Welcome to the latest Third Sector Update for East Lothian.
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATION
TSEF survey on impact of NI increase
“As I’m sure many of you noticed the announcements in the UK budget in the last couple of weeks included a fairly significant increased responsibility for employers around National Insurance with thresholds and rates shifting.
As a TSEF exec we are aware this will affect many employability providers across Scotland, and have already sent an informal email to colleagues in Scottish Government to highlight this concern around funding for April-25 onwards to ensure this is firmly on their radar. In the meantime, here is the link to a really ‘rough and ready’ survey that would give us some indication of the scale of potential the impact. I appreciate the funding picture across Scotland varies in terms of approach, commissioning and security. However, this is specifically around the NI impact that we will all be considering as we plan 25/26 budgets
Don’t forget when you respond here we all get notifications into our busy inboxes so feel free to contact me directly if needed on laura.millar@fifegingerbread.org.uk ” – Laura Millar
It’s a short survey and responses will be collated anonymously to give us key messages so that they can continue to advocate on behalf of third sector employability providers
https://forms.office.com/e/qZHeMFLWLr
ORGANISATIONAL UPDATES
Collective Wellbeing in Climate Action
Climate change and the nature crisis threatens our worlds as we know them. Anxiety is a normal response to this. Fear, grief, overwhelm, anger, and hopelessness can be part of the waves of emotions.
The question is, if we are operating in a state of anxiety, how do we act with the clarity of mind, creativity, and strategic thinking needed to meet the challenge?
The East Lothian Climate Hub held a workshop in September 2024 called Climate Activism and Collective Wellbeing, delivered by a trained psychotherapist. We learned that many people in that space were operating on some level of fight, flight, or freeze, including both paid staff in the field and volunteers. These stress response states can impact your ability to process emotion, stress management, boundary setting, and sense of purpose and meaning. This can have a knock on effect on your mental clarity, creativity, and ability to see the bigger picture.
Collective Wellbeing in Climate Action – East Lothian Climate Hub
VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS
Knowledge Event – What We Do Together: The relationship between volunteering and other activities
Join Volunteer Scotland for an interactive event where Dr David Bomark will share insights from his PhD research on what makes volunteering unique compared to hobbies, sports, and activism. David’s findings highlight how volunteering provides a unique stability, especially valuable for those benefiting from consistent engagement. However, as volunteer participation evolves, it’s crucial to explore these changes together.
The event aims to bridge the gap between academia and practitioners, inviting you to react to the findings and share your own experiences. David’s presentation will be followed by two breakout sessions with six engaging topics to choose from:
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Volunteering as a Social Good: Partnering with GPs and support workers to engage volunteers.
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Volunteering as an Accessible Space: How people find their way to volunteering.
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Changing Forms of Volunteering: Blurring the lines between volunteer, participant, and beneficiary.
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Comparing Volunteering with Other Activities: What unique aspects does volunteering offer?
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Generational Volunteering Differences: How should the voluntary sector adapt to generational shifts in volunteering practices?
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Professionalisation of the Sector: Is it a positive evolution or a challenge
Dunbar: Community council volunteers praised for efforts
HARD-WORKING volunteers have been recognised for their efforts over the last 12 months.
Dunbar Community Council has been involved in a number of schemes throughout the town, ranging from Civic Week and festive celebrations to monitoring planning applications and anti-social behaviour.
The group welcomed new additions in Stuart Cameron and Rena Keller, who were praised for their efforts.
Mr Cameron represents the group at community andpolice partnership (CAPP) meetings and he has been joined by Ms Keller in liaising with Dunbar Grammar School.
Dunbar: Community council volunteers praised for efforts | East Lothian Courier
FUNDING & GRANTS
Women’s Fund for Scotland
The Women’s Fund for Scotland (WFS) aims to promote systemic change in Scotland to empower women, and to help overcome the multiple disadvantages and discriminatory practices that females experience throughout their lives.
WFS has a vision of a Scotland in which women participate equally at all levels of society, free from any barriers to full and equal engagement in political, institutional, economic, and cultural life, including freedom from the fear of sex-based violence. To date the Fund has distributed over £3m in grants to over 640 community groups and local charities.
All members of the community will benefit from the empowerment the Fund brings to women.
Deadline: 18/11/2024
Women’s Fund for Scotland | Foundation Scotland
TRAINING & EVENTS
East Lothian Council Climate Change Strategy Consultation
East Lothian Council has started to publicly consult on its’ Climate Change Strategy.
Cheyne Hamm the Council’s Climate Change officer is organising drop in sessions across East Lothian for people to meet with him and to give feedback on the strategy directly. It would be brilliant if as many people as possible from each area could drop in to share their views.
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Dunbar Library on Saturday 16th November 10am-1pm
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Haddington Library (John Gray Centre) on Monday 25th November 4pm-7pm
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Tranent Library (George Johnstone Centre) on Saturday 30th November 10am-1pm
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Fisherrow Centre in Musselburgh on Tuesday 3rd December 4pm-7pm
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North Berwick Library on Thursday 5th December 4pm-7pm
If you cannot make it in person, you can still fill out the online consultation to feedback.
East Lothian Council – Online Consultation & More Information
“Ask” and “Act” Training – East Lothian – Homelessness Risk
As a professional working alongside people in East Lothian, are you fully prepared for the new homelessness “Ask” and “Act” responsibilities that may be placed on you when the Housing (Scotland) bill is passed?
Join Cyrenians and Circle for an essential training session on the Ask and Act provision in the Housing (Scotland) Bill. This interactive training will outline your responsibilities to address homelessness, introduce supportive strategies like mediation and whole family support, and help you identify key risks and indicators. Together, we’ll also tackle common myths surrounding homelessness, equipping you with practical tools to offer meaningful assistance to those in need.
“Ask” and “Act” Training – East Lothian – Homelessness Risk Tickets, Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 3:30 PM | Eventbrite
COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
White Ribbon Scotland is a campaign to involve men in tackling violence against women.
They provide training and information workshops to engage men in our work and give them the skills to stand up to violence against women. They also provide training for organisations, local community groups, colleges and schools to help men understand the issues and their role.
Most men do not commit violence against women. But all men have a role in ending it. If we all start by making a pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about men’s violence against women in all its forms, that will make a huge difference.
White Ribbon Scotland – Men tackling violence against women
OPPORTUNITIES & VACANCIES
Food Initiative Coordinator
Salary: £13-15 per hour
Location: Haddington
The Lammermuir Larder Group are seeking a self employed, part time, Food Initiative Coordinator to manage the overall operation of their emergency food initiative ensuring our team of volunteers follow procedures and meet prescribed standards. They will also be required to assist the Board in the ongoing development of the Larder. This is a temporary contract funded by the National Lottery for 9 months, the hours are 20 hours per week Monday to Friday.
Closing: 22nd November 2024
Food Initiative Coordinator – Haddington EH41 3EX – Indeed.com
Office and Communications Administrator
Salary: £23,375 35 hours per week
Location: East Lothian and Midlothian
Working as part of busy Core Team, the post holder will offer administrative and fundraising support to MYPAS management and service teams designed to contribute towards MYPAS aims and objectives. The key areas of focus for this role are:
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Administrative support
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Meeting and events support
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Communications co-ordination including social media
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Production of reports and resources.
The successful candidate will have experience of providing administrative support in a service-based organisation, a good knowledge of general office procedures, excellent IT and literacy skills, and the ability to accurately manage databases and spreadsheets.
Closing: 12 noon Monday 18th November 2024.
Office and Communications Administrator – Goodmoves
Foodbank Manager
Salary: £28,392 (pro rata)
Location: negotiable although a minimum of 2 days per week at East Lothian Foodbank base at 3 Civic Square Tranent EH33 1LH
The Foodbank are looking for a Local Organiser to join our team, someone who can research the key drivers of poverty in this area and work with the public and politicians to influence policy, working towards ending the need for foodbanks.
Closing: Friday 22nd November 2024
Work with us | East Lothian Foodbank
