Covid-19 & 3rd Sector Update 26/08/2021

• LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

• VOLUNTEERING

• HR

• SERVICE UPDATES

• PREMISES & TECHNOLOGY

• FORUMS & NETWORKS

• FUNDING

• TRAINING & LEARNING

• RESEARCH & BLOGS

 

LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 

 
Vaccine: Healthy Respect/NHS Lothian has developed a video developed that addresses questions around the COVID-19 vaccines and fertility, delivered by one of their sexual health consultants. VACCINE & FERTILITY Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer is urging pregnant women to get the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to protect them and their baby. PREGNANCY & VACCINE
 
NHS Dental: Young people aged under 26 are now eligible for free NHS dental treatment. The change comes as a further £7.5 million has been given to support the dental sector to recover and build back to pre-pandemic capacity. Free treatment for people aged under 26 will take effect immediately and there is no “opt-in” required. Those who started a course of NHS treatment before their 26th birthday will also be eligible.  UNDER 26 DENTAL

Virus Testing: Third sector organisations with ten or more employees (which can include formal volunteers) can now sign up for asymptomatic workplace testing. This will help to identify emerging Covid-19 cases and stop transmission as Scotland moves beyond level 0. Organisations can adopt an ‘LFD Collect’ model and distribute testing kits to employees, or establish their own asymptomatic test site (ATS) model in workplaces. The testing offer will initially be in place until the end of September 2021. Organisations can check their eligibility and get involved by visiting Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland. Organisations with less than 10 employees can encourage their workforce to collect LFD test kits from a local pharmacy or COVID-19 test site, or order online for home delivery. For organisations who already have a workplace testing programme in place and would like to expand, they are able to discuss this with their Testing Pathway lead.

Scottish Government: A new consultation will seek the public’s views on legislative reform to support Scotland’s recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The consultation sets out a range of proposals, including whether some beneficial temporary provisions made under Scottish and UK coronavirus legislation and due to expire in March 2022 should be maintained. CONSULTATION

 

 

VOLUNTEERING 

Volunteer Edinburgh’s popular Core Skills in Volunteer Management (CSVM) course is delivered over four weeks using a mixture of self-study, online forum-based discussions and Zoom, and offers a fantastic professional development opportunity in a totally flexible way. The timetable is:

CSVM 1: Involvement and Recruitment

• Week 1: Involvement (from Monday 13 until Friday 17 September)

• Week 2: Recruitment (from Monday 20 until Friday 24 September)

 
 CSVM 2: Support, Supervision and Training

• Week 1: Support and supervision (from Monday 4 until Friday 8 October)

• Week 2: Training (from Monday 11 to Friday 15 October)

For more information and to book: VOLUNTEER EDINBURGH
 

 

HR 

ACAS Hybrid Working Webinar: Research shows that a more flexible approach to working practices is here to stay.  Whether you want to find out what hybrid working is, are trying to decide if it is right for your business or are looking at introducing the practice, this free webinar will give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions. This event will discuss: What is hybrid working?; The need to consult; Contractual implications; Policies and procedures – do you need them and how to introduce them?; Managing performance of hybrid workers; Wellbeing of hybrid workers; Equality and fairness. With a team of dedicated knowledgeable Acas Q&A staff you will also be able to get answers to the questions you have during the event. BOOKING
 

 

SERVICE UPDATES 

Scottish Charity Awards: 

People Know How has been selected as a finalist in the Scottish Charity Awards and are now collecting votes for the People’s Choice Award. The charity are finalists in the Digital Citizens category, in recognition of the work they’ve done over the last year to provide devices, digital skills and connectivity to thousands of people across East Lothian and Edinburgh during the pandemic. While a judging panel will determine the winners under the nine distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award!
 
Vote for People Know How here: https://scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards/finalists-2021/digital-citizens/people-know-how

Fiona Mitchell at Harlawhill Day Care Centre has be selected of the Employee of the Year, as the manager of Harlawhill Day Centre, Fiona supports the elderly community of Prestonpans every day. When lockdown struck in 2020 she put an immediate outreach plan in place to keep all the centre’s clients socially connected, and tirelessly organised free meals, treats, telephone calls, boredom busters and day trips when restrictions permitted.

Vote for Fiona here: https://scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards/finalists-2021/employee-of-the-year/fiona-mitchell-harlawhill-day-care-centre 

You can vote for one finalist across all categories.

The ALLIANCE: is hosting two events in September in partnership with the Scottish Mental Health Law Review, which will be of interest to anyone keen to learn more about mental health law within a human rights model. FLYER
 
Human rights, mental health law and me

• Thursday 16th September 10-12

• Wednesday 22nd September 10-12

To register for this event and indicate accessibility requirements please e-mailmembership@alliance-scotland.org.ukspecifying which date you would like to attend.

ELCAP: Be our Finance Officer? A vacancy has created a rare opportunity to join ELCAP’s Administration and Finance team at an exciting time in our organisation’s development. We are recruiting a Finance Officer who will provide accounts, finance and payroll services, as well as supporting the management of our charity’s human resources. The successful candidate will have book-keeping and payroll experience, as well as experience of SAGE accounts and SAGE payroll (or equivalent). To find out more, visit the GoodMoves website.  The closing date for applications is Tuesday 24 August 2021. We look forward to hearing from you.

CAPS Independent Advocacy are recruiting for a Children & Young People’s Individual Advocacy Worker. 16 hours per week (worked over 3 days). Salary: £24,657 per annum FTE, £ 10,883 pro rata. Location: East Lothian and Midlothian with occasional work in Edinburgh and Scottish Borders. ADVERT

Get involved this Challenge Poverty Week!: Challenge Poverty Week is just five weeks away but there’s still time to get involved! Visit challengepoverty.net to find all our resources to help you plan your involvement.  

NHS Lothian is currently looking to recruit new Lay Members to their Pharmacy Practices Committee (PPC) The role of the PPC is ‘Control of entry’ i.e. regulating the distribution of community pharmacies across Lothian by working within national regulations to strike the right balance for the provision of pharmaceutical care in different localities. 
 
The lay members of the PPC bring with them local knowledge and a service user’s perspective. They apply these skills to the decision making process of the Committee and ensure that the ‘voice of the public’ is represented.
 
If you are interested to learn more about lay membership of the PPC, please contact Aleisha Hunter, Primary Care Contracts Manager by email aleisha.hunter@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

PREMISES & TECHNOLOGY 

Scotland Loves Local:The Scotland Loves Local campaign is a national initiative designed to encourage all those who live in Scotland to think local first and support their high streets safely and in line with public health guidelines. The outbreak of Coronavirus has caused significant challenges for our town centres, high streets and local businesses who have lost out on vital trade, yet many of them have gone to enormous lengths to support the most vulnerable people in our communities. Business, including social enterprises, are being encouraged to sign up, at no cost to them, to accept a new gift card and unlock a new level of local spending for your business and to keep the spend local for longer. Find out more and sign up to theScotland Loves Local Gift Card today.

FORUMS & NETWORKS 
 

• Network & Learn Meetings

1. Criminal Justice: Mon 30th Aug 21 3-4pm Register

2. Families & Young People: Tue 7th Sep 21 3-4pm Register

3. Environment & Development: Thu 16th Sep 21 2-3pm Register

4. Culture & Leisure: Tue 21st Sep 21 3-4pm Register

5. Social Enterprise: Thu 30th Sep 21 3-4pm Register

• Forums

1. Children, Young People & Families Forum: 7th October 21 10-12pm Request Membership

2. Third Sector Forum: Thu 2nd Sep 21 2-3pm Register

   • Agenda

   1. Welcome, Apologises & Introductions

   2. East Lothian Poverty Plan Draft & Consultation

   3. ELHSCP Grant Fund

   4. A Proposal – Compact Agreement

   5. AOB

3. Criminal Justice Forum: 13th Sep (3-4pm or 2-4pm) Register

4. Health & Social Care Forum: 23rd Sep (Sep (4-5 or 3-5pm) Register

FUNDING 

ELHSCP Grants 2022/23: The East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) grant funding process is now inviting grant applications for project activities between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023. We will be awarding grant funding that supports the development of health and social care services and the promotion of social welfare within East Lothian. We have a particular interest in funding applications for projects that help to deliver Community Led Support but we will look at all applications with interest. We would welcome applications from new applicants and innovative projects.
 
Further information, including the associated guidance can be found here and the closing date for applications is 30th November 2021.

CARES funding – Let’s do net zero community buildings: The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is here to help you and others on this journey to net zero. CARES is offering grant funding, advice and support to community organisations that want to decarbonise their community buildings by installing low carbon or renewable technologies, such as heat pumps or solar panels. STAKEHOLDER PACK

The YMI Access to Music Making and Strengthening Youth Music Funds are now open for applications.

• Access to Music Making: The purpose of the Access to Music Making fund is to create access to high-quality music-making opportunities for children and young people aged 0-25 years. Applications to the Access to Music Making fund can come from organisations and individuals based in Scotland or who are delivering programmes within Scotland for the benefit of children and young people of Scotland.

• Strengthening Youth Music: The purpose of the Strengthening Youth Music fund is to improve the youth music sector infrastructure and the services that organisers offer. It supports strategic action, research or training that will strengthen the youth music sector in Scotland for the benefit of children and young people. The purpose of this fund is not to support project delivery directly with children and young people.

You can find out more about the funds, along with details of how to apply on the YMI page of the Creative Scotland website. ARTS FUNDING

Tesco Community Grants: Did you know Tesco Community Grants is always open for applications from charities and community organisations to bid for up to £1,500? Projects are voted on by Tesco customers in stores across the UK, with projects changing every three months. We’re currently looking for applications from charities and community groups who deliver projects that help to tackle food insecurity and poverty in their communities. This might include, for example, breakfast clubs, community growing, cookery skills and food banks. If you fit the bill or know a local group who does, then please visit the Tesco Community Grants website for further details! greenspace scotland’s team of friendly Community Enablers can support you to apply or answer any questions. To find out more or to apply, please visit the Tesco Community Grants page. https://www.greenspacescotland.org.uk/grant-funding

 

TRAINING & LEARNING 

Parent Anxiety Workshop:NHS Lothian is offering a specialist workshop for parents and carers focusing on understanding anxiety in children and developing support strategies to help at home. This is particularly geared towards parents or carers of children who are experiencing anxiety. The workshop has been designed by our local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and will be delivered by CAMHS staff.WORKSHOP

Training & Skills Academy:Next Sector Based Academy Courses in Hospitality.

• Entry 1 level with: World Host, Responsible Service of Alcohol and REHIS Food Hygiene certificates will commence on 13th of September FLYER, REFERRAL

• Entry 2 level with: practical visit to the restaurant, World Host, REHIS Food Hygiene and RHIS Personal License Holders certificates will start on 20th of September. FLYER, REFERRAL

Entry 1 is designed for those job seekers, who had a longer gap of unemployment or/and have limited work experience and will be offered interviews for entry level jobs at the end of the training.

Entry 2 is for more experienced candidates, who have some work experience in hospitality or similar roles or/and adequate qualifications or skills. They may be offered interviews for more advances roles with the sector.

Partnership for Procurement (P4P)Third Sector Collaboration Week (w.b. 30 August) aims to raise awareness of collaboration, and the different methodologies or approaches that can be used to develop new partnerships. The week will also demonstrate the power of networking as well as how collaboration can lead to greater innovation. Each day of the week will focus how collaboration can deliver on key Scottish Government policy areas. These include: Public Procurement; Community Wealth Building; International; Climate Action; Covid Recovery.BOOKING

The Changing Face of Bereavement:Providing care and maintaining our own wellbeing during the pandemic (Virtual Event), Wednesday 24 November 2021, Deadline for registering: Wednesday 03 November 2021BOOKING

Adult Support and Protection Roles and Responsibilities Training: Tuesday 12th & Wednesday 13th October, 9am-12 noon This Level 2 course, delivered over two half days, is for multi-agency operational staff and managers who are in regular contact or carry out direct work with vulnerable adults and who have a requirement to learn more about Adult Protection for their role.   This course is suitable for staff who have not previously completed this training as it is not refresher training. Applications by 31 August. You must download and save the form before filling it in, otherwise the next person who clicks on the link will see your information ADULT PROTECTION

Social Enterprise Scotland has a range of free training events for social enterprises: SES EVENTS

 

 

RESEARCH & BLOGS 

Draft Poverty Plan Survey: The on-line consultation on the Draft East Lothian Poverty Plan 2021-2023 is now live.  It can be accessed using the following link:

https://eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/policy-partnerships/draft-poverty-plan-survey-2021

The closing date for the on-line survey is 26th September.

The online consultation includes two separate streams of questions so respondents can complete the survey either as an individual or on behalf of an organisation.

Carbon Footprint: Zero Waste Scotland has a quiz on its blog to help you calculate your business’s carbon footprint CARBON FOOTPRINT

Heatwaves: The UK is getting hotter. As a result of climate change, heatwaves are becoming longer and more extreme, and many people’s health and wellbeing are suffering as a result. The Red Cross report, Feeling the Heat, summarises trends, consequences and solutions relating to extreme heat in the UK. The research draws on existing literature, expert interviews, and the results of a new survey of 2,000 UK adults exploring public awareness of heatwaves in the UK. HEATWAVES

ESES City Region Deal TSI/SEN Engagement Group: Communications Survey Help Requested! https://forms.gle/627RbpepEBapWkgKA

Consultation – Refreshed Adult Support and Protection Code of Practice and associated Guidance for Adult Protection Committees: https://edubuzz.limequery.org/782891?lang=en