Dear All,

On behalf of everyone at the Ulster-Scots Community Network I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you and your members a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.

2011 has been a busy yet rewarding time for the organisation and we are pleased to have been of assistance to many of you throughout the year.

In order to assess your satisfaction and help us plan for the future, we have designed a quick and easy confidential on line survey  for our member groups.  

I’d really appreciate it if you could spare two minutes to tick a few boxes and give us some feedback on what we do.

Simply click this link – http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PKSVFJR to take part in the survey. I can guarantee that all responses are confidential – we have no way of knowing the identity of those who respond.

Thanks & Regards to all,

Iain

Iain Carlisle

Ulster-Scots Community Network

E. iainc@ulster-scots.com

T. 028 90 436710

W. www.ulster-scots.com

Dear Member Group,

Just a reminder about the Big Lottery  Energy Efficient Venues programme, which we fell feel may be of interest to a lot of our groups who may own or lease halls to carry out their activities.

NB. A number of USCN member groups have already been successful – however please note that if you plan to follow up a small application (<£10k) with a second larger application (<£50K) the deadline for the first application is the end of August 2011.

The Energy Efficient Venues programme will pay for community organisations to carry out works to their venue to make them more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. As well as benefiting the environment the programme will help groups save on their heating and lighting costs.

This programme can fund 100% of the costs incurred and can include items like:-

1.       Installation of double glazing

2.       Upgrading insulation (Roof, floor and wall)

3.       Installing more energy efficient boilers and heating systems

4.       Installing more energy efficient hot water systems

5.       Installing more energy efficient kitchen appliances

6.       Installation of energy efficient lighting systems

7.       Installation of control systems to maximise efficiency of systems

The above are only some of the items which can be funded and applications can also include professional fees such as architects, energy consultants, engineers, building control and planning fees and remedial works associated with the installations.

There are two grant sizes (£2,000.00-£10,000.00 and £15,000.00-£50,000.00)

Groups can apply for one grant or up to two grants in the following combinations

·         A grant of between £2,000.00 and £10,000.00 followed by another grant of the same size

·         A grant of between £2,000.00 and £10,000.00 followed by a grant of between £15,000.00 and £50,000.00

Full details are available on the Big Lottery Fund website.

The total fund available is approximately £5million and we would encourage any Ulster-Scots groups who are interested to apply as soon as possible.

If your group require any advice or assistance sourcing quotations for energy audits and contractors or completing applications etc. please do not hesitate to contact The Ulster Scots Community Network, where our staff will be pleased to help point you in the right direction.