WDT Funding Update
Since the turbine stopped generating in October 2024, Westray Renewable Energy has had no income to gift to WDT.
All of our grants are available thanks to income from the Community Turbine, so with no income there now needs to be some changes.
Please remember that our grants are “up to” 50%, not a guaranteed 50%. All applications must meet at least one of WDT’s aims and will be assessed against the relevant criteria. A strong, well-completed application really matters. Please read the eligibility criteria carefully and explain clearly how your project benefits the community and meets WDT’s aims.
Changes to our grants
- Our Community Grant budget has been gradually reduced and is now £50,000 for 2026/27
- Entertainment Grant: maximum £500 per event
- Education & Training Grant: no change
- Wellness Grant: reduced from £250 to £100 per person per year; total pot reduced to £1,000
- Team & Individual Sponsorship: total pot reduced to £1,000
- No Fuel Grant this year
The Westray Fuel Grant originally came from an underspend in the previous years budget. We have managed to fund it from our annual budget for the last two years, but unfortunately there will be no Fuel Grant this year.
We know this may be disappointing news, particularly for those who have relied on this support. If you’re affected, please come and speak to us. We can help signpost you to other organisations, grants and support that may be available, including help with making your home more energy efficient and reducing heating costs.
Over the last two years, we have been working hard to streamline how we operate and reduce our costs. We have reduced WDT spending by around 15%, prioritised essential services such as Here to Help. Looking forward we will continue to look for savings wherever we can. We will also need to rely more heavily on external grants and our reserves over the coming
years.
We want to be open with our community about the position we are in as things like our Grants may not be on offer again. It may look like we are spending money elsewhere on things like housing and the hall, these projects are heavily grant funded with a very small percentage from WDT and an income when finished.
We know this is difficult news. None of these decisions have been taken lightly, and we understand how important WDT funding is to local groups, organisations and individuals. We will continue to look for revenue external funding, reduce our costs and make the best use of the resources we have.
We remain committed to supporting our community — but also realistic. If you would like to discuss any of these matters further, please contact [email protected] and an appointment will be made for you or watch out for WDT events over the next few months.
Turbine News
We unfortunately have very little news to share. We are looking at options for repair and also other options for the future.
PROJECT NEWS
Jerusalem
Subcontractors should be on site mid-September, and Danny and his team will continue with outside work.
Community Hall
Too early in the month for a Community Development Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise decision yet, but we will let you know when we know.
Garden
Just like that, the strawberries are finished! Courgettes are also starting to slow down, but cabbages, salad leaves and broad beans are speeding up! Carrots are on their way, and we have introduced fennel and garlic to the fridge.
WESTRAY WELLNESS
Here2Help
Thanks to all of our relief staff who have been covering holidays over the summer, we now support 20 households with Here2Help.
Community Fridge
A reminder that, as you harvest produce from your garden, if you have a “glut”, why not donate it to the Community fridge? Please take it to the Trust office for it to be logged before being placed in the fridge.
Fareshare deliveries are recommencing on a monthly basis, but we encourage local households to continue donating so that food is not being wasted locally.
Community Mental Health and Wellbeing (VAO ) Grant Funded Activities
- Orkney Dance and Fitness (ODAF)
Line Dancing continues to be popular. Line Dancing takes place on a Friday evening, normally in the school hall from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. (days/times may vary due to the hall being booked for other events)
Boogie Bounce needs to be booked due to the number of trampolines available.
- Book “Fridge”
The Book Fridge, which will go in the space where the freezer was housed beside the Community Fridges. The shelves for this are currently being constructed.
Men’s Shed
The Wellbeing Coordinator gave a talk on Testicular health and the importance of self-examination to employees at the Cooke Aqua meeting on the 6th August. Leaflets on how to carry out self-examination were given out to the 20 employees in attendance. They were encouraged to spread the word among other male friends and family, especially young teenagers.
Veterinary clinics on Westray
Northvet visited the island on the 1st July, and Flett and Carmichael have booked to come on the 25th August. They are contacting clients directly ahead of the clinic.
Summer Activities Programme for Children
On the 27th July, 14 children went to the Wellpark Soft Play area in Kirkwall. Each child had their entrance to the play area and a meal provided.
(Children having a rest and food in between playing in the Soft Play area.)
Craft and activity sessions took place on a Wednesday afternoon with a different theme every week/Themes included scarecrows, sailing and boats, Westray’s Past and Birds.
Nicki Hellewell created all these wonderful craft pieces for the children to complete. Thank you, Nicki!
SEE BELOW: Bird-themed crafts. Boat in a Bottle from the sailing and boats-themed session.
Clay coiled pot and Westray Wife-Westray’s Past.
Hazel Moore and Nina Wilson ran a very informative session creating clay pots and replicas of the Westray Wife. There was also potato printing and stone painting.
GRANTS AWARDED LAST MONTH
Community Grants
The Project Evaluation Group met this month, and recommendations will be presented to the Westray Development Trust board for approval at the next board meeting.
Education and Training Grants
No new Education and Training Grants this month.
Entertainment Grants
Our first application came from Westray Writers, who applied for a grant towards the cost of welcoming Peter Mackay, Scotland’s Makar, and poet Miriam Gamble to Westray. During their visit, Peter and Miriam will take part in the Parish Kirk service, which will have a special poetry theme. Peter will also lead an all-age Writing Together workshop. There will also be an evening public reading in the Parish Kirk, with Peter and Miriam sharing some of their work.
It promises to be a wonderful opportunity for the Westray community to come together, enjoy some poetry and writing, and hear from two talented visiting writers.
Our second application came from Westray Sailing Club for a grant towards their annual Regatta Dinner Dance.
The dinner dance is a popular part of the Sailing Club’s annual regatta celebrations, bringing the community together for an evening of food, music and a chance to celebrate another year of sailing on Westray. We’re pleased to be able to support the event through the grant scheme
Westray Wellness Grant
We’ve had two Westray Wellness Grant applications approved over the past month.
One grant to support a dry stone dyke building course, giving the recipient the opportunity to develop practical skills and learn more about this traditional craft.
The second grant is towards tuition in Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki, supporting the recipient to undertake training in this practice.
It’s great to see the Wellness Grant being used to support such a variety of interests, skills and learning opportunities within our community.
Sponsorship
There were no sponsorship requests this month.
Bargain Box
The Bargain Box is open on Wednesday and Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm; goods for sale can be dropped off on Monday evenings from 7-8 pm
Sorry, we cannot accept Electrical Items at the moment.
August Bargain Box Groups
| 2nd and 5th September | Westray Sailing Club |
| 9th and 12th September | Westray Golf Club |
| 16th and 19th September | Hofn |
| 23rd and 26th September | Friends of Westray Playpark |
| 30th September and 3rd October | Westray Parent Council |
We have had feedback that groups are confused with the new system at the bargain box, so we will attempt to clear that up!
On a Sunday, Anne and Ali work in the bargain box together and rotate clothes, packing up for Blytheswood and just generally tidying up. After some community feedback and also looking at other charity shop models in Orkney the decision was made that they would put clothes out, and any clothes coming in should be left for them to organise. Any clothes on hangers can be displayed by groups.
This was introduced to help with:
- The overcrowded feeling in the bargain box
- To try and reduce the amount of hours volunteers spend just tidying up
- To ease the pressure on groups on Monday evenings
- Stock being rotated more frequently
- Consistency in pricing
- If people can’t find what they are looking for on the shelves, the storage area is much easier to navigate
Just to remind any groups who think they aren’t benefiting from items donated on their week. The bonus pot money you receive when the rotation is over comes from the 50% retained each week, so “your” items benefit another group and yourself. However, If Groups have clothes donations especially for their group, they are welcome to join Anne and Ali on a Sunday to help make room and display the items.
There are also other facilities and options for fundraising in Westray, and no group should feel obligated to take on a week at the Bargain Box.
How to contact us
The WDT office opening hours are 9 am-4 pm Monday to Friday. You can contact us at the following email addresses or via the Westray Development Trust Facebook page.
WDT office staff
Gina Rendall – Operations Manager, normal working hours Monday to Friday, [email protected]
Eve White – Book Keeper
Sarah Cowe – Admin and Grants Officer, normal working hours are Monday to Thursday – [email protected]
Suzanne Baird – Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, usual working hours are Mon to Fri 8 a.m. -12 noon but do vary depending on who needs her!
WRE staff
Clare Walker – WRE, Admin & Finance Officer – [email protected]
On Facebook – Westray Development Trust
– Westray Community Garden Project
On Instagram – @westraydevelopmenttrust @westray_community_garden