Winter volunteer scheme for communities

Stirling Council is launching a pilot project that will enable groups of residents to support their community during wintry weather conditions.

The Community Winter Volunteer scheme will give people the tools and help to clear snow and ice on local footpaths that are not currently treated by the Council. 

Applicants and groups will be provided with safety clothing and the necessary equipment, including shovels, snow pushers, grit spreaders, high-vis clothing, PPE and grit. 

Full training will be delivered by the Council to volunteers to carry out the tasks and ongoing support will also be available. 

Each group will elect a Team Leader and a Deputy Leader, who will liaise with the Council's Roads Service.

The initiative was approved as part of the Council's Winter Service Policy for 2022/23 at a recent meeting of the Environment and Housing Committee.

Convener, Cllr Jen Preston said: "During the winter months the Council has to prioritise the areas it grits, focusing on routes that pose the greatest risk to public safety if not treated.

"This pilot project will empower communities to clear snow and ice from local footpaths as and when needed, in addition to the gritting carried out by the Council which will remain at the same level as previous years.

"There is a fantastic community spirit across Stirling and we know there is a desire from groups and individuals to pitch in for their own neighbourhoods and communities over the winter to help the most vulnerable.

"Any community groups or residents who would like to get involved or want to know more about the scheme, please get in touch as soon as possible."

A number of other local authorities employ similar schemes including Edinburgh, Falkirk and Aberdeenshire.

The Roads Service will monitor the operation and effectiveness of the pilot and a report will be brought back to a future meeting of the committee.

For more information on the pilot and to apply, please head to the Stirling Council website.

A recording of the committee meeting can be viewed here: https://stirling.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

BBC Scotland are on a mission to create a unique choir led by vocal coach to the stars, Yvie Burnett, for her new series, ‘Scotland Sings’.

For the past 20 years, Yvie has worked with a range of stars from Katy Perry to Susan Boyle, Lewis Capaldi to Leona Lewis, and has appeared on The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent along the way.

Now, Yvie is taking on her biggest challenge yet – to form and coach a choir from some of Scotland’s hidden talents, those who have kept their vocal talents a secret, until now…

We need you to help us find our country’s finest ‘secret’ singers - those who’ve kept their talents hidden away, who lack the confidence to ever sing in public but would benefit both physically and mentally from coaching and singing in a group led by Yvie, even if this is the first time they’ve let their vocals be heard outside of the shower!

So if that sounds like you or even someone you know – a family member or friend – now is the time the act!

To be considered, all you have to do is record a video or send us the email address of your nominee by heading to this address: bbc.co.uk/scotlandsings and follow the instructions.

We can’t wait to hear all the unheard voices from across Scotland!

The closing date for applications is the 31st of October 2022 at midnight.

NOMINATIONS LINK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u121359722

PROGRAMME PAGE: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cxrhc2

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A Dunblane based group is organising a shipment of much needed aid to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. 

Over 2 million refugees, mainly women and children, have made the journey to Poland, often in freezing conditions, taking with them only what they can carry. Supplies at the border are running terribly low and refugees are arriving mentally, emotionally and physically shattered. Donated aid will go by HGV next week direct to a refugee receiving centre on the Polish Ukrainian border.

We have been in regular contact with the centre and the items they desperately need are:
Tinned food, particularly tinned meat and tinned fruit
Drinks
Sweets for the children
Nappies
Sanitary products
Blankets (new only)

***Although thie collection event has passed, you can still donate towards shipment costs on their gofundme page.***
If you are able to donate any of these items, you can bring them along to Dunblane Scout Hall, 2 Ochlochy Park, Dunblane FK15 0DU between 12:30 and 16:30 on Sunday, 20 March.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Facebook link : https://fb.me/e/1QR5D1cAn