A' fàs na Gàidhlig / Growing Gaelic (360G-BNG-TFC-2023-00513)

Developing on from our Còmhraidhean sa Ghàidhlig / Gaelic Conversations project. We want to deliver Fàs na Gàidhlig.This includes hiring venues in the community that give people self-worth and confidence in the public eye. This will help to break down the isolation that can go hand in hand with dementia and will promote self-worth for people living with dementia and their carers and families.We have already gained recognition by winning the Duais Coimhearsnachd at the Scottish Gaelic Awards in 2021. We want to keep up the momentum by engaging with people living with dementia and their carers family, and friends and to build on the intergenerational links created with the Gaelic primary schools in Skye, Lochaber, and Wester Ross which have been well-received by all.  We will continue with a mix of in-person, online, and blended events to ensure that as many people as possible can take part. This has been working very well and we do not want to lose the momentum with this due to lack of funding.Some of our events will be focussed on Gaelic speakers and Gaelic will be the main language used and others will be using a mix of Gaelic and English to raise awareness of the language and to encourage Gaelic to be used in more settings and encourage more people to learn some Gaelic.Diane Smith, our Community Activities Organiser, has been working hard on building her Gaelic language skills and has completed SpeakGaelic A1 last year through an online course from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, and also attended one of their online short summer courses. She is currently attending weekly night classes run by Highland Council to revise SpeakGaelic A1.An essential part of the future development of this project is for Diane to continue to learn and develop her Gaelic skills.  This will enable her to build relationships directly with the Gaelic speakers we are supporting as well as teaching and sharing her knowledge with others.  She has enrolled for An Cùrsa Inntrigidh online with Sabhal Mòr and begins on January 16th 2023.  Funds from last year’s grant are covering Earrann 1 and if successful with this application, she will be able to continue on and do Earrann 2 and Earrann 3.