Covid-19 & 3rd Sector Update 19/04/2022
LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
VOLUNTEERING
SERVICE UPDATES
HR
FUNDING
TRAINING & EVENTS
RESEARCH & BLOGS
LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Scottish Government: A national campaign has been launched designed to raise awareness and understanding of the Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS). This is a dedicated NHS service which can offer healthcare and support following rape or sexual assault, if people aren’t ready or are unsure about reporting to the police. SARCS is a self-referral service, meaning that a GP or other healthcare professional referral is not needed; anyone over the age of 16 can self-refer. Across Scotland SARCS will help people with their immediate healthcare needs and can potentially gather forensic evidence (which will be kept for 26 months) in case they want to tell the police at a later date. CAMPAIGN
VOLUNTEERING
Inspiring Volunteering Awards 2022: Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK, and it’s taking place from the 1-7 June 2022. Volunteer Centre East Lothian is thrilled to announce that the nominations for this year's Inspiring Volunteer Awards are now open! We can't wait to see the nominations flying in! They are open until Thursday 21st April 5pm, so spread the word and get your thinking caps on as to who you might want to put forward for an award. For more information on the categories and how to nominate visit our website; https://www.volunteereastlothian.org.uk/inspiring-volunteering-awards-2022
ENVIRONMENT
Climate Action Hubs:The Scottish Government is proposing a network of Regional Climate Action Hubs to stimulate local community led climate action, supporting the transition to low carbon and climate resilient living, and drive wider behavioural change. TSI colleagues attended an information event for East/Midlothian. You can view the slides from the event here:CLIMATE ACTION HUBS
Net Zero:Join MVA to hear from guest speakers about net zero and how third sector can work towards reducing their environmental impact and improving energy efficiency. There will be a closed session at the end for third sector organisations to raise any issues and discuss needs around net zero. Net Zero and the Third Sector Tickets, Tue 26 Apr 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
Oil and Gas:Please see this invite from Edinburgh Climate Coalition ‘Oil and Gas are Costing the Earth - Hear about the alternative to price rises, soaring profits and climate change 7.30pm Wednesday 20 April Speakers:
Michael O’Brien, Citizens’ Advice Scotland/Consumer Scotland
Ryan Morrison, Just Transition Campaigner, Friends of the Earth Scotland
Suzanne Jeffrey, Campaign Against Climate Change/Trade Union (CACC/TU) Group
Sign up onZoom.’
SERVICE UPDATES
HcL Transport - East Lothian Spring Day Trips
Running 3 day trips, as a pilot with funding from Volunteer Centre East Lothian, Social Isolation Fund, for residents of East Lothian who have mobility challenges. The trips are free of charge. FLYER
Transition to a Single Social Enterprise Intermediary Survey: Message from SENScot ‘On the 7th March Scottish Government communicated the decision that Social Enterprise Scotland will establish the single social enterprise intermediary in Scotland. While we note that the removal of government funding will mean that SENScot will need to close our doors , The board of SENScot will now work with Social Enterprise Scotland and other sector partners to shape this new body, and as always, we will do our very best to represent the needs and interest of our members. We want to ensure that all members have an opportunity to have their voice heard.
There have been many concerns raised about future of support for grassroots social enterprises, especially rural groups, social firms and community-led work in deprived urban communities. We would really appreciate if you could respond to the following short survey which will inform our engagement in shaping the new body. We want to ensure it is genuinely representative of the whole of the sector and that it acts as an independent and credible voice for social enterprise in Scotland. Many thanks in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. For any further information please contact mail@senscot.net.’ SURVEY
CAPS Independent Advocacy is recruiting for an Individual Advocacy Team Leader, Collective Advocacy Worker, Individual Advocacy Worker (Eating Disorders)
Individual Advocacy Team Leader
36.25 hours per week (full-time). Salary: £28,550 – £31,096 per annum.
This is an exciting career opportunity for the right person as the Team Leader of CAPS’ growing Individual Advocacy team. You will be joining a friendly and dynamic team as you provide day to day management and support for our growing group of Individual Advocacy workers. This is an exciting new role and a great opportunity to join an expanding organisation that’s making a real difference to people’s lives.
Closing date: 5th May 2022 at 12 noon.
https://capsadvocacy.org/news/individual-advocacy-team-leader
Collective Advocacy Worker (mental health experience led projects)
32 hours per week, Salary: £25,027 – £27,702 per annum FTE, (Starting salary £22,093 pro rata).
This is a substantial new role for a collective advocacy worker to facilitate several collective advocacy projects. Our role is to ensure people’s voices are heard by decision-makers and assist people to draw on their experiences to bring about change, such as improving mental health services. The role offers autonomy and flexibility, working as part of our enthusiastic team of Collective Advocacy workers. Some working from home is possible and regularly attending meetings in and around Edinburgh will be necessary.
Closing date: 12th May 2022 at 12 noon.
https://capsadvocacy.org/news/collective-advocacy-worker-mental-health-experience-led-projects/
Individual Advocacy Worker (Eating Disorders)
36.25 hours per week (full-time). Salary: £25,027 - £27,702 per annumThis post is an exciting opportunity to take the lead in a new project, specialising in the provision of independent advocacy for adults across Lothian who are experiencing an eating disorder. Our role is to assist our advocacy partners to have a stronger voice and ensure their views and wishes are taken into account in the decisions that affect them. The post offers autonomy and flexibility including travel across Lothian with some home working if desired.
Closing date: 12th May 2022 at 12 noon
https://capsadvocacy.org/news/individual-advocacy-worker-eating-disorders/
Fa'side Community KitchenVacancy - Community Development Worker
This is an exciting role, supporting a crucial charity in the heart of Fa’side. Using food as a way of connecting local residents, this Community Development Worker post will help develop the charity and raise awareness of its value in the Fa’side community.
Closing Date:Monday 25th April Interviews:Thursday 12th May
For a Job description and Person Specification please email:ruthdavie73@gmail.com
HR
National Minimum Wage:From 1 April the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates changed. View details and advice on theAcas website, or the GovernmentsCheckYourPay site
And watch our video explaining National Minimum Wage and the recent changes You can also register for a joint Acas and HMRC webinar: Helping employers get the National Minimum Wage rightTwo dates are available: 4 May and 10 May Register your place
FUNDING
Investing in Communities Fund: the latest update from the SG suggests applications will open in May for 4 weeks -Empowering Communities Programme - Community empowerment - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)A summary of the key questions is available so you can start prepping -Investing in Communities Fund: application questions - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
TRAINING & EVENTS
Local Election Hustings Event with Third Sector (East Lothian)
The purpose of this event is to allow each Party to lay out their vision and commitments to East Lothian’s Third Sector, should they either form an Administration or gain a position of influence in the new Administration. The event will give each candidate a few minutes to outline their intentions, which will be followed by questions, from the audience. Venue The Fraser Centre, 3A Winton Place Tranent EH33 1AF Date / time Tuesday 26th April. 1pm-3pm.
EVENTBRITE
Children Affected By Parental Substance Use (CAPSU): Wednesday 8th June 2022, 9.15am – 12.30pm This course is for practitioners who may encounter families where there is problem substance use in the course of their work. The course is facilitated by Midlothian and East Lothian Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (MELDAP). It offers an opportunity to hear from a peer worker with lived experience and for practitioners to reflect on how the Guidance is helpful as a framework for intervention when working with families where there is problematic use of alcohol and other drugs. Applicants must have previously completed Level 1 Child Protection Awareness Raising and Response training (either through Learnpro, or a virtual or face-to-face session). You must download the form to your own computer and save it before filling it in otherwise the next person who opens it will see your details. BOOKING
RESEARCH & BLOGS
John Bellany Day Centre are very keen to expand its range of services to provide Outreach Support to our older population in Cockenzie, Port Seton, and Longniddry. John Bellany Day Centre is looking for your views – Alison’s blog (edubuzz.org)
The Cost of Having Fun at School: The Child Poverty Action Group and Children North East have published The Cost of Having Fun at School, a new report about the impact of poverty on fun events and activities at school. The Cost of Having Fun at School captures the experiences of pupils and parents in schools across Britain, including insights from focus groups with over 1600 children and young people in Scotland. Key findings are:
School fundraising and charity days can add to financial pressures on families. Some pupils and families who are themselves struggling to get by are being asked to regularly donate to different charity and fundraising days at school
Not everyone is able to take part and enjoy dress up days and non-uniform days. Children and young people told us about the costs and social pressures of these days, and that this sometimes makes them feel embarrassed and left out. In some cases, teachers reported that pupils were missing school on these days.
Activities like school fayres and book sales highlight differences between lower-income pupils and their peers. Some children described being left behind because they didn't have enough money to attend and enjoy these activities. .
Expensive leavers' celebrations are putting parents in an impossible situation. In some schools, leavers' celebrations such as residential trips and school proms are costing families over £200. This is posing a big challenge for lower income parents who don't want children to miss out but can't afford this significant cost.
The report also contains lots of ideas and suggestions from pupils and families about creative ways to make events like this more inclusive, examples of good practice and practical recommendations for schools, parent bodies and charities to ensure all children can join in and make the most of the school day. There is also an abridged version of this report for charities reflecting on their own approach to engaging pupils and fundraising in schools.
