Newsletter Categories:
LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Emergency Alert System | Scottish Government Guidance
The Scottish Government is participating in a three-month trial of a new UK Government Emergency Alert system which was launched on Sunday 19th March 2023. The system, which is fully funded by UK Government, uses the mobile phone network to broadcast an urgent message to all compatible handsets in a geographical area where there is an emergency incident to help save lives. The messages themselves will contain information about the incident and how to respond to reduce the threat to life. Audible alerts will be received even where a device is switched to silent
On Sunday 23 April 2023 there will be a national test of the Emergency Alerts service . The alert will be clearly marked as a test and no further action will be required other than to switch the alert off once it is received. For more information click here
Kinship Carers
Kinship carers are being urged to check if they could be entitled to the Scottish Child Payment, after eligibility was expanded to include more of them last year. The call comes at the start of Scottish Kinship Care Week, which celebrates the role of extended family or friends who care for children when they cannot remain with their birth parents.
https://www.gov.scot/news/support-for-kinship-carers/
VOLUNTEERING
Inspiring Volunteer Awards Nominations
ONE WEEK left to nominate a volunteer who makes a difference in your community and deserves to be recognised for this commitment.
https://www.volunteereastlothian.org.uk/inspiring-volunteer-awards-2023
The Big Help Out Launch
The Big Help Out was announced in January 2023 as a National Day of Volunteering taking place on 8th May (across the UK), the Bank Holiday Monday of the King’s Coronation weekend. The campaign has officially been launched!
There are many of ways for Volunteers and Volunteering Involving Organisations to get involved and support The Big Help Out. From advertising volunteer opportunities, promoting services to hosting events and more.
All the ways you can support the campaign, including partner toolkit, can be found here on the https://volunteerscotland.createsend1.com/t/d-l-zhhyhn-yhdhjkdhky-j/
SERVICE UPDATES
Support for workplaces affected by suicide | Cruse
From Cruse Scotland ‘We recognise how devastating it can be when a colleague, client or patient dies by suicide. The feelings can be overwhelming – some people may experience shock and depression, others report feelings of guilt and blame – and managers are often unsure how to navigate the aftermath. Cruse Scotland is the nation’s leading bereavement charity and are highly skilled and experienced in dealing with grief following suicide. We are here to help you and your colleagues process what has happened and find a way to cope. We are funded by Scottish Government to deliver this specialised support for any workplace across Scotland who has been affected by suicide. If this is something your team could benefit from, please make contact and we will make arrangements to provide our tailored support package to meet your workplace’s needs.’
https://mcusercontent.com/b9b093455a512bff89d487e72/files/7340b4ac-5613-2853-ce50-c078056b48fb/Workplace_Suicide_Support_Flyer_Feb_2023.pdf
JOB VACANCIES
Individual Advocacy Worker (Drug & Alcohol) | CAPS Independent Advocacy
SALARY: Salary Grade AP4, £25,027 – £27,702 per annum FTE Starting salary £25,027 per annum, £14,498 pro rata | HOURS: 21
Location: East Lothian and Midlothian with occasional work in Edinburgh.
This is a great opportunity to join CAPS’ friendly, supportive Individual Advocacy team to provide individual advocacy to adults who are affected by drugs or alcohol in East Lothian and Midlothian.
Deadline: Wednesday 19 April 2023 at 12 noon
https://capsadvocacy.org/news/individual-advocacy-worker-drug-alcohol/
FUNDING
Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund 2023 to 2026 | Impact Funding Partners
The aim of this fund is to support projects and organisations to facilitate progress towards the priorities of A Connected Scotland (2018) strategy, and contribute to the recovery and reduction in societal harm associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, and mitigate the impact of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
There are two application stages. Firstly, you will be asked to submit an expression of interest (EOI) and if successful, you will then be invited to stage 2 where you will complete a full application form.
Deadline: Friday 31 March 2023 @ 12 noon
https://impactfundingpartners.com/current-funding/social-isolation-and-loneliness-fund-2023-2026/?fbclid=IwAR0kq1_lP55UkE4nWSvgxwCh9qXUTDR2N_6GgvVXzJ5oC1VwkEJDPxQoghc
Self Management Fund | Alliance
This is the third round of the Self Management Fund: Resilience, Recovery and Development Cycle. Third sector and community organisations in Scotland can apply for two grant types; a small grant of up to £15,000 for up to one year or a large grant of up to £120,000 for up to three years, to support disabled people, people living with long term conditions and unpaid carers to self manage.
Deadline: Monday 22 May 2022 @ 9am
https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/self-management/self-management-fund/
TRAINING
Neurodiversity Awareness Training | Barnardos
This face to face 2 hour awareness raising course is aimed at parents, carers and professionals working with Neurodiverse children and young people.
The session will be run by Sarah Irvine or Lynne Melville from Barnardos Caern community team that aims to improve the knowledge, confidence and resilience. We will look at the world through a neurodivergent perspective looking at ways to support families and young people and the challenges they face day to day.
WHEN: Wednesday 19 April 2023 | 1030am-1230pm
WHERE: Double Dykes Rope Walk Prestonpans, Scotland, EH32 9BN United Kingdom
https://www.volunteereastlothian.org.uk/training-and-events-east-lothian/neurodiversity-awareness-training-barnardos-1
EVENTS
Honour-Based Abuse (HBA | Shakti Women’s Aid
Would you like to know more about Honour-Based Abuse (HBA) and what you can do to support black and minority ethnic women who are experiencing this? Then join this online Briefing on Monday 15h May 2023, 2.00 – 3.00 pm. No need to book
WHEN: Monday 15 May 2023 | 2pm – 3pm
WHERE: MS Teams
https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_ZmQ3MTFkM2YtNmNmZC00NjNkLWI5NGEtOTNhZGE0NGJmMjJk%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%252285e771af-e90a-4487-b407-1322ba02cc82%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522b3cfea8b-0509-4825-98d3-576597286706%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=c22f767f-6188-4997-89fa-99d54a319cf2&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true
SURVEYS
VCEL Stakeholder Survey
As part of the development of it’s Strategic Plan, Volunteer Centre East Lothian is keen to hear from local Third Sector groups, statutory and other partners to get feedback on VCEL’s current services and find out what it could do better.
The questionnaire should take about 10 minutes to complete. If you choose to share your contact details, these will only be used to follow up on the survey, they will not be shared. If you have any questions, please contact the external consultation on VCEL’s behalf – Pamela Redpath, Email: prsebiz16@gmail.com; Phone: 07989 923260
Survey
