Playworkers – closing date extended

Four new houses for Ulva Ferry

Welcome to Ulva Ferry

We now also have three overnight motorhome stances just a short walk from our pontoon at Ulva Ferry.  Water and electricity hook-ups are available and we also have a chemical toilet disposal point.  Booking is advised for both the pontoon and the motorhome stances by phoning 07557 378953 or emailing markmillward@mict.co.uk, VHF channel 12. 

For those travelling to the area to visit Ulva, or to enjoy a boat trip, look out for our welcome sign and improved car park. 

Thank you Barry Whenman for this photo of the car park.

Fancy supporting MICT’s work further with the chance of winning yourself some cash?

You can now purchase tickets which support Mull and Iona Community through the Argyll Community Lottery.       

For every £1 ticket bought, MICT receives 50p with 10p supporting other good causes within Argyll and Bute. 

The first draw is on Saturday 29th May and followed then by weekly draws at 8pm each Saturday.

Winnings start with 2 matched numbers receiving 3 free tickets then cash prizes of £25, £250, £2,000 and a £25,000 jackpot as more numbers are matched!

Tickets are purchased online or phone by card, or direct debit and winners are notified by email, with the prize paid straight into their bank account.  There is also the option to donate back some or all winnings to one of the good causes you are supporting.

For full details and to support us and purchase tickets visit: Argyll Community Lottery

Good Luck!

Interested in joining our team?

Funding for Childcare and Well Being

Funding Success for Childcare and Community Well Being Projects

Although our office has been closed for the last year, the staff at Mull and Iona Community Trust have been working hard in the background developing projects to address the lack of formal childcare on the islands and also to improve well-being.  We have just been rewarded with three funding successes!

In consultation for all the Community Development Plans we have produced, residents of all ages and backgrounds told us in surveys and face to face group meetings how much they appreciate the islands’ natural environment and that it contributes significantly to quality of life. 

The need for improving access to outdoor services, more opportunities for social integration, and improving childcare options on the island emerged as key priorities from our consultation work. These needs have been amplified under the Covid 19 lockdown, limiting indoor social interaction and the few childcare services that are available.

MICT has had ambitions to set up new childcare services for a number of years, and we now have the opportunity to run a 12 month Rural Out of School Care Pilot to provide regular and reliable childcare for school aged children with a focus on the outdoors and mobile service options with a view to providing a sustainable service beyond the trial period.  The project aims to provide breakfast, after school and holiday clubs in addition to looking into home based care services to address the different demands in a rural community.  The pilot will create an Out of School Care Co-ordinators post and two Practitioners/Play Leaders posts and is being funded by the Scottish Government, as part of its wider aims to improve out of school care. 

Children’s Minister Maree Todd said, “We know that the last year has been challenging for many children and families, in part due to limited access to childcare. I am pleased we can provide funding to test different approaches to providing childcare – like this project in partnership with the Mull and Iona Community Trust.  School age childcare services play a vital role in providing children with opportunities to play and socialise, while also helping parents and carers to access work and training opportunities.  This pilot with the Mull and Iona Community Trust will work in partnership with third sector organisations, childcare settings and childminders to explore creative solutions that will address the barriers to childcare that exist in rural and island communities.”

With many indoor playgroups and toddler groups not currently running, MICT has also been able to secure funding from Outdoor and Woodlands Learning Scotland for 10 weekly Outdoor Playschemes for children aged 0-3 and their parents/carers, led by our Mull and Iona Ranger Service.  The playschemes will help to alleviate isolation for our youngest island children and their parents, and in particular help toddlers socialise in preparation for pre-school. 

Alongside these, a new 2 year Community Well Being Project funded by The National Community Lottery Fund will provide outdoor activities benefitting the whole community.  The aim of the project is to improve well-being for islanders and help people recover from the social impact of the Covid-19 lockdown, by providing new opportunities to work together, feel less isolated, improve mental health and nurture new skills and increase confidence. 

A new Community Well Being Officer role will be created to oversee the project and develop the activities which will include skills training and team building for high school children, outdoor, therapeutic, nature based social activities for vulnerable groups within our community.  This award also allows us to provide environmentally sensitive welfare facilities at our Ardura Community Forest to accommodate these activities.

Moray Finch, General Manager at MICT said, “These awards really will make a difference to our communities as we move slowly out of lockdown, and will I hope build a platform for us to support provision of more and more options for families seeking supervised activities for children and eventually maybe even expanding to a more formal childcare provision.”

Island Activity Challenges

Here we have a set of 7 activity challenges for all over the island devised by our Mull and Iona Ranger Service.  Enjoy and let us know how it goes – we would love to see your photographs!

Read More

Ulva Ferry Pontoon and Shore Facilities

Ulva Ferry Visitor Survey

Helping our Community during Lockdown