Welcome to the latest Third Sector Update for East Lothian.
Newsletter Categories:
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATION
Scottish Parliament Committee asks how third sector funding can be improved
The Scottish Parliament Social Justice and Social Security Committee are looking for views from the Third Sector on how the Scottish Government’s approach to fair and efficient funding can contribute to the continued effectiveness of the third sector.
Given the many challenges the sector has been facing, not least most recently with Investing in Communities Funding, this is an important opportunity to ask for something better for our futures.
You can respond to the Committee inquiry at this link – Submit your response
The deadline for responses is the 16th of August 2024.
As part of the Committee’s Pre-budget scrutiny inquiry the Committee will hold two workshops in Dundee on Wednesday the 21st of August for voluntary organisations who receive funding from statutory funders (such as Scottish Government, health boards, local authorities).
To register your interest contact: PACT@parliament.scot
SCVO – Committee asks how voluntary sector funding can be improved
First ever sentencing guidelines for rape published by Scottish Sentencing Council
The Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC) has published the first ever draft guidelines on sentencing for rape.
Sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault account for a rising proportion of sentencing by Scottish courts. The new guidelines are intended to assist courts in reaching what are often extremely difficult sentencing decisions.
By setting out what features of an offence ought to affect the level of sentencing, the guidelines offer a framework for sentencing on sexual offences that will benefit the courts themselves, those involved in such cases, and the wider public.
The full guidelines are still due to be published, and you can contribute to the ongoing consultation and access other guidance and materials by following this link – Scottish Sentencing Council Rape Offences Consultation.
The consultation will run until the 18th of October 2024. An independent analysis of the responses to this consultation, and a consultation report, will be published on the Scottish Sentencing Council website once the consultation is closed.
Rape Crisis Scotland – First ever sentencing guidelines for rape published
ORGANISATIONAL UPDATES
East Lothian charity increases grants after facing criticism
The Dr Bruce Fund provided £1,465 to the people of Musselburgh last year.
A Scottish charity which faced criticism over its lack of activity has increased the number of grants it issued last year.
The Dr Bruce Fund, overseen by East Lothian Council and with local councillors appointed as trustees, has operated to help the poor in Musselburgh for more than 200 years.
Despite having an estimated £20,000 in the bank, the charity made only small awards to the same two individuals each year between 2016 and 2022 of between £25 and £40 each, leading to criticism from Audit Scotland.
East Lothian charity increases grants after facing criticism – TFN
VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS
Voluntary groups should take part in consultation launched on sector funding
Collette Stevenson MSP calls for Scotland’s third sector to share views on funding processes
One of the most uplifting aspects to convening the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee is hearing about the third sector and what it delivers for Scotland.
Last year, Paul Bradley, in one of his final acts as policy & public affairs manager with SCVO, highlighted the critical importance of the third sector: “voluntary organisations are at the heart of our communities, whether that is through delivering community care or employability programmes or through overseeing and maintaining programmes for village halls, museums and galleries.”
This has always been true, however, as Paul and many others have told us, in recent years, the scale of the task facing the third sector has unquestionably grown.
Voluntary groups should take part in consultation launched on sector funding – TFN
TRAINING & EVENTS
Get Your Voice Heard: Funding for the Third Sector
As champions of social good, you understand the ever-growing demand for your services. However, rising costs and funding challenges threaten the sustainability of social enterprises across Scotland.
In this webinar, they will dive deep into the critical issue of funding for the third sector.
The Social Justice and Social Security Committee are looking for evidence and to hear views from you over the budget for 2025-26.
The Committee wants to examine how the Scottish Government’s approach to fair and efficient funding can contribute to the continued effectiveness of the third sector.
Learn about the calls from the sector for:
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Longer-term funding to ensure stability and planning.
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Flexible, unrestricted core funding for good governance and service delivery.
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Funding that keeps pace with inflation and covers full operating costs.
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Support for paying staff a fair wage like the Real Living Wage.
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Streamlined funding processes to maximize efficient use of resources.
This interactive session goes beyond just identifying challenges. They will discuss ways to improve the funding application and reporting process, ensuring your valuable work receives the resources it deserves.
Get Your Voice Heard: Funding for the Third Sector – Social Enterprise Scotland
Third Sector 101: Understanding Employability Policy & Funding in Scotland
Please join this online event hosted by Social Enterprise Scotland and the TSI Network, in partnership with TSEF, to hear the latest about employability in Scotland.
Participants will hear from Scottish Government Policy team alongside the National Third Sector Employability Partnership Engagement Manager, on employability policy and funding routes for improving employment outcomes in Scotland.
In particular the session will focus on exploring:
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No One Left Behind: the big picture vision and strategy
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The role of Local Authorities, Local Employability Partnerships & Third Sector Reps
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The scope and scale of third sector organisations in employability across Scotland
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No One Left Behind grant conditionality, reporting requirements and tools
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Other relevant public sector funding for employability: UKSPF and DWP
COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
New project on persuading men and boys to take action on men’s violence against women and girls
The current way we talk about men’s violence against women risks alienating men from the cause. The women’s movement in Scotland has raised awareness, deepened understanding, and cultivated a state responsibility to support survivors and address this violence.
But it’s crucial for more men to actively engage in solutions. Many men struggle to see their role in the solution, fear saying the wrong thing, or feel unjustly blamed by the term ‘men’s violence’. This leads many to distance themselves from the subject.
The solution
How do we talk about men’s violence against women and girls so that men and boys feel it’s relevant and safe to engage? To answer this question, Scotland’s primary prevention organisation Zero Tolerance are working with White Ribbon Scotland, who work extensively on engaging men in combating this issue, and strategic communications experts Equally Ours. We want men in Scotland to better understand:
New project on persuading men and boys to take action on men’s violence against women and girls | News and events | Zero Tolerance
Your Police 2024-2025
Police Scotland wants to know and understand the views of Scotland’s diverse communities. One of the ways the service listens and understands the views of people living here is the Your Police survey
The survey is open all year and asks about your experiences of feeling safe in your community and what you think about the police. The survey also aims to help the police understand more about your experiences of interacting with them. The police will make decisions using the insights gathered through the survey to help inform local service delivery. It’s about all of us working together to improve safety and wellbeing in communities throughout Scotland.
Your Police 2024-2025 – Police Scotland – Citizen Space
OPPORTUNITIES & VACANCIES
Youth Engagement Manager
SALARY: £25,000 pro-rata (part-time)
LOCATION: Hybrid: home based and office based – The Melting Pot, Edinburgh
Volunteer Matters are looking for a talented, dynamic, and compassionate Youth Engagement Manager to join their team in Edinburgh. The right candidate would be someone who can work flexibly and demonstrate an understanding and total commitment to our organisational values.
This role will be working in partnership with St Thomas of Aquins R.C High School, they have been delivering Brighter Futures here for two years and have funding till June 2025.
At Volunteering Matters they use volunteering’s unique power to bring people together and build stronger, more resilient communities across the UK.
Closing 5th August 2024
Youth Engagement Manager with Volunteering Matters – Goodmoves
Volunteer – Edinburgh Kiltwalk – Event Support – The Kiltwalk (East Lothian)
Join the fantastic team of Kiltie volunteers and help support thousands of walkers as they take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk and fundraise for a charity close to their heart. The Edinburgh Kiltwalk will take place across Edinburgh and East Lothian on Sunday 15 September.
With a selection of roles to choose from, there really is something for everyone! See our walkers off at the start line, welcome them across the finish line or help them recharge at one of their Pit Stops. You can also provide support on the route by cheering and directing walkers. You can do this on foot, by cycling or by driving – we have options to suit all.
Kiltwalk is Scotland’s largest mass participation walking event with over 145,000 people taking part since 2016. The kind-hearted Kiltwalk community have taken big strides for charities close to their hearts and together with The Hunter Foundation, have managed to raise a staggering £42.5 million to date. All funds raised have been distributed to 3,330 Scottish Charities.
