FOCUS: S COT L A N D
Summer: 2014
THE MAGAZINE FOR VOLUNTEERING AND THE THIRD SECTOR IN SCOTLAND
He came to work every day seemed depressed, and it
the point that I asked him about it outside of
He said he thought about suicide
Dave could see his workmate seemed down, so he asked him about it. Because he did, his workmate is still alive.
For help and advice for you or the person you’re worried about, call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.
www.chooselife.net/ask
4398 8/2013 © NHS Health Scotland 2012, 2013 Image: © iStock The people depicted in this image are models and are not from real life situations.
If you can read between the lines, you can save lives.
FOCUS ON: WHATS INSIDE
Inside... 6
SALTIRE AWARDS
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BIG FIT WALK
… Taking more steps to fitness
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ONE SCOTLAND MANY CULTURES
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LOVE YOUR CLOTHES
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EDITOR Selina Ross DESIGN Ritchie Marshall PHOTOGRAPHY Daren Borzynski NEWS TEAM Ritchie Marshall Daren Borzynski David Robertson Louise Docherty Rhona Watson Andrew Steadman Laura Donaldson
… Summit Award Nominees in West Dunbartonshire receive their awards
… A focus on Galgael
… New campaign to help make the most of the clothes you have
LGBT HELPLINE
… Confidential advice and support service
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
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FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
Join in. Help carers. 9–15 June 2014 Be a part of something big: the greatest ever drive to reach out to carers in the UK
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hen people need help with their day-to-day living they often turn to their family and friends. Looking after each other is something that we do. Up and down the UK there are 6.5 million people caring unpaid for an ill, frail or disabled family member or friend. These people are called carers but they would probably say “I’m just being a husband, a wife, a mum, a dad, a son, a daughter, a friend or a good neighbour.” Carers help with personal things like getting someone dressed, turning them in their sleep, helping them to the loo, helping them move about or administering their medication. Carers also help with things like shopping, laundry, cleaning, cooking, filling in forms or managing money. The reasons people might need help can vary. Maybe they were born with a disability or had an accident that left them disabled. Or they have an illness or disease. Their problems may be physical or mental. They might need help because they are getting older and frail. But what doesn’t vary is that they need help, and if you look after someone - for whatever reason - caring is part of life. Carers Week celebrates and recognises the contribution of all of the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers. For many people caring comes briefly, maybe helping someone who has come out of hospital to get back on their feet - a few intense months that turn your life upside down and then it’s over. For others it may be a 4 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
regular obligation of a few hours a week helping out. For those with disabled children it can be a lifelong commitment. Some people are caring round the clock, 24 hours a day. How caring affects you depends on how much you are doing, what else is going on in your life and to some extent what kind of a person you are. Caring can be a rich source of satisfaction in people’s lives. It can be life-affirming. It can help deepen and strengthen relationships. It can teach you a multitude of skills and help you realise potential you never thought you had. But without the right support caring can have a devastating impact. Evidence shows that caring can cause ill health, poverty and social isolation. When caring is intensive and unsupported you can struggle to hold down a job, get a night’s sleep, stay healthy and maintain your relationships with friends and family. When caring happens, many people are shocked to find out just how little support there can be. Help is often out there, but talk to any carer and they will tell you to be ready to fight tooth and nail for every bit of help you get. Caring is something that will affect each and every one of us. The statistics show three out of five of us will become carers at some point in our lives. During Carers Week events take place all around the UK to involve carers and make them aware of the support and services available.
We provide help and advice for carers The following charities have joined together to make Carers Week 2014 happen. They support carers in a variety of ways. For more information visit www.carersweek.org. We’re Age UK and our vision is a world where everyone can love later life. We believe that living longer should be celebrated and everything we do is designed to change the way we age for the better and enable everyone to be part of the solution. Together, we can help everyone make the most of later life. Call our free advice line on 0800 169 65 65* or for more information visit www.ageuk.org.uk We are a major new charity for, with and about carers. We work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems. To find your local carers service call 0844 800 4361 or visit www.carers.org We help carers. When caring affects you and your family, Carers UK is here to provide the support and advice you need. Carers UK’s Adviceline 0808 808 7777* www.carersuk.org Independent Age is a growing charity helping thousands of older people across the UK and Ireland to live more fulfilling lives. Founded 150 years ago, we are committed to making a positive difference through the ABC of Advice, Befriending and Campaigning. As well as our free advice service 0800 319 6789* and publications, we also provide face-to-face and telephone befriending www.independentage.org At Macmillan, we know how a cancer diagnosis can affect everything and we’re here to support you through. From help with money worries and advice about work, to someone who’ll listen if you just want to talk, we’ll be there. No one should face cancer alone. For support, information or if you just want to chat, call us free on 0808 808 00 00* (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit www.macmillan.org.uk We provide free nursing care to people with any terminal illnesses in their own homes and emotional support to their families. We also provide specialist care at our nine Marie Curie Hospices. Marie Curie Cancer Care freephone 0800 716 146* www.mariecurie.org.uk We’re the leading UK charity for the 100,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in the UK. We’re fighting to improve treatment and care to help people with MS, families and carers take control of their lives. And with your support, we’re funding research to help us beat MS for good. MS Society helpline 0808 800 8000* www.mssociety.org.uk We’re the Parkinson’s support and research charity. For more than 40 years we’ve been working to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s. Helpline 0808 800 0303* www.parkinsons.org.uk Stroke Association is the UK’s leading stroke charity. We campaign to improve stroke care, and support people to make their best possible recovery. We fund world-class research to develop new treatments and ways to prevent stroke. We’re here for everyone affected by stroke. Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100* www.stroke.org.uk *There is no charge to call these telephone numbers from a UK landline Carers UK is a charity registered in England and Wales (246329) and in Scotland (SC039307) and a company limited by guarantee 864097. Registered office 20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX. © 2014
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING
YOUTH VOLUNTEERING
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- The Challenge, The Approach, The Ascent and The Summit and achievement is recognised in the form of Saltire Award certificates and Young Scot reward points.
Saltire Awards are designed to formally recognise the commitment and contribution of young people volunteering in Scotland. Supported by the Scottish Government, Saltire Awards are split in to four sections
If you are interested in knowing more about Saltire Awards contact Gemma or Marc on 0141 941 0886 or email info@wdcvs.com.
oung West Dunbartonshire volunteers have been awarded Summit Awards for their contribution to volunteering within their local community.
KAREN SHAW AGE: 17 AREA: BALLOCH How has volunteering been of benefit to you? Volunteering has benefited me by allowing me to again valuable experience working with a range of people which is a benefit to me as it will help me with my chosen career of teaching. Are you still currently volunteering and where? Yes I volunteer in school and within the local guiding community What was your reason for starting volunteering? My local rainbow unit were short of unit helpers and since I enjoyed working with younger children I took the opportunity and since then one thing has led to another. 6 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING
JENNA LAW AGE: 20 AREA: VALE OF LEVEN
What is your most memorable moment while volunteering? If I had to choose 1 it would be the opportunity to support members of staff to take young people on residential. How has volunteering been of benefit to you? Volunteering has benefited me as it has helped me become more aware of what I would like to do and has helped me choose my career path which is to work with young people in a youth work setting. It has also helped me to become more confident in my abilities to help other people. It has been really rewarding seeing the smiles on young people’s faces when they are given opportunities to experience new things and meet other young people like themselves and knowing that you have helped them along the way. Are you still currently volunteering and where? I am currently not volunteering as much as I used to I try to visit when I can. Such as during the holidays Haldane Youth Services Hop, Skip and Jump Project run various activities including breakfast club for young people p3 to s4, sport, art, drama and gardening activities. What was your reason for starting volunteering? The reason I started volunteering is that I wanted to help make a difference to other young people like myself. I had be given a lot of opportunities to build my confidence, meet new people and take part in fun activities from my youth worker. I just wanted to give something back to the community and give other young people the same opportunities I had.
CINDY BOWIE AGE: 18 AREA: CLYDEBANK
What is your most memorable moment while volunteering? I enjoy camping so being in the senior section part of an international camp and having to help with jobs around the campsite. Apart from waking up at 5am to make rolls for hundreds of packed lunches I have some great memories I will never forget. How has volunteering been of benefit to you? Volunteering has given me so many opportunities to meet new people, try new challenges, camp. Volunteering has taught me how to become more confident and improved my leadership skills. All of the skills I have learned through volunteering have benefitted me when applying for jobs because of the awards and skills I have learnt through guiding. Volunteering has also given me the chance to be a baton bearer for the Commonwealth games when the baton comes to West Dunbartonshire. Are you still currently volunteering and where? I am currently volunteering at a local Rainbow and Guide unit in Clydebank and after summer will be volunteering at a second Rainbow unit. I am also a Saltire Ambassador and help to promote and award young people in West Dunbartonshire who volunteer. What was your reason for starting volunteering? I started volunteering because it was an opportunity for me to learn new skills and increase my confidence. I loved the fact that I could do something that I really enjoyed doing and it would be classed as volunteering.
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FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
FACTS AND FIGURES
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eep 13th June free in your diary for the biggest health walk of the year. The Big Fit Walk is now in its eleventh year and in 2014 it’s celebrating the Commonwealth Games. Last year over 14,000 people took part.
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Walking is described as the perfect exercise by health professionals and has many benefits.
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Walking requires no special equipment or expense and is the ideal way for most people to become more active.
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Health walks are targeted at inactive people who would benefit most from doing more physical activity.
The Scottish Health Survey 2010 The Scottish Government, Edinburgh 2011 •
The proportions of men and women meeting the recommended activity levels varied significantly with age. Among men, the proportions meeting the recommendations fell from 66% of those aged 16-24 to 10% of those aged 75 and over. Among women, the proportion meeting the recommendations increased with age until 35-44 (45%), before declining to 7% of women aged 75 and over.
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44% of adults had participated in sporting activities in the previous four weeks.
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Sports participation decreased with age from 68% of those aged 16-24 to 13% of those aged 75 and over.
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The most common sporting activities for adults were working out at a gym/exercise bike/weight training (15%), doing exercises (e.g. press-ups, sit ups) (14%), swimming (12%) and running/jogging (11%).
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Men were more likely than women to have been running/jogging
In 2014 Paths for All want your help to make it bigger and better. The Commonwealth Big Fit Walk aims to get as many Scots as possible walking in their local area. To get more people more active in Scotland, community groups, schools, workplaces and Health Walk groups are holding a 30 minute Commonwealth Big Fit Walk. Being active through walking has many benefits. It’s good for physical health, mental wellbeing, and helps to develop social links. •
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Walking is also an activity that most people can do. Being active (this includes walking) for 30 minutes a day, on five days a week or more, can have a big impact on the number of health issues, including: Reduce the risk of heart disease by half Reduce the risk of some cancers Reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes Improves mental health and reduces the risk of depression Increases energy Can make you feel fitter and better about yourself Can help manage your weight Walking is free, accessible... and it’s FUN
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The official walk day is 13 June but walks can be held any day in June, so look out for your local walk or find more information on the Paths for All website. http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/bigfitwalk
FOCUS FOCUS ON:ON: WELLBEING SOCIETY
There might not be any medals, but everyone’s a winner at the Commonwealth Big Fit Walk. Be active, get healthy, have fun! Join us and celebrate the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the friendship between Commonwealth countries and Scotland’s wonderful walks. Everyone’s welcome
See you there!
FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER SCOTLAND Paths for All Partnership is a registered Scottish charity No. SC025535. Copyright © 2014 Paths for All
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FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
GALGAEL
ONE SCOTLAND MANY CULTURES
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alGael holds fast to its community roots, having been founded as a member led organisation in the mid-90s. In that sense, they don’t see themselves as a charity, but more a community of creative people, who come together to co-operatively meet some of their needs; their shared need for acceptance, to learn and contribute their creativity. This ethos arose from an environmental campaign in one of the most deprived areas of Glasgow. They may have lost that original campaign but learned many things along the way including how to make community in a difficult space, how to take responsibility and articulate their concerns. GalGael was created as a vehicle to take forward what they had learned and to move from being about what they didn’t want to what they did want. That has translated into their purpose today. GalGael offer hospitality to the margins, a sense of place to the disconnected and the right of responsibility to the disenfranchised. To the unskilled they offer a chisel that they might carve out a future. GalGael’s vision is for a Scotland where the rights of the individual are balanced with the rights of the whole; a strong sense of peoplehood where strong values, dignified work and reverence of place binds our communities together. GalGael hold dear a Scotland where all have something to bring to the table and are welcome there. In this way, people find skills, purpose and inspiration. In this feature Focus Scotland speaks to Gehan McLeod and Tam McGarvey of Gal Gael. Q: How did it all start? Gehan: Basically, Galgael grew out of an environmental campaign in the Pollok area of Glasgow. At that point it was an anti-road campaign with live-in camp. We learned an awful lot through that process. Although the road went through, we didn’t want to throw away all the things we learned, so we decided to use it as a vehicle to say what we didn’t want and what we did... so Galgael was born. Tam: There were a lot of people from different backgrounds that assembled round the fire at Pollok. People came from the local community, students, lecturers, people from other parts of Britain they all came along to support us. We took all the hand skills and ideas and made it into a project. Q: Was Govan a natural place for the Galgael to settle in to? Gehan: There was a strong Southside focus anyway. GalGael was historic with the people of the 9th century and we decided to go with this for the name because they had a powerbase in the islands and the west
coast of Scotland where boats were a big part of their identity. We thought we could achieve a lot socially and culturally by involving people by building boats which led us in the direction of Govan direction due to the ship building tradition here. Q: Was the cultural, heritage and traditional working methods a reason for it all beginning? Gehan: At that time we started, Colin McLeod, the driving force behind the forming of Gal Gael felt that we were living in an information flooded age. That was back in 1995, so you can imagine how much more that is the case now. Even at that time we felt that a more literature based way of engaging people wasn’t very effective; getting people hands-on with tools working on practical projects seemed to be a really good way of engaging the community and networking. Q: Have GalGael always welcomed other cultural styles within its work? Gehan: Yes, we have. That was actually a strong reason for picking the name as it’s an inclusive sense of belonging that comes from GalGael. In the story, Gal means stranger and the Gael refers to the heartland people - so it’s a way of exploring cultural heritage that’s inclusive rather than exclusive. Tam: Colin (McLeod) also visited the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He was inspired by the way, despite lots of alcoholism and drug misuse within the tribal system there, they were starting to look at some of their tribal values and old ways of living that could be brought in to rekindle their sense of identity. Colin thought that the Scots clan system was like that, with lots of connections with the land and the community. He thought we should try and embrace some of those ideas and also share it with people at the same time. We have found over the years that our work has brought great experiences from mixing cultures. Gehan: We have found that people get what we are about. We have had Somalian boat builders reconnecting and people from a Columbian rainforest who were almost in tears with appreciation because of the fish we shared with them. I think people really get the cultural side of things and it becomes as Tam said, a way of connecting people. Tam: We have provided a space where people come in the door and instantly feel something different. There is all of the natural materials and references to wildlife, indigenous creatures like the eagle carving; then you go into the workshop and see lots of guys working. Many of these guys have been tarnished with the label of being unemployable and having lost the work ethic being three generations of being out of work. I don’t see that. I come in here and I see guys that have been given the wrong things to be involved in. They have FOCUS SCOTLAND | 11
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE had their confidence broken down. Q: Can you tell me a bit more about the ‘Journey On’ Project? Gehan: Our experience in the last 7-8 years of working in this area of work has taught us that one of the most transformative experiences that we can offer people is a context where they feel valued. ‘Journey On’ tries to build on that understanding...so first and foremost it’s about creating a workplace that we feel is inspiring where people can re-forge an identity beyond some of the negative labelling and self identification with the issues they might come along with. It gives them an opportunity to forge a new identity around positive values and also a place where people can make mistakes. Some of the most beautiful things we see created are made from mistakes, you just need to take some learning from that and move on. ‘Journey On’ is about creating that working environment, it’s also about taking learning away from the abstract. Whereas a lot of what happened before happened at the work benches, a lot of the more interesting activities were happening around us. With ‘Journey On’ we want to link people into those interesting experiences with the idea that they would be able to create individualised learning journeys through these activities. People come in, they would do 2-3 weeks basic wood work at the benches, it is also for us to gauge what level they are operating at and depending on their skill level and their interest. Our aim is to create opportunities for people to develop their skills, not in an abstract classroom or even a workshop type context, but in real settings. A lot of modern training experiences are quite abstract and disengaging for people, ‘Journey On’ is grounding and hands on and people get a lot out of that.
see very traditional boat building skills being used in a different context.
Q: Where does the GalGael find the money to keep their projects going? Gehan: That has become a very live issue. Our European Social Fund came to an end and we have been trying to find alternative ways to maintain the continuity of our work. We have tried to do more along the lines of social enterprise and at the moment we have a real cocktail of funding although that in itself can create its own workload.
Q: So, looking at the future of the Galgael, what is ahead? Gehan: We hope to be able to grow our social enterprise activities so we can achieve more financial sustainability and stability. I suppose the instability of our finances doesn’t create the best environment for us to grow what we really do well. I think if we achieve that, then the future of the GalGael is for me to really invest in the social elevation of the organisation. I think in the last year, we have probably gained a better sense of who we are as an organisation. When you are funded from employability money you can end up thinking you are an employability agency, but we are not, we are a lot more than that. I think the way our work is being referenced as good practice by various studies at the moment really highlights the areas of our work that are pushing the boundaries and I really hope the organisation can build on that. We don’t want to rest on our laurels. We want to continue to develop models of work that really make a difference to the lives of individuals and starts to impact structural and cultural change in the wider sense.
Q: Has the making of part of the Queen’s Baton for the Commonwealth Games relay given you some recognition and publicity? Gehan: We have been quite restricted in the publicity we have generated from this but it was a great recognition for us. We really tapped into our boat building skills. The handle of the 4 Batons we made uses the same skills as building boat masts. It’s nice to
Tam: There is a lot to be learned in projects like this - how it impacts on people lives. The concept of it is reasonably simple in some ways, but the huge social value is often widely underestimated. If projects like this are supported, there are huge benefits to be gained. Projects like this are sometimes bypassed by people on political levels, and they look for other expensive and convoluted ways of doing the same job.
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alGael has created a cultural anchor point around which local people are re-kindling skills, community and a sense of purpose. Providing learning experiences anchored in practical activities that offer purpose and meaning. They offer a space that serves as something of a safe harbour for those whose lives have been battered by storms such as worklessness, depression or addiction. Challenges that inspire and creates the conditions conducive to learning; a space where mistakes are not only made but owned as our best teachers, where issues are left at the door and new identities forged. Their Journey On programme seeks to reconnect people with the best within themselves through positive learning journeys grounded in practical activity. Activities like working on producing a range of wooden products, working alongside crafts-folk to handcraft furniture, cooking in the kitchen, processing Scottish timber or helping out at a range of public events. Focus Scotland talked to one of the’ Journey On’ participants Victoria Brown (Vic). For most of her life Vic has mainly been unemployed due to bad health. She has found it difficult to find work because of this. Vic explained, ‘There have been different issues especially with mental health that I have always had. It always makes it more difficult to actually to get on in life. I have been unemployed for a lot of the last 10 years. I spent some time working, some volunteering and doing woodwork and design, I originally did fine art’. Even when Vic you found the motivation to find work, ‘there just isn’t any work’.
Getting involved with the GalGael wasn’t a difficult process for Vic, ‘I had a friend that came in on Thursday night a few years ago. I popped in a couple of times, but I was still not well enough. I shambled in one night and asked if I could be part of their thing. I was overjoyed when they said yes and welcomed me in’. Focus asked if Vic had always been interested in Scottish Heritage, ‘Not particularly’ was her reply. ‘It’s always been landscapes, people and portraits. That was something I was always pushed into doing and not what I liked to do, just because I was good at it. Here I enjoy it, because I feel quite useful’. Although learning new skills is an important aspect of the GalGael’s Journey On project, Vic gained more from it, ‘I think more importantly for me, It was somewhere I could come in to everyday and be able to speak to people. Volunteering is great; it’s the only thing I’ve got. Apart from being able to use my skills and learning skills, it’s more about the people and being able to keep my mental health. I do tend to go and disappear and hide, this place is great, and they always welcome you back’. Vic plans on using some of her new skills and confidence gained in the future, ‘I’m planning on going self employed, doing fine arts, illustration and portraits. I’ve never been short of people asking me for work. As long as I keep coming in here, it will keep me well enough. And even when I’m not well, coming in here cheers me up’. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 13
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE COMMUNITY BOAT-BUILDING GalGael celebrates Scotland’s heritage. They are best known for getting local people involved in crafting and sailing traditional boats. They do this because they are convinced true wellbeing will only return to urban Scotland when people reconnect with the mountains, moors and waterways on which its ancestral heritage was built. GalGael is dedicated to restoring that link within the city by building boats modelled on a 1000-year-old Scottish prototype.
GALGAEL TIMBER GalGael works in close partnership with agencies such as Historic Scotland and City Council parks departments to make sure that storm felled hardwoods are put to the very best of use.
Using a Woodmizer portable sawmill to mill the timber, air dry or kiln dry it, they can then either use it in the workshops or sell it to the public. They usually hold stock which includes oak, ash, elm, cherry, holly and sycamore.
GalGael’s 30ft long Orcuan was built in 2001 to just such a native blueprint. She is an interpretation of the historic galleys of the West Coast; the Birlinn, Scotland’s traditional Gaelic longboat. These boats were effectively banned by the repressive Statutes of Iona, 400 years ago. Once they would have provided the main form of transport in a mountainous island region – linking the constellation of settlements on the West Coast of Scotland and beyond to the coasts of Ireland and Isle of Man. Today, they use Orcuan and our other boats to open sail training opportunities to the local community, linking urban and rural communities and enabling access to Scotland’s unique natural heritage. Why boats? “It has to do with the ritual,” said the late Colin Macleod, “of involving the community in building something that has part of them in it. All these planks somehow go together and make a boat. And that boat somehow can hold us, take us all on a voyage. The voyage of a busted-up community to a better, more hopeful future.” Their logo depicts a Birlinn, connected with the GalGael of history. When they started out, Colin soon realised that we could achieve many of our social, cultural and ecological objectives by involving communities in boatbuilding. 14 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
They also have a fully equipped machine shop meaning once you have selected a piece of timber it can be machined to your exact requirements. The mobile sawmill (with operator) is available for hire on a daily or half daily basis. Timber can be milled anywhere with reasonable vehicle access.
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE VOLUNTEERING AT GALGAEL The core of our work at GalGael is about providing participant based programmes that help people regain a positive sense of both self and community. A strong band of dedicated volunteers are key to making these programmes happen. Volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds including: • •
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WRONG TROUSERS DAY
Ex participants. Volunteering is often a good next step once you’ve completed the GalGael programme. Retired craftsmen and women. Keeping traditional skills alive is a big part of what GalGael is about. Many volunteers are people who have finished work and are keen to pass on the skills that they have learnt through their careers. Local supporters. Some volunteers are people who simply want to support the work that GalGael does.
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allace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity is a national charity, which raises funds to improve the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.
Depending on a particular volunteer’s skill set and availability they could contribute as little as a half day per week to five full days per week. This will be by negotiation and is reviewed on a regular basis. There are two distinct types of volunteering roles at GalGael. The first type involves roles that need need to be filled on a weekly rota basis including Production Assistant, Receptionist, Machine Shop Technician, Store-man and Catering Coordinator. Other types of volunteer roles are more ad-hoc and include craft demonstrators, marquee hands and timber hands.
Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trousers day raises funds for Wallace and Gromit’s Children’s Charity, which supports children’s healt Registered charity 1043603. Company number 04659630. © and TM Aardman/Wallace & Gromit Limited 2014
Supported by
hcare throughout the UK.
On Friday 27th June Wallace & Gromit are urging the nation to join in with the celebrations and take part in the Football World Cup themed Wrong Trousers Day. Everyone can join in and wear their weirdest, wackiest party trousers and donate just £1 for the right to look wrong! You choose what to wear, your football kit, sports shorts, tutu, hot pants, and chef’s trousers, anything you want all for £1. Who doesn’t want to wear the wrong trousers to work or school? It’s fun, simple and a great way of raising funds for those who are really in need. Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trousers Day raises funds for 92 children’s hospitals and hospices throughout the UK. Funds raised support projects and causes in local communities such as: art, music, play and sensory therapy; family services; state of the art equipment and child friendly environments. “Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity has raised over £1.9 million, to fund 284 projects in 92 children’s hospitals and hospices from across the UK.” FOCUS SCOTLAND | 15
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
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eed the police? Dial 101 any time it isn’t 999 101 makes it quicker and easier to contact the police when you don’t need an emergency response For example: • if you’ve had a minor traffic accident • if your property has been vandalised • if your car has been stolen • if you suspect drug dealing • if you’ve witnessed a crime • if you’ve seen a missing person • if you need crime prevention advice • if you want to speak to a local police officer 101 replaces all local police station numbers with one easy-to-remember number, which you can use to contact police anywhere in the country. Existing local phone numbers will be phased out gradually. 101 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It costs a flat rate of 15p per call from landline and mobile networks, no matter what time of day or how long you are on the phone. When you dial 101, the system will work out your location and connect you to the service centre covering your area. Using 101 should make the police more accessible while reducing pressure on the 999 system. Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech-impaired callers can access the service via TextRelay on 1 800 1 101. In an emergency always dial 999 - when someone is in danger, a crime is in progress or a suspect is nearby. How does 101 work? When you call 101, you’ll hear a recorded message to tell you you’re being connected to Police Scotland. The system will work out your location and connect you to a call handler in the service centre for your local area. This makes sure staff with local knowledge answer and deal with your call in a way that best meets your needs and the needs of your community. If the system cannot locate where you are calling from, then you’ll be connected by the operator to the appropriate service centre, where the call will be handled in the normal manner. Calls to 101 will be prioritised in the same way as calls to existing non-emergency numbers.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
SCOTTISH REFUGEE WEEK
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ach year in June, Scottish Refugee Council coordinates Refugee Week Scotland, a unique opportunity to celebrate of the contribution refugees make to Scottish culture. Now in its fourteenth year, the festival reflects the diversity of Scottish society in a wide-ranging programme of arts, cultural and community events. It’s not just about creating a fantastic arts and culture programme, which included comedy, theatre, exhibitions, film, cultural celebrations and even football. It’s also about giving a voice to refugees themselves and raising the profile of the positive difference they are making in Scottish society.
For more information about Refugee Week Scotland or to download a programme see refugeeweekscotland.com
FUNDING
PAUSE IN AWARDS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS
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ig Lottery Fund in Scotland is running a number of small grants programmes in support of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
As the Games approach, they have been experiencing a high level of demand for activity linked to this wider portfolio. To ensure that organisations all over Scotland are able to build on the legacy of the Games, BIG Lottery are planning to focusing their efforts on the 2014 Communities and Celebrate programmes over the next three months. To support this no new applications to the Awards for All programme will be accepted until noon on the 4th of August. They will continue to accept applications to all our other Big Lottery Fund programmes during this time and will continue to make awards.
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FOCUS ON: SOCIETY government departments are undergoing cuts, with a high turnover of staff often moving from one role to another with minimal training while depending on huge and inflexible IT systems to churn out decisions. The scope for poor decision-making is wide, and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) admits that £0.5 billion was underpaid due to official error in 2012/13. Many incorrect decisions go unchallenged and never get to appeal. Of the 460,000 cases that were heard by social security tribunals in 2012/13, 38% were found in favour of the claimant. The best chance of winning the appeal is where a representative is acting on behalf of the claimant, as this percentage rises to over 60%. It always increases the chances of success if the claimant attends a tribunal, but going it alone may seem a daunting prospect.
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hild Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland has developed a new online resource to help you through the appeals process for benefits and tax credits. The campaigning charity is wellestablished in providing welfare rights training, advice and information to third sector organisations across Scotland. This latest development is aimed at helping claimants and support workers to navigate the system, especially at a time when specialist advice providers find themselves overwhelmed with demands for help due to the current waves of welfare reform. Every day, decisions are made which can mean the difference between survival and destitution for claimants. The consequences of an incorrect decision can be dire for people who may be left without adequate finances to meet the costs of their disability, at risk of eviction or unable to meet the costs of childcare to enable them to stay in work. Many people who receive a negative decision simply give up, get into debt or go without. Others may seek advice and find that their local advice agency is inundated with similar requests and has a waiting list for appointments, by which time it may be too late to challenge a decision. Most people will be understandably baffled by the confusing jargon of ‘mandatory reconsideration’ and ‘First-tier Tribunal’. However, if they persevere, many people who have been turned down will find that the decision was wrong, and the law says they are correctly entitled to the benefit, tax credit or payment they applied for. The social security system is complex, and even the agencies that administer it are struggling with the pace and scale of change. At the same time, these 18 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
This is where the appeals toolkit comes in; gathering together useful resources, with links to official forms, legislation, caselaw, articles, factsheets, and a video on what to expect at a tribunal. It aims to cut through the complexity that acts as a barrier to justice, and to empower claimants to assert their rights. There is a self-help level that boils the basics down to a simple checklist, to ensure people take the right course of action at the right time. Following step-by-step instructions, the toolkit is intended to reduce the confusion around the bureaucracy of decision-making that can waste everyone’s time. For support workers and advisers new to appeals, the rest of the toolkit comprises a guide to basic representation, with sample letters and tips from judges on how to prepare. It is intended to be a developing resource, and new information is updated regularly, including the latest on successful challenges to the bedroom tax. Appeals are a necessary step in protecting families from poverty. Without a course of redress with checks and balances, the system cannot be relied upon to guarantee a fair outcome for all. The efforts of the voluntary sector can help to level the playing field. The toolkit equips you with the basics to do it yourself, or support some of the most vulnerable people in society to ensure they receive the protection the rules were designed to provide. In the longer term, the wider benefits of a fair and accessible social security appeals system will hopefully be felt in a reduction in stressrelated harm caused to claimants, and reduced queues at food banks, or maybe even one day eliminating the need for them. CPAG in Scotland’s new ‘Appeals Toolkit’ can be found at: http://www.cpag.org.uk/appeals-toolkit If you have any feedback on the toolkit, please contact mwillis@cpagscotland.org.uk
When you’re ill, know who to turn to. Choose the right option for your condition. Self care
Pharmacist
Dentist
Optometrist
Family doctor GP Practice NHS out-of-hours service
Minor injuries service Accident and Emergency (A&E)
For a speedy recovery, taking care of yourself is the best option when you have a minor illness or injury such as a hangover, grazed knee, sore throat, coughs and colds. For advice and information on minor illnesses including coughs and colds, indigestion, constipation, aches and pains. For regular check ups, planned routine treatment and emergency care. If you don’t have a dentist call the Dental Helpline on 0141 427 8235.
For eye problems such as blurred vision, difficulty seeing well or any discomfort such as red eyes, irritated eyes, itchy eyes, watery eyes or sticky eyes. For conditions that just won’t go away such as vomiting, ear pain, sore belly and back ache. For immediate advice when your GP or dental surgery is not open. Call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 For urgent care of minor injuries such as cuts, minor burns and sprains go to; New Stobhill Hospital, New Victoria or Vale of Leven Hospital.
For serious illness or accidents like suspected stroke, heart attack, head injuries, fractures or wounds requiring stitches.
www.nhsggc.org.uk www.nhs24.com www.nhsinform.co.uk
FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
FIRST MINISTER OPENS JOHN MUIR WAY
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he First Minister, Alex Salmond officially opened the John Muir Way – the new 134-mile coast-tocoast pathway in Dunbar.
Visitors and locals in East Lothian can enjoy walking, cycling or horse riding through the sweeping landscapes, wildlife sites and historic visitor attractions. The way has been built where John Muir played as a child, and features Blackness Castle on the Forth, the historic Linlithgow Palace, Roman hill forts on Antonine’s Wall, and the unique Falkirk Wheel boat lift, among other highlights.
“There is no more fitting tribute, in 2014 the 100th anniversary of his death and in our Year of Homecoming, than to officially open the John Muir Way from Helensburgh to Dunbar and take walkers and cyclists through 134 miles of splendid scenery in Scotland’s heartland. “The route will encourage many thousands of people to get out into the outdoors, get some exercise and enjoy the iconic scenery of Muir’s country of birth. Today’s opening is a great way of kicking off the Scottish Government’s Physical Activity Awareness Week, which encourages people to take more exercise in the run up to the Commonwealth Games.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: “John Muir was a remarkable Scot - a man whose passion for nature and the outdoors left an incredible environmental legacy that resonates to this day. “From humble beginnings in Dunbar, his influence spread across the world and his name now adorns parks, glaciers and mountains. His legacy is celebrated in an annual commemorative day in California and his image has featured on two US postage stamps. 20 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
“As well as the health benefits, the new John Muir Way is expected to help Scotland’s tourist industry and around £40 million in economic benefits are expected to be brought to the many communities that are connected along the route. “I am sure the new John Muir Way will be an incredible success and I hope that the many, many thousands of people who will make their way along it in the coming years enjoy a magnificent day out.”
FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
nd u F e r a lf e W h is t ot c S the
Crisis Grants can provide people with a safety net in the event of a disaster or emergency. Community Care Grants can help people who need essential household items such as a cooker or a washing machine. Find out more by visiting www.scotland.gov.uk/scottishwelfarefund
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING
ARE YOU A CHARITY TRUSTEE?
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charity trustee is anyone who controls and manages a charity and they can be called Board Members, Directors or Management Committee Members. No matter what name they use, there are four General Duties for Trustees. Here’s a quick guide...
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General duty 1 Charity trustees must act in the interests of the charity. • Charity trustees must do what is best for the charity. They must put the needs of the charity before the needs of any other organisation or company that they are involved with. •
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No-one expects charity trustees to have to do everything themselves but knowing as much as you can will help you to make sure that they do not break any rules. The charity should have a list of where charity trustees work and any other organisations they are involved with. This list should be kept up to date. The charity should also have a “code of conduct” that says what charity trustees should do if there
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is a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest is when a charity trustee might not be able to do what is best for the charity because he or she has a duty to another organisation or person. The charity should also have a policy that says what will happen if a charity trustee does something wrong and also that it can stop someone from being a charity trustee if he or she breaks the law. There should also be a policy that makes it clear when it is okay to give money to charity trustees, their family or the organisation they work for.
General duty 2 Charity trustees must operate in a manner consistent with the charity’s purpose. • • •
Charity trustees must make sure the charity does what it is meant to do. Every charity has a “constitution” document. These are the rules that say what the charity does and how it is run. Charity trustees must make sure that the other charity trustees and the people working at the charity follow the rules in the constitution and
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING that the charity’s money is only used to do the things that are in the constitution. Again, charity trustees do not have to do all these things but it will help them to make sure that they do not break any rules. Every charity trustee should have a copy of the charity’s constitution and should receive an information pack about the charity when they start. When charity trustees plan what the charity will do, they make sure the plan fits in with the charity’s constitution. General duty 3 Charity trustees must act with care and diligence. • • • •
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Charity trustees must run the charity carefully and properly. Charity trustees must make sure that the charity does not break any laws, like health and safety or data protection. Charity trustees must make sure that the charity has enough money to pay staff and other costs. Charity trustees must all work together for the good of the charity. They must make sure that noone is breaking the law by being a charity trustee and that the charity trustees are all doing what is best for the charity. Charity trustees must make sure that any staff and volunteers are treated properly and fairly. They must also make sure that people who are not connected to the charity does not use the charity’s name and logo.
Charity trustees should look at the charity’s plans regularly to make sure that they are up to date and know what money the charity spends and what money comes into the charity. Charity trustees should decide how to support the charity’s staff and volunteers and know how to keep up-to-date with any changes to the law. Having everyone play their full part is important, so charity trustees should also decide what will happen if a charity trustee misses too many meetings. Once a year, charity trustees need to look at what the charity has done well and what it needs to be better at. It can help if charity trustees each have an area, like training or fundraising, to oversee. The information pack for charity trustees should have information about the charity’s sub-committees and the training plan for charity trustees. Charity trustees decide what will happen if they cannot agree with each other, or if they cannot agree with the charity’s staff.
General duty 4 Charity trustees must comply with the Act and other legislation. • •
Charity trustees must make sure the charity does not break the law. Charity trustees must make sure that the charity follows the rules in the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and any other laws.
Many charities have paid staff to help with managing the regulations that affect them but charity trustees should also oversee this and make sure that meetings happen at the right time eg. to review budgets, review development plans and look at the charity’s accounts and write the report for OSCR. Whatever the size of the charity, trustees should check that they have a good system in place to make sure they do all the things that the law says they must do. If you are a charity trustee and would like to know more about your role or access training to support you contact our support team on 0141 941 0886 or email info@wdcvs.com.
GLASGOW MELA
7TH - 8TH JUNE
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lasgow Mela is Scotland’s biggest muticultural festival. It is free to enter, open to all ages, and offers a rich, diverse programme of colourful performances representing cultures from across the world. This year Glasgow Mela will take place in Kelvingrove Park on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June. Headline acts confirmed so far include the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the popular drumming band Dhol Foundation, and big name Bhangra acts Sukshinder Shinda and Jaz Dhami. In addition to live music and dance, visitors can enjoy a range of different attractions including a dedicated family area and, for the first time ever, Bollywood City, featuring a Grosvenor Cinema marquee which will screen Bollywood films all weekend. There will also be face painting, Bollywood-style make-overs and acrobatic displays to add to the colourful atmosphere This year the Mela will also be a central part of the Culture 2014 programme for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games FOCUS SCOTLAND | 23
111, the NEW free number for NHS 24
If it can’t wait until your GP surgery reopens www.nhs24.com
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
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new free and easy to remember number for NHS 24 in Scotland is now up and running. People looking for medical help and advice can now contact NHS 24 by calling 111. This means callers in Scotland will no longer be charged when calling NHS 24 from a landline or mobile.
OVER £2M OF CASHBACK FUNDING INVESTED IN SCOTLAND’S YOUTH PROJECTS
NHS 24 will continue to deliver the same high quality service for anyone seeking advice and support during the out of hours period until their GP surgery reopens. It previously cost the price of a local phone call from a BT landline, with calls from other landline service providers and mobile providers often costing more. Announcing the new contact number Health Secretary, Alex Neil, said: “I strongly believe that our NHS should be free at the point of care for all, and this new number will help to protect these founding principles of the NHS. The new number is easy to remember, and free to call, which will ensure everyone across Scotland can access support and advice from NHS 24 whenever they need it. NHS 24 already provides a valuable service to patients across Scotland when their GP surgery is closed, and there will be absolutely no change to the high quality service provided through this new number.” He added, “By introducing the 111 number we are removing any barrier for the public to access the health advice out of hours. This will help to ensure people have access to health information and support, including access to a GP, when they really need it. In Scotland, the 111 number will be run by NHS 24 as a public service, in public hands – serving the needs of patients. This is in complete contrast to the approach adopted by the NHS in England, where different organisations, including private sector providers, are contracted to provide the number in different regions.” NHS 24 Chief Executive John Turner said: “By dialling 111, patients throughout Scotland will receive the same high quality, trusted service that NHS 24 has delivered for more than ten years. We will continue to work with our partners across Scotland to provide high quality support to patients and their families on the new number, which is easy to remember and free to call. NHS 24 has been serving the people of Scotland for more than ten years now and the move to a freephone number represents the next stage in the development of the country’s provider of telehealth and telecare services.”
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he Scottish Government has announced that it will make over £2 million available for projects to support vulnerable young people over the next three years. Funding will be provided from the CashBack for Communities scheme, which has funded around 1.2 million activities and opportunities for young people since 2007. It will then be invested by YouthLink Scotland in projects intended to empower and guide Scotland’s young people towards a more positive future. The Scottish Government estimates that the new funding will create new opportunities for around 25,000 young people over the next three years, continuing to support youth work that has already provided 330,000 opportunities for young people and created 73,000 volunteers and workers in Scotland. Making the announcement, Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People said: “Youth work is a hugely effective force for good for hundreds of thousands of people and the perfect way to reinvest the CashBack for Communities funding. This money will help offer activities, skills and training opportunities and, most importantly, a place to turn for many young people facing difficulties or at a crossroads in their lives. “Investment in youth work is not just the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do. I am lucky to have seen first-hand the difference youth projects make in giving young people confidence to make their voice heard, seize the opportunities in front of them and make the right decisions for themselves and their families.” FOCUS SCOTLAND | 25
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
By Laura Donaldson
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LOVE YOUR CLOTHES
s a nation we own a staggering £30 billion worth of clothes. This may not be that surprising when you look at the rise of the high-street post-recession (and you’re a shopaholic yourself ) but what may surprise you is that as well as buying more and more clothes, we are also binning more and more. In fact, research shows that in the UK we throw away garments that are still worth £140 million.
Now, a new campaign in aiming to show that there’s plenty you can do to access those wardrobe billions for yourself. Love Your Clothes aims to raise awareness of the value of clothes and gives out tips to make the most of the clothes we already have. Focussing on encouraging people to think about way they purchase, use and dispose of clothes, the campaign includes advice on how to make your clothes last longer, reduce the environmental impact of laundering your clothes and deal with unwanted clothes. This advice is aiming to help minimise people’s impact on the environment by reducing the amount of carbon, 26 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
water and waste created through the manufacture, laundry and disposal of clothing while also helping to save money and resources. Love Your Clothes has been developed as part of the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP), which is coordinated by WRAP, a not-for-profit organisation supported by UK Governments. SCAP brings together clothing retailers, brands, suppliers, local authority representatives, end of life organisations recyclers, charities, trade bodies, academics and the public sector to work together and look at how to reduce the environmental impacts of clothing in the UK. Earlier this year, former supermodel and head of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival Anna Freemantle joined Scottish designer Niki Taylor, who counts Alexa Chung and Florence Welch as fans, at Denny textile recycling plant to launch the Love Your Clothes campaign.
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY Taylor said at the launch: “The Love your Clothes campaign is something that I am very passionate about. Having worked in the fashion industry for 15 years, you see first-hand how much waste there is. It’s also frightening as consumers how disposable clothing has become, creating massive landfill and great harm to the environment and to in some cases the workers. Due to this insight I decided to make a difference in my own purchasing and to take responsibility as a designer. I set up a new sustainable business in line with my values, which alongside supporting new designers, sells vintage, recycled garments & 100% organic T-shirts made in a wind powered factory. We need to buy responsibly, look after and recycle our clothes.” Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead added: “I welcome this focus on how we treat our clothing to extend its lifespan and get the most out of it. A staggering volume of textiles ends up going in the bin every year – much of this needlessly. By reducing this in line with the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan and being smarter about how we deal with clothing right across its life-cycle, we can help the environment, save money and create social value.” Research carried out for the campaign highlighted some interesting differences between the shopping habits of men and women. Apparently, more than half of men decide what they need before going clothes shopping and stick to the plan, compared with just 35% of women, and 80% only buy what they need compared to 35% of women . However, it was also found that women appear to be more open to the value of unwanted clothes with almost double the number of women selling their unwanted clothes on sites like eBay compared to men. A higher number of women than men were also willing to repair or refresh their old clothes, donate to charity shops or swap with friends, instead of putting them in the bin.
SOCIAL INVESTMENT SCOTLAND SECURES £16M IN INVESTMENT FOR NEW FUND
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ocial Investment Scotland has secured £16m in investment from Big Society Capital and the Scottish government to create a social investment fund for the country. Big Society Capital has committed £8m in principle, and this investment has been matched by the Scottish government to create the Social Growth Fund for Scotland which will give loans to charities and social enterprises. Big Society Capital’s investment will be the first of its kind in Scotland and will increase Social Investment Scotland’s fund under management by a third. It is the second regional-targeted fund from Big Society Capital. Alastair Davis, chief executive of Social Investment Scotland, said: “SIS aims to grow its funds under management significantly over the next five years and this new Social Growth Fund represents a substantial step in this direction.” Alastair Davis, Chief Executive of Social Investment Scotland, said: “SIS aims to grow its funds under management significantly over the next five years and this new Social Growth Fund represents a substantial step in this direction. The investment is recognition for the considerable social impact achieved by our work to date, and will go a long way to helping us achieve our strategy for growth, making a real difference to more lives in communities across Scotland.”
It’s this attitude to old clothes that the Love Your Clothes campaign is really trying to get people to adopt. In Glasgow’s West End alone there is well over ten charity shops, including Salvation Army, Oxfam, Shelter and Cancer Research. There’s also plenty thrift shops across the city such as Handbags and Gladrags, Circa Vintage and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Starry Starry Night. Even if your clothes are too damaged Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP, said: “I am or worn for re-use, they can still be donated for textile delighted that the Scottish Government will be able recycling rather than being thrown out. to support Social Investment Scotland with up to £8m from the Scottish Investment Fund, which will As well as helping the environment, using the tips given match Big Society Capital’s commitment. This is an out in this campaign can save you money and open up exciting opportunity for third sector organisations your wardrobe to many more influences. More money in Scotland, and I look forward to the Social Growth and more clothes all whilst helping the planet...what Fund opening to applications shortly.” could be better? FOCUS SCOTLAND | 27
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
POLICE SCOTLAND YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROJECT LAUNCHED Photo: Iain Fleming/Police Scotland
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ore than 100 pioneering youth volunteers from Police Scotland have been recognised by the Chief Constable and are set to serve their communities after a passing out parade.
It is anticipated that many of the volunteers will have the opportunity to deploy at the Commonwealth Games later this year as well as the Junior Ryder Cup in September.
The event, held at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan, was attended by Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House QPM, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and the family and friends of the youth volunteers.
A pilot youth volunteer scheme was previously held involving young people from two school communities from Cumnock and Auchinleck Academies.
Five groups of volunteers, who came from communities in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Cumnock were recognised. The project has been carried out between Police Scotland, charity Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work. All the volunteers participated in a range of activities aimed at instilling values of citizenship and public service over a 12-week induction period. Training included working with police officers and teachers to learn about the rank and structure of the police as well as a range of specialist functions. 28 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
The 24 young people from Ayrshire took part in a volunteering pilot programme at Dumfries House, Cumnock. They were previously recognised by HRH Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay. Sergeant Craig Rankine, National Programme Manager of Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, said: “The PSYV represents a fantastic and unique opportunity for young people across Scotland to become involved in positive volunteering opportunities nationwide. “We have also linked all of our future volunteering opportunities to national awards such as Duke of Edinburgh, Saltire and Youth achievement awards, to ensure our young people gain the appropriate recognition for their efforts as the programme develops.”
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
Photo: Drew Farrell
£338,177 TO BOOST YOUTH ARTS PROVISION
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reative Scotland is delighted to announce £338,177 support to help boost youth arts provision in West Dunbartonshire.
The funding is being announced as part of Scotland’s National Youth Arts Strategy Time To Shine and will be used to create a network of nine regional Youth Arts Hubs from a total funding package of £3.1m, across the country. The Hubs – in Aberdeen and North East, Argyll, Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Highlands, Moray and West Dunbartonshire - are being formed through partnerships between local and national arts and youth services providers, to increase access to youth arts across Scotland across a range of art forms. West Dunbartonshire’s youth support organisation Y Sort It will work with partners to deliver #FreshCreations, a new space for West Dunbartonshire’s young creatives. #FreshCreations is both virtual and physical and connects young people to projects, activities, events and initiatives to inspire and invigorate. #FreshCreations will place young people at the centre of decision making and will make the arts a welcoming, accessible and relevant place to be. Youth Arts Hub partners for the area include West 30 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
Dunbartonshire Council Arts & Heritage, CAOS (Community Arts Open Space), Scottish Music Centre: ‘Music Plus’, Media Co-Op, West College Scotland, Tullochan, The Pulse, CAOSYoung Scot, Enable and The Prince’s Trust. Daniel McCormick, Vice Chairperson, Y sort it Youth Management Board said: “#Fresh Creations will offer local young people from West Dunbartonshire the opportunity to shape a new and improved programme of youth art activities and the opportunity to design and develop specific innovative youth art spaces for young people. I know first-hand how the support from Y sort it, can change any young persons life, the investment from Creative Scotland to create a West Dunbartonshire Youth Arts Hub won’t just be the beginning of #FreshCreations, it could mean a fresh start for many young people.” Acting as focal points for regional youth arts delivery, the Hubs will nurture and celebrate ambition, enthusiasm and talent in Scotland’s young people by improving the regional infrastructure. Young people will be central to the decision making process and development of the Youth Arts Hubs.
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
NUMBER OF SCOTTISH CIOS DOUBLES IN A YEAR
WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY JUNE 14TH 2014
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he number of charitable incorporated organisations in Scotland has doubled in just over a year, according to figures released last week by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. SCIOs now make up a third of all charity applications in Scotland, and more applications are made to become SCIOs than any other legal form. Its figures show that more than one in 24 Scottish charities is now an SCIO. David Robb, chief executive of the regulator, said demand for SCIO status has remained “consistently high” over recent years. “It’s a simpler way of giving reassurance to people putting their time and effort into setting up and running charities that they have protection against liability,” he said. “And, as the SCIO is a corporate body it also makes it clearer for people and companies dealing with the charity.
Leonie Bell, Director of Arts & Engagement, Creative Scotland, said: “Through making connections and developing new projects these Hubs will enable more children and young people to take part in creative activities close to where they live. “These Hubs will not only create opportunities for young people to shine and express themselves creatively; but also by placing them at the heart of the creation and delivery of the new work, the young people will develop skills and expertise which will be invaluable to their futures.” Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Sectary for Culture Secretary, said “The Scottish Government is committed to supporting all of Scotland’s children and young people to flourish and achieve in the arts, and to make Scotland an international leader for creativity for children and young people. The Youth Arts Hubs will build on the well-established links between culture, education, youth employment and personal development, and will help us to deliver a step change in our youth arts provision in Scotland.”
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very year on June 14th countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day; the event was established to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank those unpaid voluntary blood donors for taking the time to donate such a lifesaving gift. Transfusions of Blood and Blood products help save Millions of lives every year, helping those suffering from life threatening conditions live longer, as well as supporting complex medical and surgical procedures. Every blood donation is a gift of life. Donating blood is safe, simple and takes only an hour. Every minute of every day someone in Scotland is receiving blood as part of a life-saving or life-enhancing treatment. Yet, only 5% of the population are active blood donors. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) must welcome 5000 blood donors every week to meet the needs of patients in Scotland. Go on, give it a try. For details of how to donate check out the website www.scotblood.co.uk
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FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
LGBT Helpline Scotland Information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity and their families, friends and supporters.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12pm - 9pm
0300 123 2523
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GBT Helpline Scotland launched in May 2013 as Scotland’s first ever national helpline to provide information and emotional support specifically to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families, friends and supporters across Scotland. We are also here to support those questioning or wanting to discuss their sexuality or gender identity. We are a team consisting of one paid member of staff and (currently) 8 volunteers, all of whom give their time and support for free. We are funded by the Scottish Government’s Equality Unit and the service is provided by LGBT Health and Wellbeing, a unique organisation which provides services across Scotland designed to reduce the health inequalities experienced by LGBT people. It’s an interesting time for LGBT people in Scotland. Recent years have seen us make huge strides for equality, with LGBT issues being discussed in the public sphere with more balance and fairness than in the past. Although the campaign for equal marriage in Scotland 32 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
has seen us finally approaching one of the last major hurdles in equality before the law, the fact remains that for many LGBT people in Scotland, prejudice, rejection, bullying, ignorance and a lack of visible LGBT people in their lives is still having a very negative impact on their mental health and emotional wellbeing. We still live in a society which presumes we are not LGBT until we declare otherwise, and as a result many LGBT people fear the possible rejection that can go hand-in-hand with “coming out”, while others internalise negative beliefs that their sexuality or gender identity is a problem that they wish would go away. The effect that this can have on an individual’s selfworth and mental health is immense. Research shows that 1 in 3 transgender people and 1 in 5 lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the UK have attempted suicide at some point in their lives. For those who live in larger cities such as Edinburgh
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and Glasgow, there are some LGBT support services around which can be a lifeline. However, it can very difficult for some people to find the courage to declare that they are LGBT and access these services, even if they live nearby. For an LGBT person who lives in a village in the highlands, the reality is that with all the will and enthusiasm in the world, there often just isn’t any LGBT-specific support available. That’s where we come into the picture. A large proportion of our callers simply need someone who they can talk to without fear of judgement, to someone who not only understands their identity, but who is not shy about discussing issues which people providing more general services might find difficult or embarrassing. It can be comforting for our callers to explore their feelings, get something off their chests or just to know that they are not alone. Our volunteers are trained to deal with a wide range of issues including sexuality, coming out, gender identity, relationships, family issues, sexual health and emotional
wellbeing. We also have a “Third Party Reporting Service”, where LGBT victims of hate crime can report incidents to us rather than directly the police, which makes going through a difficult time that little bit easier easier for those who do not feel comfortable talking directly to the police. It is our hope that one day, services like ours will no longer be necessary. In the meantime, if you know an LGBT person who needs some support, or indeed if you are an LGBT person in need of someone to talk to, do give us a call. Our volunteers are a lovely bunch of people who are always happy to listen.
LGBT Helpline Scotland is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12-9pm on 0300 123 2523. For more information on the service, email stephen@ lgbthealth.org.uk or visit www.lgbthelpline-scotland.org.uk. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 33
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Supported by
Give me cycle space. Official Charity Partner
Cycling Scotland’s Give Me Cycle Space Campaign
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ransport Minister Keith Brown visited Strathdevon Primary in Dollar today (2 May) to launch Cycling Scotland’s national ‘Give Me Cycle Space’ campaign. The Minister was joined by The Riderz stunt team who performed their amazing tricks for the school as part of a national road show which will visit 39 schools across Scotland over the next six weeks. With pupils gearing up to cycle to school over the summer term, Give Me Cycle Space, funded by Transport Scotland, aims to encourage motorists to be more aware of, give plenty of space to, and slow down for children on bikes. Give Me Cycle Space also points parents and children to information about choosing cycle routes to school. Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “I am pleased to launch Cycling Scotland’s annual “Give Me Cycle Space” campaign which encourages drivers to look out for children cycling on roads, especially during school run periods. “The Scottish Government and other key road safety partners continue to enable and encourage safe cycling in Scotland through education and training for cyclists as well as raise awareness for other road users. “We recently allocated a further £4.5m in grant funding to Cycling Scotland over two years for various projects including this important campaign which is in addition to the £20m announced last September towards cycling infrastructure. “The Scottish Government aims to help people to make active travel choices for their everyday journeys wherever possible, to improve their health and the environment. Cycling is a great way for people to be more physically active and this campaign is another way we can support people in 2014.” Ian Aitken, chief executive of Cycling Scotland, said: “With so many children keen to use their bikes to get 34 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
to school across Scotland, it is essential that we raise awareness amongst all drivers of the need to give adequate space to those travelling by bike- as much space as they’d give a car. It’s also important for parents and children to consider their most appropriate route to and from school, whether by road, shared pathway or traffic-free cycle route. ‘’ “Following last year’s campaign, over two-thirds of parents reported that they felt more confident about their children cycling to school. This is a great step forward in allowing kids in Scotland to enjoy the huge benefits of regular cycling, safe in the knowledge that drivers will be conscious of children on bikes and give them plenty of room to make an easy and safe journey to and from school.” Iain Withers, leader of The Riderz said: “We’re really excited to be touring around Scotland again this year for the Give Me Cycle Space campaign. It’s a great opportunity to show kids just how much fun cycling is and to help get the message out to drivers to give kids cycle space too. The Give Me Cycle Space campaign carries an important message and I’m delighted The Riderz are able to support it during our tour.” The Riderz stunt team provide essential ‘Dr Bike’ maintenance sessions and cycle route planning activities as well as performing their spectacular stunts for the pupils.
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