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Hello everyone

I hope you and your families are well and keeping each other safe.
 
Opportunity to support the vaccination rollout programme
 
As you will be aware from recent Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland announcements, work is already underway to rollout the important vaccine to all adults across the country. The vaccine rollout programme is a huge logistical exercise and is expected to take a number of months.
In West Lothian, The Pyramids Business Park in Bathgate (old Motorola site) will be the primary site used by health officials to offer mass vaccinations to the public. The programme is expected to operate 7 days per week from mid-February through to August. The site will be open from 8am to 6.30pm each day.
VSGWL is working with officials to help the vaccination rollout programme with the coordination of volunteering support. To support the onsite health professionals and Event Management teams, volunteers are needed for meet and greet roles and in guiding people to the correct vaccination areas. Individuals will be asked to work a range of shifts at the site.
If you can offer your help, please email vsg@vsgwl.org and we will provide you with more details.
 
Funding News
 
Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme
The £40 million programme was launched in September 2020 to provide support for Third Sector Organisations (TSOs), such as charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations through lockdown and as we begin to move towards recovery from the pandemic. The programme has two strands:
  • Adapt and Thrive aims to support organisational recovery and change. 
  • Communities Recovery Fund aims to support the delivery of current and new community services.
Organisations can apply to either or both strands of the fund through a single online application available on the SCVO website at: Community & Third Sector Recovery Programme – SCVO along with information about the programme and the eligibility/criteria for each strand of the the programme.
 
Update
The programme has already received over a thousand applications however we understand that many organisations may not yet have had the time or capacity to think about their recovery or apply for additional support.
 
As we draw nearer to the end of the financial year we want to further raise awareness of the current programme, especially the Communities Recovery Fund in light of the current lockdown, and seek ways to support the sector wherever practicable. In particular we are aware of a need to support smaller organisations and groups that are ineligible to apply or finding it challenging. We are encouraging groups to work in partnership with other eligible organisations.
 
New Small Grants Funding
The Scottish Government are working with The Corra Foundation to extend some of the funds available by providing unrestricted grants of £1-2k, (maximum £5k) targeted at smaller groups. The fund will be open for 12 months
Further details about the fund and the online application form will be made available on the Corra Foundation website at www.corrascot. Signposting to the fund will also be available from the SCVO website, coronavirus hub.

If you have any ideas or thoughts on how we might further improve the information we provide to you, please let us know.

Stay safe everyone!

Alan McCloskey
CEO
VSGWL
Funding Available

Apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme - You can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Updated 11 September with examples of what information applicants can provide to show the Kickstart Scheme job placements are new jobs.
Charity Bank COVID-19 Funding List - As a result of the Coronavirus, many organisations are now in an extremely precarious position, often having to deliver additional services with fewer volunteers and staff members, while having to cancel fundraising activities. Here you will find a list of emergency funds for charities and social enterprises that are experiencing difficulties. It will be updated as new opportunities are identified.
Community & Third Sector Recovery Programme - The Community & Third Sector Recovery Programme aims to support charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations that are supporting people and communities through the shift from lockdown to recovery. As well as providing ongoing crisis support, they will be planning and implementing changes to adapt and thrive in a very different social and economic climate.
The Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund - In partnership with the National Emergencies Trust, our Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund launched at the end of March 2020.
Now, as we enter tighter restrictions once again, it's becoming more evident that Covid-19 will impact on third sector operations well into 2021 and perhaps beyond.  Whilst we will continue to provide emergency support for those who need it, we are now in the Resilience phase.
The fund's priority is supporting organisations with their long-term planning, helping them become more sustainable in the future, despite the continued uncertainty. Whilst we enter this final phase, please be assured we will continue to provide emergency support for those who need it most.
The Robertson Trust - Following the launch of our 2020-30 strategy last week, we are delighted to now introduce our new funds. Scotland’s charities and community organisations will be able to access funding to support work which aims to alleviate the effects of poverty and trauma on individuals and communities across the country.
 
General News

A2E Vacancy Bulletin – Latest Vacancy Bulletin from Access2Employment. 
Carers of West Lothian Board Recruitment - Carers of West Lothian are currently recruiting Board Members.
CHSS Kindness Support - Do you or does someone you know need help? Let us help you this Lockdown.
CyberScotland Bulletin January 2021 - The latest Cyber Scotland bulletin which contains information, advice and links to partner sites.
Health and Social Care Report January – Report to the Executive of the Joint Forum of Community Council in West Lothian.
Homestart West Lothian - What We Do - Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart breaking and over-whelming. Life-changing events can happen to anyone. That is why Home-Start is ready to support families through their toughest times. Here our Family Support Coordinator Jacqui gives a bit more background about what we do.
Mental health information for employers - Information and guidance on looking after your employees’ mental health is available from Healthy Working Lives.
OPAL January Newsletter - Latest edition of the OPAL Service Newsletter.
Polbeth Community Hub are looking for Trustees - Polbeth Community Hub are currently looking for trustees to join their board.
Register for the Scottish Government COVID 19 research panel 2021 - Scottish Government researchers are recruiting people to help us better understand and predict the next stages of the COVID-19 epidemic in Scotland. You can register if you live in Scotland and are 18 or over.
Rock Trust are Recruiting - The Rock Trust are currently recruiting a Project Worker.
West Lothian Council Parks and Open Spaces - Customer Survey - There are over 100 public parks in West Lothian - from small local parks to large Country Parks. This survey is intended to measure your satisfaction with West Lothian’s public parks overall.
If you want a direct response to a particular issue in a particular park, for example reporting something broken and/or unsafe in a park, please use the following link instead of this satisfaction survey: www.westlothian.gov.uk/report
Westspace Newsletter -  January Newsletter from Westspace.
WLSEN Newsletter - Monthly Round-Up January.
If you would like to make a submission to our eBulletin/Website/
Social Media then please email vsg@vsgwl.org
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Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian is a Registered Company in Scotland No. SC244154 and is a Registered Scottish Charity No. SC027612.

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Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian
20-22 King Street
Bathgate
West Lothian
EH48 1AX






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Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian · 20-22 King Street · Bathgate, West Lothian EH48 1AX · United Kingdom

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