We relaunch as a monthly newsletter

Welcome to the relaunched Voluntary Sector Forum News! Many thanks to readers for your responses to our pilot survey, back in December. From the feedback we received, we have decided to continue the Voluntary Sector Forum News as a monthly newsletter - rather than fortnightly – and are pleased to be up and running again for this February issue.

Several people asked if the newsletter layout could be reformatted to provide text across a wider area of the screen – and sadly the answer is that our mailing programme won’t allow it. There is a template in place which restricts the layout, being designed to display the text in a way that accommodates all screen sizes and settings.

In particular the column width may seem cramped if you are viewing it through your email inbox, where you received it. However you can click the link at the top of the newsletter that says “View it on your browser” and this will open the newsletter up in your web browser.

All neighbourhoods

Third Sector Funding Edinburgh blog

Please take a look at our new Third Sector Funding Edinburgh blog. This has been set up by the Compact team at EVOC to serve as a resource for information about funding streams and opportunities, as well as a space in which to explore related issues. You are welcome to contribute to the comment threads, and we would love to hear from you with any news, ideas or questions relating to voluntary sector funding in Edinburgh.

Get Involved in The Gathering

Be part of the UK's largest voluntary sector event on the 18-19 February 2010 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). Whatever your role - paid employee, volunteer or campaigner - there'll be something of interest. Over 130 organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors have signed up to take part in The Gathering 2010, which includes...

• 85 exhibitors
• 55 events, seminars and training opportunities
• Launches of products and services such as The Get Involved Campaign
• Free therapeutic services including massages, test drive the eco-car simulator, musical entertainment and more
• Key networking opportunities

The Gathering is free to attend for delegates. No pre-registration required to attend the exhibition, but please book your place if you want to attend any of the events. Doors open at 8am and events start at 9am, get there early to make sure you don't miss out! Please visit The Gathering 2010 for more information.

Web Services Project

The City of Edinburgh Council has initiated a Web Services Project to redevelop the main Council website.  

One of the workstreams of the project aims to deliver relevant customer experience research which will contribute to the redeveloped website being more useful, usable and used. This will involve consultation with a sample of Edinburgh’s citizens.

Each focus group would last up to 1.5 hours and will take place at the Council offices at Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG on one of the following dates:

• Option 1: Friday 26th February: 10.00-11.30am
• Option 2: Friday 26th February: 5.00-6.30pm
• Option 3: Wednesday 3rd March: 10.00-11.30am
• Option 4: Wednesday 3rd March: 5.00-6.30pm

If you are interested in attending please indicate which date and time you could attend and reply to Julie Houston or phone 0131 469 3632.

Survey on impact of Council budget proposals – please participate

EVOC is collating information on the impact of City of Edinburgh Council budget proposals. This information will be used as the basis for the deputation to the full Council meeting on 11 March 2010. The online survey has been designed deliberately to be brief. If the survey should be completed by someone else in your organisation, please forward the link. To allow time to collate the information we have set a deadline of 1 March 2010.

GIRFEC and how it can support your agency to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families

The voluntary sector officer for Getting it Right for Every Child in Edinburgh, Marilyn Nicholl, has prepared a short summary on GIRFEC which she hopes will be useful to future planning of operational and other policies within your organisation. The aim is to provide a clear, short resumé of the work of GIRFEC with useful appendices and web links for further information.

The roll out of GIRFEC will take place by neighbourhood partnership and is due to begin in March 2010. Below is the proposed schedule according to the different Edinburgh areas.

1. Forth March 2010
2. Liberton/Gilmerton March 2010
3. Portobello/Craigmillar June 2010
4. South West and Pentland August 2010
5. Leith October 2010
6. West Edinburgh December 2010
7. Inverleith February 2011
8. South Central and City Centre April 2011
9. Craigentinny/Duddingston May 2011
10. Almond July 2011

Training opportunities will be by area and all will be multi-agency and free for voluntary sector members to attend. Further details on the proposed training programmes will follow, but meanwhile you may wish to discuss in your staff teams what the implications of GIRFEC are for your agency in terms of the principles and practices which underpin the approach. It is hoped that your agency will want to take its next steps in partnership and the Getting it Right for Every Child team in Edinburgh aims to help you to engage fully with these developments.

Pass IT On

Pass IT On adapts donated computers for people with disabilities who receive the computer at cost price (usually free). To raise funds for Pass IT On, they sell on surplus refurbished computers to members of the public (and organisations) at low cost. They have regular sales from 10am to 1pm on the first Saturday of each month at their workshop: 14 Wardie Avenue, Edinburgh, EH5 2AB (near Goldenacre / the Botanic Gardens). Base Units are available from £25, full systems (including flat screen monitor) from £60 – all internet ready. The next sale date will be 6 March 2010.

You can also download this poster. If you would be interested in receiving some hard copies of their A4 poster or A5 fliers, please just email with an address and quantities.

Bhopal survivors - 25 years on

Please see this poster about a benefit that has been organised for Friday 5 March to raise funds for the survivors of the world's worst industrial environmental disaster - 25 years on .   Please forward to anybody you think might be interested.

Working Together Workshop

The Edinburgh Equalities Network is hosting a workshop on Thursday 11 March 2010 to explore attitudes, behaviours and experience around discrimination and to look at how to break down barriers, work together, communicate better and involve others. This free workshop is open to community representatives, volunteers, individuals and staff. See the flyer for booking arrangements or contact Anne Elliot on 0131 469 3764. Please feel free to forward to any colleagues and community groups you work with who might be interested in attending. The workshop will be facilitated by Forum Interactive.
 

ScotsLatina Ceiledh Event

Please see the flyer for an exciting event on Saturday 20 February. Please download and display, and come along and enjoy the evening.

ChildLine service seeks volunteers

The NSPCC’s ChildLine service in Scotland is the free and confidential service for children and young people with any problem. Trained volunteers provide advice and support, by phone and online, 24 hours a day on a range of issues.

They need more volunteer counsellors and switchboarders to help them deliver this service to children and young people, and to answer more calls. No previous experience of counselling or working with children is needed, as full training and support is provided. Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to enquire.

For more information contact Gail Vencker, Volunteer Coordinator - Edinburgh Base, on 0207 650 3356.

Young Scot WOW (What’s on Where)

Please see this factsheet about the Young Scot WOW. The aim of Young Scot WOW is to provide a “one-stop shop” across Scotland where young people can find out about things to do in their areas.

Greening Edinburgh for Health through Community and Therapeutic Gardening

A day for everyone involved in work on the natural environment and health

• to consult on the draft Greening Edinburgh for Health through Community and Therapeutic Gardening Action Plan
• to meet others involved
• to plan the next steps.

Thursday 1 April at the Engine Shed, 19 St Leonard’s Lane, Edinburgh EH8 9SD. 9.30am registration for 10am to 4.30pm.

The event is free and includes a freshly prepared lunch provided by the Engine Shed. If you have any questions about the event or wish to book a place, please contact Antonia Ineson, Public Health, NHS Lothian, 0131 536 9425. Deadline for booking is by 5 March . For more details please see the flier.

Scotland United Against Racism and Fascism

• NO to racism and fascism
• NO to Islamophobia
• NO to the English/Scottish Defence League
• YES TO A MULTICULTURAL, MULTIRELIGIOUS, MULTIRACIAL, UNITED SCOTLAND

Saturday 20 February,  assemble at 11.30am at the Ross Bandstand, Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh. Rally at 12 noon, to be followed by a march.  Join a day of celebration! For more information see the Scotland United website.

Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership – No Excuse! Campaign

The Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership has launched a new publicity drive to encourage women to get help if they are victims of domestic abuse. It is thought that more than half of all attacks and harassment may go unreported. This has prompted an advertising campaign, carrying the message No Excuse! and highlighting the support that is available.

Power 2010

Power 2010 is the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's campaign to find and promote people's top five manifesto demands.

Our plan is simple. We want to identify the five key reforms that will change the way we do politics in this country - and we want you to tell us what these should be.

Together we will ensure every candidate standing for election backs these reforms so that the next Parliament delivers the change we need.

Power2010 is funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust and supported by a wide range of individuals and organisations.

For more information see the Power 2010 website,  email, or ring 020 7806 6239.

Earth Hour 2010

On Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm, individuals, communities and businesses around the world will turn off their lights for one hour in support of WWF’s Earth Hour.

Edinburgh is again supporting this year’s event by switching off the lights at the City Chambers, Waverley Court, the Scott Monument, Princess Street Garden monuments including Edinburgh Castle Rock, the Burns Monument, City Arts Centre and Calton Hill. In 2009 other landmarks joined in too, with Edinburgh Castle, the Forth Rail Bridge, St John’s Church and the Caledonian and Scotsman hotels all flicking the switches to dim the lights. Let’s aim to have even more landmarks and businesses switching off this year.

If you would like to take part or are interested in finding out more, please contact Kirstie Shirra, Earth Hour Co-ordinator for WWF Scotland on 01973 500773.

We hope you may join us and many millions more for WWF’s Earth Hour on 27 March.

Websites for Small Businesses and Third Sector Organisations

Could your organisation benefit from having a (better) website? What works? How much does it cost? Find out at this free lecture with Stewart Bell, Project Manager, Edinburgh Napier University Business Engagement. Tuesday 23 February from 7.00 to 9.00pm at St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, Edinburgh EH11 2DZ.  Please book your place on 0131 346 1405 .

Free Overhead projectors to good home!

The Capacity Building Project on Niddrie Mains Terrace and the Red Cross have 4 overhead projectors available free of charge to any community group that may be interested. Please email David or telephone 0131 661 0200 if you would like any of the overhead projectors.

Express yourself with Art Therapy

Health All Round is offering Art Therapy with a fully qualified therapist, on Tuesday evenings. For more information contact Catriona on: 0131 537 7532Art therapy incorporates the concept that the creative process of art is both healing and life-enhancing.  Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art materials, such as paints, chalk and markers. Clients who are referred to an art therapist need not have previous experience or skill in art, the therapists aim is to improve health and wellbeing of the client.

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Forth

The next Forth Voluntary Sector Forum meeting will be on Tuesday 9 March at 10:00 am at the North Edinburgh Trust, 3-11 W. Granton Road, Edinburgh, EH5 1HG.

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Leith

Water of Leith Conservation Trust:  Clean-up at Redbrae's Weir

According to patrol reports this area is suffering since the big thaw. Depending on numbers there is also scope to get some of the trolleys out of the river at Warriston.

Sunday 21 February from 10am to 12.30pm. Meet at Redbraes Grove where there is a reasonable amount of parking. For a map follow this link.

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Liberton / Gilmerton

Meet the Funders

Liberton/Gilmerton and South Central Neighbourhood Partnerships are organising a "Meet the Funders" event which will take place on Thursday 6 May between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm in the Faith Mission, 548 Gilmerton Road. The event will take the form of a Market Stall and you are invited to drop-in throughout the afternoon and take the opportunity to speak face-to-face with representatives from a number of grant giving organisations.
 

Bridgend Allotments Community Health Project’s 4th Annual Potato Day!

Come along and celebrate all things Tatty with Bridgend Allotments Community Health Project. A wide variety of seed potatoes will be available for sale. Also talks and tips on growing and cooking potatoes! Entrance is  free and all are welcome. For details call 0131 664 9559. Sunday 21 February from 11am to 2pm, Inch House Community Centre, Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH16 5UF (behind Cameron Toll shopping centre)
 

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Pentlands

Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust has moved

The new contact details are:

109/11 Swanston Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DS

Telephone: 0131 445 4025, Fax: 0131 445 4919.

Website and email will remain the same.

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Portobello / Craigmillar

The next Portobello/Craigmillar Voluntary sector subgroup meeting is on 8 March.

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South Central

Meet the Funders

Liberton/Gilmerton and South Central Neighbourhood Partnerships are organising a "Meet the Funders" event which will take place on Thursday 6 May between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm in the Faith Mission, 548 Gilmerton Road. The event will take the form of a Market Stall and you are invited to drop-in throughout the afternoon and take the opportunity to speak face-to-face with representatives from a number of grant giving organisations.

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South West

Points for the South West Neighbourhood Partnership to consider

Following a well attended meeting of the Voluntary Sector Forum on Tuesday 9 February, Carol Cawood, Chair of the Forum and Voluntary Sector Rep on SW Neighbourhood Partnership, was asked to take the following points to forthcoming NP meeting:

1. We want the Neighbourhood Partnership to note our huge concern at the impact the forthcoming budget cuts are likely to have on individual voluntary organisations in the area and, more importantly, the clients of these organisations who are, in some cases, completely reliant on the services they provide;

2. At a time of shrinking resources the case for investing in and working in partnership with locally based voluntary organisations– which have a proven track record of providing quality services and excellent value for money – is stronger than ever. We urge the Neighbourhood Partnership to make an unequivocal resolution in favour of continuing and increasing its investment and partnership working with local voluntary groups and agencies in the overwhelming interests of the many vulnerable residents in the area;

3. We ask the Neighbourhood Partnership for assurances that robust procedures – which recognise the unique and valuable contribution made by local voluntary groups and agencies - are developed and adhered to in respect of the Commissioning and Tendering processes from 2011.

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Western Edinburgh

Tree Planting at Wester Coates

Tree planting with The Countryside Rangers along a section of the Water of Leith Walkway near Bell's Mill.

Wednesday 24 February from 10:30 am to 3 pm. Meet at the Wester Coates Avenue access to the Walkway, behind Donaldson's School.You are welcome to join the team any time you want, for as long as you want. If you are lost, please phone Jessica Morgado on 077 853 73 927.

What to bring: A pair of wellies or sturdy footwear as it will be muddy. Dress for the outdoor. Bring your lunch pack and water with you. We will provide necessary tools and protective equipment you will require for the activity. We will even offer you a hot cuppa to keep you going!

Booking: If you intend to come along, please email Jessica Morgado  or phone the Ranger Service on 0131 447 7145 so that they can prepare enough equipment for all to take part.

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Send us your news!

Do you have any news to be circulated among the Voluntary Sector Forums? For inclusion in the next issue, please send your announcements and events dates to Julia no later than 5 pm on Monday 15 March.

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