Black Isle Cares was set up in 2015 to identify gaps in services to support vulnerable people on the Black Isle, and to support the development of services to fill those gaps. Currently services include:

• Meals at Home, where volunteers take meals made by local food providers to people in their own homes, up to three times a week.

• Befriending, in partnership with Highland Hospice, linking volunteers with people at risk of loneliness and isolation.

• Community Larder / sharing shed and community garden outside the Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose

• Intergenerational activities such as our Thursday board game afternoons in Fortrose library, and Stories from the Black Isle with Avoch Primary School.

We employ a part time co-ordinator, but the majority of support is provided by on an amazing team of volunteers who deliver meals, befriend clients, keep the garden blooming, clean and restock the larder, apply for funding, play board games, and generally keep BIC going and able to provide the support people value so much.

BIC was honoured to be presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of the contribution made Promoting wellbeing and reducing loneliness and isolation in the Black Isle. This award is the voluntary sector equivalent of an MBE and was presented by the Joannie Whiteford, Lord Lieutenant for Ross and Cromarty at a Board Game afternoon with an audience ranging from aged 1 to over 91!

We can’t do what we do without volunteer support and are currently struggling to find enough. We are particularly short of volunteers to deliver meals. This can be as little as once or twice a month, or three times a week. We also have a growing waiting list of people looking for a befriender. Again, this could involve an hour a month, or more if you had more time available. Training is provided by Highland Hospice Helping Hands service.

BIC is organised by a dedicated team of trustees, all of whom are volunteers. We are a friendly group who would really appreciate some new members. Again, you don’t have to have a huge amount of time available, and it is incredibly rewarding to see the impact of the activities we provide. We meet every couple of months for a few hours in the evening. Some trustees participate at a distance, reading documents and advising on developments. We are particularly looking for trustees with a background and experience in marketing, social media, staff management, finance, fundraising…

Finally, we recently set up ‘Friends of Black Isle Cares’. Registering as a friend means we can keep in touch with you about events and activities, invite you to our AGM, volunteer coffee morning and Tabletop sales, let you know about intergenerational activities and generally share our news. Membership is free and has no minimum commitment in terms of time.

Please get in touch with our Co-ordinator if you would like any more information about getting involved 07548 343375. admin@blackislecares.com