FOCUS: S COT L A N D
Winter 2014
THE MAGAZINE FOR VOLUNTEERING AND THE THIRD SECTOR IN SCOTLAND
HEALTH & WELLBEING
CITIZENSHIP
Change Lifestyle
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Placement While Studying New Services
Helping Others Getting Recognised Retirement
Give Something Back
Into Employment Career Change
SOCIAL CHANGE
Use Spare Time
Stronger Communities
Peer Support
EMPLOYMENT
Broaden Horizons
VOLUNTEER
New Skills
Bringing Communities Together
Meeting New People Use Your Skills
Change Your Community
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
Volunteer - Choose your destination. Whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go....volunteering can get you there. To book your journey call 0141 941 0886, text the word volunteer free on 80800 or visit www.volunteerscotland.org.uk
FOCUS ON: WHATS INSIDE
Inside... 12 16
EDITOR Selina Ross DESIGN Ritchie Marshall POLICY EDITOR Martin Docherty PHOTOGRAPHY Daren Borzynski NEWS TEAM Ritchie Marshall Daren Borzynski David Robertson Louise Docherty Rhona Watson Andrew Steadman
2014
… a look back at the volunteering moments of the year
FAIRTRADE
… marking fair-trade at 20
26
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
32
CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY
34
THE GATHERING
… celebrating Gary’s success
… support Save the Children on December 12th
… take some time to think ahead
ADVERTiSING T: 0141 280 0115 E: ritchie@wdcvs.com PRINT
Stephens & George
Focus Scotland is a service of WDCVS Scottish Charity No: SC032003 T: 0141 941 0886 E: media@wdcvs.com W: www.wdcvs.com
FOCUS SCOTLAND | 3
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
ARE YOU READY? H eavy rain, strong winds or snow can happen at any time. But taking just an hour to prepare and plan ahead now could save you a lot of trouble later if severe weather strikes. This leaflet will take you through a few easy things you can do around the home and before a journey. Plus ways you could help out in your local community.
check.
If walking in bad conditions take the usual sensible precautions wear appropriate footwear and clothing. • •
Be prepared when you’re out and about. If the weather’s really bad, you should consider whether you need to travel. But if you do; • • • • • • • • • •
Check the weather forecast and road conditions Consider whether you need to travel right now or if you can wait until the weather improves Consider alternative routes Consider alternative modes of transport Allow extra time for your journey Make sure your mobile is fully charged Ensure that your car is ready for a journey in poor weather Consider whether you need to change your driving style to suit the weather or conditions Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive Consider fitting winter tyres to your car
If cycling, ensure you and your bike are visible to other road users. Consider heavier duty tyres to cope with slippery surfaces and get a routine bike maintenance 4 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
For real time traffic information,visit www. trafficscotland.org For public transport information, visit www. travellinescotland.com
Think about your local community. Some people struggle when the weather’s bad. It’s a good idea to think now about any family members or neighbours who may need a helping hand. If the weather’s bad: • • • • • •
Offer to lend a hand with grocery shopping or other essential task Clear ice or snow from pathways Have phone numbers handy for anyone you think might appreciate your help Get together with other people in your community who want to help out You can find out how communities can work together to prepare for severe weather and other emergencies at www.readyscotland.org You can volunteer to help others during winter by visiting www.volunteersscotland.org
Why not take an hour now to prepare? This could save a lot of trouble later. For more information, visit readyscotland.org
Take an hour now to prepare your home for winter.
In case severe weather strikes, everyone should make a plan for their home. Check your pipes and make sure you know how to turn your water and power off. Collect a few everyday things: • • • •
Emergency phone numbers A torch and spare batteries A radio and spare batteries Three days’ supply of bottled water and food that won’t go off • Essential medicines, first-aid kit and toiletries Take an hour to prepare now and save yourself a lot of trouble later. Find out more at readyscotland.org
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
A
s the first Autumn Step Count Challenge 2014 comes to an end and steps are totalled, Focus Scotland looks back at the spring Challenge and a year of Walking, Strolling, Rambling and a few ‘Blister Sisters’. Paths for All first launched the Step Count Challenge in 2011, and since then thousands of people have taken part in the challenge across Scotland. The Step Count Challenge is a workplace walking challenge. The aim is simple, to get people to walk more and feel the difference. Whether it’s by walking to work, going for a lunchtime stroll or simply using the stairs rather than the lift, Paths for All just want people to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. Starting off on April 28th 2014, the first Step Count Challenge of this year had 3,370 participants from 232 workplaces registered to take part from 30 local authority areas. At the end, an amazing 96% of a total of 674 teams completed the 56-day challenge. The balance of 77% Women to 23% Men has changed slightly since the first Challenge in 2011, the percentage then being 84% Women to 16% Men. Interestingly these figures are also similar to the gender split found in Paths for All’s community walking schemes.
You enter as a team of five people, nominating a team captain and then comes the part where you can be very creative, choosing a team name! • • • • •
A Fish Called Wander Between A Walk and A Hard Pace Mighty Morphin Power Walkers Look Guy Walkers Rapid Thigh Movement
You can enter an individual team or you can enter multiple teams from your workplace. The Step Count Challenge is as it says, a ‘Challenge’, but there is small feeling of competition between your team and other teams, your teammates, and of course the competition of you against the pedometer. The little piece of plastic that you want to beat day after day, pushing yourself further to increase your weekly step count. This can be quite addictive for some. During the spring challenge an amazing 252% increase was achieved between week one and the final week by team ‘Banana Splits’ from the National Trust for Scotland. Paths for All can provide pedometers for your team so you can count your steps, or you can use your own pedometer, favourite app or gadget. You get a user account where you record your daily steps, share comments with your team and track your team’s progress on our leaderboards. There is continuous support from Paths for All, they set goals including weekly challenges & prizes to be won just to keep you motivated. There is also a Blog post to follow with updates from other teams, and the nail biting moment of when the League Table arrived. At the end of the challenge they have a prize draw for all the teams that complete the challenge. You can also
6 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
nominate your Step Count Champion, someone that has gone that extra distance to motivate your team. The final step count is proof of what the Step Count Challenge can achieve, with a total number of 1,727,928,279 steps taken. Just to put that into words, that’s one billion, seven hundred and twenty seven million, nine hundred and twenty eight thousand and two hundred and seventy nine. So, why take part? It’s good for you, it’s good for business and it’s good for the environment. Here’s why. • • • • • • • • •
Walking is free You can do it anywhere It easily fits around busy schedules You can do it at work You can do it at home You don’t need special equipment (or lycra) You can do it with friends and family It’s safe and low risk Did we mention that it’s free?
Scottish resident per year). If people become more active through walking this will relieve the financial burden on tax payers and health services. Transport emissions accounted for 21.5% of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2011, second only to energy supply. Emissions from road transport dominated (88.5%) with 49.5% of transport emissions from cars alone. With 26% of all driver journeys being less than 2km and over 50% less than 5km many more journeys can be made by walking. This would significantly reduce emissions and improve air quality. Many employers can save by reducing parking spaces if more staff leave their car at home more often. At August 2013 petrol prices, annual savings from replacing 5 short car journeys per week with walking or cycling are calculated at: 2 miles £109.20 3 miles £163.80 5 miles £275.60
Walking and Work Walking really works, here’s the bottom line. A physically active workforce takes 27% fewer sick days, that works out at 2 days improved attendance annually per employee (British Heart Foundation website, quoting the Physical Activity Taskforce 2003) Health care costs arising from physical inactivity amount to £94m/year (or approximately £18 per FOCUS SCOTLAND | 7
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
Walk More, Feel the Difference Walking can easily be incorporated into your daily routines. Here are some suggestions: • • • • • • • • • •
Try to walk on most days of the week. Start with a 10-minute walk and gradually increase the time you spend walking. Walk to work If you drive or take public transport, get off a stop early or leave the car at the end of the car park Have a walking meeting Take the stairs instead of taking the lift Go for a lunchtime walk For short journeys leave the car and walk instead Get friends and family involved and go for an evening or weekend walk Rather than send an email walk over and talk with your colleague Join a local walking group
8 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
Get Up, Stand Up Sitting for long periods isn’t good for our health and wellbeing. If your job involves lots of sitting you could try some of the following: • • • • • • •
Speak to a colleague in person rather than send an email Stand when talking on the phone or to a colleague Have a walking meeting or perhaps a standing meeting Take regular desk breaks – you could set up a reminder in your calendar Offer to make your workmates a cup of tea Try and avoid eating lunch at your desk Go for a walk at lunchtime, even a 10 minute stroll can make all the difference
For more information visit www.pathsforall.org.uk
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
Social Media Santas Wanted to Buy Presents for Homeless Children this Christmas ‘Social Media Santa’ is now in its third year and last year delivered hundreds of presents to homeless children by working with housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland. The charity says that more than 4,000 children will be homeless this Christmas across Scotland. Kind-hearted social media users are being urged to buy presents suitable for boys and girls from the age of 6 months to 16 years old and either post them or have them delivered directly to Social Media Santa, Shelter Scotland, Scotiabank, 6 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AW. Everyone who buys a gift is encouraged to post a photo of it on social media using the hashtag #SocialMediaSanta, and to tag the Shelter Scotland account (@shelterscotland on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). Social Media Santa is the idea of Ross McCulloch, Director of Third Sector Lab, a specialist digital agency working with charities and social enterprises. Ross McCulloch says:
“Twitter users can make a real difference to homeless children in Scotland this Christmas. By sending gifts like books, toys or games, we are hoping that Social Media Santas will help make this Christmas better for hundreds of children and their families across Scotland.” Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, says: “Social Media Santa is an innovative and generous way of using social media to help bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to homeless families and their children. “No child should be homeless at Christmas but we know there will be more than 4,000 children homeless this festive season across Scotland, so we will carry on our campaigning until there’s a home for everyone. Until then, we will always be grateful for the kindness and generosity of fundraisers and members of the public who donate to help our clients. “On behalf of all the children and families already helped, we say a big thank you to Ross McCulloch and all the Social Media Santas across Scotland. We now look forward to receiving and distributing the results of this year’s campaign.” FOCUS SCOTLAND | 9
FOCUS ON: MONEY
9
STEPS TO COMPLETING YOUR ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS AND OSCR RETURN Are you one of the 1377 charities who submit your OSCR return late? Are you a new Trustee Treasurer and not sure where to start? Are you a new Charity? If you don’t know where to start our quick guide below will help you plan ahead to make sure that you get the return completed and filed on time. Step 1 - Time to Talk You need to find an independent examiner who will agree to examine your year-end accounts? No need to panic...you have 3 options • a. Use the previous year’s Independent Examiner (I.E.)/ •
•
accountant b. If you are a new charity or changing your examiner you can contact your local Third Sector Interface T.S.I they may be able to do the job for you. If not, they will be able to sign post you to an I.E. in your area. Alternatively, you could go directly to the Association of Charity Independent Examiner (ACIE) website www.acie. org.uk and check out their registered members near you. c. If you’re not eligible for an I.E. then you will need to contact a local accountant who will assist with an audit.
Ask for recommendations from other organisations where possible. If you are unsure contact what option is right for you, contact your local TSI for further 10 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
information Step 2 - Picking the Paperwork The Treasurer and anyone else involved in the financial management need to get together. You will need to organise the paperwork for the year end accounts… generally you will need to collate the following: • • • • • • • • •
Bank statements for the last 12 months (and the first month of the new financial year) Record of income for the year (cashbook, ledgers, monthly sheets) Evidence of income you have received - funders letter, membership books etc Record of expenditure for the year (cashbooks, ledgers, monthly sheets) Evidence of expenditure - invoices, receipts etc Petty cash book/sheets Petty cash vouchers and receipts Copy of your constitution List of trustees/committee members
FOCUS ON: MONEY Step 3 - Writing the Trustee Annual Report (TAR) Every charity is required to write a Trustee Annual Report. This should detail your main activities in the year past – your successes, new projects, outcomes achieved etc. The Trustees need to be working on this at the same time as the accounts are being examined so it’s always best to have a plan. If you are unsure of the format of the report, the Office of Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) has some samples on their web-site. You can also contact your local TSI or Independent Examiner for guidance. They will include the report in your independent examination.
Step 4 Deliver accounts It’s important that you drop off everything with the examiner at the same time. Any missing paperwork could make the process run late and get you into trouble with OSCR. When you drop off the accounts, always leave the contact details of the person who has done the majority of the preparation work and who can answer any questions that might crop up. Remember to ask how long it will be until the report is ready – that way you can ensure that the person signing the accounts is available to sign and approve the accounts on behalf of the group.
Step 5 Information Needed Often examiners will contact you looking for more information – it may be a quick question or require you to find some additional information. Sometimes providing an email address with your contact details can quicken the process – especially if you are out and about a lot or work during usual office hours.
Step 6 Signing Off Once you receive the draft report from the examiner, you will need to make sure that the accounts are approved by the Trustees. It’s always best to pencil in a date for this as early as you can, making sure those needed to sign off the accounts are present. The examiner may also give you some recommendations for your future bookkeeping practices. These should be discussed too. Step 7 OSCR paperwork If your gross income is under £25,000 you will have to complete a general annual return - these will have been sent to the contact on the OSCR register within weeks of the year end date. Annual returns can now be done online. You can register for this by visiting the OSCR website. If your gross income is over £25,000 you will also have to complete a Supplementary Monitoring form. Guidance for completion can be down loaded from the OSCR website or you can ask your examiner for advice. Step 8 Pop it in the Post /Email Nearly there! Pop your paperwork in the post or upload the documents and complete your return at OSCR online (password required for this service). You will need to include: • •
• an Annual Return a Supplementary Monitoring Return (for charities with a gross income of £25,000 or more) a signed copy of annual accounts.
These documents must be sent to us within 9 months of the charity’s financial year end date. For example Year end 31 March 31 December Step 9 – Check the OSCR website Check the OSCR website 2 weeks or so after you submit your accounts just to verify that your annual report and return have been received For more information on anything relating to charity management, contact us on 0141 941 0886. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 11
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING
VOLUNTEERING
HIGHLIGHTS CALUM IRVING VOLUNTARY ACTION SCOTLAND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Volunteering for the organisation and network I work for is a fundamental –its part of Scotland’s DNA and its what often makes the difference in all our communities. For me one highlight of the year was therefore our network and many other voices standing up to the Community Work placements programme: a Government policy sailing dangerously close to “compulsory volunteering”. A further personal highlight though was a short experience as a guest Big Issue vendor on Sauchiehall Street to raise awareness of homelessness. On the hand it was special to see so many voices in Scotland re-assert what we mean by volunteering. On the other my own personal experience selling the Big Issue – all be it briefly – showed that there is still a profound need to challenge attitudes and policies that create division and poverty. It’s only when people come together – when they volunteer – that we start to provide that challenge.”
12 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING
JACKIE BAILLIE MSP DUMBARTON CONSTITUENCY
It has been a year like no other for volunteering. While Team Scotland’s athletes were winning medals on the field, the track and in the pool, the people of Scotland smashed the record for the highest ever number of applications to volunteer in the Commonwealth Games. We have much to be proud of in 2014 but my own personal highlight can be found closer to home in my constituency. During the summer I met up with a goup of young people in Arrochar as they prepared for a trip of a lifetime to volunteer in Africa. Arrochar Youth Group, led by two local nurses Angela McKell and Jean Cairns, spent two weeks helping to build a medical centre in one of the poorest communities in Kenya. The group worked hard for the best part of two years raising funds for the trip and taking part in intensive training organsied by Xchange Scotland, a youth-led charity founded by former international volunteers. One of the best aspects of the project was its focus on equipping the volunteers for the trip but also maximising the benefit for the wider community. Arrochar is a small place but everyone joined together to help the young people reach their £20,000 fundraising target. Volunteering abroad is an enriching experience and the group brought home new experiences of Africa to share with their friends and family in Scotland. These young people are the future of Arrochar and the skills and experience they gained this summer will have a positive legacy in both Kenya and Arrochar for very many years to come.
JORDI ALBACETE SCOTTISH FAIR TRADE FORUM COMMS & CAMPAIGNS VOLUNTEER
The Career Fair, which took place in Edinburgh last October, stood out as the most unique campaigning experience for the Scottish Fair Trade Forum in 2014 Along with the Community Engagement Officer, I attended the Careers Fair to show Edinburgh University students the many different volunteer opportunities at the Forum and to raise awareness of how they can contribute and support Fair Trade throughout their careers and in their workplace. It was extremely busy, and at least 200 students from many different backgrounds visited the stall. From Life Sciences and Engineering, to International Law and English students there was shared interest to raise awareness about the responsibility that the Western nations have to monitor the complex mechanisms that drive our global economy. In the Forum we work hard to disseminate information about the different implications of international trading, particularly for the most impoverished rural communities in developing countries. It was stimulating for us to meet this wide range of professionals and students, all with a strong interest in developing their careers. Graduates from all over the world, including countries such as Malaysia, Zambia, Egypt, Equator, Mexico, Philippines and Indonesia, were very concerned about the working conditions and the environmental challenges and deprivation in their native countries. It was also a very rewarding experience working together in order to deliver the best quality of information for the students in a very busy scenario! FOCUS SCOTLAND | 13
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING
LOUISE CAMERON SCOTTISH YOUTH PARLIAMENT CHAIR
My highlight of the year has to be the entire process of the independence referendum, and witnessing young people who may have been disillusioned from politics becoming engaged. As a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, it was inspiring to see that politics finally became a part of everyday discussions for young people. One of my highlights was arranging a mock referendum for all the schools in my constituency. People I had known for years who were previously not interested in politics, finally wanted to have discussions about it. I chaired discussions impartially, and it made me so happy to see that young people understood the importance of the decision and had educated themselves on the issues. Another highlight was being interviewed by Kevin Bridges about the referendum. It was so special to me to know that the Scottish Youth Parliament was receiving this huge media attention, and it made me really proud to be the Chair of an organisation where the Membership were so passionate about ensuring young people could be involved in the political process. The whole referendum process, fighting for Votes at 16, helping young people register to vote and giving them the space to make up their own mind, was so inspiring for me. My final highlight was becoming the first democratically elected female Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. It meant so much to me that others could see how passionate I am about the organisation and trusted me to lead it in the right direction, and that I could also be a role model for other young women. When the election results were announced, I was so happy all I could do was cry. I was surrounded by some of my closest friends who were all so happy for me; it has to be the best moment of my year. 14 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
MARGARET ANNE GAGHAGAN GALGAEL JOURNEY ON COORDINATOR
My name is Maggie Anne Gachagan and my role is a Journey On Coordinator. I work with GalGael, a charity, providing learning experiences anchored in practical activities, working with wood; that offer purpose and meaning to people. At GalGael we are inspired by stories and by how things are connected. We talk in terms of the journeys of the wood, the people and of the organisation. A highlight of volunteering for me is the transformation that you see and hear in people. One volunteer summed it up for me when he shared that he felt he stumbled from one thing to another, feeling lost and pretty hopeless, After experiencing the Journey On programme he stated he was ‘a changed man’, and that had reconnected with himself, the parts he liked, and make new discoveries about his skills and abilities. Having arrived at our workshop not knowing or properly understanding what was ahead meant he was cynical and not particularly hopeful of much of anything, He thought, ’just another programme to keep the DWP off my back for a few more months while I got on with the business of drinking myself to death, no big deal’ He was given a space to learn, to work, to make mistakes and still be welcomed back. No judgement, no opprobrium, no fingers pointed or insults hurled. Just flawed, damaged, scared and scarred human beings helping each other on the journey, a journey to something better. The special magic created by the workshop and our ethos and values of respect and responsibility had the volunteer tell us ‘I was shut down, enclosed, bitter, angry and resentful of everything and everybody; then there was GalGael. I’m a changed man, a better man, a man able to properly express his gratitude and
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING appreciation for just about the first time ever, to open up and allow the world to see who I really am.’ From his first experience of volunteering, doing a public demonstration of wood carving he realised there is a future and that he had a skill and talent for this type of work. He recognised the progress he had made, doing carvings, talking to the public and representing the organisation. Most importantly he said ‘this has given me hope for the future… a productive future!’ I am proud to be part of this!
GUN ORGUN SCOTTISH REFUGE COUNCIL VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR
IAIN FINDLAY PATHS FOR ALL CHIEF OFFICER
Our lively 2014 volunteer awards event “Celebrating Scotland’s Walking Champions” at the Scottish Parliament was one of my 2014 highlights. Thirty eight volunteers from thirty two projects involved in improving community paths or Walking for Health initiatives were nominated. All volunteers received fantastic praise from MSP Patricia Ferguson and Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equality and Pensioners Rights, Shona Robinson.
Each year in June, Scottish Refugee Council coordinates Refugee Week Scotland, a festival of arts, cultural and community events that celebrates the contribution refugees make to life in Scotland and the diversity of our communities Volunteers are an essential part of this massive coordination effort every year, but in 2014 we took it a step further and recruited ‘Refugee Week Ambassadors’ who took Refugee Week Scotland to the streets of Glasgow, with a campervan, a tent, boxfuls of leaflets and bags of energy. Armed with information about festival events as well as the issues facing refugees in our communities, our volunteers engaged passers-by with enthusiasm and with diplomacy. It goes without saying that while public engagement is enjoyable, it certainly is hard work, especially in an area that can be as contentious as asylum. We couldn’t have done it without the help of our ambassadors, and the festival certainly wouldn’t have been as fun or as visible without the blue t-shirted army of volunteers publicising the festival, taking photographs, encouraging the use of our meme #IWelcomeRefugees, collecting funds and engaging with the public at our Welcome Tent.”
Volunteer Walk Leader, Ann Laird with Glasgow Health Walks, who attended the event, said: “I had a great day out at the Scottish Parliament. It is always good to be able to meet and network with folks from across Scotland; see the Paths for All folks in action and hear first hand examples of best practice.” Like Ann, I find it rewarding when I learn of people making real changes. For example, Community Path Volunteer of the Year, Gordon Allan, Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Community Council paths group in West Lothian, gathered a team of local residents to clear and widen a pavement to make it safer to walk on. Health Walk Volunteer of the Year Hazel Keiro, Step It Up Highland, Strathpeffer has led her Health Walk group for ten years in all weathers. Her sixty walkers have received flowers and cards on birthdays or a home visit if they have been unwell. They really are delivering our vision of a happier and healthier Scotland where walking is for everyone, everyday and everywhere.” For advice on workplace walking, improving your local paths or your nearest Health Walk visit www.pathsforall.org.uk. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 15
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
Our journey
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2015
OVER 70%£1.5BN
FA
payment of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and an additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in business or community projects.
£23.3M
OF THE WORLD’S IS SPENTFOOD ON FAIRTRADE OF FAIRTRADE PRODUCED BY SMALL FARMS, PRODUCTS IN 2012 (THE WORLD’S EQUIVALENT OFPREMIUM PAYMENTS TO YET HALF OF THE OVER £1 PER PRODUCERS FROM UK HUNGRIESTJUST PEOPLE SALES IN 2012 HOUSEHOLD, PER ARE SMALLHOLDER WEEK) FARMERS he FAIRTRADE Mark is a powerful thing. Over
T
the past 20 years, together we’ve made it the biggest and best-known ethical label in the UK. It turned 20 years old in 2014; and it has been a time for campaigners to reflect upon past achievements and look forward to the future of Fairtrade.
70%
£23.3M
Fairtrade works benefit small-scale OFtoTHE WORLD’S FOOD ISfarmers and COC OF FAIRTRADE PRODUCED BY SMALL FARMS, workers, who are amongst the most marginalised YET through HALF OF trade THE WORLD’S groups globally, rather thanPREMIUM aid to PAYMENTS TO PRODUCERS FROM UK HUNGRIEST PEOPLE enable them to maintain their livelihoods andSALES reachIN 2012 OF their potential. ARE SMALLHOLDER For certain products, FARMERS such as coffee, cocoa, cotton and rice, Fairtrade only certifies small-scale farmer organisations. Working through democratic organisations of small-scale farmers, Fairtrade offers rural families the stability of income, which enables them to plan for the future.
ON
1.3M
For some products such as bananas, tea and flowers, Fairtrade also certifies plantations - companies that employ large numbers of workers on estates. The Standards for such large-scale production units differ FARMERS AND WORKERS SELLINGbasic PRODUCE AS from keeping them and protect workers’ rights; 2013 freedom of association allowingINthem The 20th anniversary of the FAIRTRADE Mark has been a safe and healthy,FAIRTRADE and collective bargaining, to preventing discrimination fantastic opportunity to continue to drive change and and ensuring no bonded or illegal child labour. They bring attention to the challenges faced by producers. also require employers to pay wages that progress towards living wage benchmarks. Ensuring decent Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working FAIRTRADE Supermarket Marktill Fairtrade FAIRTRADE Copmanthorpe First Sainsbury’s and FAIRTRADEand Markstrong Fairtrade Copmanthorpe Fair Trade working conditions workerroses, rights is1,000 central conditions and fairroses, terms of trade forFairtrade farmers and awareness: receipt campaign 25% footballs Mark launched and wine Methodist bananas in the Waitrose switch awareness: 25% footballs and wine Towns Methodist worldwide to Fairtrade’s work. workers. Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy Campaigners have worked hard for over twenty years to bring Fairtrade values and products to the public, influencing business and government practice along the way.
2003 1993 2004 1994 2005 20002007 2001 2008 20032009 20042011 20052 launched: areinlaunched the UK: Green Church, UK sold York, by the all their bananas are launched Church, York, The number of number of Fairtrade Supporters MilkThe becomes Campaigners & Blacks Maya becomes Co-operative the to Fairtrade becomes the Fairtrade Towns Fairtrade Towns Supporters Bananas: the first major The producers themselves Go decide how the Fairtrade collect till Gold chocolate, 1,000th Fairtrade 1,000th Fairtrade It’sreceipts about supporting the development of thriving reaches 32 Trade Justice Wales declares reaches 32 achieve a Breaking the and present coffee Church in have more in Premiumchocolate should bar be invested. The premium is Guinness theChurchWorld farming and Cafedirect worker communities that Movement itself the world’s world record to go Fairtrade them to major and Clipper Tea the UK. the UK. additional sum of money paid on top of the Fairtrade founded to the firstGarstang Fair Trade Record for the control over their futures and protecting for the most supermarkets to were the first becomes world’s Tate & Lyle 750,000 bring about votes Nation longest 750,000 piecevotes minimum price that farmers and workers environment in which they live and work. bananas eaten receive call on them to three products first Fairtrade commit to for fundamental trade justice of handmade for trade justice simultaneously which can be invested and Sales of Fairtrade stock Fairtrade Town switching 100% in social, environmental handed change in to to10 the handed calling in to 10 across theto improvebunting products topeconomic products developmental projects their And it’s your opportunity to connect with the people of retail branded Downing unjust Street rules for Downing an end toStreet Fairtrade country (nearly £500 million sales sugar to Fairtrade as and part institutions of Make on. harmful as subsidies of Make and their communities. it part who grow the produce that we all depend reach £30businesses million 500,000) In real terms, Poverty governing History affecting Poverty cotton History care, per year means investment in schools, transport, health international trade producers sanitation, an improved environment and better When you buy products with the FAIRTRADE Mark,Trade you Justice business equipment and practices. Parade: 8,000 support farmers and workers as they work to improve their lives and their communities. The Mark meanspeople march in London for trade Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 that the Fairtrade ingredients in the product have justice prior to been produced by small-scale farmer organisationsthe Doha round But we need to keep driving the benefits for Fairtrade or plantations that meet Fairtrade social, economicof World Trade Organization talks and workers – particularly those not selling all farmers and environmental standards. The standards include
protection of workers’ rights and the environment, 16 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
of their produce on Fairtrade terms – and make sure
F r
YOUR CHOICE MAKE
2200 FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
FAIRTRADE at those that aren’t yet part of the system have the chance to transform their lives too. Recent research shows that while 78%1 of the UK public recognise the Mark, over half still don’t actively choose Fairtrade products. When asked, people say this is mostly because they don’t know what Fairtrade does or don’t believe buying it has any benefits That’s why the Fairtrade Foundation urgently need your help to convince them otherwise – because more people choosing Fairtrade means more lives changed. So for Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, they’re asking you to turn the spotlight on the producers who grow the products we love and share their stories. That way, you can remind people of the dramatic difference Fairtrade makes and how much it is still needed.
1.3M
The Fairtrade Foundation all the tools to help you FARMERS have AND WORKERS PRODUCE AStips, resources, make this happen –SELLING including ideas, IN 2013 plus an emotive newFAIRTRADE film created especially for the two-week campaign. Whether you’re an individual or part of a Fairtrade Group, there will be other opportunities to take action – including asking businesses directly to switch to Fairtrade.
More than three quarters (84%) said they would be willing to pay more for their bananas – if supermarkets guaranteed that the extra went to the farmers and workers. THE AVERAGE
LESS THAN 1%
COCOA FARMER SELLS when it comes to Fairtrade – The UK leads the world with more products available and more awareness than anywhereOFelse. of Fairtrade products continued to THEIRSales PRODUCE ON FAIRTRADE grow to £1.7 billion in 2013, extending the benefits of OF GLOBAL COCOA AND TERMS Fairtrade to more producers than ever before.
ONLY 28%
SUGAR SALES ARE
FAIRTRADE So much has already been achieved in 20 years but there’s still a long way to go. Fairtrade Foundation want to drive more benefits for farmers and workers in the Fairtrade system and make sure we can support those who aren’t, so they can receive a fairer deal too. When it comes to the most successful products, the statistics show we’re making good progress in tipping the balance in favour of fairness: What has been achieved… and what we can still do
2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014
Every Fairtrade choice counts for farmers and workers, as well as their families and communities. Through fairer prices, better working conditions and an Sainsbury’s and 1,000 Fair Trade sales of Fairtrade Scotland declares generated 20th Anniversary estimatedFairtrade 68.7 million Premium Waitrose switch Towns worldwide reach £1.5 billion itself the world’s of the FAIRTRADE By working together, you can show all those shoppers globally last year, every Fairtrade product is helping Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy all their bananas second Fair Trade Mark in the UK Fairtrade to transform the livelihoods of more than 1.4 million who either don’t know or don’tSupporters believe that Fairtrade Milk becomes to Fairtrade Nation Supporters Go Bananas: the first major makes a difference that when they choose products people in 74 countries around the world. Wales declares achieve a Breaking chocolate Mark bar it really the FAIRTRADE does the change lives. itself thewith world’s Guinness World world record to go Fairtrade first Fair Trade Record forThe the fair deal they’re receiving is essential – as Albert for the most Tate & Lyle person’s shoes can show uslongest piece Nation Stepping into another Guébré, a Fairtrade cocoa farmer from Côte d’Ivoire, bananas eaten commit to of handmade simultaneously we have in common explains: Sales ofwhat Fairtrade switching 100% – whoever we are, wherever bunting calling the productswe’re top from. of And when we can across emotionally connect enables me to educate my children... The retail branded for to an end ‘Cocoa to country (nearly St Maxentius, £500 million sugar totheir Fairtrade harmful subsidies a person through story – from celebrating their co-operative helps us with schooling loans at the 500,000) Bolton, becomes successes and understanding the challenges theyaffecting face, cotton beginning of the school year.theNow that I have New development 1,000th producers in would to hearing about their hopes and dreams – we often grandchildren, more sales of Fairtrade Fairtradeschool cocoa framework to replace Millennium feel moved to act or think differently. enable me to better support the myUK family.‘
2015
Development Goals
Research for the Make Bananas Fair campaign in 2014 showed that when told about the hurdles facing farmers and workers – the story behind the product – the majority of consumers agreed that they had a responsibility to do something.
So as part of the Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, let’s bring Fairtrade stories from around the world to life and put the people behind the products back into the picture. For more information you can visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight
YOUR CHOICE MAKES
FOCUS SCOTLAND | 17
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
FAIR
Our journey 70%
OVER£23.3M £1.5BN
HE WORLD’S FOOD IS OF FAIRTRADE CED BY SMALL FARMS, PREMIUM PAYMENTS TO HALF OF THE WORLD’S SPENT ON FAIRTRADE FROM UK UNGRIEST PEOPLEPRODUCTSPRODUCERS IN SALES 2012 IN 2012 RE SMALLHOLDER(THE EQUIVALENT OF JUST OVER £1 PER FARMERS HOUSEHOLD, PER WEEK)
70%
OF THE WORLD’S FOOD IS PRODUCED BY SMALL FARMS, YET HALF OF THE WORLD’S HUNGRIEST PEOPLE ARE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS
THE AVERAG COCOA FARMER
£23.3M ONLY 2 OF FAIRTRADE
OF THEIR PRO PREMIUM PAYMENTSONTOFAIRTR PRODUCERS FROM UK TERMS SALES IN 2012
1.3M
FARMERS AND WORKERS SELLING PRODUCE AS FAIRTRADE IN 2013
003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2011 20 1993 1994 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005
ADE Mark ss: 25%
Fairtrade roses, Copmanthorpe Sainsbury’s and 1,000 Fair Trade Fairtrade s footballs and wine Methodist Waitrose switch Towns worldwide reach £1.5 Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy are launched Church, York, all their bananas mber Supermarket of Fairtrade till FAIRTRADE First Fairtrade FAIRTRADE Mark Fairtrade roses, Copmanthorpe Supporters Milk becomes becomes the to Fairtrade Towns Supporters receipt campaign Mark launched bananas in the awareness:Go 25% wine Methodist Bananas:footballs and the first major 1,000th Fairtrade 32 launched: achieve a Church, York, in the UK: Green UK sold byWales the declares Breaking theare launched chocolate bar Church in The number of itself the world’s Guinness World Campaigners & Blacks Maya Co-operative becomes the world record to go Fairtrade the UK. Fairtrade Towns first Fair Trade Record for the collect till receipts Gold chocolate, 1,000th Fairtrade for the most Trade Justice reaches 32 Tate & Lyle Nation longest pieceChurch in and present Cafedirect750,000 coffee votes bananas eaten Movement commit to forTea trade justice of handmadethe UK. them to major and Clipper simultaneously Garstang founded toSales of Fairtrade switching 100% handed in to 10 bunting calling supermarkets to were the first across the products topbecomes world’s bring about 750,000 votes of retail branded Downing Street for an end to call on them to three products country (nearly £500 million first Fairtrade fundamental for trade justice sugar to Fairtrade as part of Make harmful subsidies stock Fairtrade 500,000) Town change to the handed in to 10 Poverty History affecting cotton products unjust rules Downing Street Fairtrade sales producers and institutions as part of Make reach £30 million governing Poverty History per year international trade Trade Justice Parade: 8,000 people march in London for trade justice prior to the Doha round of World Trade Organization talks
18 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
YOUR CHOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
2200
RTRADE at
GE R SELLS
28%
ODUCE RADE S
2200 FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
FAIRTRADE at
LESS THAN 1%
THE AVERAGE COCOA FARMER SELLS
ONLY 28%
OF GLOBAL COCOA AND SUGAR SALES ARE FAIRTRADE
OF THEIR PRODUCE ON FAIRTRADE TERMS
LESS THAN 1%
OF GLOBAL COCOA AND SUGAR SALES ARE FAIRTRADE
1.3M
FARMERS AND WORKERS SELLING PRODUCE AS FAIRTRADE IN 2013
012 2013 2014 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014
sales 5 billion
Scotland declares 20th Anniversary itself the world’s of the FAIRTRADE second Fair Trade Mark in the UK Sainsbury’s and Nation Waitrose switch Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy all their bananas Supporters Milk becomes to Fairtrade Go Bananas: the first major Wales declares Breaking the chocolate bar itself the world’s world record to go Fairtrade first Fair Trade for the most Tate & Lyle Nation bananas eaten commit to St Maxentius, simultaneously Sales of Fairtrade switching 100% Bolton, becomes across the products top the 1,000th of retail branded New development country (nearly £500 million sugar Fairtrade school in to Fairtrade framework to500,000) the UK replace Millennium Development Goals
2015
1,000 Fair Trade Towns worldwide
Fairtrade sales reach £1.5 billion
Fairtrade Supporters achieve a Guinness World Record for the longest piece of handmade bunting calling for an end to harmful subsidies affecting cotton producers
YOUR CHOICE MAKES
Scotland declares itself the world’s second Fair Trade Nation
St Maxentius, Bolton, becomes the 1,000th Fairtrade school in the UK
20th Anniversary of the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK
2015
New development framework to replace Millennium Development Goals
FOCUS SCOTLAND | 19
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
On the 14th November 2014 the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, along with the University of Edinburgh, held their annual Scottish Fair Trade Awards Ceremony. As well as the ceremony, this was the opening of the Fairtrade Foundation’s photography exhibition, ‘Fairtrade at 20: The Power of You’ which was created with the Guardian Media Group to celebrate their 20th birthday.
©SCOTTISH FAIR TRADE FORUM
SCOTTISH FAIR TRADE AWARDS CEREMONY 2014 AND EXHIBITION LAUNCH
The event was an informal one; attendees had the opportunity to do some Fair Trade Christmas shopping, taste Equal Exchange’s hot chocolate and be the first in Scotland to view the impressive photography exhibition - along with the opportunity to meet and chat with other like minded Fair Trade supporters. The Scottish Fair Trade Forum were pleased to announce that the winners of the awards in five categories as follows: Volunteer of the Year 2014 - Craig Sullivan (West Dunbartonshire FT Group) Community Award - Stonelaw High Fair Traders Campaigner of the Year 2014 - Morag Paul (for her outstanding work in Inverclyde) Innovation Award - One World Shop for their Edinburgh College of Art and Get Paper Industries project Outstanding Achievement Award - Martin Meteyard A surprise Special Recognition Award was also presented to The University of Edinburgh for their myriad achievements and commitment to Fair Trade. After the awards Focus Scotland caught up with Craig Sullivan, Volunteer of The Year Award winner who had shown outstanding commitment to Fair Trade over the past year. 20 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
Craig is heavily involved in the local Fair Trade movement in West Dunbartonshire, advertising and promoting Fair Trade throughout the local authority area and anywhere else he can see a potential opportunity for Fair Trade to be highlighted. He is a regular attender at the council led planning meetings that involve organisations across all sectors and is the first to put himself forward for any stalls, leaflet drops or attendance at related meetings. Craig empahises with the unfairness of people not having control over their own lives, determining their own futures and living a dignified life. Through his involvement in the Fair Trade movement he is able to contribute to changing these inequalities. Craig said ‘It was a very good night for Scotland as a Nation. It was very good for me as a campaigner for Fairtrade with the Scottish Community. I’m very happy with my award from the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and I would thank everyone that helped me this year’.
2200
FAIRTRADE at Celebrate 20 years of Fairtrade, go to: fairtrade.org.uk to find out how
We are not just talking about financial benefits but also medical treatment paid for with the Fairtrade Premium. This small plant is saving lives thanks to Fairtrade. Teresa Riviera, Nicaragua President of a member co-operative of UCA SOPPEXCCA
YOUR CHOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
THE PLOT THICKENS
A
s I stood with a spade on my own in the middle of a raised bed in Dalmuir Plots looking around at the mass of weeds in each bed, feeling cold and a constant drizzle coming down I thought to myself “How did this happen?” . It all started as a conversation in WDCVS office around food, food waste and the high cost of buying food and before I knew it there were discussions with local contacts about the possibility of a community plot being taken on and my name was the one attached to being the responsible person for the plot. This is where I let you know that I do not have an allotment or a garden, live in a tenement and don’t even have house plants! Anyway, Dalmuir Plots very kindly gave WDCVS a community plot, some basic tools/ seeds were bought and we advertised for volunteers from the local area to be involved with it. We aimed to have experienced and novice volunteers of all ages working the plot together, passing on skills, making decisions about what we would plant, offering the seasonal food that 22 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
By Rhona Watson
we had grown to local people for a donation so that we could keep the allotment going. All great ideas but they took time and before I knew it the planting season was upon us and we were behind time, the weeds had taken over the allotment, the seeds were waiting to be planted and it was not brilliant weather but things had to be done which is why I was standing in the drizzle with a spade amongst the weeds at the beginning of May of this year thinking I would never see the end of the weeds. At the same time volunteers with various experience and expertise were registering with WDCVS and indicating that they were interested in participating in the allotment. By mid May the plot had regular input from a group of volunteers who had cleared the weeds from most of the beds, built a compost bin and a couple of netted frames from salvaged wood and netting. Other plot holders were willing to give novices like myself advice on what was the best way to do things and the group had their first seeds planted. We found that
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE one of the easiest and quickest plants to grow were courgettes which was brilliant until we found that we had planted too many and had sickened everyone with them by going through every recipe we could find with courgettes in them. I have to admit they were very tasty courgettes and did last a long time without going soggy though we were pretty close to having marrows as they grew at such an alarming rate.
NEW CENTRE FOR CHANGING FACES
A
new centre to support and represent the interests of children and young people with disfigurements of any kind throughout Scotland has been set up. Changing Faces helps people with a facial or bodily disfigurement to lead full, confident and satisfying lives. This unique project will provide a range of practical and emotional support to up to 1500 young people across Scotland, ensuring they feel less isolated and are seen and recognised for their personalities and talents irrespective of their appearance.
We also grew cabbages, leeks, potatoes, spring onions, strawberries, radishes, onions and turnips which all tasted so much nicer than anything we bought at the supermarket and are in the process of seeing how the last seeds that we planted grow.
Two Changing Faces practitioners will work with children, young people and their families. One will be based at the new Scotland centre in Edinburgh, the other will be based in Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow. A Face Equality Advisor will work with Scottish schools and colleges to promote inclusion and ‘face equality’ for all children and young people irrespective of their appearance. Changing Faces also offers a free Skin Camouflage service provided by trained volunteer practitioners. Referrals for this service are through GPs, consultants or other health professionals. For more information please email Scotland@changingfaces.org.uk or phone 0131 659 2942.
THE ANNIE DOW HEROISM AWARD (tadha)
The allotment has been a huge learning curve for me and for some of the volunteers involved with it around what grows well, how dense the netting needs to be so that the plants aren’t eaten before they get a chance to grow and what can be recycled to be useful on the allotment. It is coming to the end of the year but there are still things needing done to the beds before we pack up for the winter. Looking to spring next year we need to have the ground ready for the next planting season, be prepared with seeds at the ready (maybe not so many courgettes this time), hopefully have better netting and enjoy the next step in learning about the growing cycles of food.
T
his award has been established to celebrate acts of heroism by young people (up to 30 years old) living in Scotland with additional support needs. Nominations are now open to find the first tadha winner who will receive £2,500 and also two runners up will receive £500. Closing date for nominations is 31st December 2014 and the winner will be announced in February 2015. For more information visit tadha or email info@ tadha.co.uk for further information.
FOCUS SCOTLAND | 23
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
© SIMON WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY
C
onservation heroes from across the country were honoured at the third annual RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards hosted by naturalist, author and TV presenter Chris Packham. Red squirrels, river regeneration and renewable energy were just some of the projects to scoop top prizes during the event at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh. Scotland is renowned worldwide for its beautiful wild places and abundant wildlife and the awards recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in nature conservation.
joint winner in one of the eight categories. The Return of Aberdeen’s Red Squirrels and Mollusc of the Glen tied in first place for the RSPB Species Champion Award.
The ceremony brought together 300 industry professionals, public sector organisations, community groups, politicians, charities and conservationists - all of whom have an interest in safeguarding Scotland’s natural heritage.
The 2014 judging panel consisted of: BBC presenter Euan McIlwraith, wildlife editor Sophie Stafford, Chief Executive of SNH Ian Jardine, respected naturalist Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE,and was chaired by Director of RSPB Scotland, Stuart Housden OBE.
After tough deliberations sifting through high quality entries from across the country, the five judges managed to whittle it down to nine winners, each taking home the top prize in their category.
The final accolade of the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was given to leading natural history and landscape photographer Laurie Campbell. His award winning photographs regularly feature in magazines, books and exhibitions and his own picture library of over 120,000 images is the most extensive
For the first time since the awards started there was a 24 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY of its kind by any single photographer working in Scotland. Chris Packham said: “It’s an honour to have been able to congratulate so many worthy winners at this year’s Nature of Scotland Awards. All of the projects were impressive and it’s truly inspirational to see so many people working to conserve Scotland’s precious wealth of wildlife and habitats. Conserving and restoring nature for future generations is so important and all of the effort and enthusiasm that goes into that is exactly what these awards recognise.” Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners - it has been a real privilege to recognise and reward some truly inspirational projects. The Nature of Scotland Awards is an opportunity to honour the best and brightest in nature conservation and it’s encouraging to see so many people coming together from across the whole country to take action for wildlife. Scotland can truly say it has worthy champions giving nature a home.” Community Initiative Award: The Volunteer River Regeneration Project was set up by a handful of volunteers to clean up the River Carron and make it more accessible. Since 2010 Communities Along the Carron Association has raised over £85,000 to clear the river of scrap metal and litter, as well as helping to fundraise for a new network of paths and bridges which has resulted in the River Carron becoming a key feature of the Central Scotland Green Network for walking, cycling and biodiversity. Innovation Award: The Native Woodland Survey of Scotland was set up by Forestry Commission Scotland and has provided the first authoritative and consistent digital map of all of Scotland’s native woodlands, offering the most robust and detailed dataset ever compiled to aid conservation of this important resource. Marine Conservation Award: The community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) is recognised worldwide as one of the UK’s leading community marine conservation organisations. They promote sustainable marine management, deliver education programmes and maintain strong links with universities to ensure independent scientific research. RSPB Species Champion Award: Joint first place between Mollusc of the Glen and The Return of Aberdeen’s Red Squirrels. Mollusc of the Glen is a voluntary project set up to conserve the globally
endangered freshwater pearl mussel. The work focuses on producing research into the species, raising awareness of key threats and engaging stakeholders to protect this fantastic species. The Return of Aberdeen’s Red Squirrels is a project working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council to eradicate grey squirrels from Aberdeen city and surrounding areas to allow red squirrels to re-establish. Youth and Education Award: The Green Team is an environmental organisation based in the Lothians which works with vulnerable young people to restore and conserve wild places as an important part of learning about the natural heritage of Scotland. Since it started in 1995, the programme has worked with nearly 4,000 young people to improve the environment for wildlife and people through conservation. Outstanding Contribution Award: Professor Paul Thompson has developed research to increase our knowledge and understanding of marine top predators, assisting in conservation and management goals in Scotland. His work on bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth was the first study of its kind in Scotland and continues to be one of the longest running studies of dolphins in the world. Sustainable Development Award: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been developing guidance on minimising the impacts on the natural heritage from renewable energy deployment for almost 15 years resulting in the SNH guidance on the development of Renewable Energy. The aim is for the deployment of the right technology in the right place. Politician of the Year Award: Claudia Beamish MSP has been committed to environmental issues over the course of this Parliament and regularly holds the Scottish Government to account on Scotland’s climate change targets. She has also been heavily involved in a number of conservation causes including working to ensure the upcoming Marine Protected Area network is fit for purpose. Claudia is the LINK species champion for the sea trout. Highly commended nominees: Portlethen Community Woodland in the Community Initiative category Flip Flap Netting Grid in the Innovation category Species Champion – Scottish Environment LINK in the Innovation category SOS Puffin - John Hunt in the Outstanding Contribution category Lie of the Land in the Youth and Education category FOCUS SCOTLAND | 25
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
I
n the year that had the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles there was also the 2014 Special Olympics in Antwerp for athletes with intellectual difficulties. The Special Olympics had it’s beginnings in the 1950’s and 1960’s when American Eunice Kennedy Shriver witnessed how people with intellectual difficulties were unfairly treated, this included her sister Rosemary. Eunice Kennedy Shriver along with family, friends and volunteers initially had a summer day camp for young people with intellectual difficulties in her backyard (her family home does have a large backyard) focusing on what they could do in a variety of sports and activities. She continued to campaign for the rights of people with intellectual difficulties, getting support in the US Government from her brother - President John Kennedy – resulting in developing more inclusive legislation and funding. She continued to campaign and founded the Special Olympic movement that had 26 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
its inaugural Games in Chicago in July 1968. Since then the Special Olympics has grown to be a worldwide movement that involves 4.4 million athletes in 177 countries with the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers. The Special Olympics deliver 32 Olympic-type sports and have more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year worldwide. Every four years there are summer and winter Regional Games organised in the following distinct areas:- Africa, Asia Pacific; East Asia; Europe-Eurasia; Latin America; Middle East- North Africa and North America. Every two years the Special Olympics World Games are held. The Europe- Eurasia 2014 Special Olympics Summer Games were held in Antwerp from 9 – 20 September and the Special Olympics World Games are being held in Los Angeles from 25 July – 2 August 2015. A West Dunbartonshire athlete participated in the Antwerp
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY games and has been selected to attend the Los Angeles games next year, his name is Gary Winslow. Gary, 31, is West Dunbartonshire born and bred and currently lives in Drumry. Since October 2012 he has been a regular volunteer with WDCVS at two weekly litter picks along the Forth and Clyde canal towpath and is at the Unity Cafe in West College Scotland once a week for work experience. He enjoys keeping himself busy through his volunteering, work experience and attending a support agency.
Although he had a racing bike when he was younger he only cycled between Dumbarton and Bowling along the cycle path as he didn’t feel safe cycling on the road. Four years ago, along with other service users, he was encouraged by the support agency he attends to try cycling at Scotland West Cycling Club in Bellahouston. He started attending the weekly training sessions at Bellahouston using one of the Club’s bikes and was encouraged by the two coaches there to participate in some of the upcoming competitions. Gary decided he wanted to try this and took part in his first competitions in 2012. He enjoyed the experience so much that he was encouraged to continue competing and, although it was hard training, did enjoy the excitement of participating and trying to win. Through his own, and the coaches, dedication and hard work Gary achieved the times required to be selected to attend the Special Olympics in both Antwerp and Los Angeles. As the Special Olympics require
the athletes to be self financed Gary, along with the support agency, family and friends, held a fundraising night in a local Bowling Club; washed cars and had a sponsored cycle to help get Gary to Antwerp. He will need to start fundraising again soon to finance his trip to Los Angeles. Gary had never had a passport, been abroad and nor thought this was a possibility so he was about to undertake a number of new experiences. After meeting the Prime Minister at Downing Street Gary travelled through the Channel Tunnel from London to Antwerp alongside the other 48 athletes from the GB team. The opening ceremony was busy, noisy and warm but he thought it was spectacular and met many new friends from other competing countries. Once he was out on the track and road for his training practise he was shattered due to the heat but that didn’t stop him from competing in his three races and coming home with 7th and 4th place ribbons and a Bronze Medal which was presented to him by Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx. Gary’s medal was one of the 103 that the GB team won in the Special Olympics. He has returned to Clydebank with the ribbons and medal, many memories, a photo album of his time there and has been welcomed back by proud family, friends and supporters.
There is a larger GB team of 116 athletes, 19 head coaches and 15 coaches going to the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles and Gary is one of these athletes. He has never been on a plane before but is looking forward to more new and exciting experiences next summer. His aim for the next few months is to eat well, build himself up, keep up his training round his volunteering and work experience and hopefully win in Los Angeles. http://www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk/ http://www.la2015.org/ FOCUS SCOTLAND | 27
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
OUR WORK: SCOTTISH HEALTH COUNCIL
T
he Scottish Health Council wants to see an NHS which has a patient-centred approach to care, based on an understanding of patients’ needs, life circumstances and experiences; and which ensures that patients, carers and the public are able to influence the planning and delivery of NHS services. A key aspect of our role is to support NHS Boards and monitor how they carry out their statutory duty to involve patients and the public in the planning and delivery of NHS services. The Scottish Health Council was established in April 2005 to promote Patient Focus and Public Involvement in the NHS in Scotland. Part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, we have a national office in Glasgow and 14 local offices across Scotland. Our remit covers all territorial NHS Boards and seven special Boards, which have a national remit to provide services across Scotland such as the NHS24 or National Waiting Times Centre Board (Golden Jubilee). We have four core functions: •
Community Engagement and Improvement Support – providing proactive and tailored
28 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
support for NHS Boards •
Participation Review – reviewing and evaluating NHS Boards’ approaches to involvement through the Participation Standard
•
Service Change –supporting NHS Boards to meet the requirement to involve people when planning or changing local services
•
Participation Network – a centre for the exchange of knowledge, support, development and ideas.
In practice most of our activities include elements of each function, however in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Local Office (based in the Gorbals, Glasgow) our main focus is the Community Engagement and Improvement Support function. We try to ensure that people are fully involved in decisions about health services by enabling local communities to be involved in the planning and development of services; to support them in influencing how these services are managed and delivered as well as supporting NHS Boards to continually improve the way they engage with their communities.
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
One of the ways we do this is by attending the eight Public Partnership Forums in all Community Health (and Care) Partnerships across NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, including West Dunbartonshire, linking in with the Public Involvement staff in each area. In order to support sharing and discussion between the forums and to report on a range of NHS wide topics, the local office facilitates a quarterly PPF network meeting held in Glasgow. We are currently evaluating these meetings to ensure their usefulness for members. We have also supported requests from different areas of the NHS to gather public views on topics which then provide a Scotland-wide ‘picture’. We have carried out a range of focus groups which have ‘road tested’ patient information or checked out the accessibility of public information and surveys. We have also sought reaction and feedback to specific issues from NHS Boards or other parts of the NHS. A full report on the previous work is available on our website www. scottishhealthcouncil.org We are currently supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service to carry out focus groups related to their refreshed strategy and a new service protocol. We will also be supporting the Scottish Government (Health and Social Care Directorate) to gather opinion on cosmetic interventions. If you, or members of your organisation, are interested in participating in future focus groups or wish more information please contact us on 0141 429 7545; email greater. glasgow@scottishhealthcouncil.org or Twitter @ SHCGlasgowClyde Another area of work at present is Stronger Voice. On 4 June 2014 the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Alex Neil MSP, announced that: “we must do more to listen to, and promote, the voices of those we care for. We need the voices of our patients, those receiving care and their families, to be heard in a much clearer and stronger way”. The Scottish Health Council and Healthcare Improvement Scotland, along with Scottish Government officials, third sector and representative organisations, service users and members of the public are taking forward this important policy development to develop proposals, which will be presented to the Cabinet Secretary by the end of December 2014. A range of methods have been used to gather thoughts and views through local office focus groups, national events, online survey and research on existing methods. More information at: scottishhealthcouncil.org/strongervoice.aspx, email: strongervoice@scottishhealthcouncil.org or Twitter @ StrongerVoice
EAT BETTER, FEEL BETTER
T
The Scottish Government has partnered with a number of retailers, including Tesco, Morrisons, ASDA, Scotmid, Lidl and ALDI in order to deliver the new Eat Better, Feel Better campaign in January 2015. The campaign will visit 35 supermarkets throughout mainland Scotland from January – March 2015, to reinforce the campaign messaging and provide some useful information and tips on healthier eating. The Scottish Government field marketing team are looking to engage with community groups in each location to help reinforce the campaign messaging from the ground up. As part of the field stand, they will be displaying a ‘what’s on’ board, upon which they would like to display some information regarding local community groups and how members of the public can get involved to enhance their cooking skills etc. How can you get involved? •
•
•
You could supply general information regarding your organisation or work, i.e. Name of group, what the activity is, dates/times, how to get involved etc. Scottish Government colleagues can then pull this information together into a table to display on the ‘what’s on’ board in each relevant area. Information can be given toHannah.Mackenzie@union.co.uk. You or colleagues can go along to the supermarket! Representatives from local organisations/areas are more than welcome to attend the field activity and interact with the public 1-2-1 (alongside the SG marketing staff ) – even just for an hour a day if that suits! Let Hannah.Mackenzie@union.co.uk know if you plan to attend. Are there service users, clients or members that you work with that have made healthier changes to their diet and lifestyle? If so their story could be used to promote the campaign and in turn your area/organisation. To find out how you can nominate an individual for a case study please contact JButler@webershandwick. com.
When is the campaign in my area? To find out when the campaign will be in your area please contactHannah.Mackenzie@union.co.uk or janeoliver1@nhs.net. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 29
FOCUS ON: MONEY
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT GROUP AWARDS
T
he innovative community investment partnership between WDCHCP, WDCVS and HM Naval Base Clyde has provided an early Christmas gift for a further 6 grassroots organisations. The group have raised over ÂŁ2400 in the last few months and have worked closely with West Dunbartonshire CHCP and West Dunbartonshire CVS to help ensure that the donations made their way to small, volunteer led organisations where the support would make a real difference. The six groups awarded a cheque for ÂŁ400 each in this latest presentation were: Good Morning Clydebank, is a small local organisation helping to combat social isolation in older people. The group offers vital daily telephone contact for its members and has also recently started to provide a range of social activities and events for members to enjoy together. Dalmonach Disabled Group, is a long established organisation providing support and activity opportunities for people living with disability in the Dalmonach area. The group meet weekly in the Dalmonach Community Centre and are largely self funding. The funds will help with a small Christmas celebration. 30 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
Meadow United, a local football team for those living with a disability will use the donation to help fund additional training time. Rockvale Rebound, the talking newspaper for the blind in the Dumbarton and vale of Leven area is also long established and provides a vital weekly service for its members. The money gifted by the CIG will go towards expanding their work. Clydebank Arthritis Care provides support and assistance for people in the area living with the chronic condition. The group meet weekly and provide a range of services including information and advice and social support. The group are also largely self funding and this donation will help to meet the general costs of the group in the year to come. The Duntocher Village Hall group have recently re-opened the hall for community activity, under a community management agreement with West Dunbartonshire Council. The hall is now run by an active team of volunteers and is being used by all of the community for a variety of activities. The donation will be used to help purchase additional equipment for user groups to share.
The winter vomiting bug If you catch it, stay at home for at least 48 hours after your symptoms stop.
To find out more about the winter vomiting bug (norovirus), visit www.nhsinform.co.uk/norovirus or call 0800 22 44 88.
4750 9/2014 Š NHS Health Scotland 2014
Keep it to yourself.
FOCUS ON: MONEY
C
If you can’t join in the fun on December 12, Save the Children urges you to pull on your festive knit and make your donation at any time over the Christmas period
The stars will be pulling on their winter woollies to help raise money for Save the Children’s annual fundraising event.
Tanya Steele, Executive Director, Fundraising at Save the Children, said:
elebrities including Frankie Bridge, Fearne Cotton, Union J and Paul O’Grady are supporting this year’s Christmas Jumper Day.
This year, Save the Children’s annual Christmas Jumper Day is taking place on Friday 12 December. Now in its third year, the charity is asking even more people across the UK to help ‘make the world better with a sweater’. If you want to join them, wear your Christmas jumper to work, school or just out and about, on Friday, December 12 and make a donation to Save the Children. The charity is asking adults for a suggested donation of £2 and schools and children just £1. This year, the government will double your money, matching every pound donated. Just £2 could pay for potentially life saving antibiotics to treat three babies with infections. 32 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
“This year will be our biggest Christmas Jumper Day yet. We had over a million people take part last year and we want to see even more jumpers being worn this year. As with every campaign, partners play a huge role and we are thrilled that George at Asda is our official retail partner. They have produced an amazing jumper range and stores across the UK will help us reach a huge audience and raise vital funds. “Thanks to our fantastic range and variety of partners, there is a Christmas jumper for every style and personality– including our beloved pooches – so there really aren’t any excuses not to don a festive sweater and help raise millions of pounds to improve the lives of children around the world. I know the British public will get behind Christmas Jumper Day by signing up, donning a jumper and donating – the countdown to Friday 12th December has begun!”
FRIDA Y 12 DEC EMBER 2014
Wear a woolly. Give ÂŁ2. Join the woolly revolution. christmasjumperday.org
DOUBLE THE JUMPER JOY Every pound you give will be matched by the UK government this Christmas, doubling your donations and making an even bigger difference for children.
Photos: Dan Burn-Forti/Save the Children
In partnership with
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
CAMPAIGN CALLS ON PEOPLE TO THINK AHEAD
shouldn’t keep putting off until later, as many people do. “It’s not nice to imagine something happening which would mean you lose capacity to make decisions for yourself. But planning in case something were to happen, won’t make it happen. It just means that if it were to, both you and those close to you have the peace of mind that you have had the chance to talk about and prepare for what you personally wanted to happen.” Around 55,000 new POAs are registered in Scotland according to the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland). Age Scotland’s campaign will be focused on older people across Scotland, and is funded by the Scottish Government.
A
ge Scotland has launched a national campaign to urge people to plan ahead and make a Power of Attorney.
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document which gives someone else the authority to make specific decisions about your life – including issues around finances, care and property – if you were to need help or lose the ability to make these decisions for yourself. Writing a POA is one of the most important choices people can make in their lives. It not only allows you to choose who you want to make decisions on your behalf, should you lose the ability to do so – for example because of an accident or illness – but it also gives you the opportunity to discuss with those around you what you would want to happen in certain circumstances. Yet Age Scotland says too many people don’t think to make one as they assume that, if they were to lose the capacity to make decisions for themselves, family members would automatically be able to step in. This is simply not true. Without a POA in place, somebody would need to go to court to get the legal right to make decisions for you – which can be time-consuming, expensive and stressful. This can lead to issues such as families being unable to access shared finances to pay bills, or care decisions being delayed which can result in people having to stay in hospital for longer than necessary. Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “Getting a Power of Attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make and it’s one you 34 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, said: “There may come a time when you find making decisions about the important things in life, such as your medical treatment, finances or care, increasingly difficult. “It is important that have someone you can trust to carry out these decisions on your behalf and planning now will ensure that in the future your choices can be fully respected. Not only does it make it easier for your family, but for professionals tasked with looking after your health and social care – allowing them to ensure you can be cared for in line with your wishes.” The campaign has also received funding from Solicitors for Older People Scotland. As part of the campaign, Age Scotland is providing talks and workshops on Power of Attorney to older people’s community groups, at local and national events and to professional networks across Scotland over the coming months. If you would like to find out more or ask about having a presentation in your area, contact Age Scotland on 0845 833 0200. A guide to Power of Attorney in Scotland, produced by Age Scotland, is available to download from www. agescotland.org.uk/poa . For a free hard copy, and if you have any questions, call Silver Line Scotland on 0800 4 70 80 90. Age Scotland’s POA mythbuster can be found at www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/money-matters/poamythbuster/
my boss
believedin me when I didn’t
For someone with a mental health problem, what you do makes a difference. Be there. Be yourself. People with mental health problems can sometimes be treated unfairly at work. By being supportive of colleagues with mental health problems, you can help change this. You can make a real difference.
LET’S STOP THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILL HEALTH
www.seemescotland.org
BE INSPIRED BY TIME ...volunteer time is free, but it’s priceless. you can’t own it, but you can use it! #BeInspiredByTime