Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the latest Third Sector Update for East Lothian.
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATION
Changes to PVG Scheme Memberships
Disclosure Scotland are making a number of changes to PVG scheme memberships.
From late 2025, Disclosure Scotland will have the ability to impose conditions on PVG scheme members who are under consideration for listing. Additionally, on 1st April 2026, lifetime membership of the PVG scheme will be replaced by time-limited scheme membership, with renewal required every five years. Changes to the Disclosure Act also include replacing the concept of “regulated work” with “regulated roles” as the basis for mandatory PVG scheme membership. This will bring new roles into the scheme that do not currently constitute “regulated work”, for example, football agents, talent scouts and certain hospice based roles.
UK Government Aims to re-set Relations with the Sector
New Civil Society Covenant is based on the principles of transparency, recognition, participation and partnership.
The UK Government is heralding a “new era” in its relationship with the third sector. A recent meeting with charity leaders was followed by the announcement of a new “Civil Society Covenant”, which contains a pledge to “turn the page” with the third sector, recognising its collective knowledge and understanding, and making it easier to work with government.
Anna Fowlie, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), was at the roundtable discussion at 10 Downing Street. She said ““People and communities in Scotland are impacted by Westminster decision-making – on issues like immigration, social security, the economy and more. Time and again it is our sector that steps up to support them. A new era of partnership presents an opportunity for a new, more humane way of doing politics at Westminster. That is to be welcomed.
“In the era of devolution our sector has made a vital contribution, using new avenues to transform our society for the better. A new covenant that complements and builds upon this legacy is to be welcomed.”
As for next steps, there will be a period of engagement throughout the autumn, which will culminate in the publication of a final co-created covenant to be published next year.
Civil Society Framework Covenant – GOV.UK
ORGANISTIONAL UPDATES
Lammermuir Larder Christmas Raffle
Tickets for the Lammermuir Larder Christmas raffle are on sale now!
Prices start at £1 for a ticket, or £5 pounds for a book. Prizes include a brand new children’s Frog bike, £100 of travel vouchers from Elite Worldwide Travel, and an Elemis facial massage voucher at Whitekirk Hill Spa. Details on where to buy tickets are on the Lammermuir Larder Facebook page and website, and will also be available from the Larder’s stall at the Haddington Farmers Market on the 26th of October.
How to buy tickets – Lammermuir Larder
Healthcare Improvement Scotland Recruiting New Members to National Citizens Panel
Do you have an ethnic minority background and an interest in health and/or social care? Would you like to influence how care is provided in Scotland?
The panel is made up of members of the public from a wide range of backgrounds from across Scotland. Members receive a survey twice a year (either online or by post), and each takes less than 30 minutes to complete. On the survey you will be asked for your feedback and views on health and social care related issues.
If you are interested in joining the panel, please contact Evan McNamara, at evan.mcnamara@nhs.scot.
This is a great way to dip your toes in if you are thinking about volunteering or working in healthcare in the future.
Join Our Citizens Panel – Healthcare Improvement Scotland
VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS
Therapet Volunteering: Therapy Dog Visits
Adorable Collie-Cross Dotty is now an officially registered Therapet Volunteer!
Dotty and her owner Rebecca are available to any organisation by request. Visits can last for up to an hour, and Dotty will stay on the lead for the duration. Requests can be one-off for a special event like a staff wellbeing day, or as part of regular visits to support groups Dotty won’t be able to volunteer with children (under 16) until she has a year of experience under her belt, so it’s adults only just now.
If you are interested or want to know more please get in touch with Rebecca at rpringle@live.co.uk. She and Dotty are available evenings and weekends, and can do weekdays if booked far enough in advance.
Therapet Visiting Service – Canine Concern Scotland Trust
FUNDING & GRANTS
Women’s Fund for Scotland
Opened earlier this month, the Women’s Fund for Scotland will be taking applications until 18 November.
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.
The Women’s Fund for Scotland (WFS) has £100,000 in total available to distribute in grants to projects across Scotland that support women’s development, self-sufficiency and social and economic equality. To this end, the grant programme will offer unrestricted grants to sustain existing work with women and girls or to support new work in line with our investment themes and priorities. These priorities are:
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Building skills and confidence
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Improving health and well-being
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Growing social connections
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Moving on from abuse
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Developing leadership and innovation
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Combatting poverty and building financial resilience
Organisations who have a proven track record of working with women and girls can apply for an unrestricted grant of up to £5,000.00.
Women’s Fund for Scotland – Foundation
TRAINING & EVENTS
TSI Networks & OSCR: Changes to Charity Law in Scotland
Did you know that charity law has changed in Scotland?
Join OSCR and fellow TSI members for an online discussion of the changes introduced by the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023 and what this means for charities in Scotland.
This session will cover, the legislation, the commencement schedule, details of the changes, and how charities can prepare.
The first session will be held on the 19th of November at 2pm, with two additional sessions on the 4th and 5th of December (10am and 6:30pm respectively).
TSI Networks & OSCR: Changes to Charity Law in Scotland – Eventbrite
Bookings Live for Third Sector Annual Conference 2024
We are delighted to invite you to join us at our 2024 Annual Third Sector Conference. This year’s theme is Think Local.
Join us for a day filled with inspiring keynote speakers, valuable networking opportunities, and a marketplace where you can showcase your organisation. This is a relaxed and friendly event, perfect for meeting local organisations and making new connections.
The conference will take place on Thursday, 14th November 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 Pm at The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club
Bookings for Third Sector Annual Conference 2024 – VCEL
COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
East Lothian and Midlothian Public Protection Committee Website Up and Running
The new EMPPC website is home to a wide variety of public protection resources.
The new website is for staff, volunteers and decision makers who work in East Lothian and Midlothian and who need to know more about Public Protection.
It is also for members of the public who want to know what to do if they are concerned that a child or adult might be at risk of harm. This could be from abuse or neglect caused by another person, self-neglect or self harm or the child or adult may be at risk and need support and protection.
Our website, who is it for? – EMPPC
Call for People Across East Lothian to Rethink Dementia
East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership is backing the Scottish Government and COSLA’s campaign to challenge the stigma surrounding dementia.
The Rethink Dementia campaign drive encourages people to continue doing the things they always did with friends or relatives diagnosed with dementia, highlighting that these everyday activities can help them stay well for longer.
Created in collaboration with a National Dementia Lived Experience Panel, the campaign emphasises the importance of maintaining relationships with those living with dementia. Research has shown that making this effort to stay in contact with individuals and include them in social activities can help alleviate symptoms of depression, agitation, sleep disturbance, anxiety and apathy that can often come with dementia.
In East Lothian, the Health and Social Care Partnership has provided investment support to increase social connections through group and peer support groups for people living with the dementia and their partners, families and/or carers through the Musselburgh Meeting Centre, Dementia Cafes, Post Diagnostic Support Groups and Friendship Groups. In East Lothian the Dementia Cafes meet monthly in Musselburgh, Tranent, Prestonpans and Dunbar. Further information is available on the Alzheimer Scotland website: www.alzscot.org
Rethink Dementia – NHS Inform
OPORTUNITIES & VACANCIES
East Lothian Community Link Worker
Community Link Worker role is now open through Public Contracts Scotland.
NHS Lothian are seeking to appoint a sole supplier to provide a Community Link Worker service within East Lothian. The contract will provide targeted support to individuals (aged 18 and over) who are experiencing difficulty due to socio-economic factors, social isolation, ongoing health needs or other factors relating to health inequalities. The deadline for applications is 18 November.
Record your interest now – Public Contracts Scotland
