Dingwall-based Highland Council worker aims to build resilience by linking community groups across region
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A WORKER has been appointed by Highland Council to join up the dots between community groups in the region.
Cai MacIver, part of the policy and reform team, will be based In Dingwall and serve communities around the region.
The post is one of 12 posts around the region for a 12-month period and is a Covid-funded post.
Speaking at Dingwall Community Council, Ms MacIver said she will be mapping community resilience in light of the Covid pandemic.
She said: "I started in post on August 2 and I am working in the Dingwall council offices.
"It has been a great and informative few weeks."
She continued: "I am mapping community resilience and as I come from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) I already know many groups in the area, but I am trying to touch base with as many people that work in the community.
"We want to have an updated map of what groups there are and find our what gaps exist and how we can help fill them.
"I am gathering all the information that you think might be relevant, it is a work in progress."
Ms MacIver said that over the last few weeks, and with a rise in the number of Covid cases in the region, some of the work she has been doing has involved helping people who are unable to leave their home.
She said: "There has been an uptake in people who need support, so we have been making sure prescriptions have been dropped off and their have been a few food parcels required.
"It is a moving landscape in what is needed, and these are very interesting times.
"My area is Mid Ross, Seaforth and the Black Isle.
"Lots of people who were able to volunteer and help out in the community have had to go back to work so they are giving up. But that is happening at the same time as the Universal Uplift and furlough is coming to an end. So more people are potentially needing help.
"There are lots of people who are doing amazing work."
She added: "My job is about trying to get resilience in the community, we are joining up the dots and getting people to speak to each other. People can be a lot stronger by working together. "
