Our Impact

CDCN works to create lasting benefits for the communities of Nesting, Girlsta and Wadbister. Since our establishment, we have secured substantial investment, developed community facilities and helped local organisations access funding for important projects, including supporting community halls, local services and voluntary groups, while developing the Aald Skül, Nesting Scrapstore, Nesting Gym and outdoor recreation area for the benefit of residents and visitors.

Our Impact in Numbers

£800,000+

secured for community-led projects, including investment in the Aald Skül, renewable energy and wider community initiatives.

£147,000

secured for partner organisations and local facilities, including community halls, local services and resilience projects.

£200,000+

generated collectively by the Nesting Scrapstore and Nesting Gym since opening.

1,100+

volunteer hours recorded during 2025, with most supporting the Nesting Scrapstore.

Supporting Local Facilities and Organisations

CDCN helps local organisations turn community priorities into deliverable projects. This support includes identifying suitable funding, preparing applications, developing project plans and completing funder reports.

Examples include:

  • Helping North Nesting Hall secure £40,000 for modern, accessible toilet facilities.
  • Helping South Nesting Public Hall secure funding for redecoration, Warm Spaces activities and £20,000 towards a new energy-efficient heating system.
  • Supporting Skellister Stores with rural retail funding applications intended to strengthen and protect this important local service.
  • Supporting South Nesting Boating Club with funding and development work connected with its proposed marina.
  • Helping Nesting Primary School secure £1,000 for outdoor clothing.

Aerial view of the Aald Skül community site, including the hub buildings, Polycrubs and outdoor paths

Developing Community Assets and Services

CDCN has also secured investment and delivered projects through the Aald Skül and its surrounding site, including:

  • Acquiring and developing the Aald Skül as a community hub.
  • Establishing and expanding the Nesting Scrapstore.
  • Establishing the Nesting Gym as a locally accessible health and wellbeing facility.
  • Delivering Growing Spaces Nesting, including four Polycrubs, paths, seating, tree planting, a bird hide and an outdoor recreation area.
  • Installing 54 solar panels and 38.4 kWh of battery storage to improve the Aald Skül’s energy efficiency and sustainability.
  • Developing the Nesting, Girlsta and Wadbister Community Action Plan to identify local priorities and guide future work.
  • Completing feasibility and research projects to investigate new opportunities for the community.

The Nesting Scrapstore, a community enterprise supported by local staff and volunteers

Community Enterprise and Volunteering

CDCN’s community enterprises generate income that helps sustain local services, facilities and future projects.

The Nesting Scrapstore recorded more than £76,000 in income between January 2024 and the latest available 2026 figures. It also has more than 4,000 online followers and benefits from a committed team of local volunteers.

During 2025, CDCN recorded more than 1,100 volunteer hours, with over 1,000 of those hours supporting the Scrapstore. The Nesting Gym has also grown into an established community facility serving more than 200 members.

Help shape what comes next

Find out how you can lend a hand, volunteer or get involved with CDCN.

How to get involved | admin@cdcn.co.uk

CDCN represented at the Scottish Parliament alongside island community organisations
CDCN hosting community development groups from across Shetland at South Nesting HallNesting community volunteers

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

Where CDCN has made a difference

The map labels show where CDCN has helped local organisations secure funding and has supported facilities and services across Nesting, Girlsta and the wider Lunnasting area.

Select a place label for a short summary, or use the details below the map.

Aald Skül and community site

CDCN secured funding for and developed the community hub, Scrapstore, Gym, Growing Spaces, outdoor recreation, solar panels and battery storage.

South Nesting Public Hall

CDCN helped secure funding for redecoration and Warm Spaces activities, including £20,000 towards energy-efficient heating.

Nesting Primary School

CDCN helped secure £1,000 for outdoor clothing.

Skellister Stores

CDCN supported a rural retail funding application to help protect an important local service.

North Nesting Public Hall

CDCN helped secure £40,000 for modern, accessible toilet facilities.

South Nesting Boating Club

CDCN helped the club secure £79,800 for an Environmental Impact Assessment and has supported further funding applications and development work for the proposed marina.

The Aald Skül label identifies the wider community site; the other labels show their mapped facility or project locations.

Who We Are