Cairn Housing Association has supported dozens of initiatives through the Cairn Community Fund over the last five years, with local projects across Scotland applying for much needed support to tackle social isolation, health inequalities and barriers to tenancy sustainment.
From the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic many people have been keen to help the most vulnerable and isolated in our society. We moved quickly to relax our funding criteria and accelerate the approval process to support local projects that were taking root in our communities.
An early recipient of funding during the crisis was Ladies of the Rock, a group of business owners in the Stirling area who are working with members of the community to deliver good quality meals to those in isolation during the lockdown. Cairn’s award helped Ladies of the Rock to purchase cooking equipment and supplies to increase the reach of their service.
Fran Nicol, of Ladies of the Rock said:
Cairn heard about the lovely work we are doing and the joy we bring to their residents at Devlin Court with our nutritious soups and baked goods. They celebrated this amazing community effort and to keep Ladies of the Rock going during these uncertain times, so we can keep on sharing smiles across the community.
Amanda Hiddleston, Cairn’s Court Coordinator at Devlin Court said:
Our residents have really appreciated the meals from Ladies of the Rock. Many of them are isolating and it has lifted their spirits to get so much support from the community.
Another organisation to receive a grant from the Cairn Community Fund has been the Thurso Community Café. The popular cafe, which is run by volunteers, responded quickly to the lockdown with a new delivery services of food boxes, soup and sandwiches to vulnerable people and people suffering financial hardship in the Thurso area.
Ann Brock, of the Thurso Community Café, said:
During this unsettling time we have had to adapt what we can do with our community café. Up until the outbreak of COVID-19 the café was completely reliant on donations from the public and we have had to seek other ways to fund the organisation. With the money we have received through funders we have set up a community larder outside the café which we stock with food that people are free to help themselves to. This is providing a much-needed service to the most vulnerable in our community. We have also been using the funding to deliver food to people in need. Due to the current crisis the mount of people suffering financial poverty has increased.
Don Jamieson, Cairn’s Board Vice Chair said:
Thousands of people across Scotland have benefited from the Cairn Community Fund and we are inspired by the amazing people who work tirelessly to support others during lockdown. The Cairn Community Fund is just one way Cairn contributes to creating thriving communities across Scotland. We are keen to hear from charities and community groups who want to work in partnership with Cairn.
For more information about Ladies of the Rock visit For more information about the Thurso Community Café visit