Perth Autism Support (PAS) is a registered charity (SC042875) located at 28-30 Market Street, Perth, PH1 5QH.  Providing support to children with autism and their families in the Perthshire area, they arrange different activities, support groups, volunteer projects and more.  These are all designed to help the family of a child with autism, to give them a break from the normal everyday struggles.

Having raised an impressive £4000 from their first opening, PAS is now continuing to raise funds and recruit volunteers.  Why not like their Facebook page to find out when fundraising events are being held?  Or follow them on Twitter?  Any support you can give will go towards helping families in our local area who are dealing with autism.

You can also become a volunteer in Chris White’s befriending project. Befriending only requires two hours of your time every two weeks and will not only help a child with autism get more confidence but it also allows the family a few hours break which could be just what they need.

This is an exciting time of growth for PAS and they would like to invite you to become a part of their volunteer team.  Whether it is an hour a week with the various activity clubs, a weekend away or a fortnightly befriending visit there is plenty you can do to help PAS.

Why not get in touch to find out more?  Telephone 07733 427386 or email info@perthautismsupport.org.uk

On the agenda of the meeting of PKC Development Management Committee this Wednesday are 2 large scale housing developments for Auchterarder.  Castlemains with 147 houses proposed and Kirkton with 261 houses proposed, both with recommendations for approval.  These developments had received outline permission a few years ago and are now before the Committee to get detailed permission.

To see the full applications you can download them from this page – http://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/5896/Development-Management-Committee—24-April-2013

Free Training for Community Groups

In response to requests from Community Groups in the Area we are delighted to offer the following free training in Strathearn Community Campus.

Thursday 9^th May 2013

6pm – 9pm

Committee Skills

An introduction to roles & responsibilities of committee members, & some of the skills needed.

This workshop is for anyone who is new to their committee role, or wants to brush up on their skills

Wednesday 15 May 2013

9.30am-12.30

Committee Skills

An introduction to roles & responsibilities of committee members, & some of the skills needed.

This workshop is for anyone who is new to their committee role, or wants to brush up on their skills

Thursday 16^th May 13

6pm – 9pm

Networking for Community Groups

What do we mean by Networking & how can it benefit your group?

Wednesday 22nd May 2013

9.30am-12.30

Networking for Community Groups

What do we mean by Networking & how can it benefit your group?

Thursday 23^rd May 13

6pm – 9pm

Communication and Publicity for Community Groups (including a brief introduction to Social networking)

Why is communication & publicity important?  What message do we want to share?  Who is our target audience?  Should we be using Social Media (Facebook, Twitter etc)

Wednesday 29th May 2013

9.30am-12.30

Communication and Publicity for Community Groups (including a brief introduction to Social networking)

Why is communication & publicity important?  What message do we want to share?  Who is our target audience?  Should we be using Social Media (Facebook, Twitter etc)

Thursday 30^th May 13

6pm – 9pm

Funding Workshop

Information on applying for funding, filling in funding applications, how to decide which funds to apply to

Wednesday 5^th June 2013

9.30am-12.30

Funding Workshop

Information on applying for funding, filling in funding applications, how to decide which funds to apply to

Strathearn Community Campus – providing high quality experiences, opportunities and learning for the people of Strathearn

If you wish to book a place on any of the training please email JWalsh@pkc.gov.uk or phone 01764 657715

Please include your name, contact details, the name of the community group & which training session & date you would like to book 

Following on from the previous ALRA Update regarding the impact upon the Aytoun Hall of the Council’s budget announcements for the next financial year, the following statement has now been received, “There were no direct savings agreed against the Aytoun Hall, so at this point (early March) there is no anticipation of any changes.  LAL operate the facility on behalf of PKC and the budget settlement with them was on the basis there would be no reduction in service.”  The ALRA feels that there might still be a possibility that changes to the operation of the Aytoun Hall may be made under budgetary pressure, especially if the contract between PKC and LAL is renegotiated.

The ALRA Management Committee is currently considering a change of name to ‘Friends of the Aytoun Hall’ and a narrowing of its objectives to allow the charity to concentrate on raising money to maintain, and eventually, replace the furniture owned by the community in the Aytoun Hall.  The Community Council has been requested to endorse the name change in principal.  Subsequent discussions with the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator will be necessary.

Lastly, a reminder that the ALRA is organizing a coffee morning fund raiser in the Aytoun Hall on Saturday, 4^th May between 10am and 11.30am and look for support for the event.