CRNS member New Start Highland has safeguarded the future of HomeAid Caithness & Sutherland with the announcement that it will now run daily operations.
The move protects ten current jobs as well as existing and future traineeships and plans are in place to create more local jobs in the Caithness area. Headquartered in Inverness, New Start Highland is an award-winning social enterprise which provides a range of community services throughout the Highlands. The organisation helps over 1,000 people a year and offers housing support services, furniture re-use programmes as well as comprehensive employment training services.
Commenting on the change Mary McLuskey, CEO of CRNS said: ‘CRNS is aware that current economic conditions are very challenging for many of our members. We are delighted that the good work of HomeAid will continue and we wish both organisations every success in this new venture. Sharing problems and issues can be the start of implementing change and I would like to state that CRNS is here for all our members. There is an emerging trend on funding issues and the tension between funding streams and the long-term sustainability for smaller social enterprises. There is the need to rethink community engagement and it is hoped that positive changes will emerge from the debate on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill.’
James Dunbar, chief executive of New Start Highland, commented: “By taking on the HomeAid Caithness & Sutherland business, we are securing the vital service delivered by this much loved local social enterprise. In current uncertain times of cuts and austerity we are dedicated to protecting and creating local jobs and traineeships. I commend the HomeAid Caithness & Sutherland board for its proactive and forward thinking ethos and very much look forward to working closely with the local Caithness and Sutherland community over the coming months.”
All furniture donated in Caithness and Sutherland will continue to be recycled and provided to the north Highland community.
To find out more about HomeAid Caithness & Sutherland please visit www.homeaid.org.uk
To find out more about New Start Highland, please visit www.newstarthighland.org
