Health & Welfare

Day Care Centre Progress
After a Public Meeting at Canisbay in 1995, instigated by Social Work and the local GP, it was determined that there was a need for a Day Care Centre for the increasing elderly and isolated population in this remote north east corner.  The area covered is from John O'Groats to Dunnet and out to Freswick and all points in between. The nearest centres are in Thurso and Wick and apart from a fortnightly two hour meeting for an over 50's group and monthly evening for the Senior Citizen's group, there is nothing else.

t is hoped the centre will be able to provide all kinds of facilities such as lunches, meals on wheels, massage, hairdressing, chiropody, social activities, etc., as well as more basic needs like bathing and laundering.

A committee was formed and various options were investigated, (including a joint project with Mey hall), culminating in the formation in March 1999 of the Canisbay and Dunnet Day Care Centre for older people which set up its own constitution and became a registered charity.  It was eventually decided the best way forward was a new custom built building which would be 'barrier free' (for the uninitiated  like me, usable by anyone with any kind of disability at all!).

The project meets the social work and health board criteria in Community Care and also the Government's policy of Care in the Community.

A very small group of volunteers has worked hard to raise funds and extract promises of funding.  The group has inevitably changed with the passing of time and would welcome new members and fresh ideas.  The centre could eventually benefit many of the younger generation out there!

We have been granted land by the Council opposite the Doctor's Surgery in Canisbay

Contacts
Chairperson: Jeanne Sutherland       Tel. 01955 611282
Vice-Chairman: Marjory Mackay   Tel. 01847 851924
Treasurer: Katie Henderson        Tel. 01955 611402
Secretary: Joan Miller                 Tel. 01847 851364

26 April 06
Huge Success For Mr & Mrs Night At Dunnet
A packed audience at the Britannia Hall, Dunnet on 22nd April thoroughly enjoyed a programme of non-stop friendly banter from the contestants, interspersed with a sprinkling of up to date and locally relevant jokes by Willie Mackay, the Questionmaster and Host. Laughter was the order of the night and after a break for refreshments, the evening ended all too soon with a final play off between Miranda and David Thomson and John and Marion Thurso, culminating in a win for John and Marion. The other contestants were John & Alanna Green, Morris & Fiona Mcleod, Keith & Rosemary Muir and Morris & Margaret Weston. All the contestants were presented with prizes, kindly provided by Willie and Glynis Mackay.

5 September 05
Cocktail Party & Auction At Mey Raises Good Total
The Cocktail Party and Auction at the Castle of Mey on September 2nd in aid of the Canisbay & Dunnet Day Care Centre funds, got off to a great start with the Caithness Junior Pipe Band creating a wonderful atmosphere by playing the guests in. The Caithness Ladies Gaelic choir welcomed the guests by singing several numbers which were greatly appreciated and numerous comments about the beautiful singing were heard. Our MP John Thurso, welcomed the guests and said how glad he was to see so many people there, it being very important to receive local support for this type of project. He also mentioned that it was just this type of project which the Trust wished to support. He introduced the Auctioneer, Mr Iain Thomson, and the Auction went ahead with a total of £2,680 being raised. The final total for the evening, which included a raffle and the door tickets is expected to reach around £4,000, although exact sums have not yet been finalised. Mrs Jeanne Sutherland, the group's chairperson made a final thank you speech.

Thanks are due to businesses and individuals who donated items for the Auction, (The donor of each item was announced at the Auction), the Castle staff for their voluntary services, the Queen Mother's Castle of Mey Trust for the use of the Castle and of course, all those who attended and spent money!