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From the bottom of our hearts, our team would like to thank everyone who joined us yesterday for our first ever virtual AGM.
We're so glad you all found it useful and interesting, and it meant a lot to see everyone there. We know it has been a difficult year, but the local third sector continues to inspire and amaze us with their efforts, giving their time and energy, and regularly attending meetings like this, like the third sector forums, or finding ways to hold safe, socially distanced Halloween events, all to help support the people of Falkirk.
To quote one of our team members during the meeting, we could not do any of this without you.
We would also like to extend our thanks to our keynote speaker Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, for taking the time to join and speak with us. We know everyone appreciated it, and your words to the sector, and we all look forward to working further with Falkirk Council during the coming months, and beyond.
We hope we can see you all again in person soon.
Until that time, you can find our 2019/20 Annual Review and 2019/20 Annual Accounts (both launched at the meeting) by visiting our website.
Alternatively, for further information on how we can support your group, please contact us by phone: 01324 692000, or email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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As mentioned at our AGM, we are updating parts of our website to respond to the needs of the local sector and communities during COVID-19.
Part of this work includes a new online directory of local initiatives (including food banks and other services responding to COVID-19), to help people support their local efforts and find the help they need.
This means we have removed all entries from our previous service directory; however, we are updating new directory daily, and hope to have them completed very soon.
If you group or organisation isn’t listed on one or both of the map and directory, or was previously listed and has been removed, please contact us by phone: 01324 692000, or email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
Alternatively, you can upload your group’s information to the new directory via our online form.
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Falkirk Safebase has taken a large delivery of almond milk cartons, which have a best before date of Monday 7th December.
They have a surplus amount and have offered this to local Falkirk third sector and community groups and organisations, especially those supporting people during the current pandemic.
To request some of the surplus for your organisation or people accessing your services, please contact Iain Goodall by phone: 07470848564, or email: iainrbg77@gmail.com
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Police Scotland has released information on incidents regarding a male bogus caller presenting as a police officer (both over the phone and in person), which have been reported to the Forth Valley Division.
On both occasions the male presenting as a police officer was dressed in civilian clothing, not police uniform; he is described as scruffy looking with short dark hair, and 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Police Scotland advises that: “Under no circumstances would police officers attend at your home address to uplift any bank cards or obtain banking details such as PIN numbers. Should you be contacted by these means, do not engage with the caller, hang up immediately.”
For further information on both incidents, and advice on identifying a scam, please click on the above title.
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Power of Attorney Day 2020 takes place on Wednesday 25th November, and Solicitors for Older People Scotland (SOPS) will be sharing information (via social media) in the build-up to the day around Power of Attorney (PoA), myths and associated costs.
On Wednesday, there will also be interviews explaining the importance of Power of Attorney.
Common myths include the misconception that having a Will in place means that people do not need PoA, and the idea that only older people should have PoA in place; this is unfortunately not the case, as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted.
SOPS will address these topics, amongst others, during their campaign.
For further information, please click on the above title.
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Home Energy Scotland’s (HES) next free virtual workshop, “Saving Water in Scotland – Really?”, takes place on Thursday 26th November, 11am – 12pm.
With Scotland’s climate, people may think there is plenty of water to go around. But according to HES, we each use about 165 litres of water every day without thinking about it, and a huge amount of energy is used in producing drinking water. Additionally, around one fifth of our energy bills are spent heating water.
The workshop will cover the ways that being water wise can have financial and environmental benefits, helping people save money on their bills.
For further information, including how to book your place, please click on the above title.
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Money Advice Scotland’s last free Money Works webinar of 2020 will take place on Thursday 3rd December, 10am – 11am via Zoom.
This instalment will discuss scams, after a significant surge in scams, as scammers are exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to commit fraud.
In this Money Works webinar, Money Advice Scotland will discuss the scale of the problem and a range of different scams. They will also provide tips to avoid becoming a victim to fraudulent activity and how to keep your money safe.
For further information, including how to book your place, please click on the above title.
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Therapy Train Stirling CIC is running a “COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills” training course from Friday 8th January 2021, 10am – 4:30pm, which lasts until approximately mid-September.
This is an advanced communication course, which teaches empathic listening skills. Courses consist of 4 modules over 8 – 9 months, with breaks every 6 weeks between modules.
Successful completion involves skills practice, written assignments and 120 hours of training. The course will initially take place online, due to COVID-19.
There are 12 places available, and places cost £365 per module.
The closing date for applications is Friday 4th December 2020.
For further information, including how to book your place, please click on the above title.
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Scottish Government is seeking views on the revised National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland, which will replace the current National Guidance published in 2014.
The revision has involved consultation and collaboration with a wide range of partners to consider and reflect the wide range of developments.
They are keen to hear your views on the tone, level of detail and approach in the revised guidance, particularly in relation to the description of new or significant aspects, and whether there are any omissions or issues that have not been adequately addressed.
The deadline for responses is Sunday 17th January 2021.
For further information (including how to submit your response), please click on the above title.
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Alongside Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise (SVE) and Clackmannanshire TSI (CTSI), we are delighted to announce a new date for the Forth Valley Third Sector Conference, which was postponed earlier this year due to COVID-19.
We will now be hosting an entirely digital event on Tuesday 9th February 2021.
Continuing with our planned theme of “People, Place, and Participation”, our schedule features guest speakers, networking opportunities, and several workshops covering digital, partnership working, volunteering, and governance.
Tickets for the event will go on sale in early December.
For further information, please contact our team by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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At the end of November, significant amendments to how previous criminal records are disclosed in recruitment will come into force.
The Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act shortens disclosure periods, aiming to allow smoother access to employment for the one in 5 people across Scotland with previous convictions.
There will be a series of online events providing information on the changes, including:
- a local employer information session on Tuesday 24th November, 9:30am, – 11am with Camelon Connect and Recruit With Conviction
- the Recruit With Conviction annual conference on Thursday 26th November
For further information (including how to find out more about the changes, or how to book your place at either event), please click on the above title.
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Social Security Scotland is looking to celebrate the positive outcomes their benefits have made for people.
To do this, they are looking for anyone who would be willing to talk about their experience of receiving any of Social Security Scotland’s current benefits, to be shared as Case Studies.
For Case Studies, they ask that people share their:
- name
- age
- area they live
- circumstances e.g. who they live with, if they have children
- the payment they received
- how this payment made a difference
- what they spent the payment on
- photo (if they are comfortable with this)
Anonymity can be retained if required.
To take part, or for further information, please contact Allan Robertson by email: Allan.Robertson@socialsecurity.gov.scot
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CVS Falkirk is working with a number of our partners on Phase 2 of the project to co-design Falkirk’s Integrated Children’s Services Plan (ICSP) with children and young people (CYP), the Strategic Participation Project.
We are looking for third sector organisations working with children or young people who would like to facilitate sessions in order to capture CYP voices. Information gathered from these sessions will then influence the ICSP 2021-2023.
To take part, or for further information, please contact Scott Malcolm by email: scott.malcolm@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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The Falkirk School Holiday Food Fund is open for applications for the December 2020 school holidays.
The fund has been set up to support local projects tackling food insecurity in Falkirk communities, working to feed children, young people and their families during school holidays.
Groups can apply for up to £1,000.
Applicants must be constituted; partnerships involving unconstituted community organisations can apply, but the lead partner must be constituted.
Decisions will be made by the Fairer Falkirk Partnership (part of Falkirk Community Planning Partnership), within 10 working days from receipt of a valid, completed application form.
For further information, including how to apply, please visit the Falkirk Council website.
Alternatively, for further information, contact Fairer Falkirk by email: fairerfalkirk@falkirk.gov.uk
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Al Masaar is working with Together, We Help, to highlight the way local communities play a critical role in Scotland’s future and how everyone can build forward better, creating a fairer Scotland for all.
They have launched an anonymous online survey for volunteers and individuals who have contributed at any point, or are still contributing, towards local action, and are keen to hear from as many individuals as possible.
All information provided will remain anonymous and will be written up in a report, which will be published in early 2021.
The deadline for responses is Wednesday 25th November.
For further information, including how to complete the survey, please click on the above title.
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Camelon Arts has announced plans for an adapted, safe Camelon Winter Festival this year, and are looking for volunteers to support them as they aim to spread Christmas cheer throughout Camelon.
They are looking for General Volunteers, who will distribute flyers, and Big Screen Volunteers in different roles to help with the traveling LED video screen, which will tour through the residential streets of Camelon and Tamfourhill on a slow-moving van.
Big Screen Volunteers will be needed from Monday 7th December, while General Volunteers can start as soon as possible.
For further information, please view or download the Volunteer Call Out letter (available as a pdf). Alternatively, contact the Camelon Arts team by email: camelonarts@artlinkcentral.org
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Role Title: Financial Wellbeing Officer - Energy Specialism
Location: East Scotland (Tayside, Fife and Forth Valley), initially homeworking
Hours: 36 Hours per week
Salary: £29,242
Closing Date: Sunday 29th November 2020
An opportunity to join the Scottish Huntington's Association. They are recruiting for a Financial Wellbeing officer with a special interest in Energy Advice. With strong people skills, you will have three years of experience in a money advice, energy advice or welfare rights capacity.
A clean current driving licence and use of a car is essential.
The successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure Scotland PVG Scheme check.
For further information, including how to apply, please click on the above title.
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Forth Valley Rape Crisis Centre is looking to advertise two new fixed term positions within the organisation.
They are seeking to appoint one worker to develop and deliver a new Outreach Service to reach out to survivors across the Forth Valley area. The second worker will focus on developing services for survivors who are on their waiting list.
Closing date for applications: noon Monday 30th November
PVG Disclosure will be required for this post.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Women only need apply as these posts are exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1.
For further information, including 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.
All our previous e-bulletins are available through the MailChimp archive.
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