E-bulletin January 2016
INSIDE:
East Renfrewshire Collaborates
‘East Renfrewshire - an inclusive place to live?’ Articles • British Sign Language Video Series Launched to Explain Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) • East Renfrewshire Disability Association
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NHSGGC & Local Councils Christmas Campaign to Help More
People Leave Hospital When Ready
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Pig Protection
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The Birth of Two Types of Income Tax
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Waste Tyre Crackdown
Resources • Chair Based Exercise
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Funding to Tackle Fuel Poverty (UK)
• Give It A Grow! •
Stride
FIND US ON
Website
Events
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Hit the High Note!
Training
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Creative Pathways
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Criminal Justice & Personalisation Event
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Getting It Right From The Start!
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Keys to Learn
Public Contracts & Funding • Business Support • Public Contract Notice • Funding
East Renfrewshire Collaborates VAER Third Sector Forum has changed. In order to be even more inclusive the forum has grown to incorporate other partners within the new East Ren Collaborates. We will continue to co-ordinate networking and discussion through two bi-annual events supplemented by our VA Academy – a flexible programme of smaller issues based information sessions.
‘East Renfrewshire - an inclusive place to live?’ Join the conversation! Join us on 1st February 2016 to kick off a week-long discussion both online and in person. We will start with an event hosted here at underCOVER from 1-2.30 pm and finish up the week with an event on Friday, 5th February at The Stables, Age Concern Eastwood from 1-2.30 pm. At both events, you will have an opportunity to tell us what makes East Renfrewshire an inclusive place to live and what can be done better. Just book for the date that suits you best or attend both days. Online Forum To ensure everyone has a chance to take part, we have set up a Facebook group, a place where everyone can join to voice their opinion, submit ideas, and catch up on the discussions taking place at our events. Book your place now!
British Sign Language Video Series Launched to Explain Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) A new video series has been launched with the aim of informing children and young people, their parents and carers about the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) approach. These BSL format videos are designed to be accessible to a wide range of children and adults, particularly those who are deaf. The videos gave young people, parents and carers the opportunity to express their views around key aspects of GIRFEC, including the importance of inclusive communication, the role of the Named Person, and the change in culture needed to make sure the GIRFEC approach is used by everyone. A teacher said “the clips are great. I will definitely use them in the class to inform students and to generate discussion on wellbeing.” A young person from Solar Bear who acted in the videos said “it was great to be part of the project. Everyone should know about GIRFEC so that children and young people can get the support they need.” ALLIANCE Associate Director, Children and Young People, Ronnie Hill said: “We are proud to have worked with parents and young people, to ensure that information about how GIRFEC works becomes truly accessible. The ALLIANCE supports the roll out of GIRFEC on a statutory basis across Scotland because we believe that all disabled children and young people and those living with long term conditions should have access to the support they need, when they need it.” The videos can be accessed on the ALLIANCE’s YouTube channel.
East Renfrewshire Disability Association If you or a family member have a disability and looking for advice, help or have a burning issue you feel needs championed East Renfrewshire Disability Association may be of help. What are ERDA involved with? • Worked in partnership and formed a sub committee with Self Directed Support East Renfrewshire (SDS ER) to highlight and address the closure of the Independent Living Fund (ILF), this culminated in proposing a Scottish ILF, which is happening later this year. • Currently campaigning to address the lack of wheelchair accessible taxis in East Renfrewshire. • Organised and facilitated two successful and well received training sessions for Third Sector organisations and individuals in the Turn2Us basic benefit calculator. • Challenged the local Community Health and Care Partnership’s (CHCP) increased charges to the Blue Badge scheme. • Managed to successfully stop a proposed price increase to the Holiday Programme. • Worked in partnership with East Renfrewshire Carers to hold a Hustings event for the 2011 Scottish Parliament election and for the local council elections in 2012. • Have contributed to various consultations at local and national level. • Held a Welfare Reform event with the local CHCP to raise awareness about major change to benefits. • Have ensured the provision of accessible play equipment in Carlibar and Rouken Glen parks. • Participate in East Renfrewshire Council’s work to mitigate the impact of Welfare Reform on disabled people. • Proposed a national media campaign to the Scottish Government regarding the ongoing stigma and demonisation of disabled people by large parts of the mainstream media. ERDA meet once a month and if you would like more information please go to our website or join www.erda.org.uk or e-mail michael.erda@gmail.com
NHSGGC & Local Councils Christmas Campaign to Help More People Leave Hospital When Ready Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership has been joined by all councils in the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde area in encouraging local residents to put a Power of Attorney (PoA) in place to ensure they can leave hospital when medically fit. The campaign aims to encourage people to talk to their loved ones about establishing a PoA. This allows a designated person to step in and make the right decisions in the event of someone falling ill and being unable to make their own decisions. Unfortunately, there are still large numbers of people entering hospital unable to make decisions for themselves who haven’t appointed someone to act as their Attorney. This can lead to a delay in people being able to leave hospital when their medical treatment is complete. Jill Carson, Adult Services Manager, Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership, said: “Many people still don’t realise that their next of kin can’t act for them if they become unable to make their own decisions due to accident or illnesses such as stroke or dementia. Having a PoA in place can make a real difference by ensuring that loved ones’ wishes are carried out quickly without prolonged legal negotiations. Otherwise people can be in hospital for longer than they need to be and this can contribute to a loss of independence”. More information can be found at www.mypowerofattorney.org.uk or on facebook www.facebook.com/starttalkingpoa and Twitter @StartTalkingPoA
Pig Protection Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea to become a notifiable disease in Scotland. Animal health laws in Scotland are being strengthened to protect the country’s £95 million pig industry. Read more…
The Birth of Two Types of Income Tax
On 6 April 2016, a fundamental change will be made to the taxation system for UK resident individuals. Those who are resident in Scotland will pay two types of income tax on their non-savings income. The main UK rates of income tax will be reduced by 10p for Scottish taxpayers and in its place the Scottish Parliament will be able to levy a Scottish Rate of Income Tax (SRIT) applied equally to all Scottish taxpayers. If the SRIT is set at 10p then income tax rates will be the same as in the rest of the UK. SRIT can however be reduced to zero and there is no upper limit. Importantly, this change may affect not just Scottish employees and employers. Any employer in the UK will see a change to PAYE procedures if an employee is classed as a Scottish taxpayer. Individuals will be Scottish taxpayers if they are UK tax resident and their sole or main place of residence is in Scotland. So if an employer based in England recruits an individual who stays in temporary accommodation near to the employer’s base but returns to their family home in Scotland at weekends, the employer has a Scottish employee. HMRC have given some guidance as to what this will mean for employers and there is good news: HMRC will identify those individuals who will be Scottish taxpayers based on their records of where individuals live – an employer will not have to make any assessments on taxpayer status. Individuals moving into or out of Scotland will be encouraged by HMRC to notify them of a change of address.
Scottish taxpayers will have their tax codes prefi xed with the letter ‘S’. There will be no requirement to include the SRIT separately on payslips. Payroll software will however have to cope with the possibility of SRIT not being 10%. What is the likelihood of there being different rates? This is a matter for the Scottish Parliament. SRIT will need to be set every year for only one tax year and for the whole of that year. The rate needs to be applied equally to all Scottish taxpayers so if SRIT is set at 12%, a basic rate taxpayer would have a marginal rate of income tax of 22% (rather than 20%) and an additional rate taxpayer would have a marginal rate of 47% (rather than 45%). So lower earners will have a higher percentage increase in their tax bill compared to higher earners. This factor will not encourage the Scottish government to set a higher rate in 2016. However, Scotland is expected to receive complete control over income tax bands and rates in 2018, under new powers devolved in the Scotland Bill. Glasgow: 0141 566 7000
Oban: 01631 562 478
Sheffield: 01709378809 Web: www.wyliebisset.com
Email: info@wyliebisset.com
Waste Tyre Crackdown Tough new licensing rules are being introduced to clamp down on the illegal storage and disposal of waste tyres. Under current laws, no licence is required to process a small number of tyres. Read More…
Chair Based Exercise
Free 10 Week Course
Starts January in Barrhead Starts
February in Newton Mearns
The exercises in this class will help you to improve your balance and co-ordination, reaching, posture, stride and grip. Carrying shopping, doing housework and walking will be less work, making it easier and more enjoyable to do the things you do every day.
To find out more call Belinda Arthur at the Health Improvement Team on: 07967 611 742 or 0141 577 8436 Email: belinda.arthur@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Funding to Tackle Fuel Poverty (UK)
The Scottish Power Energy People Trust has announced that its grants programme is open for applications. The Trust provides grants to registered charities for projects that address fuel poverty. Registered charities can apply for grants of up to ÂŁ50,000 for projects that provide energy efficiency advice; improve home energy efficiency through draught proofing, insulating and or other practical measures; carry out benefits advice to households missing out on financial help that they are entitled to through welfare benefits and tax credits and provide assistance to reduce or cancel debts for household electricity or gas supply. Applications are particularly welcome from charities who work with children, young people and families. The deadline for applications is the 17th May 2016. More information on Funding to Tackle Fuel Poverty (UK)
Give It A Grow!
Would you like to use your gardening and growing expertise and enthusiasm to help yourself and your community? If so, then this new project could be for you.
For an informal chat about how to get involved, please call, text or email the project’s co-ordinator: Belinda Arthur - Community Health Development Worker 07967 611 742 / 0141 577 8436 email: belinda.arthur@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Stride
Stride
verb 1. to walk with long, decisive steps in a specified direction
Stride is a new group formed in response to the needs of local people. Each two hour session encourages physical activity and the sharing and exchanging of knowledge and understanding. Maintaining physical fitness and being occupied in a way that is meaningful for us help optimise our health as we prepare for being older. We encourage participants to share their knowledge and take the lead, supporting each other and strengthening our community. Taking part in sessions will help you gain and maintain fitness, strength, confidence and knowledge. What will you take into your stride? Sessions start in early 2016 in Barrhead. To discuss taking part please call, text or email:Belinda Arthur Community Health Development Worker Health Improvement Team 07967 611 742 or 0141 577 8436 email: belinda.arthur@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Hit the High Note!
Creative Pathways Plus
Criminal Justice & Personalisation Event Developing personalised support for people with convictions
Tuesday 23rd February 2016 9.30am for 10.00am start until 1.30pm Norton Park Conference Centre, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh
The Social Care (Self-directed Support) Scotland Act enables people receiving social care to have greater choice and control over their support. This event aims to support providers and others to consider the opportunities and challenges that personalised support offers to people with convictions and their families. This event will provide opportunities for participants to gain increased awareness, knowledge, skills and confidence in: • • •
How to better prepare for delivering personalised support The benefits and risks of providing Self-Directed Support to people with convictions and their families Good practice in delivering personalised support.
Participants will also have the opportunity to: • Share practice on personalised, outcomes based support provision • Hear about a pilot project for Self-Directed Support for people with convictions • Discuss the impact of personalisation on the workforce, support planning and culture change • Review your organisation’s progress in delivering personalised support. This event is aimed at practitioners, voluntary sector support providers, policy makers and people affected by the criminal justice system. Places for this event are limited to two people per organisation. Bookings can be made via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/criminal-justice-personalisation-tickets-20012197020 We look forward to seeing you there!
Getting It Right From The Start! When people with learning difficulties and individuals on the autistic spectrum contact you to find out about the support you provide, what impression do they get? Do they feel welcome, valued and well-informed? Or a bit confused, frustrated and put off? Values into Action Scotland (VIAS) are offering free customer service training to help you make sure that the people you might end up supporting feel positive about you right from the word go. This one day event will focus on the ‘outward-facing’ activities of your organisation, including: • Face to face reception • Phone calls • Website • Information stands • Written information It is aimed at anyone in your organisation who is involved in developing or delivering the above activities. To benefit from this free opportunity, training must be delivered before 31 March 2016 so please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. Call us on 0141 212 3395 or email info@viascotland.org.uk This training is offered in partnership with SCLD, with funding from the Scottish Government.
Keys to Learn
FREE COURSES
Started Tuesday 26th January 2016 at 10.30am At Voluntary Action, Barrhead (next to Tesco) Why join us? • • • • • • •
Get travel expenses and lunch each day Become a college student Learn computing, cookery, budgeting, self confidence Can count toward Jobseeker count Get certificates for your learning Help to get into learning, volunteering and work Meet new people
Places Left – Text 07834 437 185 to book your place! Keys to Learn Glasgow Homelessness Network (‘GHN’) A registered charity and company limited by guarantee | Registered in Scotland SC112361|Scottish charity reference SC0 03453 Unit 16a, 12 Commercial Road, Glasgow G5 0PQ info@ghn.org.uk | www.ghn.org.uk |Director: Margaret-Ann Brünjes
Business Support If starting a business is a new experience for you, there are many things you’ll need to learn. Some tasks will be easy; others seemingly impossible, but even your mistakes will offer valuable lessons. When you start your own business, you’ll face tough challenges and decisions, but thankfully, help is available. There might be times when you need specialist advice. At other times, simply being able to share your concerns with someone you trust will help you. Sometimes you’ll have to pay for business advice, but that doesn’t mean free advice is worth any less. If you have a business idea or need advice Voluntary Action’s experienced staff are here to help you on your journey. Most of our services are free. Email reception@va-er.org.uk or call 0141 876 9555
Public Contracts Notice Ref: DEC229800 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: CE-03-15 Employability Skills Pipeline Service Published: 23/12/2015 Published by: South Ayrshire Council Deadline: 01/02/2016 Full Text: Here Ref: JAN230152 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Fund Managers Service For The Scottish Government Published: 05/01/2016 Published by: Scottish Government Deadline: 04/02/2016 Full Text: Here
Ref: JAN230743 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Employer’s Equality Action Fund Published: 11/01/2016 Published by: The Skills Development Scotland Co. Limited Deadline: 26/02/2016 Full Text: Here
Ref: JAN231254 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Testing Locations for a Range of Computer Based Tests January 2016 Published: 15/01/2016 Published by: Learndirect Limited Deadline: 05/02/2016 Full Text: Here
Ref: JAN231270 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Advisory Service for Local Food and Drink Marketing Published: 15/01/2016 Published by: Scottish Government Deadline: 07/03/2016 Full Text: Here
Ref: JAN231325 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Our Voice Citizens’ Panel Published: 15/01/2016 Published by: Healthcare Improvement Scotland Deadline: 15/02/2016 Full Text: Here
Ref: JAN231342 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Business Gateway - Provision of Core & Specialist Workshops and Expert Help Published: 15/01/2016 Published by: West Dunbartonshire Council Deadline: 19/02/2016 Full Text: Here
Ref: JAN231543 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Design Team and Project Management Services - Balgray Wake Park Published: 19/01/2016 Published by: East Renfrewshire Council Deadline: 05/02/2016 Full Text: Here
Funding
Hospital Saturday Fund The Hospital Saturday Fund is accepting applications from registered health charities in the UK for both its Standard and Large Grants programme. Registered health charities (medically related charities) hospitals, hospices and medical clinics based and operating within the UK or the Republic of Ireland can apply once per calendar year for funding to assist with medical capital projects, medical care or research, medical training and running costs. The Fund offer Standard Grants of up to ÂŁ2,000 or Large Grants of up to ÂŁ10,000.
Standard Grant applications deadlines are: 10 May 2016; 18 July 2016; 10 October 2016 and 1 December 2016. Large Grant applications deadlines are: 12 April 2016; 20 June 2016; 12 September 2016; and 1 December 2016.
Full details on website
ScotRail - Cultural and Arts Fund Grants of up to £5,000 are available for arts, community recreation, and sports activities and projects in the vicinity of a train station in Scotland or with a travel or safety theme. The application must fit within at least one of the following criteria to be eligible for funding: • • • • • • • •
Promotion of performing arts, visual arts, literature, community arts, and cultural traditions. Support for artists and artistic organisations. Public art, such as sculptures in open spaces. Play areas for children. Provision of local activity programmes (including local festivals, civic weeks and galas). Increasing participation in sport and physical activity. Sports events. Sport outreach programmes.
Charities and community groups such as Brownies, Scouts, PTAs, Friends of Groups and Playgroups in Scotland are eligible to apply. Organisations must have an income no more than £100,000 per year. The first 2016 deadline for applications is 31 March 2016. Full details on website
The Swimathon Foundation Grants to encourage and support organisations in the UK which increase access to swimming and provide activities aimed at helping individuals and communities enjoy the benefits of swimming throughout their lives. Grants of between £300 and £2,500 are available for innovative and sustainable projects which will help more people participate in and enjoy swimming and to make swimming more accessible. Applicants must demonstrate in their application how the funding will allow them to: • Introduce people to swimming who would otherwise not swim. • Increase the frequency that existing swimmers go to the pool. • Improve the swimming experience for new or existing swimmers. Projects must take place at a Swimathon pool and have sign off from the Pool Manager or their delegated main contact for this project to take place. Organisations including community groups, swimming clubs, senior groups, youth groups, sports clubs, disability charities, scout groups and healthy living groups in the UK are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 4 March 2016. Full details on website
Voluntary Arts Week Microfund The deadline for applications to the 2016 round is 22 February 2016 (9am). The Voluntary Arts Week Microfund offers funding to help groups and projects in Scotland take part in Voluntary Arts Week 2016 (6-15 May). The Fund is provided by Voluntary Arts Scotland with support from the Spirit of 2012 Trust, with 40 awards of £100 available to self-led cultural groups and projects. The Fund is particularly keen to support groups that aim to: •
Engage with one or more of the following target groups - young people, older people, disabled people/people with additional needs.
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Work in partnership with other projects, groups or organisations to pool re sources, share skills and cross-promote activity.
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Be innovative and try something new.
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Share the creativity and skills of current participants and volunteers.
The deadline for applications is 22 February 2016 (9am). Full details on website
Next TSF Bulletin The next edition of TSF Bulletin will be out on Monday 29th February 2016. To submit any news items or community events, contact us no later than Friday 19th February 2016 for submission into the next bulletin. For more information about any of the above or if you would like to include anything in the next TSF Bulletin emai Lesley. To unsubscribe, click here.
Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire Registered Address: underCOVER, 56 Kelburn Street, Barrhead, G78 1LR Scottish Charity: SC028103 Company Registered in Scotland: 187421 Tel: 0141 876 9555 Email: reception@va-er.org.uk Web: www.va-er.org.uk