A community project which began with three people gathered around a stove is preparing to open a new creative health and wellbeing space after rapidly outgrowing its current home.
Easter Ross charity Flip of the Coin worked with 265 people last year, with demand for its sessions often exceeding the capacity of its 18-person yurt.
But extra space is now within reach after the charity secured £10,000 from the Port of Cromarty Firth alongside almost £19,000 of Community Led Local Development funding from the Highland Strategic Local Action Group.
The backing has helped Flip of the Coin secure a purpose-built wooden studio, which will be known as the Art Shack. The new studio is expected to arrive in Alness in October and will provide a warm, year-round space where up to 50 people can come together.
Flip of the Coin was founded in 2024 after founder and CEO Lucy Campbell’s work as a public health researcher identified a lack of places in Easter Ross where people could simply come together, be creative and feel part of a community.
The organisation has grown substantially since then and now supports people for a wide range of reasons, with many referred through GPs, occupational therapists and other services.
Lucy said: “The Port coming in early with their support gave the project real momentum and helped give other funders confidence to back us too. We now have this beautiful new studio coming, which is going to transform what we can offer.
“At the moment, we can have 35 people coming to a session when our yurt only holds 18, so people have to be split between different spaces.
“The Art Shack means everyone can come together in one warm, welcoming place. We want it to be somewhere people can have a cup of tea, make some art, have a chat or join an activity – or simply come in and be themselves.”
The larger space will allow the charity to expand activities including art and upcycling, wellbeing and movement sessions, and recovery support.
The charity’s long-term ambition is for the site to operate five days a week as a centre for creative health and wellbeing.
Joanne Allday, head of strategy and business development at the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “We are proud to support projects which make a tangible difference to our local communities, and Flip of the Coin is a great example of that.
“It has been fantastic to see the project attract wider support and move towards becoming a reality, creating a lasting facility which can support the health and wellbeing of people across Easter Ross.”
Frances Gunn, chair of the Highland Strategic Local Action Group, said: “The Local Action Group is delighted to support this great local initiative, which will make a huge difference to the community and wider Easter Ross area.
“We are delighted to support Flip of the Coin as it develops a permanent space which will enable it to reach more people and expand the range of activities it provides. We wish the project all the success moving forward.”
Community Led Local Development funding is administered by the Highland Council. Councillor Russell Jones, who sits on the Highland Strategic Local Action Group, said: “Projects like the Art Shack play an important role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing by creating opportunities to connect with others and become involved in their community. The group is delighted to support this charity.”
Flip of the Coin is continuing to fundraise towards the remaining costs of installing and equipping the Art Shack.
