Community / North Yell community appoints development officer
North Yell Development Council (NYDC) has appointed a new development manager to help bring benefits to the local community from profits generated by the Garth wind farm in North Yell.
Sarah Kersey, who has a background in community development in the charity and not for profit sector for the last past 20 years, started work during November.
Her post is being funded via income generated by the community-owned 4.5MW Garth wind farm, which was commissioned in 2017.
Formed 40 years ago NYDC was established to strengthen the community, enhance the local tradition of pulling together to get things done with a focus on making north Yell a better place to live, work and visit.
From the outset the group identified the importance of enterprise, initiative and self-help as the crucial features behind community development.
The new development manager will work with the community of North Yell to identify projects to be included in a long-term plan for community and economic development. Current projects that NYDC have been working on include:-
- Increasing the facilities at Cullivoe marina, allowing it to accommodate
visiting yachts, fishing boats and host community events; - Expanding its business park which it opened in 2003 and has already brought
jobs and new businesses to the area; - Supporting the local community and voluntary groups during the Covid
pandemic.
Originally from west London, Sarah has first-hand experience of setting up and running a social enterprise and supporting people managing cooperative businesses.
Throughout her career she has contributed to a number of local, regional and national networks and bodies as a trustee, advisor and representative of the voluntary and community sector, helping to shape local authority policy and funding and ensuring the voice of the community is heard within public service development.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
