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All neighbourhoods
Share your thoughts on the Volunteering Strategy for Edinburgh
Inspiring Volunteering is Edinburgh’s first city-wide volunteering strategy, agreed by the city’s public agencies and the voluntary and community sector. It is a framework for supporting and developing volunteering in the City.
iGIVE (the Implementation Group Inspiring Volunteering in Edinburgh), a sub-group of the Edinburgh Compact Partnership is charged with delivering the Volunteering Strategy Action Plan (2007-2012). iGIVE is currently undertaking a review of progress against the Action Plan with a view to taking a fresh look at how best to achieve the Strategy priorities:
1. People in Edinburgh are inspired to volunteer
2. People have an excellent volunteering experience
3. Volunteering is sufficiently resourced
iGIVE would be delighted to receive any comments, suggestions or concerns that might inform the future direction of the Strategy. Please email Lara or telephone on 0131 225 0640. You can download a copy of the strategy here.
iGIVE acknowledges that Volunteer’s motivations are changing and that their perception of how they will engage is evolving. The message that volunteering increases your skills and confidence is a powerful one, and more and more that message is getting through. People want to gain that “volunteering advantage”. What we must do is find the right opportunities for them. We need to not only use volunteers to meet our service delivery needs, but also to meet the needs and expectations of this enthused and willing force. At the same time, more investment is needed to ensure those with additional support needs can also volunteer.
Keep up to date with all things related to volunteering by signing-up to the Volunteer Organisers’ Bulletin, simply email Lara with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. You can also Join us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter.
Foster Care information sessions in Edinburgh Churches
The National Fostering Agency Scotland is delighted to announce Foster Care information sessions running in Edinburgh Churches in a bid to find new carers in the Edinburgh/Lothian area.
Currently there are 1,328 “looked after children” in Edinburgh City and a shortage of around 1,700 foster carer families in Scotland as a whole.
The National Fostering Agency is keen to speak with anyone who can offer a secure, safe and loving environment to a child from the Edinburgh/Lothian area. In return they offer fantastic training, the opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications, on-going support, advice and supervision as well as a generous weekly allowance.
Special information sessions are taking place in Edinburgh where you can find out what it’s like to be a foster carer.
- Wednesday 14 April at the Perc-U-Up Cafe in South Leith Parish Church Hall, Leith
- Thursday 15 April at the Butterflies Cafe, Marchmont St Giles Church, Marchmont.
Both events are on between 12.30 and 3pm. Children welcome.
Applicants are welcome from all backgrounds and the National Fostering Agency Scotland currently engage with Foster Carers from all sections of the community, many with vastly different backgrounds and life experiences. The minimum requirement is that you have a spare bedroom and a commitment to work towards positive outcomes for the children and young people whom may be placed in your care.
Visit the National Fostering Agency Scotland website or call 0845 200 4040 for more information.
Free Tender Writing Training from EDAS (Economic Development Association Scotland)
As part of a capacity raising exercise this programme has been designed specifically for managers and staff of Third Sector organisations, who have responsibility for business development and tender writing. The workshops promise to be key training events for any organistion wishing to compete for public sector contracts.
Delivery of services to the public sector is an important market for enterprising Third Sector organisations, but for many it can be a difficult path to take. How do you find out about these opportunities and how do you write a successful tender document? Through interactive workshops experts, (that include procurement practitioners and organisations that have had success in writing tenders), will be guiding participants through the answers to this and other key issues surrounding the subject of public sector contracts.
The programme has been designed for introductory, intermediate and advanced levels.
Workshop 1: Introductory - Accessing Public Sector Tenders (1 day)
- Angus 19 April 2010
- Fife 20 April 2010
- Glasgow 26 May 2010
- Inverness 7 Sept 2010
- Borders 1 July 2010
- Edinburgh 9 Dec 2010
Workshop 2: Intermediate - Successful Tendering for Public Sector Contracts (3 days)
- Dundee 13 May, 20 May and 27 May 2010
- Glasgow 8 June, 15 June and 22 June 2010
- Inverness 30 Sept, 7 Oct and 26 Oct 2010
- Edinburgh 13 Jan, 20 Jan and 27 Jan 2011
Workshop 3: Advanced - Advanced Tendering for Public Sector Contracts (3 days)
- Edinburgh 11 May, 18 May and 25 May 2010
- Ayrshire 1 June, 8 June and 15 June 2010
- Aberdeen 2 Sept, 9 Sept and 16 Sept 2010
- Glasgow 12 Jan, 19 Jan and 26 Jan 2011
For more information and to apply, see the online application and questionnaire. This will allow us to match you to the appropriate course and venue. Alternatively call on 0141 425 2946.
This workshop programme is funded by the Scottish Government and is free of charge to eligible Third Sector organisations.
Could you be a Diversity Lay Adviser?
- Are you interested in addressing issues of hate crime against minority communities?
- Do you have working knowledge of minority communities?
- Do you understand the impact that discrimination could have on people?
- Could you commit time and energy to make a difference to your community?
Diversity Lay Advisers are independent volunteers who look at police and community relations, the police investigation of hate crime, diversity and equality issues. The Lay Advisers report on their findings to the Police Board. The Board is looking to appoint seven more volunteers. They would particularly welcome people with experience of issues affecting:
- young people
- LGBT and
- black and ethnic minority communities
An Information Evening will take place on Wednesday 14 April at 7:00pm at the City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh.
For more information, contact the Lothian and Borders Police Board on 0131 529 4240.
Cyrenian Annual Food Conference
This event will bring together members of the Good Food Membership Scheme and practitioners working in the field of health and homelessness and social exclusion. The purpose of the forum is to gather people together to address food and health issues that are common to working with this particular client group. There will be the opportunity to share good practice and exchange ideas, network with practitioners and people who have benefited from the Cyrenian Good Food Cooking Classes. Wednesday 5 May from 9.15 am to 12.30 pm at Hibernian Football Club on Easter Road in Edinburgh.
Please see the promotional poster and display within your organisation. For further information please email, phone 0131 554 3900, or complete the booking form. Places will be limited.
Office Space for Rent
EVOC has office accommodation to let until the end of September 2012. The space available is within EVOC HQ at 14 Ashley Place, Edinburgh EH6 5PX.
- Currently furnished for up to 8 workstations (can be arranged to meet your requirements)
- Heat, Light and Insurance included in rent
- Shared use of the following: kitchen/staff room; meeting room (bookable); Board Room (bookable);toilets, wheelchair accessible toilet and shower
- Health & Safety Requirements
- Reception facility
- Cleaning services
- Security alarmed building
- Unrestricted street parking
- Shared use of supplies, services, telecoms and ICT available by negotiation.
For further details, or to arrange a viewing, contact in the first instance Anna Rayne 0131 555 9100.
Equal, Connected and Contributing
This conference on 10 June will bring together research on the citizenship and human rights of people with learning disabilities. The event is organised by the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability and the Open University and will be chaired by Alison Petch, Director of the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS). The day will comprise a mix of keynote speakers and workshop papers and is designed for a wide audience: researchers, people with learning disabilities and their families, practitioners, advocates and supporters, and students. Further details and a booking form can be found at the IRISS website.
Election Question Time
Learning Disability Alliance is organising two election question times for people with learning disabilities, their carers and support staff in April and hope you will be able to attend and to encourage people with learning disabilities you know to do so as well. Their last hustings were well attended with reports and video sent out to a wider audience before election day.
- The Edinburgh hustings is in Norton Park Centre, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh on Thursday 15 April at 2pm
- The Glasgow hustings is in Renfield St Stephen’s Centre on Tuesday 20 April at 2pm
There is no need to formally book a place, people can just turn up.
Edinburgh Violence Reduction Programme: Conference Invitation
“Primary Prevention of Violence: First Steps - early years and early intervention towards a long term sustainable reduction in violence.”
This one-day conference will take place on Tuesday 27 April at The Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LR.
Please see the conference flier, or email for more information.
Storytelling for Social Change
This is a one-day, participatory learning event for people (professionals and non-professionals) who use stories or ‘case studies’ to educate, challenge, and inspire.
Tuesday 18 May from 9.30am to 4.30pm at North Edinburgh Arts Centre, cost is £85 per person* including lunch and refreshments. ( *There are a limited number of free places for people who are unwaged and have a story to tell… Please contact us... ) To book a place, please contact Linda at Edinburgh Development Group on 0131 476 0522. For more details see the flier
or the EDG website.
Open Space Strategy
CEC have published a draft Open Space Strategy and the consultation period is for 8 weeks, from 26 March to Friday 21 May.
The Draft Stategy and accompanying Action Plans are available to view at Waverley Court and all council libraries, and on the City of Edinburgh Council website.
Please see the list of public workshops which are taking place over this period.
Meet the Funders - Thursday 6 May
Please see the poster advertising the "Meet the Funders" event scheduled to take place on Thursday 6 May
. If possible please put the poster up in your premises and also disseminate to anyone that you think may be interested. You can see the current list of exhibitors - there may be more on the day as the organisers are still adding names.
SCVO General Election Debate
Don't miss your chance to quiz the politicians on the issues that matter to you, at SCVO's General Election Debate. With the polls tightening and the outcome of the general election more uncertain than at any time since the 1970s, this high-profile event takes place just weeks before an historic election and at a significant moment in British politics. So make sure you have your say - book your place today!
Speakers now confirmed:
- Jim Mather MSP. Jim Mather is the Minister for Enterprise, Energy & Tourism in the Scottish Government and MSP for Argyll & Bute for the Scottish National Party. He was first elected Highlands & Islands MSP in 2003 and has sat as a member of the Finance Committee.
- Gavin Brown MSP. Gavin is a list MSP in Edinburgh and a member of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party. Gavin is the Shadow Minister for Enterprise, Energy & Tourism and sits on the Economy Committee. He is also Co-Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Skills and Convenor of the Scottish Parliament & Business Exchange.
- John Barrett MP. John is the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West. He is currently Shadow Under-Secretary of State for Disability and Shadow Under-Secretary of State for International Development.
- Sheila Gilmour. Sheila is the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party in Edinburgh East. Sheila was elected as Labour Councillor for Moredun in 1991 and was appointed Convenor for Housing in 1999, a position she retained until she stood down from the council in 2007.
Wednesday 14 April at 6 pm, Playfair Library, old College, University of Edinburgh. The debate will kick off at 6.30 with drinks, canapes and networking opportunities from 6pm and after the main event.
To book your FREE place, contact Helen Swatton or call 0141 225 8019.
Voice National Conference: Supporting practice and sharing learning in community engagement
VOiCE (Visioning Outcomes in Community Engagement) is a database planning, monitoring and evaluating tool for community engagement which has been developed by the Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) on behalf of the Scottish Government. This free Conference marks the culmination of a 2-year development programme across Scotland and will see the launch of VOiCE 2 and the VOiCE Support Materials. For more information see the SCDC website.
The Conference will highlight the current context for community engagement and will feature keynote speeches by:
- Alex Neil MSP (Minister for Housing and Communities) on community engagement and the Government’s community empowerment agenda
- Paul Reilly (Audit Scotland) on community engagement and VOiCE in relation to Best Value 2
The conference will provide important insights for policy-makers, practitioners and managers, on the context for community engagement and useful tools and frameworks for improving community engagement practice. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore practical uses of VOiCE in a wide range of settings and contexts within the public, voluntary and community sectors.
To register for the Conference please complete the booking form. The conference is free but places are limited and registration closes on Monday 19 April.
Tuesday 11 May at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
10.00am – 3.15pm (registration from 9.15am)
If for any reason you are unable to register online, please contact Aileen Skillen on 0141 248 1924.
Pass it on Day
Pass it on Day is coming! Scotland’s first national celebration of all things reuse related will take place on Saturday 5 June. Everyone has something to pass on. This will be a day to de-clutter your house and donate your unwanted items – toys, clothes, sofas, white goods, curtains, cutlery, beds, bookcases, bric-a-brac, bikes and much more – to local organisations that are working for the benefit of your communities.
Pass it on Day is about discovering the joy of reuse – the feel–good factor when you help someone else, the excitement when you find a second-hand gem, the relief when you realise you can afford to furnish your home after all, the satisfaction that the planet is a little better off thanks to your positive actions.
Whether it’s swapping clothes for enjoyment (and saving money), choosing to donate household goods to a furniture project that helps people who have recently been made homeless, or helping to save the environment by keeping your unwanted stuff out of landfill, everyone can choose to reuse in one way or another.
So join in! Rummage, dig and donate. Organise a Pass it on Day event in your area. Visit your nearest Pass it on Day point on 5th June. And choose to reuse.
For more information keep an eye on the website, email or call the Community Recycling Network for Scotland on 01786 469002.
Men's jogging group - information night
Wester Hailes Health Agency are holding an information night for any men who would like to come along to our men’s jogging group. All levels of fitness are welcome, we are just looking to build up the numbers of our group. There will be someone there from JogScotland and Men’s Health Forum Scotland for people to ask questions to and there will also be light refreshments. Last year we won first place in the jog Scotland 5K challenge community team category and we would like to build on this success and recruit some new members.
Please display this poster on your public noticeboard. If you require any further information, please contact David Jeffrey on 0131 458 3080.
Free personal development courses at Health All Round
It's been a long cold winter, so get ready for a fantastic summer with our range of free personal development courses:
Community-Led Research on health improvement activity - free seminar
Communities are often the subject of research carried out by academic researchers or others from outwith the community itself. However, communities have consistently shown that, when they are directly involved and shape the research, there is a strong commitment from community members to act on findings and ensure the development of health improvement activity.
CHEX is holding a ‘Community-Led Research on health improvement activity’ seminar on 18 May in Glasgow. The seminar will highlight the effectiveness of this approach to community-led research, drawing on the experience of local people who have undertaken research themselves and who will share their experience and the benefits of this approach. Please see the programme
for the half day session. Register here for this free event. For further information please contact Elspeth Gracey at CHEX on 0141 248 1990.
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Almond
Changing the community landscape in West Edinburgh
You might think, by the title of this project, that it’s about setting up a garden or painting a community centre but it’s not, though it could end up involving local people in either of these activities!
Changing the Community Landscape is a project, whose overall aim is to involve more local people in their community, whether that is through participation in local activities, volunteering, becoming involved in community planning issues, setting up a community project or having more of a say in what goes on in their area.
The project is funded by the Scottish Government and led by the Community Learning & Development service (part of The City of Edinburgh Council) in West Edinburgh. It will run until the end of March 2011.
The Changing the Community Landscape project is working with partners from the voluntary, statutory and private sectors in West Edinburgh and will be organising a series of events, over the coming year, to raise the profile of community involvement amongst various sectors of the community.
Other specific plans include a Time Banking initiative in part of the Western Neighbourhood Partnership area and building on existing community networks in the Almond Neighbourhood Partnership area.
For further information contact Heather McCluskey, Project Development Worker on 0131 316 5072 or Lawrence Arscott, CLD Worker on 0131 443 4886.
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City Centre
Planning consultation
There will be drop-in public consultation exhibitions for the University of Edinburgh - Holyrood taking place in the Godfrey Thomson Hall, Thomson's Land at Moray House, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh on:
- Thursday 15 April between 12pm and 8pm; and
- Saturday 17 April between 12pm and 5pm.
Further information will become available on the University of Edinburgh website from Thursday 15 April at 12:00 noon. For more information please contact Peter Wheelan, Planning Development and Regeneration at GVA Grimley Ltd, on 0131 469 6007.
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South Central
South Central NP launches new sub group
The first meeting of the new ‘Improving the quality of life in Dumbiedykes’ sub group of the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership met on Wedneday 17 March. Identified as a priority in the NP’s forward plan in summer 2009, the sub group is made up of representatives from Services for Communities, Children and Families, local residents, the NHS, Police, the Braidwood Centre Management Committee and an EVOC voluntary sector rep. The group looked at priorities for the area and came up with an outline of an action plan to work on over the coming months. Any voluntary organisations working in the Southside/Dumbiedykes area that have a view on services that are provided locally, or any gaps that exist, can contact
Ian Brooke to put forward their views to take back to the new sub group.
Planning consultation
There will be drop-in public consultation exhibitions for the University of Edinburgh - Holyrood taking place in the Godfrey Thomson Hall, Thomson's Land at Moray House, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh on:
- Thursday 15 April between 12pm and 8pm; and
- Saturday 17 April between 12pm and 5pm.
Further information will become available on the University of Edinburgh website from Thursday 15 April at 12:00 noon. For more information please contact Peter Wheelan, Planning Development and Regeneration at GVA Grimley Ltd, on 0131 469 6007.
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Portobello / Craigmillar
New health project from Community Ability Network
Community Ability Network are delighted to let you know about a new project we are starting in mid-April. This project will encourage activities such as eating healthy food and walking to keep fit.
We now a have a qualified volunteer who wishes to assist Craigmillar residents to feel great/lose weight, by assisting with a one-to-one assessment of diet and food intake and offering healthy alternatives. Beth Bader is our Nutritionist (qualified) who will be organising Supermarket visits to identify good foods and what to avoid eating. We are looking initially at local supermarkets, preferably in small groups or one-to-one's. Beth will be in the office each Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm. If demand is great she is willing to do extra days. To complement this Archie and another disabled volunteer are putting together a "cookbook" of healthy cheap meals, including one pot cooking, with the idea of helping people realise how simple it is to put together a good healthy meal, quickly and cheaply too! If you have any recipes or ideas, please let us know.
Alongside this we are starting a Stollers group. Archie, CAN's Job Coach will be starting this walking group the last week of April. The aim is to assist residents to improve their fitness with gentle walks around Craigmillar Park, Bridgened Allotments, Duddingston, Dr Neil's Garden and eventually further afield - and hopefully develop some local knowledge on the way! As we have a few plots at Bridgend we are hoping to utilise this space over the Summer months and have BarBQ's and get togethers to help improve social isolation and bring people together. Archie will be taking the Strollers on a Tuesday from 27 April, 11.30am from CAN premises (approx 1.5hrs) gentle walk and returning back to the office around 13.00pm.
If you have anyone you think may benefit from one or both parts of our project, please ask them to get in touch. Also please display the poster and bring this to anyones attention that you think may benefit from it.
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Western Edinburgh
Changing the community landscape in West Edinburgh
You might think, by the title of this project, that it’s about setting up a garden or painting a community centre but it’s not, though it could end up involving local people in either of these activities!
Changing the Community Landscape is a project, whose overall aim is to involve more local people in their community, whether that is through participation in local activities, volunteering, becoming involved in community planning issues, setting up a community project or having more of a say in what goes on in their area.
The project is funded by the Scottish Government and led by the Community Learning & Development service (part of The City of Edinburgh Council) in West Edinburgh. It will run until the end of March 2011.
The Changing the Community Landscape project is working with partners from the voluntary, statutory and private sectors in West Edinburgh and will be organising a series of events, over the coming year, to raise the profile of community involvement amongst various sectors of the community.
Other specific plans include a Time Banking initiative in part of the Western Neighbourhood Partnership area and building on existing community networks in the Almond Neighbourhood Partnership area.
For further information contact Heather McCluskey, Project Development Worker on 0131 316 5072 or Lawrence Arscott, CLD Worker on 0131 443 4886.
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