

FREE Community Minibus Shuttle Service

To help everyone get along to the Preview Day, we'll be offering our FREE Community Minibus as a shuttle service throughout the afternoon, between 2.00pm and 6.00pm.

Important Information

All passengers must book in advance.

Suitable pick-up points will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Bookings close at 5.00pm on the day before the scheduled trip.

To book your seat:

Call or text: 07949 916955

Email: minibus@sfctrust.org.uk

Spaces are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment!

We look forward to welcoming you all to The Wildside Centre and showing you our fantastic new facility!

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

The Mobile Library will be visiting Errogie, Gorthleck and Foyers next Tuesday, 6 October. Everyone is welcome to pop along, browse the books and enjoy the service.

Errogie – Yellow Brick Road: 10:15–10:35am

Gorthleck – Village Hall Car Park: 10:45–11:15am

Foyers – The Hub Car Park: 11:30am–12:00pm

The Mobile Library will next visit the area on Wednesday, 14 October, at The Wildside Centre from 11:00–11:30am, before returning to Errogie, Gorthleck and Foyers in early November.

There is no requirement for an existing library membership, so everyone is welcome.

You can also arrange to drop off and collect books from The Wildside Centre by contacting Mark directly.

Contact

Mark Laurie

Dingwall & Moray Firth Mobile Assistant Librarian, High Life Highland

01349 869869

mark.laurie@highlifehighland.com

  

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

On Saturday 10th October, the Community Council is holding three sessions on First Aid and the use of public access Defibrillators.

There are now 8 public access Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) deployed across our Community. They are designed to be used without training, but familiarity in advance is useful in an emergency.

Each session will last approximately 2 hours and will cover use of the AED together with CPR and other useful First Aid until an AED arrives.

The sessions will take place at:-

10am-12pm: Errogie Church

1pm-3pm: BCC Hub, Lower Foyers

5-7pm: Wildside Centre, Whitebridge

Places are free, but please let SFCC know by email that you plan to attend, so they can manage numbers.

email_sfcc@aol.com

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

A message from the children of Stratherrick Primary School:

"This year, we are doing the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal. We are doing it because it’s about helping people who are less fortunate than we are. It helps people feel that they haven’t been forgotten and brings them together in happiness at Christmas. The countries which are helped by the shoebox appeal are Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Albania, Moldova and Serbia.

You can find out more HERE

We would like you invite you to join in and help us, either by filling your own shoebox or donating items or money. There are quite strict rules about what goes into the shoeboxes and each box has to have a leaflet enclosed. Leaflets are available from The Wildside Centre, BCC Hub and online at Blythswood SBA 2026 Leaflet .
 

The collection point for our area will be Stratherrick Primary School. We need to have all boxes/items/donations by Wednesday 28th October, please.

We really hope that our community are able to help us to help people in need.

Thank you!"

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

A huge thank you to everyone who has already completed our feedback survey following our Community Gala Day, Barn Dance and Sporting Events.

If you haven’t shared your feedback yet, there’s still time! The survey closes tomorrow, Sunday 20th September.

?? Don’t miss your chance to have your say! Take a few minutes to complete the survey and help us shape future community events.

?? Complete the survey here

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

Community Gym Preview Day

Thursday 1st October - Drop in anytime between 2.00pm and 6.00pm

We're delighted to invite local residents, supporters, funders and community partners to a Preview Day for our new Community Gym ahead of its official opening on Friday 9th  October.

This informal drop-in event is an opportunity to come along, look around the new facility, see the equipment, meet members of the team and ask any questions you may have about how the gym will operate.

The gym has been created in response to strong community support for improved local fitness facilities. We hope it will not only provide opportunities for people to improve their health and wellbeing, but also offer another space for connection, inclusion and community cohesion, as this featured a lot in what people are seeking.

The total cost of the new flooring and equipment was £20,600, and all equipment has been supplied with a buy-back option, allowing us to carefully test the concept before making longer-term decisions.

A New Pilot Facility

This is a temporary gym and, in many ways, a pilot project for our community. While we have worked hard to think through as many aspects as possible before opening, we recognise that some elements may need to evolve as we learn what works best.

We ask for your patience and understanding as the facility develops. We welcome feedback, suggestions and ideas from users, as this will help shape the service going forward.

Initial Arrangements

When the gym officially opens on 9 October, it will be available seven days a week from 6.00am to 9.00pm.

Initially, the gym will be open to those aged 16 and over. However, we are actively exploring the introduction of Instructor-Led Teen Gym Sessions for young people aged 11+, which would provide a safe and supported way for younger users to access the facility.

We are also developing a programme that will include:

• Single-sex gym sessions
• Beginner and supported sessions for those who would like additional assistance
• Free gym and equipment familiarisation classes
• Other activities and classes based on community demand

Before You Use the Gym

Anyone wishing to use the gym must:

• Complete a registration form (will be available from 5th Oct)
• Attend a building safety induction (dates and times will be advertised)

Optional equipment familiarisation sessions will be available to help users feel confident and comfortable using the gym safely.

Come and See for Yourself

Whether you're interested in becoming a member, would like to understand more about the project, or simply want to see what's been created, we'd love to welcome you on Thursday 1 October between 2.00pm and 

6.00pm.

We look forward to sharing this exciting new community resource with you and hearing your thoughts as we take the next steps together.

No booking required - just drop in anytime between 2.00pm and 6.00pm. Refreshments will be available.

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau team will be visiting the area to provide free advice and support on a range of issues.

?? September Sessions:

Wildside Centre, Whitebridge
?? Thursday 17th September
?? 9:30am – 11:30am

BCC Hub
?? Thursday 17th September
?? 12pm – 4pm

Stratherrick Hall
?? Friday 25th September
?? 10am – 1pm

Foyers Medical Centre
?? Friday 25th September
?? 2pm – 5pm

No appointment needed - just drop in during the advertised times.

Everyone is welcome to come along for advice, support and a confidential chat.

Inverness, Badenoch & Strathspey CAB
?? 01463 237664
?? Enquiries@invernesscab.org
?? inverness.cas.org.uk

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

There’s still time to apply for our latest round of grant funding - but be quick! The deadline is the 21st of September ?

Got a project, idea, or community initiative that needs support?

This could be your chance to make it happen ??

?? Miss this one? The next opportunity will be the 21st of December.

Find out more and apply here:

https://www.stratherrickcommunity.org.uk/grants-and-schemes/

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website

We hope you enjoyed our Community Gala Day, Barn Dance and Sporting Events! The weekend was all about bringing our community together, making new connections and creating lasting memories.

We would be grateful if you could take 2–3 minutes to complete our short feedback survey. Your feedback will help us understand what worked well and how we can make future events even better.

?? Complete the SFCT Gala Weekend Feedback Survey

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! ????

This feed was drawn from the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust website