Empowering Rural Communities
Cuminestown
Fettercairn
New Deer
Rothienorman
Strathdon
Funded by
Live Life Aberdeenshire (LLA) is an innovative approach to delivering sports and cultural activities on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council. The organisation provides a wide range of services to communities across the region, promoting positive mental health and physical wellbeing. Whether you live, work, or visit Aberdeenshire, LLA offers access to fun and educational activities, from mountain to sea.
If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Cameron. He’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Just send him an email whenever you have a chance.
Skills Development for Successful Cultural Community Initiatives
A skills development and networking programme aimed at empowering individuals or community groups interested in planning and running cultural community activities.
Led by NEAT and experienced cultural development professional Simon Gall of Expressing Scotland CIC, this Easter version of the Online Bothy aims to gather people across Aberdeenshire to learn skills and build connections around planning and delivering community activity.
Four out of five sessions will be delivered via Zoom, with the final session culminating in an in-person event of talks and networking on Saturday 12 April 2025.
FREE to attend – but signing up is essential
(valued at £325 per person)
Sessions will be held on:
Sunday 30th March 4:30pm – 6:30pm (online)
Thursday 3rd April – 6:30pm – 8:30pm (online)
Sunday 6th April – 4:30pm – 6:30pm (online)
Thursday 10th April -6:30pm – 8:30pm (online)
Saturday 12th April 10:00am – 2:00pm (Inverurie – venue tbc, catering provided).
At the Online Bothy, you will explore all of this:
- How to plan and manage activity
- Making and managing budgets
- Guidance on funding applications
- Monitoring and evaluating projects
- Marketing and advertising
- Community mapping
- Peer learning
- Building network contacts
Places are limited, so be sure to book early to guarantee your place.
Get ready to unlock your potential and level up your community engagement, project management, and governance skills like never before! The Online Bothy programme is designed to provide you with a unique opportunity to learn from specialised professionals and through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.
This opportunity is open to ALL people volunteering, living or working in Aberdeenshire, we are also keen to continue our relationship with existing groups and new groups from Cuminestown, Fettercairn, New Deer, Rothienorman and Strathdon.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
The Online Bothy is supported by a Positive Action Grant from
The Parent Council (PC) in Fettercairn has always been dedicated to being the voice of parents and enhancing the children’s learning and overall experience in the village. The PC plays a crucial role in enriching the community by organising events and activities outside of school hours. One of their most exciting initiatives, now completed, was the creation of a large mural on a public-facing wall of Fettercairn Primary School building, funded by the Community Culture and Heritage grant.
The Vision
This mural project, long-discussed but previously hindered by funding challenges, finally came to life. The PC secured the talents of freelance muralist Paco Graff, who designed and produced the mural. This vibrant artwork has added a colourful and uplifting feature to the school, enhancing the daily environment for students, families, and teachers.
The Process
To ensure the mural reflected the spirit of the community, Paco Graff created three draft designs. These designs incorporated ideas and drawings from the pupils, giving them a sense of ownership of the project. The final design was chosen by the children through a vote, ensuring their voices were heard.
Once the design was selected, Paco painted the mural on large wooden boards, which local joiner Colin Smith from CWS Solutions installed on the school wall.
Volunteer Project Management
Local artist and PC member Nicole Smith managed the project. With two children at the school and a background in creative projects, Nicole was well-equipped to oversee the mural’s development. She coordinated with the school and Paco Graff, ensuring the project ran smoothly and documented the artist’s progress.
Nicole was supported by Parent Council Secretary Simon Gall, who brought extensive experience in arts and cultural projects.
Community Impact
This mural project was more than just an art installation; it was a testament to the power of community collaboration and the importance of involving children in creative processes. By bringing together local talents and resources, the Fettercairn Parent Council created a lasting legacy that will inspire and uplift the community for years to come.
The vibrant mural now stands as a symbol of the community’s spirit and creativity, enjoyed daily by pupils, parents, teachers and passers-by. The successful completion of this project highlights its positive impact and the importance of supporting artistic endeavours in rural communities.
Funded by
