Covid-19 & 3rd Sector Update 08/01/2021

Written By Gordon Scott

  • LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

  • SERVICE UPDATES

  • PREMISES AND TECHNOLOGY

  • FUNDING

 

LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 


Shielding: People are not formally being asked to shield during this lockdown, but they must work from home.  Their letter from the Chief Medical Officer of 5 January 2021 acts as a Fit Note if they are unable to work from home.  Children on the shielding list should not attend school or college in person. People on the shielding list are encouraged to continue to exercise but are strongly urged to take extra precautions. If you, your child or someone you care for is on the shielding list and you haven’t registered for a priority shopping slot, you can sign up now. The supermarkets that offer this service are Asda, Tesco, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Waitrose.  Food boxes are not being reintroduced. People on the shielding list need to continue to follow this guidance even after they have been vaccinated. The Government has published an online survey for individuals who are currently on shielding list to understand their experiences of mental health and to capture their views on the vaccine. Please encourage people on the shielding list to complete it and have their voices heard. Closing date 11 January SURVEY

Scottish Government: The Guidance for the safe running of organised activities for children and young people during lockdown has been updated to reflect the current restrictions.  ORGANISED ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN


SERVICE UPDATES 


Fa'side Community Pantry: Will remain open during at VCEL (9:30AM to 12pm)

FA'SIDE FOOD WHAT'S AVAILABLE Flyer

East Lothian and Midlothian Public Protection Committee: The Committee has just published new Adult Support and Protection Policy and Procedures. The purpose of the policies is to: Identify, minimise and manage risks presented by “adults at risk” as defined by the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007; Ensure that all suspicions, disclosures or actual harm are acted upon within the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and ELBEG Adult Support and Protection Inter-agency Guidelines 2013; and Establish Adult Support and Protection Plans where appropriate, with defined responsibilities and time limits. You can download the document here. ASP POLICY & PROCEDURES
 

Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey: NHS Lothian: Project Assistant- 0.5wte (2 posts). 4 years fixed term appointment. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join a new service to support people affected by cancer across the Lothians. You will act as the central point of contact for the service across the whole of the Lothians and provide support to the ICJ Programme Manager and the small Project Team. The role offers a unique opportunity to work with a range of partners across health and social care, local authority, third sector and users and carers.  ADVERT
 

Women's Aid East and Midlothian: 2 x Women’s Support Workers 35 hours Job Ref: WSW-1This post attracts a Salary up to £23,310 per annum (pro rota) (Salary scale:  £21,559 to £23,310 per annum pro rota) We have 2 x Full Time vacancies for experienced support workers. You will work using a multi-agency, trauma informed approach and your case load will include individual and group work support. ADVERT


Haddington CAB: Two posts (Post Christmas Money Advice Assistant and a Covid Impact Money Advice Assistant). DOCS


Y2K: Further to the First Minister’s announcement of a new lockdown to address and reduce the spread of the coronavirus Y2K has once again entered a temporary suspension of ‘face-to-face’ supports. Along with all our partners we have taken every opportunity over the past year to adapt the way in which we offer and provide support to local young people. We have honed our skills and experience in delivering a range of fun, interactive and supportive digital services, using both group and 1:1 contacts and communications in response to the current situation. Our youth workers continue to be available Monday to Friday, throughout the day, to engage with young people on an individual basis through our social media platforms. We will also be delivering weekly zoom-based group sessions and health and wellbeing supports. Young people who wish to can work towards Dynamic youth awards remotely, with support from an allocated youth worker. We are keeping in regular contact with as many of our existing service users as possible however we welcome any young people who are new to our services as well. If you have been/are working with a young person who would benefit from getting involved with our current programme of supports, please signpost them to our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages which are regularly updated.
https://www.facebook.com/youth2000project/ 
https://www.instagram.com/y2k_project/ 
https://twitter.com/y2k_project


PREMISES & TECHNOLOGY 

The Connecting Scotland Programme aims to get 50,000 digitally excluded households online by the end of 2021. If you are an organisation that already works with the target groups for this initiative, you can apply for devices to distribute. Connecting Scotland also provides Mifi and unlimited data allowance for up to 24 months. There are currently three open programmes: 


Organisations that have been successful in earlier application rounds can find further information and support in the welcome pack.
Each local council has an agreed allocation of devices. You do not need to submit a list of people you want to support as part of your application. But you’ll need to:

  • show how you’ll identify and choose people to support

  • outline what their digital inclusion needs are

  • identify members of staff to become digital champions and take part in mandatory digital champions training (so think carefully about how many people you can offer digital support to)

 
The closing date for the programmes is 18 January 2021. 


FUNDING 

National Lottery: The National Lottery Community Fund will mainly continue to operate as before, with some changes to help make sure funds better support people and communities through COVID-19. These changes focus on broadening the type of work they can fund, but also mean funding is available for shorter periods and applications will be assessed quickly. NATIONAL LOTTERY
 
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategic Framework Business Fund: Grants for businesses that are required to close by law as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.   Provided they meet all the eligibility criteria, businesses which are Limited Companies (including social enterprises), Sole Traders, Trusts, Partnerships, Community Interest Companies or Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations, may apply for a grant from the Strategic Framework Business Fund. SFBF 

Gordon Scott
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