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As the Third Sector Interface for the Falkirk Council area, we're a local, independent charitable company which exists to promote, develop and represent the third sector and volunteering. We provide a range of services predominantly to volunteers and third sector organisations, but also provide support and assistance to statutory partners to engage better with the third sector.
Our e-bulletin articles are linked to our website which will provide you with further information, simply click on the article title to open the full article in a new window.
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NHS Forth Valley has a range of self-help guides available on their website, including information on Metal Wellbeing During COVID-19.
You can read, download, listen to an audio file or forward a guide to help family and friends.
Other self-help guides available include: alcohol, bereavement, domestic violence, eating disorders, and many more.
For further information on all self help guides available, please visit the NHS Forth Valley website.
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Scottish Government is researching the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on personal, community and society wellbeing, and have launched an online survey to gather feedback.
The survey looks at the concerns, priorities and possible opportunities for different groups and communities, along with their experiences. Feedback will be presented in a research report to help policymakers better understand and respond to the effects of COVID-19 in Scottish communities.
The deadline for responses is Wednesday 27th May.
For further information, including how to submit your response, please click on the above title.
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The Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Committee wants to hear people’s views on the options for refining or reducing the current lockdown arrangements.
The Committee is keen to hear from as many people as possible; they especially encourage responses from members of traditionally underrepresented groups.
Amongst other points, they are specifically looking for people’s views on:
- Scottish Government’s approach in its COVID-19 Framework for Decision-Making
- a differentiated approach to easing restrictions area by area
- how to maintain confidence and support in the public sector response
- how different interests should be involved in the decision-making process
The deadline for responses is Friday 29th May.
For further information, including how to submit your response, please click on the above title.
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In addition to their Delivering Community Development course, ALISON Online Learning also offers free courses across a range of topics and subjects, including education, personal development, languages and IT.
They have also created an information course on COVID-19, looking at the virus' history, symptoms and possible treatments and prevention methods.
All courses are rated by participants and show a star rating on their profile, along with their time commitment and any assessments involved. The majority of courses also provide certification on completion.
For further information, please visit the ALISON website.
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The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee have launched an inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on equalities and human rights.
This inquiry seeks to identify the evidence that some groups of people are experiencing disproportionately negative impacts of COVID-19, and some of the measures taken to deal with it.
As part of this, the committee is looking for organisations to summarise the views and feedback from individuals and groups who might not be able to access the Inquiry online. Individuals and groups can ask to remain anonymous when submitting.
The deadline for responses is Friday 1st January 2021.
For further information, including how to submit your response, please click on the above title.
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Police Scotland has launched an online survey to track public confidence levels and experience of their approaches to policing the current lockdown, and are looking to hear from as many people as possible.
They hope to use the survey to capture people's feeling of safety and any concerns, which Police Scotland can then address operationally and through their information campaigns.
This survey will be open until March 2021, and should take 10 minutes to complete.
Police Scotland are keen to hear from as many people, communities and organisations as possible, to ensure they can measure their engagement with communities and identify emerging issues with service provision.
For further information, please click on the above title.
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As a result of the current COVID-19 situation, CVS Falkirk has pulled together different guidance, resources, and amazing efforts by our local communities to support each other, in order to make them as widely available as possible.
This page will be updated regularly with additional resources and guidance as they become available, including:
- health guidance from the NHS and other trusted sources
- local support available across the Falkirk areas
- organisation support, business resilience and HR guidance
- COVID-19 funding
- community support
- Falkirk Council support
- ways to keep yourself safe during this time
A statement from our CEO, Jen Kerr, is also available.
For further information (including the full list of resources and community efforts), please visit the CVS Falkirk website.
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Unfortunately, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are cancelling third sector forums held at our office until the end of June.
Instead, we are hosting the COVID-19 Third Sector Response Forum every 2 weeks online, using Zoom. The next meeting takes place on Thursday 28th May, 1pm – 3pm, and can be accessed via the Zoom link, or with the meeting ID: 968 735 400.
Minutes of the meeting on Thursday 30th April are available on the CVS Falkirk website (along with Digital Youth Work links), as are the minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 15th April.
For further information, including future forum meeting dates, please click on the above title.
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The Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) has updated their “Supporting Communities Safely” COVID-19 guidance page.
The page, which has been checked for accuracy by Public Health Scotland, provides advice on how to reduce risk and staying safe while helping people and local communities, including topics such as:
- promoting your service
- making sure volunteers are safe and fit to provide services
- handling cash
The page has been designed for those without medical or scientific knowledge. SCDC also welcomes feedback or suggestions for further resources via their online contact form.
For further information, including how to submit your feedback or suggestions, please click on the above title.
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A number of funds have been announced in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of our COVID-19 Community Responses, Resources and Guidance page, our team at CVS Falkirk has pulled together a range of funds relevant to our local communities and sector: COVID-19 Funding page.
Please check this page regularly, as new information is being added on an ongoing basis.
For further information on available funding, please visit the COVID-19 Funding page, or continue reading this e-bulletin.
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Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund closes for applications THIS FRIDAY 22nd MAY.
Falkirk's third sector organisations are strongly encouraged to apply.
The fund supports organisations across the third sector providing important services for people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those facing additional barriers or have increased requirements. It can fund both immediate and emerging forms of support, to the end of July 2020.
Activities should be based on working with at risk groups with new needs not currently met by existing services, and be focused on providing vital wellbeing support.
Based on the grants made in the first round, applications from groups working with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities are particularly welcomed in this second round.
Applicants should receive a response no later than Friday 5th June. Those looking for support with their application can contact the CVS Falkirk team by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
To apply, or for further information, please visit the SCVO Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub page.
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Barclays is making 100 donations of £100,000 each to UK charities working to support vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19, and the associated social and economic hardship caused by the pandemic.
The programme will focus on supporting charity partners who meet the immediate needs of people across our communities, including low income families, those facing financial hardship, isolated elderly people and key workers. The programme is open to UK registered charities.
The deadline for applications is THIS FRIDAY 22nd MAY.
For further information, including how to apply, please click on the above title.
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Properties occupied by charities (with a rateable value of £18,000 or less) are now eligible to apply for grants of £10,000 from the Business Support Fund, part of Scottish Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of these grants is to help protect jobs, prevent business closure and promote economic recovery. Falkirk Council has been asked to administer the grants for businesses and charities based in the Falkirk Council area.
Those looking for support with their application can contact the CVS Falkirk team by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
For further information, including how to apply, please click on the above title.
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BEMIS Scotland has set up the Ethnic Minority National Resilience Network (EMNRN), offering support services and sharing best practice for those working with and supporting Scotland’s ethnic minority communities during COVID-19.
The network publishes regular newsletters, provides counselling and resources, and has funding around COVID-19 support available:
- Emergency Sustenance Grant Fund (supporting individuals and families, with grants of £60 per adult up to £120, and £40 per child (under 16 years old) up to £200)
- Transition Fund (supporting organisations; grants of £500 – £1,500 are available)
The deadline for applications to the Emergency Sustenance Grant Fund is Friday 29th May.
For further information, including how to apply to either fund, please click on the above title.
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The latest round of the Denny and District Community Fund will close on Friday 19th June.
Administered by Foundation Scotland, the fund provides grants to support charitable activities which:
- enhance quality of life for local residents
- contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful, and sustainable communities
- promote community spirit and encourage community activity
A wide range of costs and activities will be considered for funding, for example: running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.
To apply, or for further information (including full eligibility criteria), please visit the Foundation Scotland website.
Alternatively, for support with your application, contact the CVS Falkirk team by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) COVID-19 Community Action Fund has been set up to support community groups, voluntary and third sector organisations and small businesses to support people within communities who are affected by COVID-19.
The fund will contribute towards activity they are planning to carry out within the local community. Falkirk HSCP will also consider reimbursement of costs as a result of activity that has already taken place or is ongoing; they will require proof of payments already made.
Groups and organisations should apply for the amount of funding that they think is appropriate to the activities they want to provide. There is no minimum level of funding, though applications for funding over £1,000 may result in a request for further information.
For further information, including how to apply, visit the dedicated CVS Falkirk COVID-19 Funding page.
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Due to the current lockdown, Kelvin Valley and Falkirk LEADER (KVFL) and Crowdfund Scotland have moved their workshop events online, with the next free session taking place on Tuesday 9th June, 10am – 10:45am.
This is an introductory session aimed at anyone looking to find out more about crowdfunding as a method of fundraising, and the potential uses for local projects in Scotland.
The workshop will begin with an interactive webinar, with opportunity for Q&A. Participants will then receive a link to a short online training course.
Webinar login details will be issued 24 hours before the session.
For further information, including how to book your place, please click on the above title.
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Our team at CVS Falkirk have been working with our local communities and people to help place those who want to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic where they are needed.
We now have a bank of volunteers who are ready and keen to assist local groups and organisations supporting people, and are asking those groups who need volunteers to get in touch with us so we can match them with volunteers.
This includes those who already have volunteers – we are encouraging all groups and organisations to put their volunteers on a rota system, and ensure they have regular breaks for their safety and wellbeing.
To request volunteers, or for further information, please contact the Volunteer Team by email: volunteer@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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The COVID-19 Falkirk Volunteer Expenses Fund has been set up to support community groups and voluntary organisations which operate in Falkirk and District, and whose volunteers provide support through community activities during COVID-19 (from Wednesday 1st April – Saturday 30th May 2020). CVS Falkirk will be administering the fund.
Expenses will be reimbursed directly to volunteers in order to reduce organisational time and resources required to administer additional or increased volunteer activity.
All COVID-19-related volunteer-involving groups and organisations are eligible to use the fund. For the full eligibility criteria and details on what can be reimbursed, please view or download the guidance document before registering.
To register, groups and organisations should download and complete the registration form.
For further information, please contact CVS Falkirk by phone 07872464215, or email: volunteer@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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Kingdom Support and Care (KSC) is currently recruiting support workers.
The position is £9.50 – £9.75 per hour (plus £74.40 per sleepover shift), with various shift patterns, based in Falkirk and the surrounding areas.
Applicants should be upbeat, confident and energetic. The ability to work evenings and weekends is essential; successful candidates will be subject to a Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check.
Support Workers provide care and support to help people live in their own homes, have as full a life as possible, and be part of their communities.
The deadline for applications is 12pm on Monday 1st June.
For further information, including how to apply, please click on the above title.
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