Our aims
Our aim is simple, to make things a bit better in our parish…by restoring and improving facilities or creating new ones…and to encourage volunteering …to make things happen!
Getting started
BCT was formed in 2014 as several local groups were experiencing difficulties with funding and recruiting volunteers and it was agreed that a Trust could pool resources, knowledge and expertise.
We sought charitable status to give the Trust credibility and enable us to apply for funding from a wider range of sources.
In April 2015 we were awarded SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) status – SC045563 with the purpose of community development, by OSCR (Office of Scottish Charity Regulator). BCT has successfully submitted annual returns to OSCR and takes its duty of care to its community seriously.
How we are organised - meetings and trustees
We are a constituted body, and all members can attend all meetings. Meetings are formal but friendly! Our minutes are available on request, contact us to let us know if you would like a copy.
We have eight Trustees who are responsible for running the charity, of whom one is chair person, one is treasurer and one is secretary.
Members are a mixture of people representing community groups and individuals with an interest in the local community.
Our work
In 2016, BCT took on the lease of The Sand Bothy in Balmedie Country Park, an asset transfer from Aberdeenshire Council. The lease was originally for 10 years but has now been extended for a further 15 years to 2041.
Our volunteers also run Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs, the Community Sensory Garden in Balmedie and a community park and burn in Potterton. We hold monthly litter-picks in Balmedie. Much of our work is concerned with access for all to Balmedie Country Park, and to tie in with Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs we have installed a Changing Places disabled facility and inclusive play equipment in the park.
Over the years we have also assisted other community groups in the parish with funding applications, volunteer recruitment, links to other organisations, information and advice. These groups have included Balmedie Health Walks, Better Balmedie and Belhelvie Community First Responders.
BCT is a member of Development Trust Association Scotland, and Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action, so we can benefit from their advice both for BCT and other groups.
Funding and funders
BCT has no guaranteed source of funding, but we have been very fortunate over the years to have received funding from many sources, including charitable trusts, lottery funds, local authority funds, Scottish Government, local businesses and many supportive individuals.
We also raise funds from income from our Sand Bothy seasonal kiosk, booking fees, community fun days. All our income is spent on running BCT itself, salaries, maintaining the Sand Bothy and running our other projects. BCT also gives small grants to other local projects from kiosk income.
Donate
When required we run fundraising campaigns online but you can donate at any time by bank transfer (details available on request) or by Paypal at paypal@thesandbothy.co.uk More information is available on our donation page.
