Islay and Jura youth groups tap in to new Community Fund

Five youth groups across Islay and Jura have successfully applied to ferry operator CalMac's new Community Fund

Islay and Jura Youth Action received a grant in support of their Movie Club.  

The monthly club is organised by island young people and as well as showing films delivers sessions on script writing, movie making, prop and special effects make up. They plan to create a movie premier, Oscar-style event, at the end of the workshops to showcase the work that's been done. 

Picture shows: Young representatives of the Jura Development Trust show off their award.

Local community archery club, Islay Archers, were awarded funding to help increase their capacity for welcoming more new members. 

A project that will deliver environmental activities during the school holidays was also supported. Islay Natural History Trust (INHT) plans to organise sessions such as bush craft and John Muir Award activities for local young people and visiting families. 

In Port Ellen the local mothers and toddlers group were given money to help with their Port Imagination Project. The project is designed to give children a taste of different career paths and to spark their imagination. 

Finally on Jura, the Jura Development Trust was awarded a grant to help get local young people more involved in outdoor activities all year round. The money will be used to help buy a base camp that can be used as a hub for organising a range of outdoor activities. 

CalMac's Community Fund is open to non-profit organisations involved in activities that will benefit young people aged 26 and under from island or coastal communities the company supports. 

So far the Fund has supported 31 projects and across west coast communities. 

'The response since we made the first round awards earlier in the year has been fantastic.  We are already seeing the money put to good use in the Western Isles and I'm delighted that we are able to help so many different groups across Islay and Jura,' said CalMac's Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Brian Fulton. 

Each application was judged by a screening panel of young people recruited from across the company's network, in partnership with Young Scot. 

Last year CalMac's 33-strong fleet carried more than 5.3 million passengers and 1.4 million vehicles to 50 ports and slipways on island and remote mainland locations.