E-bulletin September 2015
INSIDE:
East Renfrewshire Collaborates
VA Academy - Writing for the Web and Social Media Articles • Consultation on Willfull Neglect and Ill-treatment
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East Renfrewshire Council - Provost Award 2015
• Launch of Public Consultation on Complaints Concerning Functions Relating to the Named Person and Child’s Plan • RAMH - Recovery Across Mental Health • Research into Youth Volunteering • Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival • Trustees Week 2015 Resources • Fit for Work Scotland Service Update Public Contracts & Funding • Investment Opportunities for Social Businesses in Scotland • Supplier Development Programme • Public Contract Notice • Funding
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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.
VA Academy – Writing for the Web and Social Media This month’s VA Academy is revisiting the world of social media – but is even better. There’s no point having the world at your fingertips if you don’t know a tweet from a toadstool. Competition for people’s attention has never been greater. It’s your responsibility to make sure the way you communicate your message is as clear as possible. Writing for the web and social media is different from traditional narrative. Impact depends on information being short and sharp while still being relevant and interesting. This 90 minute course will give you the key points to consider when using digital communication. For those of you who don’t have a Facebook page, Twitter account, Instagram or any other social media you’d like to use, help will be on hand to get you started so when you leave you should already have your own social media pages up and running. Date: Wednesday 28th October Time: 12.30 – 2pm Location: underCOVER 56 Kelburn Street, Barrhead Book your place HERE
Consultation on Wilful Neglect and Ill-treatment This consultation outlines and invites views on the Scottish Government’s proposals for a new criminal offence of ill-treatment or wilful neglect with regard to services for children. It also seeks views on what services should be included. Respond to the consultation
East Renfrewshire Council - Provost Award 2015 The search is on for East Renfrewshire Council’s citizen of the year. East Renfrewshire Council’s Provost Award honours people who have contributed to the local community. It’s our chance to say thank you to the army of unsung heroes and heroines.
“We know there are many individuals working tirelessly in our community day in, day out. That’s why we are appealing for residents to nominate their citizen of the year for this award. Make sure they don’t miss out and nominate them today.” - Provost Alastair Carmichael
Nominations can be made by downloading and completing a nomination form. The form can also be printed off and filled in. • For more Information and downloadable Provost Award Nomination Form 2015 click here The winner will be invited to the council chambers to receive their award from Provost Carmichael. Deadline for nominations is 21 October.
Launch of Public Consultation on Complaints Concerning Functions Relating to the Named Person and Child’s Plan Today the Scottish Government launched a public consultation on complaints concerning functions relating to the Named Person and Child’s Plan. The consultation is open for eight weeks until Friday 30 October 2015 on Citizen Space. Link to consultation and how to respond: https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/girfec/ complaints The Named Person and Child’s Plan are part of the Getting It Right For Every Child approach and the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. This consultation document outlines two options for the management of complaints relating to the functions of the Named Person and/or Child’s Plan: 1. A parent or child will make a complaint to each organisation involved in a matter. This will mean that the complaint is investigated by the organisation or body whose performance is being complained about. 2. A parent or child will make a complaint to the organisation providing the Named Person or to the organisation acting as the managing authority for complaints made about the Child’s Plan. The complaint, regardless of the number of organisations or issues involved, will be investigated by one point of contact for the parent and child. If the parent or child is not satisfied with the response to their complaint, and local processes have been exhausted, it is proposed that for both options, they can escalate it to the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman (SPSO) as an independent arbiter. These proposals have been developed by the Scottish Government in close partnership with professionals in Health, Education, Social Work and SPSO. Any responses received after the 30 October 2015 will be considered but cannot be included in the subsequent consultation analysis report or published on the Scottish Government website. If you would like to return a paper copy of your consultation response you can find the consultation documents on the Scottish Government consultation page here. Please share this invitation and link to the consultation with people in your network who may be interested in this consultation.
RAMH - Recovery Across Mental Health A group of mental health supporters have smashed fundraising targets by white water rafting down the River Tay. An astonishing £6,500 was raised by 17 rafters, who braved cool temperatures and white water rapids for local charity RAMH. The event took place in celebration of the 25th anniversary of RAMH service provision in the local area. Among the rafters was The Most Reverend John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley, who raised £1,300. He said; “We had a wonderful day on the River Tay, it was fantastic being on the water and of course the rapids were a real adrenalin rush. I’m delighted that the event brought in over double the £3,000 target. Supporting mental health is something I feel very passionately about. In our local area one in every four people experience mental ill health. RAMH offers real hope of recovery by helping people to build independent, fulfilled lives.” If you know someone RAMH could help please ask them to contact 0141 847 8900 or enquiries@ramh.org If you would like to help by fundraising for RAMH please contact them as above.
Photo shows RAMH White Water Rafters at Splash, Aberfeldy
The RAMH Lifeskills project operates as a social enterprise, recycling and upcycling donated furniture, clothes, vintage, collectables and textiles. All profits go straight back into supporting local people, their carers and families. Lifeskills prevents 16 tonnes of unnecessary landfill waste every year. It provides economic, good value furniture and white goods for sale. The project trains and upskills volunteers and invests all profits straight back into mental health services for local people. The showroom includes a wide selection of suites, beds, tables and chairs, washing machines, fridges and other products. Plus vintage and collectables are available at competitive prices. Visit the showroom Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1.30pm4.30pm 41 Wellmeadow Street, Paisley, PA1 2JN. If you would like your donation collected please call 0141 237 7600 to arrange a pickup.
Research into Youth Volunteering BEMIS Scotland is undertaking some research into youth volunteering as part of the European VALLEY project (Validation System in Lifelong Learning Experiences of Youth Volunteering). The main aim of the project is to explore existing practices around youth volunteering across Europe. It also hopes to develop a theme of recognition and validation of learning outcomes for young people in the volunteering sector. The research includes a number of European countries and BEMIS needs your help to gather information from the UK! There is a questionnaire for voluntary organisations and one for volunteers. If you could circulate these across your own networks it would be greatly appreciated. For more information on the research please visit the website or email anna. martowicz@bemis.org.uk
Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival Passion is the theme for the 2015 Festival, which takes place in venues across Scotland from 10th - 31st October. The Festival aims to support the arts and challenge preconceived ideas about mental health. One of the world’s largest social justice festivals, with annual attendances of over 20,000, this year’s SMHAFF will see over 300 events staged throughout the country, including film, performing arts, literature, music and visual arts. There are a number of exciting events in East Renfrewshire including ‘Whit’s yer passion’, Bookbug is Feeling Good, Acumen with Pulse PM, The Last Yankee etc. For further information: http://www.mhfestival.com/
Trustees Week 2015 Trustees’ Week takes place in the first week of November (2-8th). It is an annual event that showcases the great work that trustees do and highlight available opportunities. Trustees are the people in charge of a charity with ultimate responsibility for setting the strategic direction. Also called directors, board members, governors or committee members, they play a pivotal role in making the decisions that really matter about the organisation’s finances, activities and plans for the future. We hope all voluntary organisations will get involved by celebrating the valuable work that trustees do and encouraging more people to consider volunteering at the boards. Do you look for trustees? Let us know and we will promote your opportunity throughout the Trustees Week in November. Contact us to advertise your opportunity
Fit for Work Scotland Service Update FFWS now accepting phone referrals Due to the level of demand and interest in our assessment service, we’re pleased to announce that FFWS now accept phone referrals ahead of the launch of the online referral form later this month. Our call handlers will be ready to take calls from employers who wish to refer an employee for a work-focused assessment. Remember, to be eligible for an assessment, your employee should: • be in paid employment • have been absent from work for 4 weeks or more • give their consent for you to refer them. Find out more
Investment Opportunities for Social Businesses in Scotland The Life Changes Trust and Big Issue Invest have brought an innovative and exciting social investment initiative to Scotland - Corporate Social Venturing (CSV). CSV is a pioneering model for investing in and growing early stage social businesses that are innovative and committed to creating sustainable and profound social impact. Full details here
Supplier Development Programme The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) – Scotland’s free tender training service for SME’s – has launched a new programme of tender training events. This year will see changes in Procurement with the introduction of the Reform Act and the SDP is on hand to help businesses understand the up and coming changes within public sector tendering. The new Programme has been designed to ensure that SME’s can easily progress through the various different course levels with free events in or near their business location, plus many of the courses can be accessed online via webinar, reducing the time burden on small businesses being out of the office. The Programme includes a wealth of new courses, including “hot topics” such as Community Benefits and Sustainable Procurement, as well as core issues such as finding contracts and completing PQQs. So whether you are just starting out and wish to find out about how to work with the public sector or need to improve your tender skills, SDP will have a course for you. Please click on the following link to browse and book a course and get tender ready: https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events-training/
Public Contracts Notice Ref: AUG218090 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: UK & International Domestic Relocation Services Published: 20/08/2015 Published by: Scottish Government Deadline: 05/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP219197 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Scottish Farm Advisory Service - One-to-Many Advisory Services Published: 02/09/2015 Published by: Scottish Government Deadline: 21/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: AUG218961 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Provision of Specialist Business Advice, Support & Training 2015-2018 for Business Gateway Fife Published: 31/08/2015 Published by: Business Gateway Fife Deadline: 12/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP219283 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Leadership for Growth - Leadership Workshops Published: 02/09/2015 Published by: Highlands and Islands Enterprise Deadline: 16/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP219305 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Scottish Farm Advisory Service - One-to-One Advisory Services Published: 03/09/2015 Published by: Scottish Government Deadline: 21/10/2015 Full Text: Here
Ref: SEP219549 Notice Type: Future Contract Opportunity Title: 01397 The Provision of RIPS(A) / CHIS Handling Applicant Training Courses Published: 04/09/2015 Published by: Scottish Prison Service Deadline: Full Text: Here Ref: SEP219784 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: IT Training Services Framework Published: 08/09/2015 Published by: Scottish Government Deadline: 19/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP219921 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: National Galleries of Scotland Brand Development Published: 08/09/2015 Published by: National Galleries of Scotland Deadline: 09/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP220449 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: AIA Youth Engagement Strategy Published: 14/09/2015 Published by: Anstruther Improvements Association Deadline: 06/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP220241 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Provision of Internal Audit Services Published: 11/09/2015 Published by: Creative Scotland Deadline: 15/10/2015 Full Text: Here
Ref: SEP220298 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Testing Locations for a Range of Computer Based Tests Phase 3 Published: 11/09/2015 Published by: learndirect Limited Deadline: 16/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP220582 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Market researcher and / or bidwriter - young people’s services - Garelochhead Published: 15/09/2015 Published by: Project 81 Youth and Community Enterprise Deadline: 08/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP220617 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: National Digital Engagement Programme - Specialist Support Published: 15/09/2015 Published by: Scottish Enterprise Deadline: 27/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP220166 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Business Development Programme Published: 10/09/2015 Published by: East Ayrshire Council Deadline: 20/10/2015 Full Text: Here Ref: SEP220730 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Glasgow Household Survey Published: 16/09/2015 Published by: Glasgow City Council Deadline: 27/10/2015 Full Text: Here
Ref: SEP220743 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Provision of Project Manager and Hit Squad Operatives Published: 16/09/2015 Published by: East Renfrewshire Council Deadline: 27/10/2015 Full Text: Here
Ref: SEP220842 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Meeting the Challenge of Wild Deer Research To Support Delivery of Sustainable Deer Management in Sc Published: 17/09/2015 Published by: Scottish Government Deadline: 15/10/2015 Full Text: Here
Ref: SEP220848 Notice Type: Contract Notice Title: Evaluate the impact and experience of using Flying Start NHS速 Published: 17/09/2015 Published by: NHS Education for Scotland Deadline: 09/10/2015 Full Text: Here
Funding B&Q - Waste Donation Scheme B&Q, through its UK and Republic of Ireland stores, donates unsalable products to community groups, charities and schools for projects that will benefit the local community. B&Q operates the Waste Donation Scheme through all of its stores. B&Q donates unsalable products and waste materials for re-use, such as slightly damaged tins of paint, off-cuts of timber, odd rolls of wallpaper, and end-of-range materials. Donated products should benefit the local community and the environment. Who Can Apply Community groups, charities and local schools throughout the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply. Full details on website Community Food Fund (Scotland) Funding to promote local food and drink across Scotland, focusing on the development of food trails and networks and establishing local food and drink events, including farmers’ markets that celebrate and promote food and drink throughout the year. The Community Food Fund has been created to promote local food and drink across Scotland. In relation to Scotland’s National Food and Drink policy, the Fund will focus on two main priorities: 1. Supporting the development of food trails and networks. 2. Establishing local food and drink events, including farmers’ markets that celebrate and promote food and drink throughout the year. Applicants can apply for up to £25,000 per submission round. The next deadline for applications is 15 December 2015 (5pm) Full details on website
Employer Recruitment Incentive A range of financial support is available to Scottish businesses who want to recruit young people. The new incentive supports more young people with additional support needs into employment, with an aim to reduce youth unemployment by 40% by 2021. Full details on website
IdeasTap Photographer Fund Four ÂŁ2,500 grants are available to documentary photographers in the UK and internationally to complete a body of work. Magnum Photos and IdeasTap collaborate for the final time on the IdeasTap and Magnum Photographer Funds. The IdeasTap and Magnum Photos Photographer Funds aims to support and develop new documentary photographers by providing financial support to complete a documentary project. Photographers are asked to submit a project proposal detailing the project that they wish to complete, and an accompanying set of images. Proposals will be judged by a panel of industry experts, including Magnum photographers Nikos Economopoulos and David Alan Harvey, and photography experts Shoair Mavlian and Cheryl Newman. The grants will be awarded to the photographers that have outstanding visual story-telling skills and a promising idea for a project or story that they wish to pursue. Grant awardees will also take part in a showcase event at Magnum Photos where they will present the completed documentaries. The deadline for applications is 2 November 2015 at 5pm Full details on website
Morrisons Foundation Registered charities working in England, Scotland or Wales can apply through the Morrison Foundation’s new online process for grants to support new projects that directly improve the lives of local people or communities across Great Britain. The funding is for projects that groups would like to get off the ground but for which they have no funding. The projects should benefit the local community and can cover a wide range of areas including: • Health • Education • Other
• Arts and culture • Community
Although there are no set limits to the funding, previous grants have ranged from £5,000 to £20,000. There are no deadlines. Applications can be made at any time, and the Foundation aims to respond to completed applications within three months of receipt. Full details on website
The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust Grants are available to help disabled people in the UK to play tennis through the purchase of wheelchairs, tennis equipment and grants for coaching. The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust provides funding for groups and clubs within the UK to purchase wheelchairs and tennis equipment to support disabled people play tennis. The next application deadline is 3 November 2015. Full details on website
The Prince’s Countryside Fund The Prince’s Countryside Fund opened today for applications from projects in the UK that can have a long-term positive effect on rural communities. The budget for the autumn round is £750,000 with grants of up to £50,000 available to not-for-profit organisations, charities, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies, companies limited by guarantee, and unincorporated associations. The Prince’s Countryside Fund was established to support the sustainability and protection of farms and rural communities throughout the UK. The aim of the funding is to have a long-term positive impact on rural communities, helping those that live and work there to sustain the countryside by tackling key rural issues. Grants must result in outcomes that directly relate to the Fund’s objectives to: • Improve the viability of British farming targeting the areas of greatest need. • Improve the sustainability of rural communities targeting the areas of greatest need. Projects must focus on at least one of the following three key countryside issues: • Developing Thriving Rural Communities by improving service provision in rural areas. Projects should provide innovative solutions to deliver assets and services that keep rural communities together and develop a more sustainable rural economy. • Transforming Rural Livelihoods by supporting rural enterprise and farming businesses. Projects should focus on developing stronger, more sustainable farm and rural enterprises with the aim of halting the decline of the rural economy. • Creating the Farmers of the Future by providing training opportunities for young people and the unemployed. Projects should help improve skills and increase opportunities of taking up rural careers, in particular in farming, with the aim of helping people to remain within and contribute to the rural economy. The deadline for applications is 8 October 2015. Full details on website
The Richard Overall Trust Grants are available to advance the physical education of disabled young individual people so that they can enjoy and progress in their chosen sport. The Richard Overall Trust offers funding to disabled young people in Great Britain so that they can enjoy and progress in their chosen sport. Applications may be submitted at any time. Full details on website
Triangle Trust 1949 Fund Applications are now being accepted from organisations working with the rehabilitation of offenders or ex-offenders. Development Grants provide funds towards any costs incurred by the applicant in undertaking its core business so that sustainable income sources can be developed and the organisations income will not be reduced when the grant comes to an end. Grants are available for up to ÂŁ40,000 or 50% current annual income, whichever is lowest, per year for three years. The amount requested each year is expected to taper down as applicants develop other sustainable income streams. Registered charities, not-for-profit social enterprises and community interest companies that are working within the UK and have a UK office are eligible to apply. Organisations must have a constitution whose primary purpose is to support the rehabilitation of offenders or ex-offenders. Applications are now being accepted from organisations working with the rehabilitation of offenders and ex-offenders with a deadline of 5 November 2015 (noon). Full details on website
vInspired Cashpoint After a summer pause for applications, vInspired, the nation’s leading youth volunteering charity, is inviting applications from young people in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland Individual young people between the ages of 14 and 25 years old who live in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland can apply for grants of up to £500. vInspired Cashpoint will fund projects that: • • • •
Are designed and run by 14-25 year old volunteers. Take place in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Can be delivered within two months. Clearly benefit a chosen community. This could be the community where the applicant lives or where they spend most of their time, or a group of people that the applicant would like to help. • Are either new or an idea that has been used in the past but which the applicant would like to try again, doing things a bit differently. • Create at least two new volunteering opportunities for 14 -25 year olds (in addition to the applicant). Volunteers give their time to help others, other than just taking part in an activity; for example, coaching local children to play football is volunteering, but playing in a local football match is not volunteering. • Cost less than £500 and vInspired cashpoint is the only funder. Applications can be made at any time. There are no deadlines. Full details on website
Next TSF Bulletin The next edition of TSF Bulletin will be out on Friday 30th October 2015. To submit any news items or community events, contact us no later than Friday 23rd October 2015 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 email 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