FOCUS: S COT L A N D
Issue 3: 2012
VOLUNTEERING MAKING STRIDES
THE MAGAZINE FOR VOLUNTEERING AND THE THIRD SECTOR IN SCOTLAND
be part of creating a cleaner, greener scotland.
let’s go greener together. www.greenerscotland.org
FOCUS ON: WHATS INSIDE
Inside... 06
VOLUNTEERING TO CARE
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RUNNING THE SHOW
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EDITOR Selina Ross DESIGN Ritchie Marshall POLICY EDITOR Martin Docherty PHOTOGRAPHY Daren Borzynski NEWS TEAM David Robertson Urvashi Gulati Liz Kelman Tony Connelly Shona Thomas Drew Davidson
…Focus on Volunteering at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital
…Volunteering at the heart of the Polaroid Eyewear 10K Series
12 WEEK COUNTDOWN
…All you need to help you file your OSCR return on time
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COMMITTEE IN FOCUS
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DOORS OPEN DAY
...Spotlight on the Scottish Parliament Education and Cultural Committee
...Celebrating our heritage this September
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Stephens & George
Focus Scotland is a service of WDCVS Scottish Charity No: SC032003 T: 0141 941 0886 E: media@wdcvs.com W: www.wdcvs.com
FOCUS SCOTLAND | 3
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
ONE SCOTLAND MANY CULTURES
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eaving your home and all things familiar to you can be a challenge. Moving to Scotland with a different culture where everything is new to you is never the easiest. So why do so many people choose to do it? Focus Scotland talks to Marzanna Antoniak on her experiences as a migrant, cultural differences and volunteering. Marzanna Antoniak grew up in the countryside near Lublin in the south east of Poland. She holds a Masters degree in Polish Philology and she specialises in teaching Polish language and literature at primary and secondary school level. Four years ago, just after completing her studies, she moved to Scotland driven by the natural curiosity and interest in other cultures and languages. 4 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
What were your beginnings in Scotland like? Prior to moving over, I started to learn English from language CD’s and songs. When I arrived in Scotland I started a job in a factory to pay my bills and applied to college to study ESOL. I was highly determined to learn English as quick as possible to be able to make use of my qualifications gained in Poland and to become fully independent. I wanted to do the work I love, so I started volunteering at the Polish Saturday School in Glasgow, and a few months later I was working there. I became a teacher and that was great, although it only left me one day a week to myself. For two years I was combining my various temporary jobs with a full time English course at college, my Saturday teaching job and volunteering.
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
Did volunteering help you in any way? Yes, definitely. In early 2010, I did some research on the internet to look for other opportunities for volunteering that could help me to overcome my language barrier and I found a placement with Citizens Advice Bureau in Motherwell. This was a great opportunity, I could mix with Scottish people and learn more about some of the day to day problems people have, and help them fix them. It also let me see how certain things worked in Scotland. Have you volunteered anywhere else? Since then I have volunteered with a college in Glasgow as a classroom assistant working with ESOL students and with WDCVS as a volunteer broker. I have also volunteered with Migrant Voice writing articles for their magazine and with Maryhill Integration Network as a tutor of the writers’ group. Together with my friend, Anna Strzalkowska, I co-founded the Cosmopolis Creative Group. Our main purpose is to introduce Slavic culture and traditions to the multicultural society of Glasgow by organizing outdoor events that involve performance and active public participation.
Are there any big differences in the cultures of Scotland and Poland? I was surprised at the politeness of people here. In Poland we don’t use so many “please” and “thank you” phrases, and initially it seemed very artificial and pretentious. I’m afraid, people might have perceived me as being rude when I wasn’t aware that I was supposed to add “please” to every single request. However, over those 4 years spent here, I’ve learned the skill of politeness so well that now when I visit Poland people sometimes accuse me of being ironic and not proper...
Living in Glasgow I enjoy the multicultural character of the city.....I value Scotland for its magnificent landscapes and rich traditions. How does volunteering here compare to Poland? In Poland volunteering isn’t as popular as in Scotland but there are fields where it is very alive, especially in regards with supporting the poor, emergency services, religious groups and education. I don’t really know how it looks at the moment but a few years ago it was something rather for social activists who dreamed about improving the world and for people who enjoyed new experiences. Would you recommend volunteering to others? Yes, but it has to bring the expected outcome. You should feel that you’re learning, gaining useful experience and fulfilling yourself. You should receive guidance and have someone to treat you as an individual, to listen and help develop your role. Volunteering can also help people to overcome their barriers and I believe, in the long run, it may be a bridge to paid employment.
We believe Scotland to be one of the friendliest places and its people are open and welcoming, what do you think about this? Would you encourage people to visit Scotland? Yes, people I come across are usually very friendly and open-minded. Living in Glasgow I enjoy the multicultural character of the city and whenever I have visitors I happily show them round popular attractions as well as the hidden treasures. It is also great to be able to leave the city and within an hour find yourself climbing Ben Lomond. I value Scotland for its magnificent landscapes and rich traditions. It is certainly a country worth exploring, despite the infamous weather. An a pure like yer Scottish banter! FOCUS SCOTLAND | 5
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
VOLUNTEERING TO CARE.... The Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) first issued volunteering guidance for NHS Boards in 1998. To mark the 10th anniversary year of the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, we look behind their successful and thriving volunteer involvement programme. 6 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
Look around the Golden Jubilee Hospital and you will see a team of volunteers complementing, supporting and supplementing the work of paid NHS employees. Operationally volunteering activity is managed by the Involving People Manager and Head of Clinical Governance supported by Managers who actively work with volunteers. At the Golden Jubilee volunteers make a major contribution to the healthcare system and are active in all spheres of health improvement, patient care and patient and public involvement. The range of contributions made by volunteers in the board is vast: from generic, easily transferable services such as driving, carrying out volunteer quality walk-rounds, meeting and greeting, spiritual care to roles which involve a high degree of specialist knowledge, empathy and expertise such as mentors in patient-led, selfmanagement programmes. Volunteers are also engaged in new ways, providing advice on service redesign, clinical need and agendas such as Patient Focus Public Involvement and quality service improvement. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 7
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
Focus on: Jack Tait I think Volunteering is a very worthwhile thing to do..... It’s more personally satisfying when you put in a voluntary effort to try and improve things for the good of the public.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? My background basically, well I worked until I was 65. For the last 20 years I was the director of a small engineering film making special small armoured vehicles, before that I worked in quality control for 20 years assessing processes products and components. I have never actually worked in a hospital setting. What brought you to volunteering at the Golden Jubilee? I had a triple by-pass eight years ago carried out at the Golden Jubilee. What brought me to volunteering here? I filled in a patient diary when I came in for the by-pass. I was quite interested in it as it allowed me to follow the process involved in the care of patients. I could write down and keep track of what happened to me to see if they treated me the way I expected... was it better than I expected or was it worse?...what was the ‘terrible’ NHS food like? So what was the food like? It was actually very good at the time and still is very good as it is cooked in house and not brought in from another part of the country - a process that I don’t think is great. Here the food is normally rated 8 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
very well, as is the care. It was excellent when I was a patient. In your time here you have been involved in a number of different roles, what’s attracted you to them? I don’t know if I can remember them all now. I started with the food group at the time the national food standards were being introduced. It was really doing what I was doing in business. We were writing strategies, policies and procedures. We would analyse menus, the quality of the food and looking at the method of distribution and such things. The installation of a new kitchen made it a really worthwhile and quite lengthy exercise. My background skills came in very handy at that time. Since then, I have sat on a few committees and now I am chair of the Quality Patient Public Group, which is really looking at the influence that volunteers can bring to assist the hospital in how it operates... how the volunteers cooperate with and sometimes question the way the staff do things and the review the outcomes achieved. Volunteering with a statutory service isn’t everyone’s perception of volunteering. What do you think the involvement of volunteers in the
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
NHS brings? It gives the volunteer that chance to take part in the organisation and to participate in any changes to the NHS. I think the NHS has changed from patients being a by-product to a position now where it’s much more person centred and they are now looking more from the patient’s point of view. Patient involvement is one of the main focus points of the new strategies the Scottish Government is trying to achieve.
do. The satisfaction is a bit different from what you actually achieve in your job. It’s more personally satisfying when you put in a voluntary effort to try and improve things for the good of the public.
It’s always been the focus in here, I must admit. At the Golden Jubilee, for the 8 years I have been here, they have always given the impression that they very keen to get the opinions of the patients. It’s a very worthwhile hospital to work in from that point of view. I can’t give any experience from other hospitals. I served on a couple of committees elsewhere but there wasn’t the same closeness with the senior staff and the volunteers. Here, it is very easy to talk to senior staff without having to go through a long chain of command – a situation that means you can get things done very quickly. I can see changes that we have asked for and the NHS have made in how services are run and how they look after patients and staff Before this position, did you have any other experience of volunteering? Volunteering, Yes! I was a Boy’s Brigade officer and a church elder - that was really all. I never volunteered if you like in care homes or anything like that. Also, I have been a golf coach so I suppose my volunteering was quite varied. I’ve always wanted to give something back... I think that was one of the main reasons for volunteering here at the Golden Jubilee. I felt as if I had been given another chance after having my bypass. If I can give something back, a little or as much as it could be, then it will be worthwhile to me. I have the support of my very considerate wife who accepts that I travel a lot to get here from Dumfries. I feel from my point of view that I do a worthwhile job...I give support, encouragement and criticism if necessary... and always constructively I hope. I don’t know how I would fit in other areas. I think others could look at what we do here and apply it in some fashion into other hospitals, as they tell me we do things here that they don’t do in other boards.
CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS The unique contribution of volunteers to health care is being increasingly recognised and encouraged Scotland wide. To launch the 10th anniversary celebrations, all of the volunteers were awarded, in conjunction with West Dunbartonshire CVS, certificates in appreciation and recognition of their work. These were presented by our Board Chair, Jeane Freeman, and Chief Executive, Jill Young. At this event, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy also met with the volunteers and thanked them for everything that they do. She then presented a special award to Jack Tait, longest serving volunteer, who accepted this on behalf of all our volunteers.
I think Volunteering is a very worthwhile thing to FOCUS SCOTLAND | 9
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
Focus On: Liz Rogers
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olunteering was first started in the Golden Jubilee National Hospital back in 1999 by Nada Kadhim, Involving People Facilitator who established Patient Focus Groups within the hospital. More recently the Golden Jubilee considered introducing more formal volunteering roles – the first being meeting and greeting. Instigated by Director of Nursing, Shona Chaib and managed by her PA Liz Rogers in 2009, the role came in response to staff noticing the number of people looking for help in finding their way around the hospital. And Liz, was just the person to help get things off the ground. “I had experience of managing volunteers from a previous job and agreed to help support a pilot” Liz told Focus. “We recruited the first volunteers through word of mouth. One of the first volunteers, Margaret Collins, was actually a friend of mine. Around the same time Andrew, our Chaplain, was developing the role of spiritual care volunteers. Both roles have proved very successful with patients and staff.” Meeters and Greeters man the desk in the main corridor in 3 hours slots of 9-12 and 12-3pm, 10 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
coinciding with the busiest clinic and visiting times. The complexity of any hospital can be difficult for patients and relatives to manage – but the see patients from all over Scotland has a special set of challenges for meeters and greeters to help overcome. Feedback is recorded in a comments book and makes very interesting reading. One comment from the relative of a Dumfries based patient in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit commented how the volunteers had ‘made me feel comfortable, taking the time to spend with me’ at a very distressing time.
I think volunteers are an asset to every organisation and I would encourage people to get involved. Building on the success of the meeters and greeters and further establishing its links with the local community, the Golden Jubilee has also offered valuable opportunities for administration volunteers undertaking the Medical Secretary course at Clydebank College. Not only did this offer a valuable experience but also helped one volunteer secure full time employment in the Medical Records Department.
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
From there, volunteers have helped to play a key role in one of the hospital’s main services, Orthopaedics. With so many patients travelling a considerable distance to come to the Golden Jubilee, the Orthopaedic Outpatients Service identified that volunteers could improve their patient experience. “Appointments for the service can last for up to 4 hours” explains Liz, “as patients follow a pathway being seen by a range of staff including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. Volunteers serve as patient escorts, taking them through all of the stages of the process, including a cup of tea when its needed. Everyone is delighted with the service.”
INVESTING IN VOLUNTEERS
The success of volunteering in the Board was recognised in 2009 with the achievement of the ‘Investing in Volunteers’ (IiV) standard, proving how well volunteering is embedded into the culture of our organisation. The Scottish Government’s Better Health Better Care action plan states that every NHS Board in Scotland must achieve IiV – the UK quality standard for all organisations that involve volunteers in their work. The programme sets in place standards which relate to good practice in volunteer management and to enhance and extend the role of volunteering to promote better patient health and care in Scotland’s NHS. The Board is currently being re-assessed for IiV and hope to retain this for another three years.
Would Liz recommend engaging volunteers to other public bodies? “I think volunteers are an asset to every organisation and I would encourage people to get involved.” GOLDEN JUBILEE NATIONAL HOSPITAL 4 STRANDS IN SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERING: • •
Its often said that volunteers come in all shapes and sizes and at the Golden Jubilee that’s also true. “We have a varied range of volunteers helping us provide services here” adds Liz, “we have some retired people, former patients, students looking to gain experience including a student of zoology – everyone seems to love the challenge.” At the moment the Golden Jubilee has around 50 regular volunteers now also helping with quality walkrounds, housekeeping, driving and hearing aid maintenance. Liz is in no doubt of the importance of the volunteers to the hospital. “They are at the front line of our services, our eyes and ears. They ensure we get the valuable feedback we need to keep improving our patients experience.”
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Ensure people are enthused by, and involved in volunteering. Dismantle barriers to ensure participation by hard to reach groups to ensure that those who are under represented in volunteering are made aware of the benefits of volunteering, and how to get involved in it. Improve the volunteering experience to ensure that volunteers are welcomed and valued by us and that they are given guidance, training and support to develop according to their individual needs and aspirations. Have mechanisms in place for monitoring, evaluation and ongoing policy development to ensure that the impact of volunteering on individuals, organisations and communities can be measured FOCUS SCOTLAND | 11
12 | FOCUS SCOTLAND *Direct Mail Information Service, Letterbox Factfile, 2006
www.stop-the-drop.org.uk Use online services Opt out of the edited version of the electoral register
Over a third of direct mail is discarded unopened* Many people don’t have a problem with direct mail. However, some direct mail is poorly targeted and irrelevant and is thrown straight in the bin.
Did you know?
Register with Your Choice and opt out of the Royal Mail’s Door to Door service Register with the Mailing Preference Service Write to sender
5 easy ways to reduce unwanted mail Extra Tip To avoid generating unwanted mail when filling in any form, from applying for credit to entering a competition, make sure that you tick the box that says you do not want your name to be added to any mailing lists – this is normally at the bottom of the form or on the reverse.
Any direct mail you do receive can be recycled in your kerbside collection (where available) or at your local Recycling Centre or Point. For further information, please visit
www.stop-the-drop.org.uk
Did you know? Zero Waste Scotland works with businesses, individuals, communities and local authorities to help them reduce waste, recycle more and use resources sustainably. Printed on 100% recycled paper.
Delivering 5 easy ways to reduce unwanted mail FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
1. Write to sender You may receive mail addressed to “The Occupier” or personally addressed direct mail from companies that you already deal with. Write to or email these companies to indicate that you no longer wish to receive materials from them. Letter templates to help you are available online.
2. Register with the Mailing Preference Service This can reduce the amount of personally addressed direct mailings you receive. This will only reduce direct mailings to your name and address. Others living in your household will have to register separately. Register at www.mpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 703 4599 for more information.
3. Register with Your Choice and opt out of the Royal Mail’s Door to Door service
4. Opt out of the edited version of the electoral register The full register lists names and address of everyone registered to vote and is only used for certain purposes such as elections. The edited register however is available for sale and can be used for direct marketing activities. You can chose not to be included in the edited version of the register by ticking the opt out box when registering to vote. For more information visit www.electoralcommission.gov.uk
5. Use online services Many companies you deal with including utility companies and banks offer online services, so you can request to stop receiving paper bills and statements. Contact your service providers for details.
Unaddressed mail, such as flyers, circulars and supermarket leaflets, can be reduced by registering with the Your Choice preference service and by opting out of the Royal Mail’s Door to Door service. To find out more about Your Choice contact the Direct Marketing Association by email yourchoice@dma.org.uk or call 020 7291 3300. To receive an opt out form for the Royal Mail’s Door to Door service visit www.royalmail.com email optout@royalmail.com or call 08457 950 950.
www.stop-the-drop.org.uk
FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
RUNNING THE SHOW With all of the talk of the Olympics, athletics and running is everywhere you look. But have you ever thought about what goes into making these events so popular...? Look closely and you will see volunteering is everywhere. In this edition, we focus on the contribution of volunteering to one local 10k running series – The Polaroid Eyewear 10K series. Talking to the sponsors and some of the volunteers who participate.
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FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
T
he Polaroid Eyewear 10k series is a series of running events held in local areas where Polaroid’s employees have been based, and the company has operated since 1965. Beginning its life in 1987, the 10k series started as a part of West Dunbartonshire’s health promotion, sponsored and based with Polaroid at the time. Conversations between runners and clubs led to the formation of a race series growing to include Helensburgh, Clydebank, Dumbarton and Vale of Leven 10k races, plus a Loch Lomond 5k and schools runs at the Sunday Vale of Leven event. The original aim to increase participation in healthy activity still holds today. The recent 2012 series attracted over 4000 entrants from all over Scotland, over 500 local primary and pre-school runners, and nearly 200 5k runners. More than £15,000 was shared among the three running clubs hosting the Helensburgh, Clydebank and Dumbarton 10k’s plus £2,000 in awards to primary and secondary schools taking part. Also, many of the runners participate in Polaroid’s commitment to Sightsavers charity with their donation matched by Polaroid, and many, many more run the series for their own personal charitable causes. The series, since day one, has been reliant on the commitment and support of volunteers - in the pre-organisation involving the procurement of chiptiming services, medals and t-shirts...on-the-day volunteers managing, marshalling and serving the runners ensuring a safe and enjoyable race. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 15
FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
Focus on: Liz Shearer How long have you worked with Polaroid? I started back in 1991, so I’ve been working for Polaroid for 21 years now. Polaroid is a very good place to work, the company has a great atmosphere and a community feeling, that possibly comes from the size of the company now, when I started there were around 1400 here. It’s quite a bit smaller now and because we all know each other well we all rally round and pull together. This could be the reason for the 10k runs being so successful. How have you been involved in the 10k runs? It was an open invitation for people to help and it started from there. The first time I volunteered, I was a marshal directing the runners in Balloch Park, It was a lovely morning for the race but the park was full of midges. This season things have really changed and I have been more involved. We became a mini team with Paul Sheerin leading the team of Elaine Morrison, Helen Connolly, Evelyn Andrew and myself. A former work colleague, David Kennedy has moved on from leading the organisation of the runs for the last 25 years, he did a great job and we have a lot to live up to. 16 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
This year I was mostly based at Lomond Shores, Polaroid holds the 10k Vale of Leven event and we see it as the flagship race. The other race events in Helensburgh, Clydebank and Dumbarton, are organised by the local running clubs organise although the Polaroid staff also volunteer at them.
I believe the benefit that everyone gains from volunteering outweights the time put in and there is a great sense of achievement to support others and the events . We set up the start finish posts for all the races, George and Mick who work as custodians at Polaroid deal with that part. We also have a team of volunteers that help out as markers, organise the collection of timing chips at the start and end of the race and also the race bibs. Before the race series even begins we make up goodie bags, you should see us when that need done. We put a site wide email out, a call to arms and everyone helps by giving up 30 minutes of their lunch to fill the bags with Mars bars, water and medals.
FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
There are still a lot of staff that live locally, but sometimes for geographical reasons some staff can’t make the races but come down to help through lunch. Where do all the volunteers come from? Current staff, previous employees, family members and the running clubs themselves all join in. We basically send out a call to arms to make sure the events are covered. Most of the volunteers have been doing it for a long time, but we support the less experienced volunteers by placing them with someone with much more experience. We tend to place people where we think their skills are best suited and where they are comfortable, we want them to come back and volunteer again. It’s important that we listen to volunteers and take their skill base on board. We have a signup pack where volunteers know exactly where they will be on the day. We all get a lot of pride from volunteering with the race series, for a local company to put a lot of time into the support of the race over the years. It’s nice to see people recognise what Polaroid does in this area, most people remember the cameras and film and It’s a good feeling for us to give something back to the local community. Is your volunteering always out with working hours? Everything we do is on our own time and unpaid. We would never look to be paid for any of the volunteering that we do. We are just happy to be involved, to help out Polaroid within the community, we would never expect a cash reward for it. Do you think more businesses should do more in their local communities? It would be nice to see other businesses do more in and around their local communities. There was more going on around West Dunbartonshire 10 years ago during summer with the gala days. It doesn’t seem to be as evident now or maybe just not published that much, I’m sure they give charitably but I’m not sure if they give time. Do charities also gain from the 10k series? Over the series we raise money and ask our employees to put suggestions forward, so we donate to more than one single charity.
We have supported Diabetes UK, Breast cancer and Rape Crisis Glasgow. We try to vary the donations over the years. We also have a charity bake sale, Polaroid staff will bring in home baking and for a few hours we sell off cakes and scones for 50p to raise some extra money and it’s also great fun.
Have you done any other volunteering through charities and organisations? No, I haven’t. I think it’s something that has passed me by, although my husband has volunteered as a football coach. Now that my kids are older, it’s something I would like to do, when I find the time. Have you done any informal volunteering? Helping family, friends or neighbours? I have an aunt who is almost ninety, my sister and I co-care for her. I like to make sure she is ok, make sure she has enough food and try to take her out on trips when I can. One of the things I really enjoy are the stories, my aunt will reminisce and I hear about her life, during the war she was a welder and you think my goodness! That takes up one day of my weekend, so maybe I don’t have as much time on my hands as I think. Would you recommend volunteering to others? I would encourage others to volunteer. I believe the benefit that everyone gains from volunteering, outweighs the time put in and there is a great sense of achievement to support others and the events. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 17
FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
Here are just a few of the key jobs that these volunteers perform, without which there would be no series: Each 10K event takes around 60 volunteers to safely manage them, and the Sunday Festival of Running needs easily double that number. All in all, it’s an example of an event that brings a wide range of real benefits to the participants and wider community it operates within. But like so many valuable activities it cannot operate without the volunteers it needs who are willing to give a little of their time to ensure its continued presence and success.
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Order entry processing, race number and chip distribution pre-race, and collection post race On course marshals to ensure the route is safely followed, traffic is managed safely, and contact first aid or others in the event of incident Organising, distributing of water bottles at the water station and picking up after to ensure we maintain the good relations with the communities we run through A nice part – handing out medals, goody bags and water to the finishers
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT VOLUNTEERING AT A RUNNING EVENT BUT NOT QUITE MADE UP YOUR MIND? MAYBE THIS WILL HELP... • • • •
1. You can save money as many races offer perks like free race entries, t-shirt etcs. Even if you want to run the race, it’s still possible to volunteer maybe helping with the pre- registrations. 2. You can stay connected to running if you’ve been injured and trying to deal with the frustration of being sidelined. 3. Volunteering is a good opportunity to make new running friends. 4. You can get a great view of the action – volunteers get ‘front row’ access giving out water or helping at the finish line
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FOCUS ON: WELLBEING
GetInvolved From running events to volunteering...how you can help
RUNNING FOR CHARITY
Our pick of the hottest videogame releases coming your way soon
THE GREAT SCOTTISH RUN
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2012 Over 22,500 runners, joggers and walkers took to the streets of Glasgow for the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run.
R
unning for Charity is a great way for you to fundraise, get fit and raise awareness of many great causes.
Almost all running events offer charity places – from the Loch Ness Marathon to the Mens Health Forum Scotland 10k – you can choose the run that suits you best. Cahonas Scotland, Scotlands Male Cancer Awareness Charity, is one of many charities who rely on volunteers to help them fundraise and raise awareness at the many running events throughout Scotland. If you would like to join Cahonas Scotland running team at any of the upcoming events to help them raise awareness of Male Cancers in Scotland email them at info@cahonasscotland.com for further details or see more at their website www.cahonasscotland.com
THE BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2012 The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon is a notable fixture on the running calendar. There are great marathons around the world, and the Loch Ness settings ranks right alongside them.
RACE FOR LIFE
DATE: JUNE 2013 Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK. Women across the UK come together to walk, jog or run to help Cancer Researchs work
“Stunning scenery, awesome atmosphere, excellent organisation – you’ll finish with a smile on your face!” 2011 Runner
“I wanted to complete at least one iconic and unique marathon Loch Ness certainly didn’t disappoint.” 2011 Runner
S U N D AY 3 0 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 GUARANTEED ENTRY AVAILABLE MARATHON | 10K | 5K | WEE NESSIE
SCOTLAND
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon
• Guaranteed marathon entry for all runners until 1 July • Run for one of our official charities • Guaranteed places for all club and overseas runners until 10 September
Baxters River Ness 10K
• Popular flat route through historic Inverness • Open to runners aged 15 and over on day of race
10K Corporate Challenge
• Open to businesses large and small • Teams of 4-6
Baxters River Ness 5K Fun Run
• Open to runners of all ages and abilities including wheelchair entrants
Baxters Wee Nessie
• Open to pre-school children, aged 5 and under • Short, circular route (approx. 400 metres) in Bught Park for children to walk, jog or run at their own pace
Entry for all races open until 10 September or sooner if race limit reached
Online entr y and r ace infor mation: www.lochnessmar athon.com
MENS HEALTH FORUM 10K
JUNE 2013 Scotlands Annual Fathers Day event for the boys. Male runners take to the 10k route throughout Bellahouston Park to raise funds and awareness for many great causes. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 19
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
W
ith our consumerist society ever growing and expanding, thoughts maybe need to turn to how we can slow things down. Spending money on things that aren’t really necessary is a habit for many people around the world... and this is where Oborrow have discovered their target market. Oborrow is a service that pools together some of the most borrowable items in one place. The site, which works entirely through Facebook, helps make better use of the products you have bought and only used a handful of times... as well as making it easier to access items that you may need but are not able to afford. Linking to Facebook means users are only lending to and from people they know and trust ensuing goods are safe and well looked after. It also makes it easier for friends to join Oborrow, hopefully leading to an ever growing list in the items available to borrow. Joining Oborrow is an easy process that requires 20 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
only a few steps ... and also helps the environment. Unused everyday items are clogging up houses all over the country driving over-production and environmental damage. The idea behind this smart and savvy project is to expand on the idea that access often trumps ownership that it is not a necessity to own goods that we could so easily borrow. There has never been a more opportune time to make a positive impact on our planet.
Don’t Buy it... OBORROW It... With rising product and commodity costs, we need to look at ways in which to benefit ourselves financially and get rid of our throw away culture by leading by example and showing that it isn’t necessary to buy everything brand new. We need to look at ways to protect our environment besides recycling and using public transport by addressing the issue of more and more goods being sent to landfill.
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
KEEPING AN EYE OPEN
The Information Commissioner has launched a resource specifically for Community and Volunteering organisations. The new online resource aims to help voluntary organisations and campaigners to get the most out of Scotland’s freedom of information (FOI) laws. FOI provides individuals, including voluntary organisations, with a right to the information held by public authorities – from all departments of local councils to NHS Boards to the Scottish Government. Our society is fortunate to have the power of access. We have the ability to communicate with those close to us in ways that were never there before, which is why Oborrows time is definitely now. With over 1 billion users on Facebook, there has never been a more opportune time to capatalise on what our Facebook friends can offer us. As recessionary pressures continue to plague the country, there has never been a better time to look at ways in which to save money. Oborrow offers a smarter, more cost effective, environmentally friendly way to go about getting the most out of the products we buy. Simply joining through Facebook will create a positive impact not only on your finances, but on our environment. Oborrow has the potential to be a disruptive, positive force in the consumer goods market worldwide. It has the potential to change the way we spend as well as the relationships we have with our Facebook friends. To join Oborrow visit www.Oborrow.com
The new web resource provides a simple step-by-step guidance on using Freedom of Information laws, along with a selection of video case studies featuring voluntary sector campaigners talking about how the FOI right has helped them in their work. Launching the new web resource, Rosemary Agnew, the new Scottish Information Commissioner told us: “Everyone has the right to use FOI, and our new web pages aim to support voluntary organisations in knowing when and how it can benefit them. As well as the videos of user experiences, the website features commonly asked questions, hints and tips on making effective requests and details of forthcoming FOI workshops.” “We hope that information and examples available on the website will help requesters to better understand how FOI can benefit them.” The new web resources can be accessed at www.itspublicknowledge.info/voluntarysector FOCUS SCOTLAND | 21
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
Facts on stammering • • •
• •
Stammering is universal - in all countries of the world and all groups equally More males than females stammer, a ratio of 4 or 5 to one Stammering in nearly all cases begins in childhood -from 2 to 5 when language is being learned There is no known single cause for stammering There are no special or impossible words or sounds for stammerers
NEW SUPPORT FOR STAMMERING...
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FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
S
tatistics show us that around 1% of the adult population live with a stammer. The West of Scotland Stammering Network is a newly formed organisation meeting monthly to provide self-help support to adults. The idea to set up the group grew directly from the needs of a group of adults who stammer and their desire for increased peer support and confidence building. Initially, a few people identified the lack of support groups open to people who stammer and who have not already been on an intensive stammering course like the McGuire Programme. Following an online survey to help establish the true demand twenty people confirmed interest, 18 of whom were previously unaware of any support available to people with a stammer. This survey also asked about the kind of support and information people were looking for. The list included Coping strategies Techniques for public speaking Opportunity to discuss stammering topics and try techniques Practical support Sharing experiences/Peer Support/Group encouragement Building confidence Dealing with the difficulties of living with a stammer and facing these difficulties Chance to speak in a safe environment and share experiences An opportunity to make friends And so the West of Scotland Stammering Network was born. The first meeting took place in April at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow and was very well attended. Chairperson James Stewart told Focus, “ The meeting was very successful and helped us pull together a variety of topics which will shape the programme for the year ahead. There were 10 people in total who attended travelling from Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow and Clyde areas to come to the meeting.”
Building on this, the group identified the need to formalise arrangements and the need to continue to meet at a central location in the evenings. A successful funding application to Awards for All at the National Lottery has helped to secure the running costs for the first year. “ The lottery support is great,” added James. “ We have booked the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow as the venue for our future meetings, which will be held from 7pm – 9pm on the first Thursday of every month. This venue is ideal as many people arriving by train can get to the hotel without even having to leave Glasgow Central Station.” James is also clear on the focus of the group. “We hope that the group will ultimately increase the confidence of members to feel able to speak freely regardless of stammering or speech avoidance techniques in a variety of situations and encounters. It was clear from the experience of group members at the first meeting that support from NHS Speech and Language Therapists can only go so far and in fact peer support from others who stammer can help them in the short and long term. This is because they feel that they are finally in a situation with people who know what it is like to have stammer and are keen to share their experiences for others to learn from.” The 2 hour monthly meetings are free to attend, with the first hour dedicated to a round-robin allowing members to speak at their pace and discuss their previous month detailing any issues they have encountered. This allows for support and feedback from members if they have encountered similar situations. The second hour is given over to different topics for example breathing exercises, confidence building techniques, speech and language techniques or disability employment legislation. We have already sourced a variety of speakers, therapists and life coaches to facilitate these sessions. Want more information visit the website at: www.stammeringscotland.org. If you would like to attend a group meeting, please email James or Lorna at wosstammer@gmail.com or phone 07977 300851.
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12 WEEKS FOCUS ON: MONEY
COUNTDOWN...
I
f, like most charities in Scotland, you have a year-end date of 31 March, you have 12 left to weeks to submit your Annual Return and Accounts for 2011/12. To help keep you on track, here is a handy week by week guide to making sure you meet the deadline.
11 weeks to go
11 weeks.... Picking the Paperwork Okay, if you haven’t already started working on this it’s time for the Treasurer and anyone else involved in the financial management to get together and organise the paperwork for the year end accounts.
A HANDY CHECKLIST OF WHAT YOU WILL NEED IS: Bank statements for the last 12 months Record of income for the year (cashbook, ledgers, monthly sheets) Evidence of income funders letter, membership books etc Record of expenditure for the year (cashbooks, ledgers, monthly sheets) Evidence of expenditure (invoices receipts) etc Petty cash book/sheets. Petty cash vouchers and receipts Copy of your constitution List of trustees/committee member Your previous year’s accounts
12 weeks.... Find an independent examiner You have 3 options 10 weeks.... Writing the Trustee open to you. Annual Report (TAR) You can use your Now you’ve packed up all of your previous year’s paperwork, it’s time to write up your end Independent of year report. This is a statement of your Examiner (I.E.) or charities activities throughout the last accountant. If you are a new charity or year and will need to be given to your are looking to change your examiner a independent examiner for inclusion in good starting point could be your local your final report. Your local TSI or the Third Sector Interface. They should be OSCR website will be able to give you guidance on acceptable able to signpost you to an IE in your formats for charity reports and accounts if you need it. area. If not you could go directly to the Association of Charity Independent 9 weeks .... Go deliver accounts Examiner (ACIE) website Time to drop off your accounts. Make (www.acie.org.uk) and have a look at sure you leave the contact details of the the members directory section. If you person who has done the majority of are not eligible for IE, because of your the preparation work in case there are constitution or because your turnover is any questions or queries. Remember too high, then you should contact a local to ask the process will take and when accountant. you can expect to be able to pick up the report. That will help you to make Help: If you are unsure what option is sure that the person signing the accounts is available and can right for you, contact your local TSI for approve the accounts on behalf of the group. further information.
10 weeks to go
9 weeks to go
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FOCUS ON: MONEY
6 to 9 weeks to go.... Information Needed Often, examiners will contact you looking for more 6-9 weeks information make sure you leave the contact details to go sometimes email address are easier if you are out and about a lot or working during office hours as this is when they are most likely to phone.
6 weeks to go.... Draft accounts By now your Independent Examiner will probably have finished your draft accounts, ready to be checked by the Trustees. Remember to pencil in a meeting date, making sure you get as many of the committee along as possible to approve the account before they are signed of. The Examiner may also give you a recommendations report alongside the report.
6 weeks to go
5 weeks to go.... OSCR paperwork If you have a gross income of under £25,000 in the year, you will also have to complete an annual return for OSCR. Your return form will have been posted to your charities main contact on the OSCR register within weeks of the year end date. Annual returns can now also be done online if you have requested an e-mail return. To be eligible for this, you would have to have requested it at your last return date but you can register via the OSCR website.
5 weeks to go
If your charities gross income is over £25,000, you will also have to complete the Supplementary Monitoring form sent with the return. It’s not as scary as it looks! Guidance to help with the completion of the form can be down loaded from OSCR’s website or you could ask your examiner, accountant or local TSI to help you complete it
4 weeks to go .... Post off your paperwork So accounts are signed, return is completed ...all that’s left to do is to send it off. Well after you’ve kept a copy for your records of course! Quick check – remember to include your annual return form, supplementary return (if you need to), and a copy of the final signed annual accounts. Remember the documents must reach OSCR within 9 months of the charity year end date – so for 31 March that’s 31 December. And remember ... the longer you leave it into December the more likely you are to hit the Christmas post.
4 weeks to go
2 weeks to go .... Check OSCR website Want to make sure your returns made it okay? You will normally only hear from OSCR if there is a problem with your return so the best way to check that everything has reached its destination is to log onto the OSCR website and look yourself up. Under your charities details, you will see that the reporting history of your charity is listed. Late or overdue returns are highlighted on the site too. This is public information and available to anyone including funders and donors.
2 weeks to go
Useful links West Dunbartonshire CVS (local TSI for West Dunbartonshire): www.wdcvs.com call 0141 941 0886 or email info@wdcvs.com All local TSI contact details can be found www. voluntaryactionscotland.org.uk Registered Examiners can be found on www.acie.org.uk Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator on www.oscr.org.uk FOCUS SCOTLAND | 25
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
Committee in FOCUS: Education and Culture The Education and Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament scrutinises the policies and performance of the Scottish Government and its agencies by considering relevant legislation; conducting inquiries; scrutinising spending proposals; and carrying out any other work that it considers appropriate. Which in practice, means that Committee considers a variety of topics that have or can impact community and volunteering activity in Scotland such as— • • • • •
early years and children’s services school, further and higher education lifelong learning the Gaelic and Scots languages culture and the arts in the broadest sense
The Committee usually meets on Tuesday mornings. Details of meetings can be found on the committee web pages and public gallery seats can be booked in advance from Visitor Services for those wishing to attend in person. You can also watch the proceedings of the committee live online at the Scottish parliament website. In the remainder of 2012 the Committee has also agreed that, at some point it will undertake work in the following areas; (exact details will be confirmed on the Committee’s webpage in due course): • • • • •
curriculum for excellence; to take further oral evidence on Kinship Care; the McCormac Review of Teacher Employment in Scotland and the Donaldson Review of Teacher Education; college regionalisation; expressive arts education for school pupils.
Stewart Maxwell MSP is a Member of the Scottish Parliament representing the West of Scotland. He was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2003 and is the Chair of the Education and Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament. He recently took time to 26 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
talk to our policy editor Martin Docherty about the committee and how it is impacting community and volunteering activity in Scotland. The Education and Culture Committee recently published its report into the educational attainment of looked after children. Yet within that report volunteering is mentioned only twice and when the report was debated in the Parliament chamber it was mentioned only once and on each occasion closely related to delivering services, do you think this was an oversight in that volunteering as a method of enhancing life children’s experiences was not mentioned? Not at all. An entire section of the report is dedicated to utilising the voluntary sector. One of the report’s most radical recommendations calls for the Scottish Government, in conjunction with local authorities, NHS boards and the voluntary sector, to bring forward proposals on how volunteers could help deliver greater, more co-ordinated, nationwide support to looked after children, particularly those looked after at home.
I strongly encourage volunteers and others across civic Scotland to engage... Recent debates in parliamentary committee of the Scottish Parliament have regularly discussed the community and volunteering sector as a route to deliver public services and a route to employability. Is this increasing service delivery and training model at the detriment of civic duty and volunteering as a good thing in itself? The community and volunteering sector has a vital role to play in improving society and that is why the Education and Culture Committee has asked the Scottish Government to work with the voluntary sector and others to look at how volunteers can
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
in developing their skills as individuals and as members of the wider community? The Scottish Government has to respond to the Committee’s report on the educational attainment of looked after children by the end of July and will respond to the specific recommendation on volunteering. Once again, if the Committee decides to carry out any follow-up work on this area it would welcome the views of volunteers.
better support children looked after at home. The committee has expressed an interest in examining the extent to which the voluntary sector provides children’s services on behalf of local authorities and other public bodies. In practical terms what does this mean for volunteers on the ground and would you welcome their input to this debate? As you indicate, the Committee recently held a one-off evidence session with a number of representatives of the voluntary sector. The Committee took up the points raised at that meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell) at a roundup session with him on 26 June. The Committee has no immediate plans to take further evidence on this particular area. However, should it decide to do so in future, it will be very keen to hear the views of volunteers. Whilst examining the role of providers; as a committee member and its chair would you welcome a debate on the role of volunteering especially for looked after children and its role
The Scottish Parliament often states that it is an open and inclusive Parliament, how practical is it for volunteers to be involved in the parliamentary system and in its committees and influence it decisions? The Parliament is indeed an open and inclusive Parliament, with the sharing of power being one of its key principles. The Committee engages regularly with the voluntary sector. Recent examples of this engagement include visiting projects run by the voluntary sector during the inquiry into the educational attainment of looked after children and holding a committee event that was attended by numerous representatives of the voluntary sector. The Committee has also very recently (26 June) launched at Barnardo’s Scotland’s Fostering and Adoption Service, a new inquiry into the decision making processes around whether to take children into care. I strongly encourage volunteers and others across civic Scotland to engage with the new inquiry, particularly by giving written evidence.
C.V. Stewart Maxwell M.S.P. • Born December 24, 1963 Glasgow, Scotland • Member of the Scottish Parliament for the West of Scotland • Former Minister for Communities and Sport • Glasgow College of Technology with a BA Honours Social Sciences • Worked for Strathclyde Fire Brigade between 1993 and 2003 • Career Highlight – Father of The Smoking Ban In Public Places • Honorary Vice-President of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland FOCUS SCOTLAND | 27
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
ORGANIC NATURALLY DIFFERENT! 28 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
T
his September the Soil Association is asking us to discover organic food in support of its ‘Organic, naturally different’ campaign, aiming to increase consumer knowledge around the benefits of organic food and why it may be worth paying a little bit extra. Organic food is produced by farming systems looking to work with nature, is kind to animals, avoids using pesticides and bans GM ingredients.
total budget is £1.8m. About the Soil Association... The Soil Association itself was founded in 1946 by farmers, scientists, doctors and nutritionists to promote the connection between the health of the soil, food, people and the environment. In 2002 Soil Association Scotland was set up to bring Soil Association expertise closer to producers, consumers and policy makers in Scotland. Speaking at the recent Royal Highland Show in Ingliston, Richard Lochhead, Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment, announced a £772,000 package aimed at improving the quality of school meals across Scotland.
Helen Browning, Chief Executive of the Soil Association, said: “Organic September is Europe’s biggest celebration of all things organic and is a great chance for people to discover what makes organic food naturally different and to enjoy all the special offers and events happening across the country. Why not give your body a boost before winter by cooking up some of the mouth-watering recipes we have collected based on fresh, seasonal organic fruit and vegetables. Choosing organic food has got to be one of the easiest, most delicious and enjoyable ways to make a real difference.” The campaign consists of a combination of advertising, PR and digital marketing and will run until October 2013. The aim is to increase consumer knowledge around the benefits of organic food and why it is worth paying a little bit extra. Adverts will be running across a number of London underground and mainline railway station sites. They feature different foods ‘talking’ to each other about enhancing treatments they have had or have chosen not to have, in the latter case, because they are organic, and explaining why they prefer to go ‘natural’. The Organic Trade Board has collectively pledged £300,000 per year to support the 3-year campaign, which the EU has agreed to match. The
Richard Lochhead, said: “The Scottish Government is delighted to be building on its existing support for Soil Association Scotland to enable them to scale up the fantastic Food for Life programme. Food for Life Scotland delivers against the Scottish Government’s national food and drink policy by working throughout the supply chain to improve opportunities for the production, procurement and consumption of healthy, local and sustainable food which is affordable and accessible for all.” The funding package will support Soil Association FOCUS SCOTLAND | 29
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
Scotland to expand their Food for Life programme currently including supporting Local Authority caterers to meet the Soil Association’s Food for Life Catering Mark standards in their provision of school meals. The Food for Life Catering Mark is open to all food providers across the UK. Over 550,000 Catering Mark standard meals are served each week day – that’s over 101 million every year. The scheme is open to all food providers for meals served in universities, nurseries, schools, hospitals, workplaces and restaurants. To find out more visit www. soilassociation.org/cateringmark
THE SOIL ASSOCIATION’S TOP FIVE REASONS TO CHOOSE ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING •
•
•
•
•
10 Facts About the Catering Mark To achieve the Food for Life Catering Mark menus must include: • • • • • • • • • •
Meals containing no undesirable food additives or hydrogenated fats 75% of dishes being freshly prepared Meat from farms satisfying UK welfare standards Eggs from cage-free hens Seasonal menus Training being provided for all catering staff No GM ingredients used Free drinking water prominently available No endangered fish served Information on display about food provenance
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Food you can trust You can be safe in the knowledge that hydrogenated fats and controversial additives like aspartame, tartrazine and MSG are banned under organic standards. Better for the environment Organic farming reduces environmental pollution and greenhouse gases released from food production by restricting the use of artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides. High standards of animal welfare Organic standards insist that animals are given plenty of space and fresh air to thrive and grow - guaranteeing a truly free-range life. Helps protect wildlife Organic farms are havens for wildlife and provide homes for bees, birds and butterflies. In fact, plant, insect and bird life is up to 50% greater on organic farms. Ensures a GM-free diet GM crops and ingredients are banned under organic standards. Choosing organic is an effective way to avoid GM in your diet.
Who To Contact To find out more visit www.soilassociation.org/scotland Follow the soil Association on TWITTER @soilassociation and www.facebook.com/soilassociation Find out more at www.organicukfood.com Follow the Organic UK campaign on TWITTER @organicukfood and www.facebook.com/
Soil Association founded in 1946
Soil Association Scotland was set up in 2002
In 1967, the first Soil Association standards were drawn up
24,000 soil association members and supporters
The certification system for 16,000 Catering Mark meals organic produce was set up per day served across 250 in 1973 primary schools in Scotland. In the mid-1980s a number of supermarkets began to stock organic food
28% Increase in number of children eating five or more portions of fruit and veg in Food for Life Schools.
Organic Aid Scheme of aid About 80% of UK organic from the government to help food is certified by the Soil farmers launched in 1995 Association. 75% of organic food is currently sold throughout supermarkets.
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
DOORS OPEN DAY FACTS 900+ Venues 192,000 visits by 62,000 individuals 5,700+ volunteers and 4,000 paid staff
O
nce a year, citizens in 50 countries celebrate Europe’s cultural heritage. This initiative of the European Heritage Days, officially launched by the Council of Europe in 1991, has been since 1999 a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, putting new cultural assets on view and opening up historical buildings normally closed to the public. Every weekend in September for the last 22 years Doors Open Days in Scotland has been playing its part in this European wide cultural festival by giving everyone the opportunity to access free of charge hundreds of fascinating buildings across the nation which are normally closed to the public with the aim of inspiring you to take an interest in the architectural and built heritage of Scotland as well as encouraging visitors to explore the country. Originally piloted in Glasgow and Ayr during the 1990 European City of Culture celebrations, the organisers of the City of Culture felt that the celebrations would benefit from an event, showcasing architecture alongside the arts similar to those which had been taking place across Europe 32 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
since the 1980’s.The City of Culture organising committee weren’t, however, prepared for the public’s enthusiasm and many sites in the first year were overrun with thousands of visitors. With such an enthusiastic reception it was clear that Doors Open Days could become much bigger and other communities were encouraged to take part, coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust. Now there are regularly over 900 sites and events organised and most local authority areas participate in what is Scotland’s largest architectural festival. The range of sites varies enormously: this year there are caves and castles, private homes and hotels, factories and football stadium. Activities include walking tours, dramatic recreations, family activities, quizzes, exhibitions and much, much more. The driving forces behind Doors Open Days are volunteers, members of the public with a passion for local heritage and a desire to tell other people about it. In 2011 alone over 5,700 volunteers were involved and more than 53,000 hours given to the event free of charge.
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
VOLUNTEERS in FOCUS:
ANDREW JOHNSON
Andrew Johnson, Chair Friends of Govanhill Baths CHAIR FRIENDS OF GOVANHILL BATHS Community Trust, Glasgow
COMMUNITY TRUST, GLASGOW
Background to the project Govanhill baths closed in March 2001 and after campaigning for 4 years the Trust was formed and have worked since then with the community to re-open the baths as a wellbeing centre run on a social enterprise basis. In the last couple of years they have raised some £300,000 towards a 3 phase 5 year plan to see the centre opened including the original 3 swimming pools and Turkish/Sauna suite as well as a range of other community facilities including gymnasium, community hall and event suite in the original steamie, greenhouse and roof garden, community cafe and kitchen and rooms for public hire. Phase 1A has begun and the Trust opened the whole front suite of the baths for public and community use in January this year to much acclaim. What work do you do specifically? As Chair my role is to ensure all these activities run as smoothly as possible and in fact play a role in many of them, particularly “GBART” events and the production and writing up of reports, research studies and necessary articles for publication. A major role in the last year has been in collaborating with Glasgow City Council, City Property (who technically own the building) our builders and community collaborators to ensure the project to re-open the baths as Phase 1A was completed. What work do volunteers undertake? Our volunteers are engaged in all the core activities of the Trust, from the Trustees to fundraisers. Around 25 volunteers run the charity shop and Rags to Riches, up to 40 volunteers assist with our various other project including arts, recreational, educational, social and healthy living projects. In the last year we have collaborated with the Citizens Theatre to produce a community pantomime in the main pool at Christmas, made a major short film in collaboration with Debaser films, run a “fifties” community jive night and currently run a monthly series of “spoken word and music nights”. Our most major forthcoming event is in collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland
who are producing with “The Arches” a community play in the learners/toddlers pool - a performance that will run for three weeks in October 2012. This is special because it will leave as a legacy the toddler’s pool open for use for children, learners and for therapy purposes. All of these are run by volunteers, with a volunteer Board Member overseeing.
Why you take part in Doors Open Day? We initially became involved as the City Council held the Doors Open Day (DOD) in such high regard that we were allowed to access the building for the first time in 8 years and volunteered to let the public in to see it too. Our subsequent good relationship with the Council in part grew from that event and their awareness of its impact. The public response was so overwhelming that we were spurred on to hold other events (we drew confidence from its success) and to take part in DOD every year since, trying to do something different each time and consistently attracting huge numbers of people. Over the three years of being open for DOD some 7,000 people have attended to take our organised tours around the baths and every year there are queues outside waiting patiently for “their turn”. This alone indicates the regard, affection and pure joy people express at being inside an Edwardian building with its grand main pool. This alone spurs us on! That apart we take part because it gives a chance for local people to become involved and see their heritage, and crucially through the high profile given to our project through DOD our project is made more public and awareness created nationally and internationally about what we are doing. For more info on the Govanhill Baths visit the Trusts W: www.govanhillbaths.com T: 0141 433 2999 FOCUS SCOTLAND | 33
FOCUS ON: FRONTLINE
VOLUNTEERS in FOCUS:
DAVID MCKELVIE VOLUNTEER TOUR GUIDE INVERCLYDE TOURIST GROUP Background to the project Greenock is the main port of call for Cruise ships visiting the West Coast, Clyde and the City of Glasgow. During a visitors stay the Inverclyde Tourist Group volunteers members will be at the dockside to welcome them and provide information that will help as they disembark helping them make the most of their time ashore, all of the guides are easy to recognise with their Inverclyde Tartan jackets. What work do you do specifically? I am seventy-one and have family links to this area since the eighteen thirties, and in 1999 I retired returning back home after a final decade working in Peterborough and took up my previous local interests. I had known about Inverclyde Tourist Group (ITG) as my wife joined them in the first year on our return. A year later I had joined as I have always been interested and involved with ships and the sea, and it meant that I could get access to the liners at Ocean Terminal, originally Princes Pier. I was one of the first half dozen trained guides, and I still get a bit of an adrenalin rush showing both tourists and locals around our highly historic and picturesque area. Our weather here is generally good and our visitors generally appreciate the lack of heat, and any mistiness in the mountain views from Lyle Hill. What work do volunteers undertake? We had small beginnings a decade ago but drove forwards and now have a membership of fifty enthusiastic amateurs, each with their own take on our area. Enthusiasm is a wonderful thing; we love to advise visitors on local history, facts and services, and now have an international reputation for doing so. All of the volunteers put something back into our communities: an area heavily hit by changing technology with Inverclyde now half the size it was in 1945, with ships, sugar, our woollen goods and other manufactures gone, but the stories about them still linger on allowing us to share the 34 | FOCUS SCOTLAND
inspirational stories of our community to visitors from far and wide. Why you take part in DOD? Where better to tell these stories than during the weekend of Doors Open Day. My favourite area is Greenock Cemetery, one of the largest, most attractive and silent in the land. We have taken to occasionally dressing up to give more to the characters we portray; last year for me it was Walter Kinipple, the man who built Greenock’s harbours. In the same way, in our locality and abroad, we wish to rebuild knowledge of, and pride in, our area and see DOD as an opportunity to do so. For more info on the Inverclyde Tourist Group W: www.inverclydetouristgroup.co.uk E: info@inverclydetouristgroup.co.uk
Scottish Civic Trust The Scottish Civic Trust is the national body for the civic movement in Scotland and the lead organisation for Doors Open Days. It engages proactively with local civic groups across the country and regularly comments and campaigns for the improvement of the nation’s individual buildings and areas of distinction, as well as seeking to encourage active interest in all aspects of the built historic environment, and liaises with many organisations, bodies and individuals in the pursuit of its objectives. It remains an important champion of Scotland’s places. To find out more about Doors Open Day in Scotland W: www.doorsopendays.org.uk T: 0141 221 1466 E: dod@scottishcivictrust.org.uk To find out more about other European Heritage Days W: www.ehd.coe.int To find out how Doors Open Day is spreading beyond Europe: W: www.doorsopenontario.on.ca
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
2018 YOUTH OLYMPICS
L
ondon is currently buzzing with life in the aftermath of the 2012 Olympic games and Glasgow could soon be getting a piece of the action as it begins its bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympics.
If the city was to win the bid, Glasgow could continue the legacy of Great Britain, following the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, also hosted in Glasgow. The bid is supported by the ‘Be a Champion in Your Life’ campaign, which seeks to deliver a Games that empowers young people globally to believe they can be champions in their lives. Prime Minister David Cameron visited Glasgow on July 31st to give his backing to the campaign and said: “All our great athletes started at a young age and I believe that the Youth Olympics is about opening young people’s eyes to the possibility of sport and inspiring the next generation of Olympic heroes.” Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, backed up Cameron’s support, saying: “Glasgow would be the perfect host city for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.” He continued: “We are a proud sporting city and have a proven track record of delivering world-class
sporting events but over and above that we have a very real commitment to young people. They are our champions and they will be our strongest voice as we work to win the right to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.”
All our great athletes started at a young age and I believe the Youth Olympics is about opening young peoples eyes to the possibility of sport and inspiring the next generation of Olympic Heroes.... The event is for young athletes aged 15 – 18 and takes place over 12 days. Athletes take part in a wide range of activities alongside their sporting programme that are focused on five themes: Olympism and Olympic Values, Skills Development, Well being and Healthy Lifestyle, Social Responsibility and Expression through Digital Media. The athletes attend workshops, take part in practical activities and have the opportunity to take part in excursions, all designed to tackle issues relevant to young people, the challenges they face and the opportunities open to them. So let’s hope that the Scottish passion, spirit and sporting history can win us the bid and make us the third city to ever host the 2018 Youth Olympics. The winner will be announced next Summer but you can read more about the bid at Glasgow2018.com. FOCUS SCOTLAND | 35
FOCUS ON: MONEY
FOCUS ON: MONEY
NEW £20 MILLION FUNDING STREAM FOR THIRD SECTOR... A new £20 million early intervention fund will be developed over the next two years to support voluntary groups working with children, young people and their families, Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell announced today. The move follows recommendations from an independent expert group to join up various funding streams to better target investment in children, families and communities, particularly around preventative action and early intervention.
GRAB A GRANT - CSV ACTION EARTH 2012 Planning an environmental activity using volunteers or can come up with a good project that improves local nature areas? Then you could be eligible for a CSV Action Earth grant. The CSV Action Earth campaign runs until November and is supported by SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage). The 2012 campaign offers grants up to £500 to cover plants, materials, tools and expenses and can make a big difference to an event. CSV Action Earth Awards are grants of £250 for projects who are providing or improving habitats for wildlife, enhancing local nature spots and getting communities volunteering together. CSV Local Nature Reserve Awards of up to £500 are available exclusively for projects taking place on Local Nature Reserves (LNR). Last year, CSV Action Earth volunteers were involved in tasks such as improving woodlands by planting and clearing, turning derelict wasteland into bee-friendly wildflower meadows, creating ponds and footpaths, building bird and bat boxes, tagging sharks and a whole range of other environmental activities. CSV are keen to help projects and groups attract new volunteers to their work. Grants will be allocated on a first come first serve basis, so please register quickly. Projects can apply NOW. You can apply online, download forms or get more information at http://actionearth. csv.org.uk. If you wish to discuss project ideas or discuss any issues relating to the campaign, please contact Robert Henderson on 0131 222 9083 or e: rhenderson@csv.org.uk . Get involved and help make a difference to your local environment!
The current Unified Voluntary Sector Fund (UVSF) and Early Years Early Action funds will continue until March 2013 at which point the new fund will come on stream, bolstering other early intervention funds such as the recently launched £6 million Communities and Families Fund. Ms Campbell said: “The voluntary sector has a significant role to play in realising our ambition to make Scotland the best place for children and young people to grow up. The new £20 million fund will be designed to support that ongoing effort. The Scottish Government has invested heavily in children and families. We know that for every £1 spent in the early years another £9 can be saved in later years through prevention. I’d like to thank the members of the expert group for their sterling work and I have accepted their recommendations. There will be no gap or break in the funding available to the many organisations delivering for children and families while the new fund is developed.
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FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
....about the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill
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Proposes to make it easier for communities to take part and have their say in decisions and budget setting taken by public bodies - how communities can help guide local service developments
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Proposes to further empower the network of Community Councils around Scotland to help communities get more involved in a wider range of decision making forums.
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Proposes to make it easier for community organisations to help manage local services across a range of activities
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Helping communities to make better use of or own land and buildings in their own area – expanding community asset schemes and right to buy beyond
Scot Gov Spokesperson: “The Scottish Government wants Scotland to be successful. It wants businesses to be able to grow and for everyone to be able to do well. To do this, the Government wants local communities to get the chance to do more for themselves, it also wants people to take part and help decide what happens where they live, and critically to participate in the debate about community empowerment”. WDCVS: While the official consultation is closed, the Bill will still need to be reviewed by the Scottish Parliament which still allows all of us to contribute to the direction of the Bill as laid before Parliament. So, take the opportunity and get involved.
the rural communities
Proposes that more land could be freed up for allotments and community gardens allowing people to grow more of their own food or flowers
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Contribute to the WDCVS response:
Twitter: @focusscotland T: 0141 280 0122 E: consult@wdcvs.com
FOCUS ON: SOCIETY
RaisingAwareness Bringing Positive Change in Male Cancer Awareness
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HEALTH & WELLBEING
CITIZENSHIP
Change Lifestyle
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Placement While Studying New Services
Helping Others Getting Recognised Retirement
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Use Spare Time
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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