Hi there!

Despite all the changes at mp33 there’s still plenty happening just now. We’re not just ticking over, either - there’s quite a few new things going on. So come and see us when you can…
The festive season is coming up so fast. We hope you have a happy time at Christmas and the New Year. Make a resolution to drop in after the holidays. See you then!

All at mp33 , December’01

Sharing duties at mp33 with youth worker Scott Porter (featured last month) is Cath Findlay. You’ll find her in Grant Street two mornings a week. A “through-and-through” Invernessian, she is already well-known in Merkinch through the Youth Club where she has been on the staff for the last six months.

Another new face you may meet at mp33 in the coming months is that of Margaret Mulholland who is managing the SIPs Centre in the meantime until a new Youth Development Worker is appointed early next year.
Margaret was working in Dingwall until she was seconded on to the New Community Schools team. But she is no stranger to Merkinch . Her mother’s family - the Macfarlanes - was one of the first to move into the new houses at South Kessock (from Church Street) in the years before the war.

STILL operating from mp33 are the following:

• The Employment Action Team, Tuesday to Friday 10am -12.30pm.
• Highland Brook on Monday afternoon from 2-4pm offers confidential sexual health advice.
• Young Tenants meet on Tuesday afternoons from 2-4pm.
• Shirley from Inverness College is also here on Tuesday afternoons, same time, for those who could be interested in further education at the College.
• Interested in computers? Scott is starting up computer sessions that will let you improve your skills. Ring mp33 on 717639 for details.

HEATHER Pirie is currently running a women’s group for unemployed young mums aged between 18 and 25.
Held between 10am and 12 noon on Fridays, activities over the next few weeks will include massage, a makeover from staff at Body Shop, and an arts and crafts session making Christmas decorations. There’s a creche facility too.

THE Dolphin Club is open again on Tuesday afternoons from 4.30pm- 6pm.
Helping Graham at Dolphin sessions is a familiar face - Cheryl Heggie, who left the full-time staff at mp33 a couple of months ago.
So come on all you wannabee Kate Adies and Jackie Collins! Give us the write stuff!

THE scheme for young people to expand their horizons and give them more opportunities in life has got off to a successful start.
Four lads from those who turned up at the inaugural meeting have come back, keen to learn more about the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
The programme of activities includes a series of challenges in such areas as skill development and service to others, and a highlight involves going on a major expedition.
This personal development scheme is open to both boys and girls, and local development officer Barry Abbott along with Sandra Grant are at mp33 on Mondays from 4pm for those who are interested.