Category: Latest News

Argyll and Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund 2026/27

Argyll and Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund 2026/27 is now open, offering grants of up to £1,500 to not-for-profit organisations with an annual income of less than £150,000.
The fund opens for applications Monday 11 May and closes on Sunday 5 July 2026. For more information and to apply visit https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/…/supporting-communities…
 
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Funding is available for projects that support:
• Fairer Communities – tackling poverty and widening access to opportunities
• Resilient Communities – building local capacity and responding to community needs
• Greener, Cleaner Communities – environmental projects and climate action
• Creative Communities – using creativity to support health and wellbeing
Discover some of the previously funded projects on website
For further information and to apply for the fund, please visit our website.
If you’d like to talk through an idea, need support with your application, or have any questions, please feel free to email Supportingcommunitiesfund@argyll-bute.gov.uk.
 

HIE Impact Women

Our CEO, Denise Baxter, has been selected as one of 30 women to take part in Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s Impact Women in Leadership programme.
 
This programme brings together women leaders from across the Highlands and Islands to learn, reflect, and strengthen their leadership impact. Denise is really looking forward to the opportunity to learn alongside peers, gain fresh perspectives, and bring new insights back into her work with the Trust and our communities.
 
At Mull and Iona Community Trust, we believe that strong, values‑led leadership and a commitment to lifelong learning are key to supporting resilient, thriving communities — and we’re proud to see Denise taking part in this inspiring programme.
 

We are inviting proposals for the redevelopment of the Mull & Iona Community Trust website.

Our aim is to create a modern, accessible, and user‑friendly online presence that reflects the breadth of our work, strengthens engagement with our community, and supports the delivery of our services.

The full tender document is available from dbaxter@mict.co.uk or you can download it here.

We welcome submissions from experienced designers and developers who can help us bring this vision to life.


A Brilliant Afternoon at Dervaig Primary

Corinne from MESS and I had the pleasure of visiting Dervaig Primary School to talk to the pupils about the work MICT does across Mull and Iona.
 
We were so impressed — their behaviour was fantastic, their questions were thoughtful, and their knowledge about recycling was outstanding. ♻️✨
 
The pupils have even carried out their own village survey to understand what matters most to people in their community. Hearing younger voices is incredibly important, and we can’t wait to see the results of
their project!
 
We finished off with a fun craft session, turning old yoghurt pots into new creations and chatting about how everyday items can have a second life. 🥣🎨
 
A huge thank‑you to the staff and pupils for welcoming us so warmly — what an inspiring group of young people.
 
— Denise, CEO, Mull and Iona Community Trust

 

 


Meet the Team: Phil – Finance Manager

Phil is our razor sharp Finance Manager and resident spreadsheet wizard. If it can be streamlined, automated, colour coded, or pivot tabled… Phil has already done it (usually before the kettle has boiled). He keeps our finances running smoothly while secretly competing for the title of “Most Efficient Human Alive.”
 
💼 What He Does Day to Day
• Manages budgets, forecasts, and all things financial
• Builds spreadsheets so elegant they could probably hang in a gallery
• Implements tech tools to make the rest of us at least pretend to be efficient
(Yes, he really enjoys this. We’ve checked.)
 
⭐ His Superpower
Spotting an inefficiency from 100 metres away — and fixing it with a clever formula, an automation, or a politely raised eyebrow.
 
🎉 Fun Fact
Phil was once an Ordained Minister of The Universal Life Church!
 
☕ How He Takes His Coffee/Tea
He doesn’t he’s fuelled by Red Bull which helps him fly around the office.
 
📍 When He’s Not at Work
You’ll probably find Phil car shopping – nothing gives him more joy than shopping for cars, even for somebody else. Or you might find him wandering a forestry track calling after his two dogs, with his wife powering ahead and his son trailing behind. He enjoys drawing, DIY, and is currently in the middle of a training qualification in AI Automation (yes, he even does this in his down time!)

Calgary Bay (ref 26/00126/PP)

Following local concern regarding our involvement with the recent planning application at Calgary Bay (ref 26/00126/PP), we wish to clarify our position. Mull and Iona Community Trust has been involved with preserving the dune environment and the machair at Calgary Bay as part of the SSSI site for over 20 years, through its Countryside Ranger Service and supporting the local voluntary group Friends of Calgary Bay.

We have a lease with Argyll and Bute Council to manage and preserve almost the full extent of the SSSI with the remaining section owned by private landowners. Our only link with this planning application is that we lease land which forms a small section of the proposed access.
 
We hope this clarifies our position.
 

CEO’s First Month Reflections

✨ Wrapping up Week 4 at Mull & Iona Community Trust ✨
 
Hard to believe I’m already at the end of my fourth week at MICT. It’s been a whirlwind of learning, listening and getting to know the incredible people who make this organisation what it is.
 
One thing that has really stood out is the depth of commitment across the team. The average length of service is around 8 years—and that includes several colleagues who’ve been here for 20+ years. That kind of dedication says everything. Every single person I’ve met is passionate about what they do and genuinely cares about the communities we serve across Mull and Iona and the surrounding islands.
 
In just a few weeks I’ve learned so much—about our projects, our impact, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in such a special place. And there’s plenty more learning ahead… which I’m really looking forward to.
 
Feeling grateful, energised, and proud to be part of a team that puts community at the heart of everything.
 
Here’s to the journey ahead. 💙🌿
Denise
 

Meet the new CEO

Hello everyone 👋
 
I’m really pleased to introduce myself (Denise Baxter) as the new CEO of Mull & Iona Community Trust.
It’s a real privilege to be stepping into this role and to be joining a community with such a strong sense of care, creativity, and connection.
 
I’m looking forward to listening, learning, and working alongside local people, partners, staff, and volunteers to support the brilliant work already happening across Mull and Iona.
 
As a small side note that feels quite fitting — today I’m wearing a top I picked up from the Trust’s charity shop yesterday (MESS Island Castaways charity shops). A lovely reminder of the value of community, sustainability, and supporting local initiatives right from the start 💚.
 
I am excited for what’s ahead.
 
Warm wishes,
Denise