This is a time of unprecedented challenge for all of us. Rural communities and rural businesses likely feel particularly fragile at the moment, which makes it all the more important that we pull together, share ideas and support each other during this difficult time.
We have pulled together a list of links to information that might be of interest to you, your business or your community as this rapidly changing situation unfolds.
Government Information and Health Advice
- Overview of Covid-19 Guidance from the Scottish Government
- Scottish Government Covid-19 Updates
- NHS Inform
Funding
- Third Sector Resilience Fund
- Covid-19 Non Domestic Rates Grants
- Help for Non-Domestic Rates Payers
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Scottish Seafood Business Resilience Fund
- Wellbeing Fund
- Prince’s Countryside Fund Rural Response Emergency Grants
- Foundation Scotland Response, Recovery & Resilience Fund
- Connecting Scotland – addressing digital exclusion
- Aviva Community Fund
- Victims’ Fund
- The North Face Covid-19 Explore Fund
- Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund – closing soon
Community Advice and Resources
- Ready Scotland Helping in your Community
- Scotland Cares Volunteering
- Scottish Community Development Centre
- SCVO Coronavirus Community Assistance Directory
- Citizens Advice Scotland Coronavirus Information
- Scottish Government announcement on support for communities
- Age Scotland
- ParentClub Scotland
- Rural Watch Scotland
- Guide to Rural Security (pdf)
- How what3words can help
- Advice on infection control for community organisations from SCDC
Business Advice and Support
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Coronavirus Bounce Back Loans
- HMRC – how to delay VAT and self assessment payments due to Covid-19
- Self Employment Income Support
- Find Business Support – Scottish Business Support Portal
- Business Gateway information including coping strategies
- VisitScotland information for businesses
- Scottish Tourism Alliance sign up for daily email briefings
- Growbiz
We are also keen to share suggestions and ideas of ways that people in rural Scotland are pulling together and helping to support each other. If you would like to share your suggestions please email us on info@sra.scot
Examples of community resilience:
- CoDel discussion document on easing the lockdown in the Western Isles and other Scottish islands
- Colintraive and Glendaruel Community Council
- Ettrick and Yarrow Community Council
SURF, Scotland’s Regeneration Forum, are collating examples of community resilience from across Scotland. You can read diverse examples of community experiences and sign up for their newsletter on their website, here.
Please take care of yourself and others during this difficult time.