The world around us has changed significantly since the 23rd of March when Scotland went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There is much uncertainty about our economic and social recovery but one thing that is certain is that the world as we know it will change. This presents us with an opportunity to forge stronger cross sector partnerships that shape a more equal and compassionate East Lothian, where all residents are considered equal and resources are targeted to ensure that equality of opportunity is the main driver.
The Pandemic has illustrated the Third Sector is the solutions sector. We immediately responded to increasing needs of the most vulnerable in our communities by finding creative solutions and forging effective partnerships quickly and with impact. The Scottish Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Advisory Group report recognised this and highlighted the pivotal role that the sector must play in the recovery in Scotland.
The Third Sector in East Lothian makes a £50.63M financial contribution to local economy – https://scvo.org.uk/policy/evidence-library/2020-state-of-the-sector-2020-scottish-voluntary-sector-statistics . The sector has experienced a significant surge in demand during Covid-19 for services and simultaneously faced the most challenging financial time, with a loss in revenue across the sector and uncertainty as to how this can be recovered. The sector has led a phenomenal community response to ensure that no-one in East Lothian is left behind. Many of these services are new and developed within a week or two, with organisations quickly repurposing their organisation, resources, volunteers and staff.
The key challenge for the sector is securing sufficient funding to continue to support and develop creative solutions in the recovery phase.
Recognising the importance of the sector in the economic and social recovery we are calling on all elected representatives and senior public officials in East Lothian`s CPP to come together with the Third Sector in a virtual summit on Wednesday 2nd December. The summit will be the start of a process to demonstrate real partnership working to map out this more egalitarian and inclusive East Lothian. We have invited Calum Irving, Head of the Third Sector Unit at Scottish Government as a keynote speaker for the event that will:
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highlight the work of the sector during Covid-19
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Show case what communities have achieved in East Lothian
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identify the key pillars needed to build on this work.
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Forge stronger and equal partnerships to support the most vulnerable
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Find solutions to the creation of a new East Lothian
The information and action points taken from the summit will be the beginning of the development of a strategy for the Third Sector in East Lothian and will updated at yearly summit.
We know that there is a desire to do things differently in this new world and we hope that you agree to attend the summit and make your contribution.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUof-iqqDMqG9DyzTSfSVLyC5yonVrEfmxS
Please accept your invitation by Fri 27 November by completing this Zoom registration. Due to covid-19 restrictions, this will be an online event – more details to follow.
Please contact us if you have questions – Telephone: 01875 615 423 or Office Email: info@volunteereastlothian.org.uk
