A Helping Hand for Hilton call for applications

If you have an idea that will benefit the Hilton area of Inverness and need £100 - £700 to put your ideas into action then “A Helping Hand for Hilton” is your chance to get the support you need. Groups in the Hilton area of Inverness have been urged to come forwards with ideas and projects.

In total £7,000 is available for grants up to £700. £5,000 has been allocated by Inverness Ness-side Councillors, £1,000 from the Hilton, Milton and Castle Heather Community Council and £1,000 from the Management Committee of the Hilton Community Centre.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 31 January

Any local community, voluntary or non-profit group can apply; projects can be large or small the only criteria is that projects should aim to improve the local community.

Eligible groups will present their idea at a community event on 11 March. Residents in the Hilton area will be invited to come along to the event to hear about the projects and vote for the ideas they think should be funded.

Angus Dick, who is a member of the Hilton Participatory Budgeting Organising group and Chairman of the Management Committee for Hilton Community Centre said: “I would encourage all groups in the area to consider putting in an application. The application process is easy and there is support available to complete the applications.

“I am looking forward to this pilot process as the community have the chance to decide how this community budget is distributed and the community event should be a great showcase of the fantastic work that all of the community groups do in our area.”

Local Councillor Norrie Donald added: “This is a great chance for local groups to get the funding they need to turn ideas into reality and get projects that will benefit people in their area off the ground. When a similar event was held in another Inverness was there was an excellent response and groups who put forward their projects are now receive funding to help put their ideas into action so I would encourage people in the Hilton area to apply for this financial support.”

Application forms can be downloaded from the Highland Council Website or are available at the Hilton Community Centre.

1 Dec 2016