FOCUS: S COT L A N D
Issue 1: 2013
THE MAGAZINE FOR VOLUNTEERING AND THE THIRD SECTOR IN SCOTLAND
MODEL BEHAVIOUR VOLUNTEERING - A fashion trend everyone can follow View the complete collection at www.volunteerscotland.org.uk
Contact us on 0141 941 0886 or text Volunteer to 80800
FOCUS ON: WHATS INSIDE
Inside...
EDITOR Selina Ross DESIGN Ritchie Marshall POLICY EDITOR Martin Docherty PHOTOGRAPHY Daren Borzynski NEWS TEAM Ritchie Marshall Daren Borzynski David Robertson Urvashi Gulati Liz Kelman Drew Davidson Marzanna Antoniak
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AN ACTIVE SCOTLAND
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COMIC RELIEF
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SELF DIRECTED SUPPORT
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FAIR TRADE NATION
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SOCIAL ENTERPRISING
… Focus talks to Dr Andrew Murray about his vision for an active Scotland
…25 years of Comic Relief and Red Nose Day
… How Unity Enterprise is rising to the challenge
... Marking fair-trade fortnight
... Social Enterprise Exchange Event March 2013
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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AN ACTIVE SCOTLAND Evidence exists to show a link between long term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers and the Scottish Lifestyle. This edition puts the Focus on those involved in helping to try to promote a more active Scotland.
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T
urn on the TV or radio or read a newspaper any day of the week and you will be sure to hear mention of the poor Scottish lifestyle. We are all aware of the detrimental health impact that our lack of physical activity can have on us as individuals, on our families and on our communities. We probably give less thought to the limitations this can place on the individual and the huge resource burden which it places on the NHS in Scotland and the wider economy. Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport told Focus Scotland, “Physical inactivity is one of our major health challenges and contributes to nearly 2500 premature deaths in Scotland each year. This is 2500 deaths too many and creates an incredible burden on the NHS. By becoming a more physically active nation, we can deliver savings of millions of pounds to the NHS. For example, a one percent increase in sport and physical activity would yield a £3.5 million saving each year from coronary heart disease, stroke and colon cancer alone. Whatever your age, physical activity will make you feel better, not only now, but will add years of quality life. Sport and physical activity for older people can promote strength, coordination and balance which can reduce the risk of falls. In Scotland today, levels of participation in sport are increasing, We are seeing a slight increase in the proportion of children meeting our physical activity guidelines, While this is moving in the right direction, there is still much more to be done. However, as a result of the contribution of some key individuals and initiatives the levels of participation in physical activity in Scotland are increasing, defying the international trend and we welcome this and commit the Scottish Government’s support to initiatives such as that being lead by Dr Andrew Murray promoting and encouraging physical activity across all Scottish communities.” FOCUS SCOTLAND | 5
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Focus on: Heather MacLeod
WALK GLASGOW VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR
I suppose beauty of that is that it is so sustainable, because it is all volunteers that come in to lead the walks.
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alk Glasgow is a Glasgow Life project funded by Paths for All and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. I work there as the Walk Glasgow volunteer coordinator and we look at promoting and developing walking opportunities across Glasgow. The main part of this position is to train and support volunteers to lead health walks. A health walk is a FREE, short, gentle and friendly walk up to 2.5 miles long led by a trained volunteer. They are a great way to meet new people and take the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle. How did you get involved with Walk Glasgow? I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors; I studied Countryside and Environment Management at Aberdeen University and then I was a countryside ranger for many years. Activities included where, pond dipping, taking groups out for guided walks. I then became more interested in the health benefits and the experiences people had when they were in the outdoors, rather than the wildlife and the environment itself. I was initially involved in health walks back in 2004 and started supporting volunteers through my role as a ranger at this point I realised that it was my 6 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
dream job. So when this job came up in 2009, I said to myself ‘I have got to get it’. Has it been a big change from leading a few small walks to come in to this job and build up and coordinate a large team of volunteers? It’s quite strategic, I try to get a balance from supporting volunteers to go out and lead walks at grass roots level to finding funders to buy into the idea of the health walks. So you have to have a couple of different hats on most of the time. Do you do all the work alone? It’s very much a partnership approach we use, although I’m the only employed person for the Walk Glasgow initiative. I make links with local organisations and groups with an interest in physical activity. So we have steering groups set up that have lots of different organisations sitting on that to help drive forward the health walks. I suppose beauty of that is that it is so sustainable, because it is all volunteers that come in to lead the walks. We do not always have to scramble around looking for funding, but it is making sure that the support and the frame work is there for the volunteers. It’s also important for volunteers to have someone to talk to and to be at the end of a phone
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
for someone that needs a bit of extra support. Is it easy for an organisation or for someone to set up a health walk? Yes, absolutely. In Glasgow they can contact me or Paths for All, they are a national organisation that support health walks. Paths for All run a free one day training course and from there we can provide the support you need.
inclusive and it’s about ability and not disability, let’s get out and do what we can at your level. We might not be able to runs marathons across a continent, but we can get out and do something in your own local community. It’s also nice to have a mixture of generations on a walk, they will talk about how things were in that area in years past and sharing a story.
Ideally we would like all health walks to be open community walks that anyone can come along to, but we understand that under certain circumstances it’s more appropriate for some groups that their service users have their own walk. So we have a mixture in Glasgow of open groups for anyone to come along to and closed groups for adults for disabilities to mental health support groups that feel that this is part of their programme and recovery or rehab that they do walking as part of that. The Health benefits of walking are quite important for the groups? They are huge, there is the physical side of it where you need to get out and actually move your muscles and it’s a really easy thing for people to do. You can reduce your risk of the developing heart disease, certain cancers & type II diabetes by up to 50%. It’s brilliant for weight management and great for lung capacity. There are also the benefits for mental health, there is a real boost from going out on a walk and people come back feeling more positive. For me that is one of the best things about this job. It reduces social isolation, in particularly the elderly who live alone; they then have a massive social circle. Just last night the Tollcross group had a night out for a meal and some of them go to see tribute bands together. A few really strong friendships have been built around health walks in Glasgow. Is a health walk is a good place to start? We try and accommodate all levels and abilities for people and they can get in touch if they have or need extra support. If they are a wheelchair user or want to come with a child in a buggy, we will point them in the right direction for the most appropriate group to join. We are very much about being
How many health walks are there in Glasgow? There are 50 open walks per week that anyone can come along to. We try and spread the groups around Glasgow so people can find something local to them. I provide the training for the volunteers; I’m the cascade trainer for Paths for All in Glasgow. What is involved in the training? The course is really accessible, really interactive and not too technical. We look at the benefits of walking and the barriers of why people don’t get out and walk and as walk leaders, what we can do to support people to overcome that. We go out on Health Walks and look at the role we take as a walk leader, what we need to think about and what do we need to be aware of and risk assessments. We also look at route planning, if it’s a good route or if FOCUS SCOTLAND | 7
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a bad route, what we want to be aware of what we should avoid. How many Volunteers do you have at the moment? We currently have 120 active volunteers across Glasgow, with over 500 being trained since I started in 2009. We recently did an evaluation and we found that a good core of volunteers that started in 2009, are still actively with us. Circumstances always change with volunteers, some go on to get jobs, that could have came through what they have done volunteering or they have children and family members to look after. We are always keen to have 4 walk leaders available for each walk, so there is no pressure for them to be there every single week. To make sure the walk runs we will have 2 walk leaders at every walk. What sizes of group would be normal for 2 walk leaders to go out with? We try to have a maximum of 10 walkers to every walk leader, but we tend to find that the average number of people going out on a walk is 10. Some of the larger groups have around 20-25 walkers. Do you still have volunteers coming forward to 8 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
take up the position of walk leader? Lots of people are very enthusiastic; we find that a lot of our volunteer Walk Leaders have come through the walks themselves. They have been in the walks and really enjoyed it and have wanted to do a bit more and give something back. It works well when it’s someone from the group that takes on the role as walk leader because they know the group and what is involved on the routes. We welcome everyone that wants to take part. Can the walkers progress on to other activities? We give walkers information and encourage progression and point them to longer walks that they can do. There are also other activities that they can access across Glasgow. There are so many benefits. It’s fun, It’s free, it’s easy and it’s great for all ages and abilities. Recently at the Paths for All conference, they announced that you were the Volunteer Manager for 2012, a proud moment? Absolutely, I was quite touched. I love my job and I’m very passionate about what I do but it is really nice to be recognised for that. For people looking for Health Walks around Scotland find out more at www.pathsforall.org.uk
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VOLUNTEER WALK LEADER
AN ACTIVE SCOTLAND -
GAIL HAMMOND
FACTS AND FIGURES •
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%). Men were more likely than women to have been running/jogging
I moved to Scotland three years ago and I didn’t really know anyone. I heard about a walk group through a friend and we decided to join. We got so much out of it, including the health benefits and that been a real big plus for me. I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and when I first started I couldn’t walk up any hills, now I can. I can now walk quicker and better. After a while we decided to volunteer as walk leaders, as we wanted to give something back to the community after all that we got out of it. Our group started with seven walkers, we now have seven walk leaders and our group has gone from strength to strength.
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Focus on: Dr Andrew Murray We know the single best thing you can do is to get active and stay active.
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o say Dr Andrew Murray leads an active life is a bit of an understatement. Besides his ‘day job’ as a General Practitioner, and his work in the field of Sport and Exercise Medicine for the European Golf Tour, the Scottish Rugby Union and Heart of Midlothian FC, he was also appointed the Scottish Government’s Physical Activity Champion in February 2012. And all that and a love of marathon running too. In March of last year, together with Sports Minister Shona Robison, Dr Murray helped re-launch the ‘Take Life On’ campaign, aimed at improving the nation’s fitness levels. “We know the single best thing you can do is to get active and stay active. The campaign had proved successful in 2011 so I was pleased to help re-launch it in 2012. The feedback from that has been fantastic. It’s all about getting folk active; I was essentially brought into the post because the evidence is so strong about the dangers of inactivity. We now know that it actually kills 16% of the UK population – that’s almost 1 in 6. It is the fundamental public health challenge of our age. Dr Murray is clear that the key is getting to people early. “From a child health point of view, we really 10 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
PHOTO // MIKE KING
need to get children and young adults more involved - giving them solutions so they can get active and stay active. As parents we all want the best for our children and nudging them to switch off the TV and do a little bit more activity every day will reap rewards both now and in the future. 60 minutes a day would really help us see a change start to take place.” There is growing momentum behind the drive for activity. Across the world there is growing evidence that physical inactivity is a real health danger, equally as damaging as smoking and probably at least if not more damaging than alcohol excess and obesity. Physical inactivity kills as many people as smoking and more than other health risk factors, but beyond life expectancy, it also has an impact on improved mental health outcomes and function. Dr Murray is optimistic about the challenges faced. “Folk in Scotland are brilliant, they really get it! We are starting from a low base in terms of physical activity here, but there is an excitement amongst the workforce and I suppose with the Olympics Games having just passed and next year’s Commonwealth Games looming on the horizon, there is a real and unique opportunity to get this done in Scotland and really drive this forward. We
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made a big difference previously with smoking and alcohol and this is the time we can get this done for physical activity in Scotland. Sports Minister Shona Robison has provided really strong leadership on this as well along with Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Sir Harry Burns and teams such as the national community planning group have been talking about physical activity and really putting it high up on everyone’s agenda and making it a priority for 2013 – 2014. Although a keen runner, Dr Murray is clear that running isn’t for everyone. In fact, he is keen to promote the little changes everyone can make to lead a more physically active lifestyle. Whether that is walking or cycling to work, taking the stairs more, getting a pedometer or asking friends what works for them. “It’s not about us telling folk what to do, but it’s about us providing solutions. So everything counts, it can be walking, cycling and it can also be running if folk want, but you don’t need to be running to the Sahara Desert or around the world. Every step is a step to health and each opportunity you take in physical activity is really helping yourself not only in terms of life expectancy but also in terms of quality of life. It’s not all about running; it’s about finding something that works for you that you can build into day to day life. “ “Across Scottish Government, local authorities and amongst community planning teams, everyone has got a contribution that they can make towards physical activity. It might be in education, in getting the message to communities, or making sport and activity more accessible through improved urban planning. That is where we can make a difference. It’s not the actions of one or two people that are going to change this and turn it around in Scotland, but with everyone getting together and pushing this agenda, that is where we will achieve a change.” For Dr Murray activity and sport has always been a part of his life. Joining a team to play 11 a side football, he found he wasn’t keeping up with the game regularly receiving a good shouting at from team-mates. Determined to improve, he turned to running to get fitter. “The reason for keeping up with running in preference to the other stuff I do is because for
me it’s the simplest form of transport and an easy way to keep fit. When I was living abroad and backpacking, I didn’t need mates with a football or tennis racquets, all I needed was my running shoes, I could put them on and just go out the front door. I really enjoy running and it’s a big part of what I do and it’s not an obsession to me, when I’m building up to a particular event I will train really, really hard. But I just do it because it’s fun and I enjoy it. Obviously I can spread the message for exercise for health, but it is an extreme form of exercise so it’s not something I would advocate for all.”
Every step is a step to health and each opportunity you take in physical activity is really helping yourself not only in terms of life expectancy but also in terms of quality of life. In 2011 Andrew ran from John O’ Groats to the Sahara Desert in 77 days and 8 hours, covering a staggering distance of 2659 miles. Andrew’s accomplishment was the equivalent of running over 101 consecutive marathons and is a new British record and he has recently completed a run of 50k on 7 continents in 5 and a half days, raising money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health in the process. Besides the health benefits, this love of running has helped Dr Murray see the world - albeit seeing it in fast forward, covering the Pyramids in Egypt, the Opera House in Sydney, the mountains in Patagonia and Antarctica – all in a matter of days. “It was an absolutely incredible thing. That’s why I do it, to keep myself fit and healthy, but to see a bit of the world, to get out there and enjoy it and not to be trapped on my couch.” “The Run the World event was an organisational as well as an athletic problem. It was quite satisfying, but also a relief. It is amazing thinking where you have been and what you have done within a week, but also getting other people involved. More than 1,700 folk that joined in doing regular exercise during the week I was away, including our Chief Medical Officer, ministers and others involved in the world of sport. More than 1,700 just committing to taking up exercise and many for their first time was a really big part of the challenge. It was great to know that people were doing that, It drove you FOCUS SCOTLAND | 11
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PHOTO // MIKE KING
on when thing were a bit miserable, your feet were sore and horribly jetlagged. It might seem all the photos of me it looks like I’m having fun, but at one point I had run 150 kilometres in 30 odd hours and I was getting really tired at that point and it’s things like the views, memories and the realisation that folk at home were also going through this spurs you on.” Although focussed on his goal, Dr Murray did manage to take time to enjoy the scenery. “Each day you have enormous highs. You are seeing things that are incredible and you can’t feel but be impressed if you arrive at dawn by the pyramids in Egypt. They are colossal things with lots of History; it’s a complete knock out. The reason I chose that route was because it is so scenic and there is so much to see and do. If you take Antarctica is a incredibly difficult place to run, extreme subzero temperatures, katabatic winds, wearing a load of clothes and trying to run through snow and you look up and there are these incredible mountains, you’re running on a glazier and you can see as far as you like because the air is so clear. Each challenge has its rewards in equal measure, there was the element of difficulty but you always felt that it was really giving back to you.” 12 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
“Last year for me was really satisfying for a couple of reasons, I think we are making real progress with physical activity through the Scottish Government and I see that as a great achievement. Obviously the running is really satisfying; I also won the Antarctic Ice marathon, although that is not actually based on athletic ability. I’m not the fastest runner; I wasn’t even the fastest runner in my flat a couple of years ago. It’s about planning and getting it right, working out how you can achieve something in a particular environment wearing the right clothes, eating the right food, getting systems right, so thats what the Antarctic thing was about.” What next for Doctor Andrew Murray? “I will continue to work with the team at Scottish Government to get folk active and the national implementation plan with Shona Robison in Parliament that’s been concluded. Raining awareness of how important it is, the national walking strategy, since 56% of calories are expended are through walking and if folk are looking for a simple way to get active it is through walking and the walking strategy will help a lot with that. So that will be my areas of focus through work. No doubt there will be a couple of fairly crazy challenges.”
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COMIC RELIEF 2013
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C
omic Relief stars will this year mark 25 years of Red Nose Day and the 50 million lives that have been changed by the money raised.
Thanks to the generosity of the British public since 1988 over £600 million has been raised through 13 Red Nose Days since 1988. That money has been helping to change lives across Africa, the UK and the world’s poorest countries. C0-Founder of Comic Relief Richard Curtis commented: “From day one the money so generously donated by the UK public has been hard at work helping to create a just world free from poverty. These days Africa is a vastly different continent to the one I visited all those years ago. Six of the world’s fastest growing economies are now in Africa. And major progress has been made in fighting diseases, increasing literacy rates and addressing injustice. But there’s still much to do, both in Africa and here in the UK. We must keep up the good work.” Red Nose Day stalwarts Jonathan Ross and Davina McCall marked the anniversary from a vaccination clinic in Accra, Ghana. The presenting duo spent the day doing live broadcasts into TV and radio programmes reporting on the progress that has been happening in Africa Davina McCall said: “A baby’s cry when it’s being vaccinated is the best sound you can hear. It’s the sound of a child’s life being saved. Thanks to the UK public you will have helped provide one million vaccines across Africa. Let’s keep up the good work.” Jonathan Ross added: “This is the first time I’ve visited Comic Relief projects and it’s amazing to see the change the public’s money can have. The money you’ve given whether it’s a pound or more really has transformed lives. You should see your donation as an investment which works time and time again and ultimately we hope will enable people in Africa to become self-sufficient. Wouldn’t it be great if Red Nose Day didn’t need to celebrate its 50th birthday? Africa is changing not just through our money but because people in Africa are also making it happen.”
Thanks to the public, Comic Relief will have helped: • • • • • • • •
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3 million people affected by HIV in Africa Provide 1 million vaccines in Africa and the world’s poorest countries At least 7 million people living in urban poverty in slums in Africa and the world’s poorest countries Assist over 1 million children in Africa and the world’s poorest countries to get an education Prevent or cure blindness for more than 2.4 million people in Africa and the world’s poorest countries 10 million people across the UK Set up and funded the National Domestic Violence Helpline, which has received 1.2 million calls since it was set up in 2003 Support disabled people and their organisations to secure the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act enabling thousands of people to access services and to get real opportunities in the workplace and in education Half a million people with mental health problems in the last five years alone
Red Nose Day is back on 15th March. Find out how to keep up the good work at www.rednoseday.com FOCUS SCOTLAND | 15
FOCUS ON: MONEY
APPLYING TO CHARITABLE TRUSTS... The Association of Charitable Foundations suggests that there are some 10,000 charitable trusts and foundations in the UK distributing ÂŁ2billion in grants annually. Trusts and foundations come in all shapes and sizes and give grants for a wide variety of causes. Some focus on particular geographical areas, others only give to certain types of organisation... some concentrate on a well-defined community, while others are interested in funding for particular areas of work or general themes. Our top 8 hints for making the most of your trust applications...
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Time on research is never wasted.. take some time to identify the trusts which could support your work. You can use the internet, contact your local interface, talk to local contacts, local reference libraries, press reports on similar projects funded in your area or beyond.
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Identify the clear need for the project. Funders want to fund things that they can see can make a difference. Take time to work out your costs. Remember funders will ask you to justify them. Also remember to only include eligible costs...costs must relate to the project and don’t double count
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If the trust offers the chance to contact them by telephone before making an application...give them a call! This will help you to be sure that you are eligible before you commit all the time and effort to the application. This saves their time as well as yours.
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Read the guidelines... once.... twice.... three times... till you are sure of what the funder requires. Look on their websites or do a search to see the projects they have previously funded – this will help you ensure you are on the right tracks.
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Make sure the people writing the project draft know what the project is, who will benefit and what the outcomes will be and can convey it to others. Don’t assume that everyone knows what your project is from the title!
When you apply, be sure to send the information in the format the funder has requested. If they ask for a letter describing the project, make it clear and precise don’t go over the amount of pages or ramble on. If it’s an application form make sure you answer all the questions and the answer matches the question! If the process is on-line download the questions first and think through your answers before typing and always remember to check and save as you go along. Only include a covering letter or stamped address envelope if the trust request it This is public information and available to anyone including funders and donors.
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Supporting documents - make sure all the documents asked for are included and up to date; do not send additional information if not requested. Remember too, that many Trusts are small and can be run solely by volunteers so check the closing dates and understand you may have to wait a while for a reply...be patient!
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Remember the funding climate is now tighter for everyone. Trusts don’t have the available money to meet all of the requests they receive. A ‘no’ doesn’t mean you have a bad project it just means you may need to consider a cocktail of funding to make it happens. You have done the preparation work try again with another trust or send more than one application at the same time. Also pay attention to the maximum grant awarded by trusts and don’t over-ask...if you do, they may not even read your application!
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For support in applying to charitable trusts contact West Dunbartonshire CVS on 0141 941 0886 or email us at info@wdcvs.com FOCUS SCOTLAND | 17
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering gives people an opportunity to improve themselves by working together with others and developing their skills. It also gives you a special feeling .
Nina Ivashinenko came to Scotland from Nizhny Novogorod in Russia and holds a PhD in Economic Sociology and a doctorate in
ONE SCOTLAND MANY CULTURES
economics. Among her academic interests are INTERVIEW BY MARZANNA ANTONIAK social structures, poverty and the migration process. She is a professor at the Nizhny Novogorod State University and the director of the Research Centre for Social Systems. She also works as a volunteer director at the Russian Centre in Scotland ‘Haven’. When did you start thinking of moving to Scotland? When I was a child I never thought of going abroad. Before perestroika it was impossible, due to the political situation, but now the borders are blurred. The younger Russian generation speak fluent English. I came to Scotland six years ago to be with my husband, who migrated to Scotland earlier, but I 18 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
have not lost contact with my country of origin. What were your beginnings in Scotland like? My first impressions of Scotland were that it was green and warm in comparison with Russia. The people were also very friendly and helpful. My first Scottish friend was Penny Dally, who I met via the programme ‘Time Together’, led by a volunteering centre in Glasgow. The programme connected newcomers and older Glaswegians. Penny helped me a lot by explaining how things worked in Glasgow, finding a good school for my daughter and filling in the application for the premises for our centre. When she died unexpectedly in 2010 it was a shock. For a foreigner, the first offerings of help are very important. If someone helps you, you can grow and draw upon other resources.
FOCUS ON: VOLUNTEERING
How did you start volunteering? The people who helped me when I arrived in Scotland were volunteers. I thought that since people helped me to start to live in Scotland, I should help others. Martin Docherty and Selina Ross from the West Dunbartonshire Community and Volunteering Services helped to improve our centre by editing our constitution, teaching us fundraising skills and setting up management systems. Louise was our first independent examiner. So, I got involved with WDCVS who gave me some tasks where I could volunteer doing things closer to my research background. It was an important time for me because I improved my English and started to recognize how NGOs could support people to manage social difficulties. I volunteered there right up until I gave birth to my son. Did you volunteer in Russia? No. When I was young the public structure was completely different so there were no opportunities to. Then, when I was lecturing at university I was too busy. In Russia there are two types of volunteering: formal and informal. Here it is easy to be a formal volunteer. In Russia it is easy to be an informal volunteer. I co-founded an organisation ‘Right of Life”, which helps people who have been in prison to reintegrate into society. What encourages people to be volunteers? Our centre, together with a master’s student from the University of Glasgow carried out research into Russian speaking people who volunteer in Scotland. The results showed that Russian speaking people volunteer here because it enables them to integrate into society – improve their language skills, understand people and use their knowledge in practice to overcome isolation. Volunteering gives people an opportunity to improve themselves by working together with others and developing their skills. It also gives you a special feeling. A lot of people lose hope when they do nothing but sit at home. Can you tell me about your centre, RCS Haven? The Russian Centre in Scotland ‘Haven’ was set up in 2004 and is based at 11 Duke Street, Glasgow. Our centre provides a range of services to Russian speakers and the wider communities. The services provided include English language and IT training,
support in relation to social problems and financial hardship, development of cultural links between Scotland and the former USSR as well as Russian language library services. We would like to help people to integrate into Scottish society and also to promote Russian culture among people who live here. We also strive to support the learning of Russian language amongst our second generation. I believe bilingual people are our future. They are very skilled people; they have the natural ability to think in different ways from those who only speak one language. Their brains work more effectively than those of people who learn their second language as adults. It’s amazing! What cultural differences have you noticed between Russia and Scotland? Scotland has a completely different social and emotional structure. Many Scottish people seem to be very closed and you can’t recognise the emotions in their reactions. But this isn’t necessarily caused by a language barrier. You understand every word but you can’t comprehend the intention behind the words. Is it a polite ‘no’ or is it a warm ‘yes’? At the beginning it confused me a lot. Both countries have different types of hierarchical structure. In Russia it is very formal, very clear, when you address your boss you use their full name. In Scotland it appears less formal, but some conflicts arise because some people do not understand how to manage this hierarchy. In Scotland, as experienced by many of our people, there are kind of ‘hidden’ rules. These rules are never explained to you, as people expect you should know about them. But as a foreigner you might not know. What do you think about Scotland? I value this country for its deep history. I’d read a lot about Celtic culture before I came here. Scotland is a unique place in that it is able to protect its culture despite the process of globalization. To me, countries like Italy or Spain, they sell their culture. It’s like a business transaction. But Scottish people live in a particular cultural space. It’s more than only history. They feel differently, they communicate differently, they produce knowledge differently. Why there are so many inventors here? Because there are different types of education and communication systems. It is unique. I don’t know how many countries will survive globalization without losing their identities. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 19
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
A PERSONAL CHOICE
F
or service users, carers and service providers alike, self-directed support (SDS) brings with it new opportunities and challenges. One service provider, Unity Enterprise, explains how they rose to the challenge by encouraging service users and carers to share their experiences. Once the national strategy for Self Directed Support was launched on the 23 November 2010, it was clear the relationship between funders, users and providers was to change. Increased choice and input from users has the potential to challenge carers and users. They might be unsure about how the new systems will work and how it is different from their existing plans. Long before personalisation and SDS was introduced, personalised service was at the heart of what Unity Enterprise did. Since 1989, the social enterprise has helped hundreds of people every year to lead more fulfilled lives. Unity Enterprise offers particular expertise in 20 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
helping adults and young people (16+) with a range of learning difficulties by creating tailored programmes that meet the needs of each individual, supporting their personal development. Opportunities and activities include: developing independent living skills, support in attending college, improving social skills and job training. Prior to the introduction of SDS, service users and their carers were referred to Unity by social care services but the introduction of SDS and the increased freedom of choice it offers, meant that Unity wanted to communicate directly with service users and carers to explain what was on offer through Unity Enterprise. George McSorley, Chief Executive of Unity Enterprise explains: “We wanted to speak directly to both carers and users and our experience taught us that we needed to tailor the message so that it was meaningful and relevant for each audience.” “We wanted to use real case studies, with carers and users both explaining in their own words what their experience at Unity was like and we
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
wanted to focus on them, not the services. Each case is different but there is a universal need for independence, self-esteem and fulfilment“ The other important message to communicate was reassurance that Unity Enterprise was well qualified and expert in providing these services. Working with Real PR, an agency specialising in communication, Unity Enterprise developed a brochure and a DVD containing two documentary style videos, demonstrating the service and the benefits for each of the two audiences - carers and users. The design challenge for the brochure was to create a document that gave carers all of the facts they needed to make an informed decision, while engaging with users emotionally and clearly. Featuring the same service users that appear on the DVD, the brochure design uses full page photos and direct quotes in speech bubbles so that they speak directly to potential service users. The videos were shot at various locations and capture the diversity of activity undertaken by Unity’s users including work experience and activities to promote personal growth and independence. At Unity Choices in Clydebank, a group were filmed rehearsing for the annual musical, Grease and service users were filmed practising their cycling in Dumbarton as they prepared to apply for paraathletic competitions. We also see service users in a variety of working roles, from catering, to office support and house maintenance. The carer’s spoke about the challenges they face, their relationship with Unity and how the services help their cared for and themselves by giving them a bit of time to themselves. Five users were featured talking about the pride working gives them and the skills it has provided them for the future. Other users spoke about how much they enjoy the day services, the help they receive and the activities they get up. Camera man and film producer, Kevin Cameron explained how he made both carers and users feel at ease being filmed. “In working with both groups it was important to bring them on board with the project and let them take the lead on what they
wanted to talk about. We didn’t work with a formal script because we wanted people to speak for themselves and say what they felt was important about Unity Enterprise.” Everyone involved seemed to enjoy the experience and I think that most of them were quite pleased to take a ‘starring role’.”
Both videos were introduced and narrated by Paula Sage, one of the Unity Enterprise service users, who has held acting roles in the past including on BBC1’s River City. Paula’s role was to introduce the carers’ and users’ points of view, linking the two videos together. Project manager, Joe Walton from Real PR, said: “The days spent filming were wonderful experiences. It strikes you how much people appreciate the care services they receive. Whether it’s going to work or taking part in a day’s activities, it’s a huge part of their lives. We just tried to let that come across on the film and in the photography to let them tell their own stories.” The brochures and DVDs have been distributed to local authority social care services and existing and potential service users and carers. “Ultimately personalisation has given us an opportunity to demonstrate what we have always been good at – working with people,” says George McSorley, “and I think that this project successfully communicates that and what is more, we all had some fun in the process.” FOCUS SCOTLAND | 21
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
LOVE VEGETABLES, HATE WASTE In Scotland the foods that we waste the most are fresh vegetables and salad, drink, fresh fruit, and bakery items such as bread and cakes. Of this, 26% of the foods wasted are fruit and vegetables and 10% are dairy. This food waste can hit us hard in our pockets each month but also has a serious impact on the environment in the amount of money that goes into producing, distributing, storing and cooking food which uses energy, fuel and water. Each of these emits greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. 22 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
As an example if we think of a pack of cheese and the resources that go into making that pack of cheese:• • • • • •
Raising the cows Processing the milk Transporting the cheese Refrigeration Fuel to drive to the shop and back again
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A lot of resources that can end with us putting the cheese in the bin by not using it in time or not storing it properly or not freezing it.
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In Scotland we throw away the equivalent of more than 300,000 slices of cheese a day. If we store food better than we can keep them fresher longer and it only takes a few simple actions to improve things:-
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•
Keep fruit in your fridge, preferably loosely wrapped (except bananas and whole pineapples). • Keep vegetables in the fridge except • potatoes and onions. • Most vegetables will stay fresher longer in the fridge if they are stored in the pack/bag they came in. • To keep vegetables for longer, line the fridge • salad drawer with a tea towel or paper towels. Change regularly and wash the old tea towel. It absorbs moisture and stops slime building up in the bottom, which rots everything. • • Most foods (including dairy products) can be frozen. • Foods can be frozen right up to their use-by date. • However, even with the best intentions food can ‘not be at their best’ but here are a few ideas and hints that will hopefully ensure that less food is • thrown into the bin:•
•
To keep leftover salad fresher for longer, cover with a damp piece of kitchen paper before covering with cling film or putting in a sealed • container. • If carrots are going floppy and a little black mould is starting to grow, unless they are
slimy they are still okay to use. Just peel and top and tail, and make a soup or add to any other vegetables to make a soup. If green vegetables are a bit past their best, soak them in cold water for thirty minutes to freshen them up. To help keep your potatoes fresher and edible for longer, store in a cool, dark place in a breathable sack or bag and pop in an apple. The apple will help prevent your potatoes from sprouting early. Once a package of cheese is opened that you know won’t be used right away, grate the cheese and put it in the freezer. It is ready to use for cooking when you need it. Use up ripened fruit by making chutneys. Any vegetables that are fading away in the fridge can be transformed by roasting them. Peel and cut the vegetables into bite sized pieces, drizzle with olive oil, add some peeled garlic cloves and sprinkle over fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. Cook in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) mark 6 for 25-30 minutes. If you have too many bananas slice them and spread on tray, sprinkle with sugar (optional) and freeze. When you have enough frozen blitz in food processer and you have banana ice cream. If your mushrooms are looking a bit wrinkled, chop them and toss them in some melted butter and freeze - great on pizzas and in casseroles. Bananas go brown quite quickly so peel them and put them in the freezer. You can use frozen bananas in smoothies, banana loaf or bake them in the oven with a bit of honey dripped on top. Whip any leftover cream before you freeze it to stop it from becoming grainy when it’s thawed. If you buy grapes and find you can’t eat them all, wash and freeze the leftovers. You can use the frozen grapes to decorate ice cream, blend them into smoothies or just eat them as they are. Use leftover potatoes to thicken soups. To freeze potatoes part-boil them before putting them in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before roasting them. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 23
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
24 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
T
he Vegetarian Society has been in existence since 1847 and is based in Altrincham, Cheshire. It is an educational charity that works to support and represent vegetarians as well as increase the number of vegetarians in the UK. The Society defines a vegetarian as ‘Someone who lives on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits with, or without, the use of dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or byproducts of slaughter.’ Vegetarians are defined by the type of food that they choose not to eat and can be one of the following three different types: The most common type of vegetarian diet is Lactoovo-vegetarians where both dairy and egg products are eaten. Lacto-vegetarians eat only dairy products Vegans do not eat any dairy or egg products. Some people can be vegetarian for strict religious reasons or choose to follow a vegetarian diet alongside their particular faith. Others are vegetarian for political and humane reasons in relation to how animals are farmed and killed as well as the environmental impact that meat-eating can have on the planet. •
• • •
• •
The UK currently imports around 40% of its food. Switching from a diet based entirely upon imports to a diet of food produced entirely in the UK reduces a person’s food footprint by 57% 30% of the earth’s entire land surface (70% of all agricultural land) is used for rearing farmed animals Cattle require approximately 7kg of grain in order to generate 1 kg of beef while pigs require 4kg grain for 1 kg of pork Livestock production is responsible for 70% of the Amazon deforestation in Latin America, where the rainforest has been cleared to create new pastures Over 1 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water and more than double do not have proper sanitation Farming accounts for around 70% of all freshwater withdrawn from lakes, waterways
The Vegetarian Society considers that if you are a vegetarian then you are helping to reduce the environmental impact on the natural world and indicates that the most sustainable way to eat is to be a vegan, choosing organic, local and seasonal produce. One of the annual events that the Vegetarian Society organises is the National Vegetarian Week (NVW) and this year it is celebrating the week from Monday 20 May to Sunday 26 May. NVW was launched in 1992; it is now well established and is in its 21st year of raising awareness through UK wide held events celebrating vegetarianism. Part of the week by NVW aims to promote the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle in relation to an individual’s health as well as the effect being vegetarian can have on the environment and animal welfare. The Vegetarian Society hopes that individuals and groups taking part in NVW it will have fun as well as having their eyes opened to a world of scrumptious and healthy eating that you may have overlooked before. www.nationalvegetarianweek.org for more information on what is happening in your area for National Vegetarian Week For more information on the Vegetarian Society www.vegsoc.org
•
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and aquifers Estimates of the water required to produce a kilo of beef vary, from 13,000 litres up to 100,000 litres. The water required to produce a kilo of wheat is somewhere between 1,0002,000 litres Methane has 25 times the global warming impact of carbon dioxide and a single cow can produce 500 litres of methane a day Livestock farming is responsible for almost 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions from human-related activities Carbon dioxide is emitted when forests are cleared for grazing or for growing grain to feed animals. Fossil fuels are used to transport animals and to power the production of their feed Industrial fishing practices are destroying fragile eco-systems and wiping out whole populations of sea creatures FOCUS SCOTLAND | 25
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FAIR TRADE NATION
A
ll being well, this year will see Scotland secure the title of Fair Trade Nation. How did we get there.
Scotland has a chequered history when it comes to trade with the developing world. The rise of Glasgow, for example, owes much to the wealth generated by trade in tobacco and sugar – both industries based on slavery. (It is estimated that at the start of the nineteenth century, almost a third of all slaves in Jamaica were owned by Scots.) Yet at the same time, Scots joined a campaign to boycott slave-grown sugar and promote ‘free’ sugar instead; and later in the century the books, journals and letters of Scottish missionaries such as David Livingstone helped turn the public mind more strongly against slavery and the fruits of slave labour. It may have been this history, combined with the opportunities for international development policy formulation presented by the establishment of a Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, that brought together campaigners in Scotland and Wales in 2006 to commit themselves to making 26 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
their countries ‘Fair Trade Nations’. Criteria were published to define what exactly they meant by that and in January 2007 the Scottish Executive supported the creation of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to coordinate a campaign of activities in Scotland. The criteria adopted were deliberately broad, designed to elicit Fair Trade commitments from groups and institutions across Scotland. It was decided that all local authority areas, at least 55 per cent of towns and 60 per cent of higher education institutions would have to be able to show that they had an active Fair Trade group working towards Fairtrade status; the Scottish Parliament would make an annual statement of opinion in support of Fair Trade as well as support Fair Trade practically through the goods it procured; places of worship, schools, trades unions, chambers of commerce and national festivals would all promote Fairtrade products; and, to make the base as broad as possible, 75 per cent of all Scots would say they bought at least one Fairtrade product a year and 40 per cent would say they bought Fairtrade products ‘regularly’.
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For the past two years, staff and volunteers at the Scottish Fair Trade Forum have been collecting evidence that these and other criteria have been met. The data have been assembled in a report which, under the terms agreed back in 2006, has been reviewed by a panel of assessors before the report’s findings, and the panel’s assessment of the strength of the case, are forwarded to ministers in the Scottish Government who will decide whether or not Scotland can rightfully call itself a Fair Trade Nation. At the time of writing, this decision was still awaited. According to Martin Rhodes, Director of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, the process of collecting evidence of support for Fair Trade in Scotland has shown both how commonplace buying Fair Trade has become in many areas of Scottish life, and how much more can be done.
It’s an ambitious agenda – going deeper and broader – but the experience of the last six years has taught us not to be afraid of a challenge He says, ‘The support of churches in particular has been fantastic; they really have been the mainstay of the Fair Trade movement in Scotland for years. But we can do more to reach out to other faith groups on board in the same way. Similarly we’re seeing strong interest in Fair Trade in schools – to an extent wholly unanticipated back in 2006 – but at the same time, as a cause, Fair Trade seems to have gone off the boil in some of our colleges and universities.’ Connecting and re-connecting with those areas of Scottish life that appear to be less interested in and supportive of Fair Trade will be a priority for the Scottish Fair Trade Forum in future, says Martin. ‘It’s an ambitious agenda – going deeper and broader – but the experience of the last six years has taught us not to be afraid of a challenge.’ He explains, ‘When I think back to what we started
with, I’m amazed by what’s been achieved: a national campaign with local Fair Trade groups in 138 communities, 920 schools registered on the Fairtrade Schools programme, specialist Fair Trade shops, wide availability of Fair Trade products in mainstream shops and record levels of sales.’ Martin recalls that, as late as 2010, the Scottish Fair Trade Forum had one paid full-time post. He was able to restructure the budget to create a second, and then in April 2012 the Forum was able to appoint a third full-time post to support a growing network of Fairtrade Towns. With limited funds for paid jobs, the Fair Trade Nation campaign has inevitably been dependent on volunteers. (There are currently nine in the Forum’s Edinburgh office as well as scores more making up Fair Trade groups around the country.) ‘It’s been really encouraging to see how many enthusiastic and able people apply to volunteer with us,’ says Martin. ‘Naturally we have lots of Scots but what’s noticeable is the number of approaches we get from people from other countries. The office does feel a bit like the United Nations at times, though, like Fair Trade, it’s all part of Scotland’s positive engagement with the rest of the world.’ FOCUS SCOTLAND | 27
FOCUS ON: MONEY
NEW CHARITY SHOP GIFT AID RULES
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rom April 2013, HMRC is to introduce new rules that will reduce the numbers of letters that charities must send to donors in order to claim gift aid on their donations to charity shops. In each tax year if a charity operates the shop directly, donors will be able to make a single gift aid declaration covering sale proceeds from donations of up to £100, or £1,000 if the goods are sold by a trading subsidiary. Donors need only be contacted by the charity again if income from the sale of their donated goods exceeds those amounts. Currently, charities must write to each donor to confirm their gift aid eligibility, every time a donated item is sold.
Treasury earlier this month, requesting that he approve the proposal, and Bray said CTG appreciated his prompt and favourable response. He said the move will “dramatically reduce” the number of notification letters charities will need to write to donors. CFG chief executive Caron Bradshaw said it was “a really good step in the right direction” and added: “We hope that this consultative approach could work as a potential model for streamlining and modernising the wider gift aid system.”
The Charity Tax Group welcomed the announcement, saying the reduction in administration could save large charities in the region of £250,000 a year.
Warren Alexander, chief executive of the Charity Retail Association, also welcomed the move, saying he was delighted that the governement has moved so quickly.
The announcement came about as a result of work carried out by an HMRC working group comprising representatives from the charity retail sector, charity tax bodies and the government. CTG vice chairman Richard Bray said discussions were “productive and constructive” and there was “significant agreement between charities and officials”.
“We will be working with HMRC and our members on the final details, and on ensuring that charities understand what they need to do to take advantage of the new processes and comply with HMRC requirements,” he added.
CTG wrote to the Economic Secretary to the 28 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
HMRC will publish detailed guidance on the new procedures.
Marie Curie Cancer Care’s
Whole Hog Challenge
Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) Q709c
May 5, 2013 Balfron, Stirlingshire The race of mud, sweat and cheers
Sign up now at mariecurie.org.uk/wholehogstirlingshire or call 0845 052 4184.
MarieCurieUK
@mariecurieuk
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
Smokers urged to ‘swap fags for swag’ on 30th national No Smoking Day
T
they spend on cigarettes and thinking about what themselves and their family could afford if they were to give up for good.
Nearly one in six UK adults smoke, but UK figures show two thirds want to quit.
“By tallying up the exact amount of money that could be saved, smokers can work towards an actual goal – be it a new pair of shoes, a family trip to the cinema or a dream holiday.
housands of smokers in Scotland are being encouraged to ‘swap fags for swag’ and consider the financial benefits of quitting, this month on the 30th anniversary of No Smoking Day.
This year smokers are being encouraged to focus on what they could afford to buy they were to quit for a day (saving £7), a week (£49), a month (£210) and a year (£2,555). The British Heart Foundation will be helping smokers ditch the cigarettes for good on Wednesday 13 March – No Smoking Day. No Smoking Day 2013 officially launched on Wednesday 27 February giving smokers two weeks to get ready to quit on No Smoking Day itself, Wednesday 13 March 2013. A British Heart Foundation spokesperson said: “One of the biggest incentives for smokers to quit comes from considering the real amount of money 30 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
“No Smoking Day provides the perfect opportunity for people to join others in Scotland attempting to quit on the same day. This is why the British Heart Foundations efforts in spreading the word about the support available are so important, to help many make their first steps towards a healthier and wealthier, smoke free life.” The annual health campaign, run by the British Heart Foundation, is now in its 30th year and helped more than 760,000 people quit smoking last year and inspired another 1.5 million to seek out information to help them quit in future. For more information on the benefits of quitting as well as top quit tips, visit www.wequit.co.uk
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN SCOTLAND
O
n Thursday 21 March this year, Scotland’s social enterprise community gathers together at the SECC in Glasgow for the big annual Social Enterprise Exchange event (www.socialenterpriseexchange.com). This trade fair, networking and learning event, is Scotland’s opportunity to showcase social enterprise to an international audience and demonstrate the diversity and impact of our social businesses. It’s also the best place to do business and trade goods and services. We’re actively encouraging individuals, local authorities and other public bodies to attend, as well as those in the private sector, big and small.
Heritage Trust, Link Group Ltd, the Eden Project, Capital Credit Union, The worldwide Grameen Foundation, Mondragon in the Basque Country and the Homeless World Cup. They exist and they work. But we still have some way to go to increase the public profile of social enterprise, so that the “brand” becomes as well known to the public and the media as e.g. the successful Fairtrade brand. We also have to be careful of those who are not social enterprises using the label as a convenient PR opportunity, though in Scotland we have a robust definition where every penny must be locked into the business.
Even today not everyone knows that Scotland has an international reputation for social enterprise. Others come here to learn, with recent study visits from e.g. Korea and Brazil. The Big Issue is perhaps the most famous social enterprise. But Scotland and the wider world have many more success stories in most sectors of the economy. The Wise Group, Divine Chocolate, Kibble Education and Care, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op, Owenstown, Isle of Eigg
In a way we could say that there’s a quiet revolution going on and it’s actually been building momentum for a long time. These independent businesses that exist specifically for a social and/or environmental purpose - the simple definition of a social enterprise - have been around in Scotland since the days of the early co-operatives. As well as co-ops we have credit unions, housing associations, social firms and development trusts. See it as fundraising if you
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like - the more money social enterprises make the more they can invest in that social purpose. Make no mistake, social enterprise is not a top-down conservative movement but a radical mix of social and community business models.
THE GREAT DAFFODIL APPEAL
One of the key tasks of Social Enterprise Scotland our national membership organisation, created and led by grassroots social enterprises - is to raise this public profile. We can do this through the traditional media, local and national newspapers, magazines, TV and radio, but also through new and social media. This focus on raising the profile is one of our key objectives this year.
W But we can all help in some way to grow our social enterprises. If you only go to one event this year make sure it’s the Social Enterprise Exchange in Glasgow. If you’re a committed or aspiring social entrepreneur, a student, a business person or work in the public sector - you will certainly receive a warm welcome. We’re an inclusive and open community, working with some of society’s most vulnerable. We’re making an impact and contributing to jobs and regeneration. But to have a really big impact we need more people like you to join us. As consumers you can buy goods and services from your local social enterprises, whether it’s a sandwich, an artwork or a big contract to deliver a service. These are the keys to growth and success. If we all do this as much as we can, then we’ll create a more equal society, a stronger economy and a more inclusive Scotland.
e all want to be cared for and to be loved. Marie Curie Cancer Care, established in 1948, is a registered charity in UK that provides free of charge nursing care to the terminally ill people, providing them a chance to be cared for at home. The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie Cancer Care’s biggest fundraising campaign that takes place throughout March every year, and millions of people across the UK support it. Daffodil pin badges are sold in shops, and at street collections, and people wear them to show their support of Marie Curie Nurses. You can support the appeal by visiting the website www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil where you will find information about the ways you can contribute. You can sign up to be a collector and donate an hour or two, give a one-off-gift, or you can encourage people in your area to buy the daffodil pins. You can register on the website for a fundraising pack filled with ideas and tips to help you and your colleagues have fun while you fundraise. In addition, you can follow @ MarieCurieUK, or use #Donate1hr on Twitter. Every little effort counts, and every penny raised makes a difference to people in their final hours. Let’s join the campaign! FOCUS SCOTLAND | 33
COMPETITION:
COMPETITION - WIN TICKETS TO THE SCOTTISH HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW
T
he Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland’s largest consumer exhibition for selfbuilders, home renovators and improvers, is back at the SECC on May 18 - 19 2013. We have 12 pairs of tickets to be won. The show is the ideal place to meet self-build and renovation experts and gives visitors a one stop shop to source all the products, services and advice for building or renovating their dream home. New for 2013 is the Home Improvement and Interiors Zone where visitors planning home improvements will find products and services to help them extend, add space and improve their home including loft conversions, interior design, interior finishes, kitchens, bathrooms, conservatories, home offices, extensions and flooring. As well as all the latest products and services from over 140 exhibitors, visitors can pick up useful hints and tips from the experts at 16 free seminars, 24 masterclasses, as well as the Ask the Architects and Ask the Experts Advice Areas.
call 0844 581 1377 or visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/scotland Advance tickets, which can be booked until 3pm on Friday May 17, cost £8 and on the door tickets £12. Under 16s go free We are offering YOU the chance to win one of 12 pairs to attend the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show. For your chance to win just answer the following simple question. Q: At which Glasgow venue is the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show taking place? Send your answers by e-mail to media@wdcvs.com with the heading Competition: Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show along with telling us your name, address and e-mail address. Winners will then be chosen at random!
The show is taking place at the SECC, Glasgow on 18 - 19 May 2013. Opening hours: Saturday 10am 5pm; Sunday 10am - 4.30pm. For more information 34 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
Good luck, competition closes May 1st 2013.
FOCUS FOCUS ON: ON: FINANCE SOCIETY
RaisingAwareness Bringing Positive Change in Male Cancer Awareness
w w w.cahonasscotland.com FOCUS SCOTLAND | 35
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