FACILITATOR WANTED
Rural Young Entrepreneurs Project (RYEP)
Wester Loch Ewe Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced facilitator to help design and deliver an exciting new pilot project supporting young people and families to explore business ideas, develop entrepreneurial skills and build confidence and take practical steps towards starting their own small businesses.
This is a paid freelance contract (£3000 fixed fee) running from July 2026 to December 2026. The role involves co-designing the project with the Trust, facilitating a small cohort of participants and supporting their journey through mentoring, coaching and group sessions in Wester Loch Ewe.
You will deliver approximately 10 weekly sessions (3 hours each) in person at The Old Schoolhouse, Inverasdale, alongside preparation, light administration and ongoing participant support.
We’re looking for someone with:
• Business, enterprise or self-employment experience
• Experience working with young people
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
Knowledge of rural communities, creativity or entrepreneurship is desirable.
To apply, please send a short cover letter telling us why you are the right person for the role. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to deliver a short sample facilitation session.
For further information or to apply, contact: Janis MacLean, Development Manager at Wester Loch Ewe Trust
devmanager@westerlochewe.com | 07564 478086
Application deadline: Friday 3rd July 2026
Funding Secured for the Rural Young Entrepreneurs Project
Wester Loch Ewe Trust is delighted to announce that funding has been secured for the Rural Young Entrepreneurs Project (RYEP), an exciting new pilot project designed to support young people and families in the Wester Loch Ewe area to develop entrepreneurial skills and explore small-scale business ideas.
The project has been awarded £8,400 through the Community Led Local Development Fund, administered by Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) on behalf of The Highland Council’s Community Regeneration Fund. We are extremely grateful for this support and delighted that HTSI recognised the potential of the project, awarding the full funding required to bring the programme to life.
Living in a rural community brings many opportunities, but it can also present challenges. Young people often face limited employment options and may feel that they need to leave the area in order to pursue their ambitions. The Rural Young Entrepreneurs Project has been created to help address this challenge by encouraging creativity, confidence and enterprise within our own community.
The project will provide practical, hands-on support for a small cohort of participants, helping them identify opportunities, develop ideas and gain the skills needed to take their first steps towards self-employment, social enterprise or other income-generating activities. The focus will be on learning through doing, building confidence and exploring possibilities.
This is not simply a business programme. It is an opportunity for participants to discover their strengths, develop new skills, connect with others and gain confidence in their ability to create positive change in their own lives and community.
As a pilot project, RYEP will help us explore new ways of supporting local people and creating opportunities that are rooted in the unique strengths and needs of Wester Loch Ewe. We hope the project will inspire participants to think creatively about the future while strengthening the resilience and sustainability of our community.
We will begin planning and project development immediately, including the recruitment of a facilitator and inviting expressions of interest from potential participants. The main project activities are expected to run from August to December 2026, with project evaluation and next steps continuing into January 2027.
We’re looking for local people aged 16 – 35 who are curious, creative and interested in exploring new opportunities. Whether you already have a business idea or are simply keen to learn more about entrepreneurship, we’d love to hear from you. Participants must be resident within the Wester Loch Ewe area.
We are excited to begin this journey and look forward to working with local young people and families to turn ideas into action.
For updates on the programme and future opportunities to get involved, please follow the Wester Loch Ewe Trust’s communications channels or get in touch directly.
Nature‑Inspired Colour & Moodboard Workshop
Join Charlotte from Arts in Nature for a relaxing creative session that celebrates the colours of nature and the art of moodboarding. We begin by exploring a curated collection of natural materials such as plants, pebbles, shells, bark, dried lichen and seeds, and if the weather allows, we’ll take a gentle wander outdoors around the Old Schoolhouse to collect inspiring items.
We will explore how these natural treasures interact with colour swatches, noticing subtle shifts in tone and texture. Everyone then chooses a colour focus and creates a personal moodboard using a mix of scrapbook materials, dried and pressed plants, magazine cut‑outs and textured papers. The result is a tactile, expressive piece that reflects each person’s unique response to the nature.
All welcome. No previous art experience required – just your imagination ✨
Tuesday 25th August 2pm
Tì agus Cèic
Thigibh còmhla rinn airson tì agus bèicearachd bhlasta dachaigh fhad ’s a bhios sibh ag ionnsachadh, ag èisteachd no a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann an suidheachadh socair is càirdeil. Chan eil e gu diofar a bheil sibh nad neach-tòiseachaidh iomlan, ag ionnsachadh an-dràsta no nad neach-labhairt dùthchasach, thigibh a-steach agus gabhaibh pàirt anns a’ chòmhradh. Chan eil feum air glèidheadh, fosgailte do gach aois, dìreach thigibh a-steach nuair a tha e iomchaidh.
Join us on Friday 31st July (2pm) for tea and delicious home baking as you learn, listen or practice Gaelic in a relaxed and friendly setting. It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner, currently learning or a native speaker, come along and join the conversation. No need to book, open to all ages, just drop in when it suits.
This is a joint event with Gairloch Museum held at the Old Schoolhouse, Inverasdale.
Make Do & Mend
Drop-in sewing and mending sessions with volunteer support to mend and repurpose your own textiles.
Friday 9th October 3pm – 6pm
Saturday 10th October 10am – 1pm
Delivered in partnership with Gairloch Museum, our Make Do and Mend sessions are a relaxed drop-in space where people of all skill levels come together to repair, refresh, or recreate with textiles. The sessions are supported by experienced volunteer sewers and anyone can take part whether you are a complete beginner, have some sewing experience, or are confident with your skills.
Participants bring items they want to mend or projects they want to work on and use our supply of donated materials and tools, alongside the shared knowledge and ideas from everyone in the room, to help make things last longer or create something new.
The sessions offer a chance to reconnect with a way of life that valued making things last, reducing textile waste, and reviving practical skills once common in Highland households. They provide a welcoming social space where people share ideas, learn from each other, and enjoy the creativity and collaboration that happens when a community works together with textiles.
If you have fabric or sewing equipment you would like to donate for use at future sessions, or if you have sewing or textile skills and would like to volunteer to support the sessions, please get in touch with Ell on outreach@gairlochmuseum.org.
What to Expect
• A relaxed drop-in session where you can stay for as little or as long as you like
• Bring your own items to mend, alter or repurpose, or make use of donated materials available on the day
• Guidance and tips from skilled volunteer sewers
• Opportunities to share ideas, learn new skills and help others with their projects
• Access to donated tools, materials and sewing equipment
• A friendly and social atmosphere with plenty of tea, conversation and creativity
• Suggestions for sewing and textile skills you would like to learn or develop are always welcome
Accessibility
• Needle threaders, magnifying glasses and easy-cut scissors will be available to use
• Seating and table space are provided throughout the session
• Please get in touch if you have any accessibility requirements you would like us to know about
• Accessibility information for Inverasdale Old Schoolhouse is available on request
Wellness Weekend at the Old Schoolhouse, Inverasdale. Save the date: 17th – 19th July | Download full itinerary here and book your space here (we will then contact you with a link for payment to confirm your booking).
Poolewe Public Toilets Attendant Wanted
A flexible self-employed opportunity is available for a reliable individual to oversee the daily opening, closing and general upkeep of the Poolewe public toilets.
Duties include:
- Opening and closing facilities daily (0800 – 2000hrs)
- Light cleaning and tidying
- Restocking consumables
- Reporting maintenance issues
Approximately 30 minutes per day on average. Please note that weekend coverage is an essential requirement of this role, with both Saturday and Sunday opening, closing, and checks forming a core part of the duties.
Fixed monthly fee: £250
All cleaning materials and consumables provided.
For further information or to express an interest, please contact: Janis MacLean, Development Manager at Wester Loch Ewe Trust E: devmanager@westerlochewe.com T: 07564 478086
Volunteer’s Week 2026
Wester Loch Ewe Trust is delighted to be taking part in Volunteers’ Week 2026, working in collaboration with Gairloch & Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) to celebrate the invaluable contribution of volunteers across our community and to encourage new people to get involved.
Throughout the week, our shared focus will be on recognising and celebrating existing volunteers, while also creating welcoming opportunities for others to find out more about volunteering and how they can take part in local community life.
Below is an overview of the activities taking place during the week:
Tuesday 2nd June | 1 – 3pm at the Old Schoolhouse, Inverasdale
We will be hosting a Community Volunteer Open Afternoon at the Old Schoolhouse. This will be an informal, drop-in event where visitors are invited to explore the building, meet trustees and volunteers, and find out more about the work of the Trust.
There will be a chance to learn about current volunteering opportunities across a range of areas, including:
- Pre-loved shop
- Tearoom and kitchen
- Heritage and archives
- Gardening and outdoor spaces
- Events and community activities
- Board and trustee roles
Tea, coffee and home baking will be provided throughout the afternoon in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Wednesday 3rd June | Regular Weekly Opening of the Tearoom and Pre-Loved Shop 2 – 4pm
Our regular weekly opening of the tearoom and pre-loved shop will continue as normal, with a particular emphasis this week on celebrating and recognising our volunteers and the vital role they play in supporting the Old Schoolhouse.
Saturday 6th June 3 – 4.30pm | GALE Volunteer Taster Sessions & Celebration
GALE will be hosting a complementary Volunteer Open Afternoon at their premises, offering a range of taster sessions across their volunteering areas, including:
- Shop and café support
- Befriending services
- General volunteering roles
- Board and committee opportunities
- Baking and youth activities
- Litter picking and environmental volunteering
The afternoon will conclude with a social BBQ from 4.30 – 6.30pm, bringing Volunteers’ Week to a close in a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere for all volunteers and participants from all areas and organisations.
Additional Event | Charity Fashion Show (Inverness)
As part of Volunteers’ Week, Wester Loch Ewe Trust will also be taking part in a charity fashion show in Inverness, showcasing the creativity and impact of our pre-loved shop, along with the people who support and volunteer within it.
Tickets for this event are limited and available to book here for those who may wish to attend.
Throughout the week, the emphasis is very much on collaboration, community connection, and creating accessible opportunities for both current and prospective volunteers to engage with local organisations. We warmly encourage people to attend one or both of the events.
Wester Loch Ewe Trust Delighted to Welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Inverasdale
On Tuesday 12th May, Wester Loch Ewe Trust was delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to The Old Schoolhouse in Inverasdale.
It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness to the old school and share both the work already undertaken by the Trust and our future plans for the building and wider community. During the visit, The Princess Royal spent time speaking with a number of invited guests and community representatives, taking great interest in the projects and initiatives being developed through Wester Loch Ewe Trust.
Her Royal Highness was extremely supportive of the work being carried out and demonstrated a clear understanding of the unique challenges faced by small and rural communities such as ours. The opportunity to discuss both the successes and aspirations of the Trust with her was greatly appreciated by all involved.
The visit was a proud and memorable occasion for the community, and Wester Loch Ewe Trust would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who came to The Old Schoolhouse to represent the Wester Loch Ewe communities and help make the day so special.
Special thanks are also extended to the children from Poolewe Primary School who had the opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness at the end of the visit and present her with a posy, to the well-wishers who gathered during the visit, to Highland Blooms for the beautiful posy, to Matt our photographer and to our fantastic volunteers who worked so hard to prepare and spruce up the school ahead of the occasion.
A spokesperson for Wester Loch Ewe Trust said: “It was a tremendous honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to Inverasdale. Her warmth, interest, and encouragement meant a great deal to everyone involved and provided wonderful recognition of the dedication and hard work of our volunteers and community.”
Are you a budding photographer or film maker?
UNESCO has launched a Global Youth Visual Storytelling Initiative called “Capture the Future”, inviting young people aged 18–35 to submit mobile phone photos or short videos that explore the relationship between people and nature within UNESCO Biosphere Reserves around the world.
Entries can explore themes such as:
• biodiversity and nature conservation
• climate change and adaptation
• cultural traditions and local knowledge
• sustainable livelihoods and innovation
Participants are encouraged to capture how communities and ecosystems coexist, and submissions should be filmed or photographed within a Biosphere Reserve – which makes this a great opportunity for young people living in Wester Ross Biosphere.
Selected participants will receive international recognition, professional equipment, and the opportunity to take part in a global visual storytelling training camp.
📅 Submission deadline: 31 May 2026
Full details and how to apply can be found here:
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-and-vivo-launch-global-youth-visual-storytelling-initiative-capture-future
“As well as my role with the Biosphere, I am also an artist, currently focusing on photography and undertaking a Master’s in Fine Art, so if any young people are thinking about applying and would like someone to bounce ideas off, I’d be very happy to have a chat.” Louise Pearson (Community Officer / Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere)
FREE Digital Workshops this May
We’re delighted to be hosting a series of free weekly digital workshops at the Old Schoolhouse, Inverasdale, in partnership with Red Chair Highland. Taking place on Thursdays from 11am – 1pm, each session includes a friendly, interactive group workshop followed by one-to-one support to help you build confidence with your device. Topics include staying safe online, scam awareness, managing your money digitally, and making the most of health apps and NHS services. These sessions are open to everyone, no experience needed, no jargon, and no pressure, just bring your device if you can and come along for support in a welcoming environment.
🎶 A Wonderful Night of Music at the Old Schoolhouse – 4th April 🎶
We had a fabulous Music Night in early April at the Old Schoolhouse, and what a night it was! A warm thank you to everyone who joined us—around 25 people filled the space with joy, rhythm, and community spirit.
The evening featured a lovely and eclectic set of music performed by a brilliant lineup of musicians (right to left in the photo):
🎺 John Platt on horn
🎶 Nicky Lewis Butler on whistles and flute
🎸 Kriss Wall on guitar, mandolin, and vocals
🎤 Kitty Bell with her beautiful vocals
🎻 Ginevra House on violin
🎸 Paul De Mornay on guitar
A big thank you to the performers and organisers who put in so much effort to make this evening so enjoyable.
Did you go? Would you like to see more events like this at the Old Schoolhouse? Let us know—we’d love to hear from you!
