Welcome to Interchange
Welcome to Interchange, your source for the latest third sector news, policy resources, events and funding information. We would love to hear your news or what you think of the bulletin - get in touch at interchange@gcvs.org.uk.
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UK Government “a disgrace†on child poverty
Children’s Commissioners from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales have published a report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child outlining the UK Government’s failings in relation to children’s rights in the UK, most notably with the welfare reform and austerity agendas, which have failed to take the views of children into account and which have failed to protect the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children from child poverty, contravening their rights under Articles 26* and 27* of the UNCRC.
The Commissioners raise concerns about the systematic reductions in services that provide legal redress in the areas of prison law; immigration’ private family law; and education, pointing out that these deny children access to remedies where their rights have been breached. More...
Child poverty levels unacceptable
210,000 children in Scotland are living in relative poverty according to new statistics. Social Justice Secretary, Alex Neil, branded the figures ‘unacceptable’. 20,000 more children were living in combined low income and material deprivation in 2013/14 than in the previous years, however, before housing costs, levels of child poverty fell to 14%, but when housing costs were considered, the figure was 22%. More...
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Glasgow faces cuts of up to £100m over the next three years
Glasgow City Council faces cuts of up to £100m over the next three years as cuts to public spending may force a 7% reduction in the council’s budget. While these figures represent a forecast – the council does not yet know how much its budget will be, there is an expectation that expected savings will be harsh. More...
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Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill passed by Scottish Parliament
The long awaited conclusion to negotiations over the Community Empowerment Bill has now taken place and the Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Bill now awaits Royal Assent and following this, implementation will take place after statutory guidance has been published, which could still take some time. Some local authorities are already preparing for the implementation of the legislation, which will place Community Planning Partnerships on a statutory footing and will grant more powers to communities to determine how local assets are used and how public services are provided. More...
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Children, Young People and Families Intervention Fund
GCVS recently attended a Scottish Government event introducing the new Children, Young People and Families Intervention Fund. The fund will be awarded for activities which contribute to improved outcomes for children, young people and their families through:-
- delivery of prevention and early intervention
- building parenting and family capacity and skills
- contributing to positive and sustained support for children and young people to achieve their potential under the GIRFEC wellbeing indicators. More...
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Welfare Reform: this is how Glasgow responds
The Welfare trackers Project needs your help to create a ‘welfare reform positive ideas guide’. All responses will be collated and distributed back to you. They are collecting practical ideas about how services across Glasgow are responding to welfare reform. This list will be a mixture of big and small ideas – some anonymous, others not (you choose). Some of the ideas come from the welfare trackers world café at the end of April, but we know there are more out there. People have been asking for this ‘guide’, hence this appeal to you. More..
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Corporate Social Venturing (CSV) Scotland
Early stage social businesses throughout Scotland can now bid for financial support from a new Corporate Social Venturing (CSV) Initiative funding pot of £500,000.
The Life Changes Trust has provided £500,000 capital for a first phase of CSV in Scotland, which will focus on loan investment in ventures which have viable plans to improve the quality of life and well-being of the Trust’s two beneficiary groups - care experienced young people and people affected by dementia across Scotland.
Successful ventures will gain up to £50k investment, as well as mentoring and training from sector experts who can provide specific guidance for business planning, financial modelling and social impact measurement. Read more...
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Do you want to know more about your rights as a private tenant?
Shelter Scotland is hosting a series of forums to help private tenants understand their renting rights. Come along to one of our free workshops, learn about your rights as a tenant, and speak to others who are renting privately. 7th July, Glasgow 5:30-7pm at Glasgow Community Hub, Shelter Scotland, Breckenridge House, Sauchiehall Street, G2 3EH Flyer...
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Community Empowerment Bill Passed
The long awaited conclusion to negotiations over the Community Empowerment Bill has now taken place and the Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Bill now awaits Royal Assent and following this, implementation will take place after statutory guidance has been published, which could still take some time. Some local authorities are already preparing for the implementation of the legislation, which will place Community Planning Partnerships on a statutory footing and will grant more powers to communities to determine how local assets are used and how public services are provided. More...
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450 Scots carers to lose £3000 because of PIP
The introduction of Personal Independence Payments in Scotland could leave around 450 carers up to £3,000 worse off per year according to an answer to a parliamentary question submitted by MSP Christina McKelvie. The new benefit, which is to replace Disability Living Allowance, has different rules and thresholds, meaning that many of those currently in receipt of Carers Allowance, which is paid to people who provide extensive support to family members, could lose out. More...
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Are you a GCVS Member?
Did you know that GCVS members benefit from a wide range of services, support and exclusive discount?
We currently have a membership of over 600 third sector organisations and community groups. Membership is free to organisations with an income under £10,000 and rises on a sliding scale up to a maximum of £85.
If you would like to join or would like more information about our membership benefits do get in touch on 01413322444 or at membership@gcvs.org.uk
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Glasgow Consultations
Age Friendly City – 10th August
 In March this year, Glasgow City Council joined the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) “Age Friendly City†programme in order to help ensure that Glasgow is an “inclusive and accessible urban environment that promotes active ageingâ€. The Council is currently consulting on a document that will help to develop the key priorities for the first stage of participation in the programme. More...
Our Resilient Glasgow – a conversation – 15th September
Glasgow City Council is currently engaging in a ‘conversation’ on a draft strategy for the Resilient City Programme. The city faces a number of important challenges in the coming years - environmental, economic and social. The purpose of the strategy is to build resilience in a number of areas, including within communities, to enable them to withstand social, economic and environmental stresses and shocks. The conversation is to ensure that a strategy is developed that reflects the real needs and challenges of Glasgow. It is important that third sector organisations respond to this conversation, to ensure that the needs of communities of interest and place throughout Glasgow are reflected in the final strategy and action plan. More...
Strategic Plan for Cycling
The Plan updates the 2010 strategy which focussed on preparing the city for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. More...
Scottish Government Consultations
National Standards for Community Engagement 2015
In l ight of recent policy developments in Scotland with a focus on strengthening participation and community engagement, SCDC and What Works Scotland are currently working with Scottish Government to review the content and applicability of the National Standards for Community Engagement. More...
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill
The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Bill has had some amendments since it was last consulted on. More...
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Poverty, Inequality and Social Justice
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Crime and Justice
Children and Young People
Housing
Environment
- Scotland's Biodiversity - a route map to 2020 Scotland’s Biodiversity – A Route Map to 2020 sets out the priority work needed to meet the international Aichi Targets for biodiversity and improve the state of nature in Scotland.
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Download the new GCVS Training Calendar 
The latest GCVS training calendar is now available to browse or download on our website. Containing a wide range of course to help your enhance your skills and develop your organisation. Some forthcoming courses are:-
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Informal CLD update session at the Albany Learning & Conference Centre on
8 July 2015  from 10am – 12noon
This meeting is targeted primarily, at managers and senior staff who want to increase their knowledge of recent developments in the CLD area of work and will include sections on;
- The recently created draft CLD Plan for Glasgow
- CLD Standards Council and relevance to your staff
- Interactive discussion on how current CLD issues will affect your staff & service users
Please let Karen know if you would like to attend by 3 July 2015
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Half Price Mondays and Fridays at the Albany Centre
 Arrange for your training/ event to take place on a Monday or Friday in July 2015 and you’ll receive half price venue hire.
T&Cs:
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
- Does NOT apply to bookings already made.
Contact Melissa Duffy on 0141 332 2444 or at melissa.duffy@gcvs.org.uk.
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GCVS Everyone’s Children Autumn 2015 training programme
The Everyone’s Children Training programme, funded by Scottish Government is offered to Third Sector organisations operating in Glasgow.
These sessions provide a policy and practice context for key third sector roles in  implementing the Getting It Right For Every Child programme which promotes the wellbeing of children, young people and families in their families and communities, and develop organisational capacity. Training events also encourage the sharing of views and experiences with colleagues and support the developing of useful networks around the work as the GIRFEC approach becomes more prominent in the delivery of services in Glasgow.
Sessions take place in the Woodlands Suite, Albany Centre, 44 Ashley Street, G3 6DS
For further information contact: Fariha Thomas, fariha.thomas@gcvs.org.uk 0141 332 2444
Nurture – an introduction to using nurture principles in your work
Wednesday 19th August 9.15 – 12.45 Book online...
Support and Supervision in organisations working with children, young people and families
Tuesday September 15th 9.30 – 4.30 Book online...
Glasgow North West Children, Young People and Families Third Sector Wellbeing Network
August 26th 9.30 - 11.30, Woodlands Room, The Albany Centre, 44 Ashley Street, G3 6DS
Programme includes networking opportunities, an input on Child Sexual Exploitation from Barnardos Safer Choices and short inputs from advocacy providers. All third sector organisations working with children, young people and/or their families are most welcome to attend.
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Living in the Gap
27th August | Albany Centre
A free half day seminar ran in partnership with Voluntary Health Scotland and GCVS to discuss health inequalities in Scotland.
Voluntary Health Scotland launched their report ‘Living in the Gap: a voluntary health sector perspective on health inequalities in Scotland’ earlier this year. The report highlighted the strength and vital work contributed by the sector, but also highlighted the need for further recognition.
Our seminar will look to discuss the report findings and the wider issues of health inequalities in Scotland. We will also look to discuss support and recognition for the third sector. The event will include a panel and discussion session with some of our case study organisations featured in the report. Book your place...
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