Good news for North Sutherland group
A North Sutherland social enterprise is celebrating after securing ownership of a local building which is at the heart the community.
North Coast Connection, based in Tongue, has acquired the Kyle Centre, and a small parcel of land next to the building, from Highland Council.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) supported this with an award of £3950.
North Coast Connection delivers health and well being activity, including a community lunch group three days a week. The organisation currently employs three part-time staff - a manager, a cook and a support worker who are assisted by a number of volunteers.
The long-term plan is to develop the building as a community hub and expand the activities available from three to five days a week.
Already, North Coast Connection has won an award from BT’s Community Connections to run digital inclusion activities with the support of the local Get IT Together officer. The nearest Citizens Advice Bureau hold a monthly outreach session in the building and groups such as the local community council, care home action group and a new mother and toddler group all meet at the Kyle Centre.
The erection of a poly tunnel next to the centre is one part of a garden project for all ages.
Local community transport organisation, Transport for Tongue Ltd, (T4T) provide transport to the Centre for anyone wishing to access the services and activities provided by North Coast Connection. T4T operates three bus routes linking the dispersed communities of Melness, Tongue and Skerray as well as a regular service connecting with regional transport links in Lairg and Inverness.