We're in the money! Buckie community groups celebrate National Lottery cash bonanza
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TWO Buckie community groups are celebrating after netting over £25,000 in grants from the National Lottery.
Buckie Area Forum's (BAF) Community Hub project is better off to the tune of £21,286 from the lottery's Community Fund, while Buckie Men's Shed has been handed £4750.
Opened last year, the Hub helps local people cope with the cost-of-living crisis, including providing supplies for people experiencing homelessness, referrals for financial support and a free community café.
John Taylor, who moved to Buckie in February of this year, credits the Hub with keeping him out of prison and even saving his life. He was highly dependent on alcohol when he arrived in Buckie, and with no family or friends in the area to support him his pattern of lifestyle was a vicious circle of drinking heavily, getting into trouble, being imprisoned and then released again.
After receiving a warm welcome at the Hub John started visiting most days. He was able to carry out his community justice hours at the Hub and worked closely with one of the volunteers, Kevin McKay, to develop the Hub garden. The two formed a strong bond and Kevin supported John to break the vicious circle of his life.
John is now a regular volunteer at the Hub and helps others by sharing his lived experience.
He said: “I am feeling so much better, both physically and mentally, as I now cook meals instead of turning to alcohol.
"I can speak to any of the volunteers here when things are getting me down and they are all amazing! I have no doubt that had it not been for the Hub I would be back in prison or may not even be alive. The volunteers at the Hub are my family.”
Kevin, who has supported John through his recovery, commented: “I have taken John to my heart and am overwhelmed by how well he is doing.
"I can’t believe it’s the same person who visited us all those months ago. I don’t think I’ve done anything special; I’ve just given him the confidence to be himself.”
BAF chairman Gordon McDonald added: “John is obviously a prime example of what the Hub is here for and what it’s all about.
"John knows all the volunteers and has a friendship group. He has his own responsibilities in the Hub and he carries them out with care and attention.
"I hope with this new funding we will be able to continue to support many more people like John.”
For more about the services offered by the Hub, plus opening times, visit their Facebook page.
Alleviating social isolation and loneliness through companionship is one of the key aims of Buckie Men's Shed and their grant will be put to good use helping renovate their new home at 19A High Street.
Two men who have greatly benefited from the group have been 87-year-old Laurance Barret and his 67-year-old son-in-law Jim Nock.
When Laurance lost his wife in December 2022, he suffered crushing feelings of loneliness, shock and grief. Although Jim supported him through this difficult time he soon found that he, too, was grappling with feelings of loneliness. When the two men saw an invitation to meet with a view to forming Buckie Men’s Shed earlier this year, they jumped on the opportunity to connect with other men in the area.
The shed has been a key part of their lives ever since.
Jim said: “We went along and were immediately welcomed even though we had never met anyone in the shed before.
"The shed has since become a safe, non-judgemental environment for us to join in whenever we feel able. We have delighted in hearing old stories and social history from men who were boys in Buckie.
"I would like to express my personal thanks to the National Lottery for this funding which will go towards the positive improvement in our premises and will allow further benefit to our community.”
To find out more about Buckie Men's Shed, visit their Facebook page. Meetings are usually held on Thursdays between 1pm and 4pm. Entry to the shed is up a lane beside Zen Ink. A sign is usually placed on the pavement when the group is meeting to point new members in the right direction.
The hub and Men's Shed were among a total of 303 groups across Scotland sharing in a funding pot of £7,690,005. players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
