Welcome Back To CareBlair!

We share positive news, stories, and information that helps local volunteers, non-profits, and charities to connect with their audience in meaningful ways online.

The Small & Simple Things We All Do Make A Big Difference.

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

We have always been, and always will be, the ones we are waiting for. As you read The Community Guide To Local Sharing, remember you are needed because, especially at this moment, the local community needs you to share your abilities and gifts ,whatever they might be, if we are to advance the common, collective good. Blairgowrie’s young fundraising hero, Ava, is a great role model.

Most of us are already aware that there are still lots of ways we can share of ourselves to help people, volunteers, and community non-profits as local and national restrictions begin to loosen up around us. Today, we’re sharing some of the various groups and services we found around Blairgowrie and in some of the nearby towns so you can continue to cast your light and share your skills all the while staying local and helpful around your community in unique ways that only you can be.

As the video above shows, the small things such as helping our grandmother to test her blood sugar levels, fetching the morning paper for our grandfather, or even doing their housework (if you happen to live with them) can all add up to making a big difference. Can you remember some of the small things you’ve done for someone recently?

As you go and cast your own light, Just be sure to follow any current government Covid-19 restrictions and best practices to avoid putting anyone at risk. Thanks in advance for taking the time to drop in here today. You made me smile :).

Remember, sharing is caring.

Ways You Can Help People Locally.

Volunteer With Reputable Community Organizations.

1. Share Your Pride In Perthshire!

Perthshire Pride is a celebration of equality and diversity throughout Perthshire. The volunteer-led charity aims to put on (when restrictions safely allow) events, parties, and meet-ups for the LGBT+ community, in order to develop an LGBT+ inclusive culture and promote the Perthshire area as a ‘safe place’ through education and support.

If you would like to register your interest in volunteering with them for their next Pride event, possibly in 2021 (depending on local restrictions), then please get in touch with the Perthshire group either through their dedicated Facebook page or by email (info@perthshirepride.com).

Alternatively, you might like to explore their Just Giving Donation page to contribute something small or big which will help them to cover the costs of running their fantastic events. The group sends their thanks in advance for anything you’re able to contribute.

2. Discover & Learn About Your Local Cooperative Communities.

Since you’re likely reading this as a volunteer yourself, you’ll have noticed over the last 18 months all of the people coming out to help one another, and, you’ve probably also heard about a rise in new community cooperatives that are springing up all over the country too.

Taybank Growers Cooperative, based at Blackhaugh Farm on the edge of the village of Spittalfield in Perthshire is run by Jonny Agnew, Dave Shand, and Roz Corbett. The trio set up the market garden at Blackhaugh Farm in the spring of 2017 and continue to collectively plant, grow, harvest, and personally deliver the many varieties of delicious, healthy veg, direct from their farm to our tables, and, you may even collect some from Mitchells Newsagent in Blairgowrie.

Cooperatives begin when we look beyond ourselves as individuals to see ourselves as more valuable together. As a collective group. It’s amazing to discover that Cooperatives tend to get started with a conversation around a few observations that by themselves are important, but have world-changing potential if managed democratically for the common good. Good people doing good honest work, together.

If you would like to register your interest in volunteering (or working) with them for their upcoming season (depending on local restrictions), then please get in touch with the Perthshire group either through their dedicated Facebook page or by emailing them.

Alternatively, you might like to explore their website and visit their Wee Farm Shop for some fresh veggies. The group sends their thanks in advance for anything you’re able to contribute.

3. Help Drive Your Local Zero Waste Movement.

Covid-19 has accelerated a new wave of ‘zero waste shops’ as people are increasingly wary about where their food comes from and who has been in contact with it. Popping up on our typical high street, zero waste stores are designed to reduce single-use packaging and allow customers to buy in bulk and use their own containers for all items.

For some, this might conjure up images of hippies and dried lentils, but in reality the choice of produce available is vast. Many shops sell fresh fruit and vegetables as well as flour, sugar, breakfast cereals, dried fruit – but also oils, vinegars, milk, eggs, and sauces.

The Green Way, based in Blairgowrie, was Founded in July 2020 and aims to promote local, fresh, seasonal produce, reduce food miles while connecting local producers & businesses with their customers.

They rely on the help of local volunteers to help deliver online orders to customers’ homes. Their initiatives include an online Market – NeighbourFood Blairgowrie & Rattray, The Sustainable Way Gift Card, a School Uniform Swap Shop, and a Shoe Repair Service. Through all of these, we connect the community to local businesses & producers helping to boost the local economy and creating a healthy, more sustainable way of living.

As a Social Enterprise all of their profits are invested back into their business or local community. Zero Waste Scotland has a handy guide sharing all of the zero waste stores in the North East of Scotland and beyond.

If you would like to register your interest in volunteering with them for their next market event (depending on local restrictions), then please get in touch with the Perthshire shop either through their dedicated Facebook page or by emailing them.

Alternatively, you might like to explore their sustainable gift card page to contribute something small or big which will help you to shop local and support the local community. The group sends their thanks in advance for anything you’re able to contribute.

4. Share Your Friendly Nature With Your Local Elders.

Elder Voice Perth & Kinross, based In Blairgowrie, is a charity committed to addressing loneliness, isolation, and malnutrition in older people living in and around Blairgowrie & Rattray, Alyth, Meigle, Coupar Angus, Balgeddie, Guildtown, and surrounding areas.

Their mission, through the power of volunteering, is “to help people maintain independence and live the life they want”. If you are interested in volunteering with them in and around Perth & Kinross as a Volunteer Shopper, Befriender/ Telephone befriender Volunteer, or Volunteer Driver please reach out via email (info@eldervoice.org.uk), Facebook page, or give us a call on 01250 874 269. They also have volunteering opportunities available within their administration office (based in Blairgowrie).

Alternatively, you might like to explore their Taxi Voucher Scheme page and help reduce the cost of a taxi for someone you know. The group sends their thanks in advance for anything you’re able to contribute.

5. Help To Build A Local Community Guide Hut.

Today, almost 100 years on, the original (and only) wooden girl guiding hut in their local town of Blairgowrie, was deemed unsafe leaving countless young girls without a connection to a central community hub. To them, this isn’t just their home away from home, it’s also a sanctuary made up of the cherished memories of all those good souls who came before them.

The volunteers who continue to maintain the girl guiding movement have worked passionately and tirelessly to keep their local community engaged, often by seeking temporary spaces to host community events at various local markets throughout the year.

This allows the team of volunteers to carry out essential fundraising in their quest to raise almost £200,000 which would cover the cost of knocking down the unsafe wooden guide hut and rebuilding a brand new modern guide hut and community center in the same space.

Donations can be made through their Local Giving page and they are also looking for volunteers who might be interested in helping out with the construction of the guide hut. To register your interest with them you may send the group a message on their dedicated Facebook page. They share their thanks with you in advance for anything you’re able to contribute.

You Might Like To Check Out These Local Organizations Too.

Support People To Get Access To Nutrient-Rich Food.

Perth & Kinross Council have put together a food support leaflet to help you or someone you know to get the support they need. We also have Perth Foodbank, Alyth Foodbank, Coupar Angus Community Larder, BARI in Blairgowrie, and various community larders around Blairgowrie too.

Community larders are well maintained locations for storing and sharing tinned food, packaged goods, fruit, veg, bakery, and much more. They tend to be easily accessible and free to anyone who needs access to them. Simply use the links above to locate the nearest larder to you and share this information with someone who you think might benefit from using the service. 

There is always the possibility of using and sharing Volunteer Cards (Not Part of the PKC Scheme). Those Who May Be Self-Isolating Can Help Their Volunteers To Shop On Their Behalf. The person who is self-isolating can buy an online gift card from their favorite retailer (Tesco & Coop Etc.), and then the retailer can email the details (or you can) of the gift voucher to the nominated volunteer. The volunteer can then shop with that gift card and drop off the shopping on yours or someone you knows’ doorstep.

Support People To Get Back To The Work They Love.

Remember, J.K. Rowling lived on government assistance for food, housing, and health care while writing her first drafts of what became the Harry Potter series. There is no shame in accepting help in order to get back on your feet. None at all.

We have many options when it comes to sharing and recieving financial assistance. W can not only self-calculate the support we’re entitled to from government programs such as Universal Credit, but also the type of support we might require. If you or someone you know needs support to pay their rent then check out the support available.

Perth & Kinross Council have also put together a helpful directory made up of various local mental health groups and services such as PKAVS, should you or someone you know find this to be useful.

Retailers, especially the big ones, are always on the lookout for new workers even if they don’t have any prior experience working in a retail food store. Consider sharing these links of various supermarkets if someone you know is out of work and lives within walking or quick commuting distance of one. Coop, Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons, and Lidl.

Because the landscape is constantly changing at the moment as we ride out this pandemic, many people might be finding it overwhelming to find out or to understand what their workplace rights are if they were to get sick, fall pregnant, have a grievance, or find themselves becoming an unpaid carer for the first time. Citizens Advice, PKAVS for unpaid carers, and even the Co-op’s legal services about employee rights around health and safety, sick pay, and leave might prove to be invaluable information.

Discover The World Of Universal Credit.

Question Of The Day!

What do you think are the most important needs that need to be met in the local community of Blairgowrie & Rattray? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook. Or send us an email at (careblairproject@gmail.com).