Connections
An informal directory of the charities, community groups, makers and people we're connected with — many of whom we support with office and meeting space at Auchernack, and in other ways great and small.
Environment & nature 6
Forres Friends Of Woods & Fields
“Community Woodlands and Garden”
Forres Friends of Woods and Fields is a local grassroots environmental charity based in the community of Forres, Moray in Scotland, aiming to restore our woodlands, support local food sustainability and aid the mental and physical well-being of the community.
Global Rewilding Initiative
Currently using part of our basement to cultivate around 1,000 oak trees, intended for local distribution to increase the number of native oak trees in the Moray area.
Green Fingers of Forres
“Growers and donators of organic produce and educators in organic gardening.”
Community Gardens is a constituted charitable organisation also having office and storage spaces provided by SP. Among their principal objectives is growing organic fruit and vegetables to donate to the Forres area and educating both school classes and adults in organic gardening. This is one of their projects is to Revive the Lost orchards of Forres.
Green Shoots
(part of the transition town movement first established in Totnes) is a very similar local charitable organisation with storage spaces provided here. is a sustainable growing and educational project based at Transition Town Forres on Bogton Road, Forres. It offers hands-on gardening, nature workshops, and after-school clubs aimed at increasing community resilience and teaching children about food cultivation and wildlife.
Green Spaces
“A forum for local organisations involved in ecological issues.”
Green Spaces is a group we actively support and participate in. It is a forum for the 20 or so local organisations (involved in ecological issues), which include representatives from Moray Council and Forres Community Council.. We provide a large meeting room for their monthly joint meeting.
Tayside Woodland Trust
“Establishing and maintaining woodlands in Tayside”
Tayside Woodland Trust was formed with the objective of “establishing and maintaining woodlands in Tayside for habitat restoration and sequestering carbon as a contribution to the Scottish Government’s target to achieve zero net emissions, and to play a part in addressing the climate and nature emergency.”
Wellbeing & support 7
Aging Gratefully
“An informal group which meets regularly to explore aging in a positive way.”
Aging Gratefully was first established in 2023 as a drop-in sharing circle for the local area. Its ethos is to share personal experiences which might inspire participants as they connect with the ageing process. In 2024 Sustainable Planet offered us a regular meeting room and numbers have steadily grown from about 6 to up to 20. We are very grateful to SP for hosting our fortnightly meetings. Donations are given to pay for refreshments and heating at Auchernack House. Enquiries are welcomed by the founder rog.coulson@sustainableplanet.co.uk
Heartfulness
“Support millions of people in over 160 countries to achieve a more balanced, centred, and peaceful life”
Heartfulness is a path of experiencing our inner self. It's simple and subtle practice of meditation connects each of us with the light and love that is present in our hearts. It teaches us to dive deep into our heart, and be in a natural state of love, peace, and calmness. Our daily practices, help awaken our inherent potential for simple, balanced and joyful existence. When practiced regularly, meditation helps us become in tune with our heart and develop the capacity to remain poised and balanced at all times.”
Make and Mend
“Combines Social interactions with knitting, crochet and darning socks.”
"We are a social group where we help and support each other with various craft and or had work projects. If you are stuck with your pattern, don’t know how to repair or mend a piece of clothing, darn your socks, use a sewing machine etc or just want company when you knit or crochet."
Quarriers
“One of Scotland’s leading social care charities.”
“We provide practical care and support for children, adults and families, challenging poverty and creating opportunities for positive change. Whether offering at-home care, working with young people in difficult situations, supporting people affected by epilepsy or helping children and families in need, we give people a chance to live their lives to the fullest.”
SGI-UK
“Buddhism In Action For Peace”
SGI is a Buddhsit based, inter-faith a organization. It, “contributes to important issues in the wider world, and demonstrates how ordinary people can effect change” “The SGI is a lay organisation. The centres where members come together to meditate, study or plan events are open and nurtured as culture centres rather than as temples or churches. Centres are representative of the areas in which they are situated and of the people responsible for their development”
The Community Care Circle
“Fosters a compassionate, neighbourly culture where people thrive through connection.”
The Caring Community Circle at Park Ecovillage Trust fosters a compassionate, neighbourly culture where people thrive through connection, support, and shared humanity. Rooted in the belief that we flourish when we care for one another, our mission is to strengthen community wellbeing by offering non-medical support that reduces isolation, nurtures belonging, and enhances quality of life.”
The National Autistic Society
“Helping people gain clarity, understanding and confidence for the future.”
The National Autistic Society offers, Specialist assessments for children, young people and adults, helping them gain clarity, understanding and confidence for the future. Offers a wide range of information about autism on topics like; diagnosis, behaviour, communication, loneliness, sensory differences, mental health, benefits and money, education, and more.
Arts, culture & makers 5
Carol Scorer
Carol is a storyteller and percussionist often weaving these two art forms together. She has worked in professional community theatre for many years as a storyteller, performer, and percussionist. She is drawn to stories and rhythms rooted in memory, in the land, and to those voices less heard that are there if only for the listening. Carol is an experienced facilitator, teacher, and trainer. She performs storytelling for both adults and children. She performs regularly at WOMAD festival in The World of Children with interactive stories incorporating rhythm and has recently performed as part of The Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
Findhorn Bay Arts
“An award-winning creative producer of cultural events and activities.”
Findhorn Bay Arts is an award-winning creative producer of cultural events and activities rooted in the communities of Moray. We have grown from our first Culture Day celebration, held in 2013, to establish a year-round programme of high quality arts and cultural activities across the region, including the flagship biennial Findhorn Bay Festival.
Georgia Rose Murray
A well-respected artist, now living locally, who uses art to highlight ecological issues.
Glasgow School of Art
“One of Europe's top university-level institutions.”
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe's top university-level institutions in the visual creative disciplines. Based in the heart of Glasgow with connections across the globe, our studio-based teaching and world-leading research spans art, design, architecture, innovation and technology, making a significant difference to contemporary society.
Enterprise & other 1
SP MAPS
SP Maps is a donated commercial enterprise specialising in supplying old Scottish Maps. These, together with their copyright, enable us to reprint and sell these to support SP. At the same time this provides a supportive, therapeutic environment to assist the continued well-being of our volunteers.
Local help & support 2
Helping Hands Moray
“Personalised home care, helping people live well at home”
An independent home‑care service based in Lossiemouth, providing compassionate personal care and support across Moray — companionship, help with daily living and appointments, and support for dignified, independent ageing. Get in touch on 01343 509063 to discuss what's needed.
Moray Food Plus
“Crisis food support and so much more, across Moray”
Moray's food charity (SCIO SC042997), based at 203 High Street, Elgin. Crisis food parcels, affordable food pantries, the Big Blue Mobile Pantry and rural outreach reaching Forres and beyond, plus money advice and family support. Works on referral from Moray agencies, but you can also self-refer. Phone 01343 208293 · admin@morayfoodplus.org.uk — please check current opening times with them.