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As Scotland enters a new phase of its recovery efforts and lockdown measure begin to ease, we at CVS Falkirk are also focusing on recovery and how we can best support our local third sector going forward.
Our theme for this period is "Review, Revive and Thrive": a chance to evaluate and adapt as we plan how best to go forward, how to make the "new normal" even better than what came before.
This week's e-bulletin will focus primarily on resources available around recovery and what this "new normal" will look like, including training and different guides.
For further information, please stay tuned to the CVS Falkirk website, or continue reading this e-bulletin.
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HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is holding a series of webinars on the changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (which cam into force at the start of July).
The “Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Flexible Furloughing” webinar takes place at various dates and times from Tuesday 7th July, and will cover the scheme’s changes, flexible furloughing, claim periods and key dates.
Further dates have also been added to the “Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme” webinars, which covers who can claim, and who for, how to make a claim, and what people may be entitled to, amongst others.
For further information, please click on the above title.
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Forth Valley Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) has created a programme of online content, aimed at young people leaving school this summer, their parents and carers.
The programme includes several elements, such as the DYW Skills Academy, E-DYW (which is an online portal of resources), and “Scotland’s Biggest Parent’s Evenings” – the first event, “Pathways to Industry”, takes place on Tuesday 7th July 7pm – 7:30pm, and will be particularly beneficial to those whose young people have just left, or are about to leave, school.
For further information, including how to register for access to the programme and resources, please click on the above title.
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Falkirk Council’s Adult Support and Protection team is holding a virtual training event on Public Protection on Wednesday 15th July, 9:15am – 1pm.
All participants will need access to a device with a webcam and audio capability; a link will be sent to each participants’ email address.
The training is open to all staff who would have attended the Level 2A Adult Protection or the basic Child Protection training. By the end of the training, participants should be more familiar with the needs of children (outlined in GIRFEC), and the needs of adults at risk of harm, amongst other key points.
For further information, including how to book your place, please click on the above title.
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FastForward is running a series of free interactive webinars, “Young People and Gambling Harms”, with the next session taking place on Thursday 23rd July, 10am – 12pm.
The webinars are specifically designed for practitioners who work with parents, carers and families across Scotland, exploring current issues surrounding gambling and young people.
Participants will have the opportunity to share concerns and best practice around online gambling amongst children and young people, especially with the current COVID-19 pandemic where many are spending more time online.
To book your place, or for further information, please visit the Eventbrite page.
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In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and support from the Wellbeing Fund, BEMIS Scotland’s Ethnic Minority National Resilience Network (EMNRN) has initiated a pilot multicultural counselling service, running until the end of July.
The EMNRN Counselling and Befriending Service is open to for referrals, and focuses on supporting mental health needs for ethnic minority individuals and families, by providing multilingual culturally- and religiously-sensitive counselling support, and facilitating complementary conduits to mainstream provision.
Counselling will be delivered remotely by telephone or online (via WhatsApp, Zoom, or Skype), and in line with the ethical standards of BACP and other counselling authorities.
For further information, including how to submit a referral, please click on the above title.
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Falkirk District Association for Mental Health (FDAMH) is offering free “Essential Communications Skills” training, via Zoom, for anyone working or volunteering to support people during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The one-day interactive course was originally designed for volunteers, but has been made available for a wider audience, with additional sessions.
The course looks at the challenges being encountered through changes to roles and ways of working or starting in new supporting roles, and how best to deal with difficult or challenging situations and conversations.
For further information, including course dates and how to book your place, please click on the above title.
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An Independent Advisor Group (IAG) has been set up to review Police Scotland's use of new temporary police powers to tackle COVID-19. They are looking to gather feedback from as many people as possible on their experiences.
Understanding and listening to the views and experiences of those impacted by use of the powers is central to the work of the IAG, which is keen to involve the voices of community and grassroots representatives and any groups that may be most impacted or disadvantaged by the use of these temporary powers.
The initial deadline for responses is Tuesday 1st September.
For further information, including how to submit your response, please click on the above title.
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Strathcarron Hospice has created a new online booklet, “Inspiring Compassionate Communities: Connecting With Your Neighbours”, part of their Compassionate Communities project.
The booklet provides creative and fun ideas to safely connect with others in your street or neighbourhood, as well as examples of how people in other local communities have done this effectively.
To read the full booklet text, or download your own digital copy (including artwork), please visit the Volunteer Falkirk website.
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Forth Environment Link (FEL) has “Veg Your Ledge” kits available for local community groups and organisations across the Falkirk area.
The veg box kits are designed to help people realise the benefits of growing their own fresh food on their windowsill, reducing their carbon footprint, and experiencing the health and therapeutic gains associated with food growing.
Each kit contains upcycled wood planters made by the FEL reuse team, a bag of compost, vegetable seeds and planting instructions.
For further information, including how to request your own Veg Your Ledge kit, please contact Julie Ryan by email: julie@forthenvironmentlink.org
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has complied a range of workplace advice on gas safety, air conditioning and ventilation, and other guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be useful during this next recovery phase.
The HSE states that the risk of air conditioning spreading COVID-19 in the workplace is extremely low, and that most types of air conditioning system can be used as normal; good ventilation is key, and the risk of transmission through the use of ceiling and desk fans is extremely low.
For further information, including the full set of guidance, please click on the above title.
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The Skills Network Scotland provides a range of accredited and fully-funded online training courses for people in Scotland.
Courses include a Cleaning Knowledge and Skills course, which covers learning about infection control, and may be particularly useful for local groups and organisations who are considering how to safely resume their services and activities as lockdown restrictions ease.
To qualify for funding for the courses, participants must:
- be aged 16 years old or over
- live in Scotland
- have been living within the EU for at least the last 3 years
For further information on all available courses, please visit the The Skills Network Scotland website, or go directly to the Cleaning Skills and Knowledge course page.
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Volunteering Matters has created a practical checklist around re-opening a building for work, for staff, volunteers, or anyone else.
The checklist is designed to inform a risk assessment (though not replace it), and covers equipment checks and tests (including Legionella tests on the water, to ensure the bacteria has not built up while the building was unused), signage, floorplans, and staff and volunteer behaviour.
To view or download the checklist, please visit the Volunteering Matters website.
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Youth Scotland has developed a guide to help youth groups and organisations to plan for re-opening post COVID-19.
The “Post Lockdown Readiness Guide” aims to support groups and organisations and offer practical advice for re-opening. There is also a detailed summary of Scottish Government’s Framework, and which areas apply to youth groups and organisations, including physical distancing in youth work premises, and hygiene and infection control measures.
To view or download the guide, please visit the Youth Scotland website.
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Trading Standards Scotland is providing free call blocking devices to vulnerable individuals (including older people and adults with additional support needs) who are most at risk from scammers and rogue traders.
Due to the current isolation, lockdown measures and social distancing to combat COVID-19, the risk from scammers is higher. Many new COVID-19 related scams have emerged and, as lockdown eases, unsolicited marketing calls will be on the rise, often a pre-curser to face to face sales visits.
Trading Standards cannot currently install the device; however, each unit comes with full instructions, along with a helpline number.
For further information, including how to apply for a call blocking device, please click on the above title.
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As part of our focus on the recovery phase, we are highlighting local Falkirk providers of PPE and other safety equipment.
MinuteMan Press in Falkirk has launched new Clear Protective Roll Up Banners. The banners stand at 800mm wide and 2 metres high, costing £48 + VAT each (with a free carry bag as standard).
The banners are designed for a range of sectors, environments and businesses, including offices, industrial or retail environments, mobile setups, salons, nail bars and barbers.
Fitting is not required; the banners are designed to be lightweight and easy to set up, move and take down, and can be relocated as required.
For further information, please contact MinuteMan Press by phone: 01324 613636, or email: info@minutemanfalkirk.co.uk
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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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NHS Forth Valley’s Health Promotion Service has grants of up to £500 available.
The COVID-19 Response Grants supports organisations to do one or all of the following:
- health and wellbeing activities in response to COVID-19 addressing a reduction in health inequalities
- piloting new ideas and initiatives or adapting previous activities
- development of employees, volunteers or clients directly relating to the funded programme
- purchase equipment relating to the programme’s work
Ongoing support will be offered, and a guidance document is available online for potential applicants. It is anticipated that allocation decisions will be made quickly.
For further information (including how to apply), please click on the above title.
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A message on volunteering in recovery, and support available for Falkirk’s local sector, from a member of our Volunteering Team, Lynsey:
“As lockdown restrictions ease and more of our local third sector groups and organisations take steps to renew their valued services and activities, involving volunteers in a safe and appropriate way is a hot topic.
The challenging circumstances of COVID-19 have led to many local people letting us know that they are ready, willing and able to volunteer to help. We want to provide them with the information they need to choose a volunteer opportunity that’s a good fit for them.
We know that volunteers will be needed more than ever during recovery and reconnecting, and we’d like you to tell us how this will look for your organisation.”
To read Lynsey’s full message, and find out more about our plans for supporting you through this next stage, please click on the above title.
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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. 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.
The deadline for registrations is Friday 31st July.
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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As part of their role in supporting the third and social enterprise sector to prepare for challenges and opportunities ahead, Social Investment Scotland (SIS) has organised a series of webinars: “Restructures, Mergers and Routes to New Markets”.
In partnership with Social Shifters, the webinars take place Tuesday 7th July – Thursday 9th July and will be developed afterwards for on-demand use on Social Shifters’ digital learning platform.
The webinars aim to offer both professional insight and first-hand experience from social enterprises of having to manage a range of change options, both for business survival and future growth.
For further information, including a full list of webinars, please click on the above title.
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Scottish Government’s Towns and BIDs Resilience and Recovery Fund supports immediate concerns and actions to help prepare towns, their communities and businesses for the gradual easing of lockdown rules.
Managed by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the fund aims to help resource project delivery, where a recovery strategy for the town has been agreed with the local authority.
The fund is open to constituted groups with suitable governance controls.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 24th July.
For further information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please click on the above title.
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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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