Russell Cameron from SSEN showing Fintry Primary pupils the new generator located at Knockraich Farm
The village of Fintry, in Stirlingshire, is equipped and ready for emergencies thanks to grant-funding from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
Fintry Community Council received a grant of £10,000 to enable the community to action its Community Resilience Plan by purchasing and installing a generator at its new resilience centre at Knockraich Farm, Fintry.
The rural community has become one of the first in Scotland to create a resilience centre to house residents during emergencies. The project also received funding from Stirling Council Community Grants and Awards for all (Scottish Lottery).
Fintry is a rural and geographically-isolated area served only by mains electricity as its energy source. It is accessed along winding hilly roads with a large elderly population. The village lies with a dip in the middle, which can mean it can be split in two during heavy snowfall and flood conditions.
The Community Resilience Plan has been developed with Stirling Council, identifying volunteers to form Fintry Community Council Resilience Team, who will step in when the village experiences severe weather, flooding, power cuts and other major incidents to ensure villagers are safe and cared for.
Fintry Community Council Chairman Ken Smith, said:
"We are extremely grateful to SSEN for awarding the community the funding to be able to create this centre."
"The new resilience centre will allow the community to care for the elderly and housebound, as well as those with young families isolated from the village during adverse weather or help provide for all of the community at any time of the year when we are without power for extended periods. The community of Fintry is widespread and relies heavily on electricity for power. This new generator will go a long way to helping the resilience team provide hot meals for those without power when required."
Samantha O'Connor, Regional Customer Relationship Manager at SSEN, added:
"I am delighted that we are able to support Fintry Community Council action their Community Resilience Plan through our Resilient Communities Fund by providing a generator to help power the village and keep the rural community connected."
"Whilst we work hard throughout the year to ensure that we are prepared for adverse weather conditions, this fund enables us to empower our customers and communities to prepare and strengthen their resilience too."
The 2019 round of SSEN's Resilient Communities Fund is currently open for applications, with £140,000 available for non-profit making organisations, community groups and charities working to protect and enhance the resilience of those most vulnerable in the north of Scotland. The application deadline is Thursday 23 May.
To find out more about the fund, download an application form, or to read SSEN's Resilient Communities Fund report, visit: ssen.co.uk/resiliencefund.