community

Members are involved with the following local community activities:

Fair Trade
A small group of local volunteers with an interest in fairtrade, got together to help Selkirk gain fairtrade status in 2012. This meant 2 years of working towards certain targets set by the Fairtrade Foundation. These included getting backing from Scottish Borders Council; raising the community’s knowledge and understanding of fairtrade issues; making fairtrade products available at community events; partnering local groups, shops, businesses, schools and churches. Fairtrade helps those living in poverty to build their skills and confidence, increase their productivity and quality of goods, guaranteeing prices and markets. The “fairtrade premium”, the additional money paid, is for community use, and has led to improved health, education and community services across the developing world. We can shop locally, paying a little more, in the knowledge that the extra cost is alleviating poverty, giving dignity to producers and their families.

Food Bank
Selkirk Food Bank is a local facility available for people in urgent need of food (not cash). Members of the  Parish Church help to run this service to the most needy in the community..

Fresh Start Borders
Fresh Start Borders is a charity that helps people in the Scottish Borders who have been homeless and are moving into their first permanent tenancy. It provides starter packs of basic household essentials to clients as they move into their new homes, giving families and individuals, who may have no possessions, a helping hand until they can afford to equip their homes themselves. Donations and volunteers are welcome. See website for details.
Fresh Start volunteers at work in the store room >>>

Rowland’s
Rowland’s is a community run youth project, providing a drop-in youth centre for 12-18s in West Port, Selkirk. It is run by volunteers, including some church members, led by a small team of part-time youth workers. Funding comes from local donors and grants. New volunteers are always welcome – no previous expertise required.