ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT & COVID-19 RESPONSE 2020/2021
2020/2021
INTRODUCTION On behalf of PKAVS Board, I am proud to introduce our Annual Impact Report and COVID-19 Response Report for 2020-2021. We hope that this report gives you an idea of some of the diverse and vital work that we have performed, throughout Perth & Kinross, during 2020-2021. The hard work of our talented staff and volunteers continues to astound; they always go the extra mile to ensure that the quality of life of local people is continously improved. Everyday life can be difficult, particularly in current times, and we all often need a little extra support. With changing financial, social, and political environments, the problems people are facing are being intensified; COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation even further. This is when PKAVS can offer valuable support, help that not only improves peoples’ wellbeing, but is friendly and personcentred. Into 2021-2022, we have many new and exciting projects planned that will increasingly support the people and communities of Perth & Kinross.
WELCOME
CONTENTS
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3-8 9 - 12 13 - 16 17 - 22 23 - 24 25 - 26
Supporting Unpaid Carers Improving Mental Health & Wellbeing Developing the Voluntary Sector Empowering Minority Communities Shopmobility Financial Report
But we will also work to consolidate our current activities, ensuring that they make the biggest impacts possible. Our work will focus on those disproportionality affected by COVID-19 and the associated lockdown. It goes without saying that we could not do what we do without our talented and dedicated staff and our committed and enthusiastic volunteers. They are the backbone of PKAVS. We would also like to thank all of our partners, funders, and supporters, who allow us to continue to perform our vital work. We are hugely grateful for their support and contributions. I hope that you enjoy reading about our work over the past year and would like to, once again, thank all who made this possible.
Archie MacLellan PKAVS Chairperson
2020/2021
FOREWORD Having safely and successfully navigated a year like no other, we are determined to learn from experiences, feedback, and engagement to #BuildBackBetter; advancing our charity through considered reflection and forward thinking. COVID-19 has meant changing the way that we deliver our services. Learning from this, we will offer support to our many service users and partners in new and accessible ways, ensuring that we reach as many as possible across Perthshire. To #BuildBackBetter, we must, vitally, listen to those that we support, work with, and are funded by. We must understand what they want and need from us and use this information to discover what their aims are to recover, and heal, in light of COVID-19. As a strong community anchor, we recognise that we are uniquely placed to support those disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Many of our service users, particularly unpaid carers, those from minority ethnic communities, and individuals suffering from poor mental wellbeing, were at the centre of the storm. By building our services and reach, we will help these individuals and communities as best we can, always learning as we progress.
During COVID-19, our reputation as a Third Sector Interface has developed dramatically. We have been at the centre of community action and intervention, encouraging joint working and participation. As we advance, we will increasingly bring Third Sector Organisations together, listening to their views and thoughts and then advocating with, and for, them. COVID-19 has shown the public that we can deliver, are trusted, and respected, even more than previously. We want to build upon our reputation, enabling us to achieve more with an increased service user base. Finally, we will strive to be a focal point for recovery and healing, one of the go-to organisations in Perthshire for when people, and their communities, need us most.
Paul Graham Chief Executive
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THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH FOR THIS. IT WILL MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE TO OUR DAILY LIFE AND I APPRECIATE THIS. PLEASE PASS OUR THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. IT REALLY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
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REFERRALS
512
ADULT CARER SUPPORT PLANS AND YOUNG CARER STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED
5,500
OVER
SUPPORTING UNPAID CARERS
608 NEW
TELEPHONE CONTACTS WERE MADE BY OUR TELEPHONE BEFRIENDING SERVICE
1,100
ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT SESSIONS
AVERAGE 40 NEW REFERRALS
EVERY MONTH
OUR YEAR 608 referrals have been received across our Adult Carers, Young Adult Carers, and Young Carers Services.
A programme of 33 virtual carer peer support groups, for all ages, was developed with 312 carers attending.
512 Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements have been completed.
Our Day Services re-opened in Perth in late 2020, supporting the cared-for, with careful precautions in place, allowing carers a well-deserved respite from their caring role.
Over 5,500 telephone contacts were made by our Telephone Befriending Service throughout the year. A full programme of virtual peer support groups has been developed and delivered across all services. 640 short break grants were awarded to carers of all ages, over the past 12 months. 35 training sessions covering topics including Mindfulness, Managing Stress and Anxiety, and Moving and Handling were delivered to 219 carers. 297 Emergency Plans have been created and issued. Nearly 1,100, one-to-one support sessions took place across our young and young adult carer services. 106 young and 31 young adult carers accessed our new EASYc service helping to support their educational attainment.
55 referrals were received by our SDS (Self-Directed Support) Worker, with 39 carers supported to access SDS. 50 carers state that they have an increased knowledge and understanding of SDS principles and social care options. Just under 1,700 unpaid carers of all ages are now registered with PKAVS Carers Hub, with an average of 40 new referrals being received every month. 14,000 requests for information and advice were answered by our Adult Carers Services in the past 12months.
CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY
‘Brian’ is a 14 year old boy who lives with his mum and three sisters. Brian is a very anxious young man who has barely attended or engaged with school over lockdown.
‘Jack’, who is 14, has been part of Young Carers for seven-years. He is carer for Mum, who has a range of long-term physical and mental health conditions and is also carer to a little sister who has epilepsy.
EASYC
YC SUPPORT WORK AND RESPITE
He has had debilitating anxiety in regards to COVID-19 and how this is managed by others outside the home.
Jack has received all levels of support from the service including one-to-one sessions, day trips, residentials, funding, and much more. Recently, Jack has moved from a high level impact caring role to a lower level, as we have been able to establish (alongside other partner organisations) a consistent and supportive environment for Young Carers to thrive in.
Brian cares for his mum who has a myriad of physical and mental health illnesses, and his sisters, who have ASD. Brian has been receiving one-to-one tuition from a tutor attached to our Education Attainment Service, and has built up a good relationship, so much so that when the tutor announced he would be running a science club for young carers, Brian put his name down. This was a big undertaking for him as he has not mixed with peers for a very long time.
Things at home had moved to the extreme, with Mum relapsing with alcohol misuse which had created a hostile home environment for Jack and his siblings. Social work input highlighted the need for the Young Carers service to increase their support, to allow Jack respite opportunities away from home, whilst intensive work was completed with his mum.
IT HAS BEEN A LIFELINE FOR MY SON WHO NEARLY QUIT SCHOOL THINKING HE WASN’T ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH HIS NAT 5’S. HE HAS GREATLY BENEFITTED FROM ONE-TO-ONE SESSIONS AS HE STRUGGLES TO CONCENTRATE IN CLASS. 4
SUPPORTING UNPAID CARERS
CAN I JUST SAY THAT YOUR CALLS REALLY DO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE TO ME AND IF I AM NOT PARTICULARLY FEELING MY BEST YOU ALWAYS CHEER ME UP AS WELL AS GIVING ME SUPPORT AND ADVICE. I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO AND DON’T KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE WITHOUT YOUR CALLS.
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HOW WE ADAPTED In quick response to COVID-19 and the associated lockdown, we switched to using virtual platforms to offer carers’ support. This has been particularly useful given the geography of Perth & Kinross and the number of carers living in rural and isolated areas. We have delivered carer cafes, peer support groups for all ages, complementary therapies, training events including Mindfulness and Managing Stress and Anxiety, and also held our showcase event, Carers Connect, using virtual platforms.
A YOUNG ADULT CARERS OUTING
Being more and more digital has allowed us to increase our reach and to support even more carers in additional localities. The feedback we have received from carers is that they are keen for face to-face groups to re-start, but have been very happy with the remote services that we have offered.
Due to the increased demand placed upon our services during COVID-19, we have had to change some of our ways of working. For example, the teams now send out Welcome Packs when a new referral is received, quickly carry out a Welcome Call, and then proceed with the completion of an Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carer Statement. Working in this way provides a positive and immediate introduction to PKAVS and all the support that it can offer.
CASE STUDY
ADULT CARER ‘Lily’ is an adult carer who was awarded a Time4Me grant so she could go for a short break on the Fife Coast. She is the main carer for her mother and works full-time in the care industry at the same time. Lily feels that she has no time for herself unless she goes away for a break.
CASE STUDY
PKAVS ARE SO SUPPORTIVE AND ALWAYS TRY TO SUPPORT ME IN THE BEST WAY THEY CAN AND I WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
Having a break is important to Lily because it will give her a rest from her caring role and some mind-space to think about her own needs.
ADULT CARER ‘Cally’ and her husband are both parent carers to their five-year-old son. She provides full-time care, which can take a toll on her health and mental wellbeing. Cally’s caring takes up a lot of her time and she misses out on time with her older children and husband at times. She was awarded a Time4Me grant so she and her husband could go for a two-night weekend break at Kenmore. “The weekend away was fantastic and just having time to be myself away from my caring role and my role as a parent was so refreshing especially after the last year.
“I love the Fife Coast, so would go walking and just enjoy being away and having meals out instead of cooking. It was so nice to have something to look forward to and to feel something was just for me.”
Having a weekend where I only had to think of my own needs was a huge change and I was able to let a lot of anxieties go whilst we were away. I have come home and been more refreshed than I have been in a long time.”
ATTENDING THE VIRTUAL GROUPS HAS BEEN GREAT FUN AND I ENJOY MEETING NEW PEOPLE WHO ARE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION TO ME. THE GROUPS ARE A GREAT WAY FOR ME TO UNWIND AND RELAX AFTER HELPING TO CARE FOR MY GRANDAD! 6
SUPPORTING UNPAID CARERS
WHAT WE LEARNT
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Since lockdown, in March 2020, the Carers Hub has seen a marked increase in referrals received across all of our services. The biggest increases came from young carers when children returned to school after the first lockdown.
These increases are positive, in that more hidden carers are being identified and being offered the support that they are entitled to and deserve, but it has undoubtedly put additional pressure on a limited resource to manage these increased demands placed upon our services.
Using the Scottish Government’s own figures, there were 729,000 carers registered in Scotland prior to the first lockdown, but those figures now sit in excess of one million.
The biggest concern is, how do we try and ensure more carers are having their rights met and their personal outcomes achieved without diluting the same for carers we already have registered with us.
WHAT WE WILL DO Over the past 15-months, the number of registered unpaid carers across Scotland has increased by 50%, from 729,000 pre-COVID-19, to well in excess of 1.1 million today. This clearly gives us some additional challenges, and so, in 2021-2022 the developments we would like to achieve are:
•
A YOUNG ADULT CARERS HORSE RIDING TRIP
To work with both voluntary and statutory sector partners to manage capacity and to pool our resources to ensure unpaid carers can access all the support services that they are entitled to.
•
Look at our Sustainability Model, not solely in terms of funding. Sometimes, sustainability is about equipping people not to need us anymore. Organisations won’t be able to survive by staying the same, so the Carers Hub has to look to change and evolve.
•
Looking to create Satellite Branches, so we can take our services out to local communities instead of expecting individuals to come to us.
CASE STUDY
YOUNG CARER ‘Emily’ is a carer for her grandfather who suffers dementia. Emily provides emotional and physical support to her grandfather and also provides emotional support to her dad, who is his primary carer. Emily registered with PKAVS Young Adult Carers service in January 2021, with the hope of meeting other young people in a similar situation and to access respite from her caring role. Since her registration, Emily has attended weekly virtual respite groups, which include lots of interactive activities including arts & crafts, Escape Rooms, and more. These respite groups have enabled Emily to take time out for herself, while doing something fun with other Young Adult Carers. Attending groups and taking a break has led to a positive impact on Emily’s emotional wellbeing. “Attending the virtual groups has been great fun and I enjoy meeting new people who are in a similar situation to me. The groups are a great way for me to unwind and relax after helping to care for my grandad!” CASE STUDY
YOUNG CARER
‘Beth’ was awarded a grant to contribute towards the purchase of a sewing machine. As a young carer, she helps her mum to care for her younger sibling who has a long-term condition and can find her caring role upsetting at times, as it can stop her doing the things that she would like to do.
CASE STUDY
I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I WOULDN’T HAVE GOTTEN INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL WITHOUT YOUNG ADULT CARERS AS IT GAVE ME OPPORTUNITIES. IT GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS FUNDING TO PAY FOR COURSES THAT CONTRIBUTED TO MY APPLICATION TO MEDICAL SCHOOL, WITHOUT THIS FUNDING I WOULDN’T HAVE GOTTEN IN. MY CARING ROLE IMPACTED MY EDUCATION AND I LEFT SCHOOL WITH NOTHING BUT YOUNG ADULT CARERS GAVE ME OPPORTUNITIES. I AM REALLY GRATEFUL AND REALLY APPRECIATIVE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT.
YOUNG CARER
‘Liona’ has been a carer since she was 12-years-old and cares for her my mum who suffers from MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Being a young carer since she was 12 was a difficult process for her because she had to neglect a lot of school work and her social life to perform her caring role. Liona left school in 2018 with very few qualifications. When she left school, she didn’t have a lot of opportunities to study due to her lack of experience and could not progress to university. Since high school, Liona wanted to be a doctor, however, at that time she was continually discouraged due to her commitments as a carer, but also because of her low attainment in school due to her caring role. Being part of Young Carers helped her in progressing onto university level study. She was offered two places to study medicine, so she can train to be a doctor. Young Adult Carers has provided her support financially and emotionally throughout the whole process. Without Young Adult Carers, Liona doesn’t believe she would have been able to sit her Higher exams, and in turn apply to study medicine at university.
“A sewing machine at home meant I could do something nice in my free time and make some things for myself and my family. It helped me to relax and I could use it at the weekends and holidays.”
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During 2020-2021, we have provided our service users with over 1,200 Zoom engagement sessions, accessible from the comfort and safety of their own homes. All of our service users were engaged with on a weekly basis throughout the year.
ZOOM ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS
98 100%
TWICE
SERVICE USERS’ RECEIVED WELLBEING PACKS
SAID
IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING 9
OVER 1200
OUR YEAR
OUR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REMOTE WORKSHOPS HELPED INCREASED THEIR RESILIENCE
FACEBOOK INCREASED TO
1,561 FOLLOWERS SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS REACHING
UP TO 4,000
LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS
27
REFERRALS INTO OUR SERVICE
For many service users who live remotely, or live alone, the government lockdown resulted in an isolating and lonely year. Having the opportunity to access our support; whether a half-hour call twice a week, or daily zoom sessions, has allowed service users to continue to feel part of a community. Twice, during 2020-2021, all 98 of our registered service users’ were delivered wellbeing packs, which varied in content depending on their interests. The packs were delivered to their home addresses to avoid any additional or restricted travel and included seeds for sowing, paints, paper, pens, woodwork for projects, and other tailored items. 100% of clients undertaking our Healthy Lifestyle remote workshops have reported that they have increased resilience when facing stress, and are better able to cope with challenging situations. Towards the latter stages of 2020, we progressed towards one-to-one health walks. Initially encouraging service users to meet with us in their local area, reducing the use of public transport. Subsequently, we encouraged service users to meet our staff at our wellbeing sites, The Walled Garden and Wisecraft. Service users have reported feeling assured by our smooth and careful approach.
During the year, our Facebook page has seen an increase to 1,561 Followers with our posts reaching up to 4,000 local community members, ensuring as many as possible are aware of our important services. Despite unavoidable restrictions engaging with partners, during 2020-2021 there were 27 referrals into our service from a variety of sources including NHS/ CMHT, Perth & Kinross Council, and the wider Third Sector. During lockdown, we received 59 enquiries regarding volunteer opportunities within our service. Over the year, service users have been, and continue to be, encouraged to tap into opportunities outside of our service in order to ensure support networks are fully fulfilling their individual needs. Service users have developed skills within our service, including creative arts and crafts, horticultural, and cooking; all of which are transferable into their day-today lives. Many service users access services which complement our work and vice-versa, including carers support, counselling, and peer support. Via a connection with Abertay University, in Autumn 2020, we were allocated a student counsellor to support a number of our service users. So far, five service users have been connected with our student counsellor. One service user told us that it’s helping her deal with situations that upset her and she is learning ways of not shutting herself off from “everyone and everything”.
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
LEARNING ABOUT HOW HEALTHY EATING AND EXERCISE IMPACTS MY MENTAL HEALTH MAKES ME THINK ABOUT THE CHOICES I MAKE.
HOW WE ADAPTED One of our employees was trained to become a digital champion, and met with allocated clients in a training type format. Recovery and Development Officers have co-ordinated a daily timetable of Zoom meetings for our service users, liaising regularly with them via telephone/Zoom/our Facebook group/messaging, for required support, and to check in with them, ensuring risk management and that we are meeting their specific needs. Zoom rules were created for service users which addresses boundaries, respect, and appropriate behaviour during sessions. Our plant sale was adapted to operate remotely, with a hugely successful response, and sales of over £2,000. We strived to create a mixture of projects that were short and could be completed during individual Zoom sessions, as well as projects that service users could come back to when in need of focus or to address boredom. A focus has been on maintaining partnership relationships remotely, providing community updates and information through digital channels, and supporting service users
through the government’s phase changes with advice and information. Our workshop space at Wisecraft has been redesigned to adhere to physical distancing guidelines and workshop rules have been put in place. This has ensured the safety and wellbeing of our service users. By helping service users to write reflective pieces during lockdown, as well as an expressive piece depicted visually, without the use of words, we have been able to focus on ‘thoughts and feelings’ during the pandemic which has aided our service users’ wellbeing. Later in the year, our service users have been assigned limited physical sessions at the Walled Garden and Wisecraft alongside the opportunity to tap into remote support as much as they wish. This has included text checkins, telephone support, and activity sessions.
CASE STUDY
THE WALLED GARDEN – EXCITING RESTORATIONS We launched our campaign to build a new, muchneeded, art studio for PKAVS Walled Garden. Since launching our campaign, we have surpassed our original target due to many generous donations. Replacing our art studio is part of a much larger vision for PKAVS Walled Garden. Support with our previous campaign, and continued support after surpassing our target, has allowed us to focus on essential upgrades to the grounds surrounding our art studio, which support service users in a number of ways and welcome increasing visitors. Since the establishment of our service, we have erected four portable buildings; a service user portacabin including a recreational space and toilet facilities, a portable art studio, a small timber office, and a greenhouse, formally used for indoor cultivation. The replacement buildings have been sought out through a local business and have much-improved insulation, double glazing, and energy-efficient heating and lighting; which will benefit our service users and also the environment. With much-appreciated support, we were excited to develop Room for Recovery to allow us to improve the grounds of The Walled Garden.
Our new referrals were offered a minimum four-week remote support space. After the four-week period we integrated service users into our recovery locations, allowing peer support and outdoor activities.
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IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING 11
I’VE NEARLY FINISHED THIS NOTEBOOK. IT’S ALL WISECRAFT NOTES FROM MY CREATIVE ZOOMS AND ALL THE QUIZ ANSWERS. WE HAVE BEEN SO BUSY! I’VE HAD SO MUCH TO DO. I NEED TO CATCH UP WITH THE (CREATIVE) WORK I’VE NOT FINISHED YET. IT’S BEEN REALLY FUN.
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT Remote engagement has allowed us to connect with a wider group of people; particularly those with childcare/ caring responsibilities and/or difficulties accessing our premises. Although we will endeavour to return to on-site support as soon as safely possible, we will continue to provide remote opportunities, likely via telephone/text contact and Zoom engagement sessions. We will also initiate our outreach support via Action 15 funds, which will be particularly beneficial for those living within rural areas.
AT THE WALLED GARDEN IN AUTUMN
Transport has been, and continues to be, a significant barrier for many clients after NHS voluntary transport links came to an end in March 2020. Through HSCP Remobilisation funds, we were able to fill this gap over a six-month duration. We are currently liaising with Perth & Kinross Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to determine if this link will be re-established in the future and whether there are other means of accessing this support for our service users.
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
CASE STUDY
Zoe registered with us in 2018 for reasons including low mood, isolation, and anxiety. Zoe was keen to experience our garden and social environment, and gain skills for future education and employment. Since joining us, Zoe has worked on her social anxiety difficulties during group activities, her mood and self-worth via therapeutic sessions, and has gained experience aligning her horticultural skills with personal interests. In 2019, Zoe successfully secured a position at SRUC, studying Horticulture. Zoe continues to work with us to help maintain and manage her mental health and education and we’re all very proud to see her confidence and skills growing.
WHAT WE WILL DO Key pieces of learning or developments which we will take into 2021-2022 are:
•
The re-development of our Walled Garden; creating a more inclusive space which taps into our garden’s heritage.
•
The importance of having an additional outdoor activity at Wisecraft; increasing options for service users to engage in a peer support model postCOVID-19.
•
The value of effectively utilising our café space; ensuring a wide variety of needs are being met.
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DEVELOPING THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR
OUR YEAR
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Throughout 2020-2021, we have hosted digital engagement with a broad range of charities, community organisations, mutual aid groups, and social enterprises at a variety of online meetings and events. These have included our three #BuildBackBetter Listening Events, three Thematic Third Sector Circles, and three Partnership Events with the Gannochy Trust (248 registrations across nine events). Increasingly, individuals, groups, and organisations are approaching PKAVS Third Sector Interface to ask for our expertise and intelligence in identifying key contacts across the local Third Sector including Hey Girls CIC, Taymara, Creative Crieff, Scottish FA (in relation to Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Club), and Perth and Kinross UHI. Over the year, we have circulated 88 E-Bulletins to an audience of 885 individuals, groups, organisations and enterprises on a range of topics including funding opportunities, strategy launches, community initiatives, and training courses. Anchored in the Perth and Kinross Third Sector and community, PKAVS was awarded £93,000 from the Supporting Communities Fund to increase local capacity in response to COVID-19. Using our connections, relationships, and amassed learning, we identified a core group of ten projects which could serve more people of Perth and Kinross should they have the cash injection and support to do so. Food security was highlighted as one of the primary concerns – with cash awarded to address the immediate need across the vast geographical expanse of Perth & Kinross.
Period Poverty is something we are still very committed to at PKAVS TSI. During the past year, our work has gone from strength to strength, culminating in press coverage locally, nationally, and internationally, filming for BBC Reporting Scotland and Channel 4, a slot on BBC Scotland DriveTime, a Third Sector Circle with prominent voices in the ‘period dignity’ debate, and a reference to the ‘iconic’ Tampon Taxi project by Scottish Government Bill pioneer, Monica Lennon MSP. It is estimated that 4,000 free period products were distributed during the year long funding cycle, saving approximately £15,000 in single use products. 300 reusable products have also been provided, saving local people approximately £425,000 over the ten year lifespan of the products. We continue to push for equality, inclusion, and for voices of marginalised and unheard groups to be actively sought by those in decision making positions. Our constituency is one of a geographically dispersed and diverse community of interest, not one united by geography and locality. Local Government emphasis on place based working models negates and oversimplifies the complexity of our communities. During 2020-2021, we have acted as the first point of contact for queries relating to organisational structures, governance, policies and procedures, knowledge gaps, income generation, and volunteering opportunities. COVID-19, the national lockdown, and the rallying calls from Nicola Sturgeon for the Scotland Cares Campaign resulted in an influx of expressions of interest to volunteer. Through direct contact with the TSI and Volunteer Scotland sign up, we had over 1,000 people offer their time, skills, and energy to help others across Perth and Kinross.
We actively contributed to the placement of hundreds of volunteers during the pandemic – linking individuals with opportunities local to them, triaging the unforeseen volume of expressions of interest for NHS Tayside, and by supporting organisations and groups with prospective volunteers who were interested in active involvement in their support activities. Acting as a broker, the TSI has been able to support a range of organisations by connecting them with prospective volunteers looking for opportunities. Organisations supported have included The Lighthouse, Barnardo’s, PKAVS Tampon Taxi, and Elder Voice.
88 E-BULLETINS TO AN AUDIENCE OF 885
£93,000
ANCHORED IN THE PERTH AND KINROSS THIRD SECTOR AND COMMUNITY, PKAVS WAS AWARDED £93,000 FROM THE SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES FUND TO INCREASE LOCAL CAPACITY IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19.
4,000 FREE
PERIOD PRODUCTS WERE DISTRIBUTED
THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE [GANNOCHY] TRUST AND PKAVS IS GOOD TO SEE. HOW WE HAVE ADAPTED With a shift in how the TSI is perceived by the broader Third Sector - as an enabler and active source of support who are keen to work shoulder-to-shoulder with individuals, groups, and organisations to push for what is right – there has been a step away from the perception that the TSI is an extension of Perth & Kinross Council or the Health and Social Care Partnership. This has opened the door to new and different relationships that did not exist previously, where the TSI is seen to add genuine value to work on a grassroots and local level, whilst simultaneously shaping the larger strategic response. Throughout the year, we developed and delivered a bi-monthly Digital Drop-In Service for those seeking information and guidance on how to search for, and identify, local volunteering opportunities. Forging new relationships built upon open and honest information sharing, has helped to empower individuals, organisations, and communities to be better informed and have greater awareness on a variety of issues.
What started as an action point to share a document on the local food network, has since developed into a terrific partnership, exploring agency, activism, and local leadership which we hope will then transcend into a blended learning programme for citizens across Perth and Kinross, resulting in more empowered, enabled, and resilient communities. The new PKAVS Strategic Plan makes a commitment to “Empowering people by actively listening to them, always learning and evolving from what they tell us”. Living these values, the TSI team are committed to doing more to reach out, engage, and incorporate the voice of young people in our work. This year we delivered a Power of Youth event as part of I Will Week, exploring the role of young people and their ability to be active citizens. This was then followed up by the launch of a survey to capture the experiences and ideas of young people.
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DEVELOPING THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID OR ME. YOU ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS AND GAVE SOME GREAT ADVICE AND DIRECTION.
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WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT As a TSI, we have learned this year not to underestimate the benefits bold, courageous conversations and decisive steps can have on the team which is here to support the entire breadth of the Third Sector. During the pandemic, it has been heartening to see the number of organisations who actively wish not to only engage with us as a TSI, but work collaboratively with us. Participating across partnerships, outcome delivery groups, forums, and other decision making structures has signified to partners that the Third Sector is a credible and informed voice around the table, with genuine valuable input to contribute to discussions.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STAFF AT BROWNS PHARMACY RECEIVING THANK YOU CARDS
We have made a conscious move from being passive to participative, challenging, and constructively disruptive when required, calling out behaviours, attitudes, and responses which we deem to be ineffective, overly bureaucratic, and propagating existing power imbalances, and the status quo. We recognise that change will not take place if nothing alters.
Building on discussions at the 1st Appetite for Change Third Sector Circle on Food Insecurity, the TSI encouraged organisations to come together, to be open to sharing more information, and to explore new ways of working. One positive outcome of this is the development of a ‘Worrying About Money’ leaflet codesigned by the Trussell Trust, PKAVS, and the Independent Food Aid Network. Hard copies of this leaflet are now widely available in Perth & Kinross and translated versions are soon to be available in Romanian, Polish, and Bulgarian, in response to the disproportionate COVID-19 impact on our largest minority communities throughout Perth & Kinross. Digitally, these leaflets and associated posts have cumulatively resulted in a Facebook reach of 804 and 2,536 Twitter impressions.
DEVELOPING THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR
CASE STUDY
PKAVS received its first tranche of Supporting Communities Funding in mid-May 2020. Several organisations across the broad geographic area of Perth and Kinross were identified as both being willing to, and having the capacity and infrastructure to, deliver increased levels of COVID-19 support immediately.
WHAT WE WILL DO Key pieces of learning or developments which we will take into 2021-2022 are:
•
•
•
The need to capitalise and strengthen the participation levels, momentum, and willingness to act on what we have witnessed in our communities throughout the pandemic, in order to instil positive change, realise empowerment, and create a fairer, and more equal Perth & Kinross. Social capital is not evenly distributed throughout communities in Perth and Kinross, risking some being left behind. Assets based community development to empower marginalised voices and build community capacity must be a priority, as we transition towards COVID-19 recovery. The value of listening and holding a safe space, free from judgement for community groups, voluntary organisations, charities, and social enterprises, to come together to share experiences and insight, explore opportunities, and coalesce around shared goals and priorities.
PKAVS TSI worked with a range of organisations to explore unmet need in their beneficiary groups, emerging challenges, and potential solutions to some of those difficulties. Based on the back of this engagement, the following list of organisations were selected as recipients of our Supporting Communities funding allocation:
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Broke Not Broken PKAVS Carers Hub Pink Saltire Alyth Community Support Group PKAVS Tampon Taxi
Some of the positive benefits brought about by distributing the funding were:
•
Several organisations commented that it would not have been possible to deliver the services they have without the cash injection via the Supporting Communities Fund. PKAVS Carers Centre stated in its evaluation we “Wouldn’t have been able to support this many people” without the funding.
•
Funding has strengthened relationships between clients and their service provider/support organisation, with digital interaction and telephone support adding value to existing relationships and revealing insights which may not have been discussed or shared previously.
•
Assistance via Supporting Communities has meant that organisations could focus on meeting the needs of the individuals and their communities rather than the resource intensive search and apply cycle from multiple small pots of funding.
PKAVS Minority Communities Hub Athol Centre PKAVS Third Sector Interface TullochNet PKAVS Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub Elder Voice A decision was made mid-project to release money to social enterprise Adventure Circus in order to support their role in the community.
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EMPOWERING MINORITY COMMUNITIES 17
292 ONE-TO-ONE SESSIONS
OUR YEAR
COVERING BENEFITS AND HOUSING-TOPICS
In 40% of all intensive casework throughout 2020 2021, the primary inquiry was linked to income. Some of the critical issues we have supported people to address through this casework have been:
individuals, on a one-to-one basis, and have engaged a further 500 individuals via online sessions covering benefits and housing-related topics, through our social media channels.
•
We have supported over 50 individuals with foodbank vouchers and many more with information about where to access local food share initiatives.
500 ONLINE SESSIONS
OVER 1,500
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGED WITH TRANSLATED RESOURCES FOR THE 2021 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ELECTION.
537
49%
• • •
New benefits applications, changes of circumstance, and appeals; Food insecurity; Unmanageable debt; Financial support to self-isolate or shield.
INDIVIDUAL CASES ON ISSUES Food security has been a significant concern this year, SUCH AS HOUSING, INCOME, and we have supported more people than ever before EMPLOYMENT, VOICE, AND HEALTH. with foodbank vouchers and access to community food sharing initiatives.
OF THOSE SUPPORTED WERE NEW TO THE SERVICE
WE SUPPORTED
There has been a marked increase in homelessness cases, particularly in Highland Perthshire, amongst those whose accommodation is provided by their employment. We have been working closely with housing teams, community safety, and employers to re-deploy people into other areas, such as the factories and farms which have remained operational.
INDIVIDUALS APPLY TO THE EUSS (EUROPEAN UNION SETTLEMENT SCHEME)
During 2020-2021, we have provided intensive casework on housing and income matters to 292
2,664
We were able, via the STV Winter Grants Scheme, to give small grants to 15 families struggling with food and fuel costs. We were a pivotal local partner in response to the first COVID-19 outbreak at the 2 Sisters Factory. We ensured the needs of local migrant workers were met and understood by participating in the local response to the outbreak. Over 1,500 community members have engaged with the translated resources and candidate videos developed for the 2021 Scottish Government election. Throughout the year, we have offered intensive casework on issues such as finance, housing, access to healthcare, and employment, where this is required, due to the complex nature of client enquiries.
THANKS TO THE PROACTIVE WORK OF THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES HUB AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND WORK TOGETHER, A POTENTIALLY EXPENSIVE DISASTER WAS AVERTED. During 2020-2021, we offered individual casework for 537 cases on issues such as housing, income, employment, voice, and health. 49% of those supported were new to the service, a key measure for how well we are able to build the capacity of individuals to access services independently. We have also begun to pilot a service offering support to complete official forms and paperwork, such as housing applications, to free up officer time to deal with the most complex cases. Throughout the year, we received an additional 195 calls to our helpline for signposting and support with simple enquiries, and received 45 referrals from other services requesting casework.
We have continued to support those applying to the EUSS (European Union Settlement Scheme) with 108 applications submitted through end-to-end support, supporting 2,664 individuals to make an application independently by accessing information through our EUSS support project, and witnessing 2,500 applicants accessing our online information sessions. During the Summer of 2020, we supported colleagues in education services, by translating their consultation about the return of schools and engaging a further 90 individuals from minority ethnic communities in this exercise.
We have recruited five additional volunteers to support our own service, who are from minority ethnic communities generally less inclined to volunteer. This is a reflection of our long-term work with communities to raise the profile of volunteering as a viable way to build skills and experience, and participate in local community life.
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EMPOWERING MINORITY COMMUNITIES 19
HOW WE ADAPTED Financial insecurity has become an even more pressing concern amongst minority ethnic communities during the pandemic. We have seen increasing numbers of ‘crisis’ situations, up to and including destitution, when compared to other years, and have found our capacity stretched to the extreme in this area. This increase has dictated the tone of the support we have offered. All Minority Communities Hub team members have received training from Welfare Rights on the key issues facing community members during the pandemic, allowing us to upskill our team to deal with the greatly increased demand for support. By developing multi-lingual videos talking through key processes, such as applying for self-employment support from the Government and Universal Credit applications, we have supported many individuals, relieving the pressure on other services whilst ensuring needs are met. During 2020-2021, we extended our Helpline hours from April 2020, so that it was available 10 am - 4 pm, five-days-a-week. Through the helpline, we have given advice and support to community members on a wide range of issues, supporting people to develop the knowledge and skills they require to understand where to go for help, when they need it.
We have focused heavily on providing accessible information for communities concerning the EUSS, and have created a series of animated videos in English, Polish, Bulgarian, and Romanian covering key aspects. We have also produced written versions of this information and regularly share both via our own social media channels, alongside partners, and with key employers locally. Due to restrictions, we have not been able to carry out surgeries at the premises of employers as we had planned to, however we continue to work with key employers to share information with their employees and ensure that they are aware of the services we can offer. We have developed and promoted a programme of employability Zoom sessions from November to March, focusing on the issues which are most relevant in the current climate, in particular, redundancy and the job application process.
THANKS TO YOU AND THE ATHOLL CENTRE, OUR SITUATION HAS BEEN TOTALLY DIFFERENT. THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO THANK YOU PERSONALLY FOR YOUR GREAT SELFLESS WORK. YOU HAD BEEN ALL THE TIME TRYING TO FIND US A SOLUTION TO OUR NECESSITIES AND PROBLEMS SUCH AS WORK, FOOD, RELOCATE US TO A NEW HOME, IN BUREAUCRATIC PROCEDURES. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WAS VERY EFFICIENT AND FAST, DEMONSTRATING THAT THERE ARE STILL MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WHO HELP OTHERS WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN AND WHO LOVE THEIR WORK.
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT
COLLECTION FOR REFUGEES AT PKAVS
The pandemic has vastly impacted the levels of need across Perth & Kinross, as in many others. Financial resilience and housing concerns have escalated over the past year to higher levels than we have ever seen before.
All of our employees have been working from home for the duration of 2020-2021, which has proven to be challenging at times, we have worked hard to combat this and continue to offer our vital services in a period of increasing need.
A key focus for us during 2020-2021, was to ensure that members of the community, who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, were able to access the services they needed.
We now understand, even more clearly, the need for digital literacy upskilling in communities, and are in the process of developing a specific project to tackle this in the next financial year.
We have learned a great deal in 2020-2021 about remote service delivery, and its potential to broaden the reach of the service, as well as its limitations.
The upside of this is that we have learned that we can reach far greater numbers of people with vital information through social media by investing in our own team, ensuring that they possess the skills to do this well.
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EMPOWERING MINORITY COMMUNITIES 21
THE 2 SISTERS COVID-19 OUTBREAK On Friday 14th August 2020, we were notified by one of our contacts at the 2 Sisters Factory in Coupar Angus that an employee had tested positive for COVID-19. The 2 Sisters factory employs approximately 1,200 people, of whom over 75% are from minority ethnic communities. 17 languages are spoken by factory workers, with the largest groups being Polish, Romanian, and Bulgarian. By Sunday 16th August, the cases had risen to four, Perth & Kinross Council was notified and the factory was closed. All workers were asked to self-isolate and be tested for COVID-19. Over the following two-weeks, a total of 201 cases were recorded, 174 of whom were factory workers, and 27 who were contacts of factory workers. PKAVS Minority Communities Hub immediately approached Perth & Kinross Council to ask to be involved in the response to the outbreak. By day three of the factory closure, we were involved in both the Perth & Kinross Council response group and the Tayside Local Resilience Partnership.
The support that we provided included:
•
Arranging food deliveries through the local authority for those who had either been missed, or not received enough food for their families, in efforts to deliver parcels to all workers.
•
Support to apply for crisis grants and other financial packages and to access services such as energy top-ups while isolating.
•
Signposting for those who needed to book a test and were unsure of the process and those with other concerns relating to the Test and Protect measures.
•
Working in partnership with the Welfare Rights team to make welfare calls to the 300 individuals, employed by an agency, who would not receive pay for the closure period, and complete crisis grant applications where appropriate.
•
Communicating updates and guidance to community members in multiple languages, both through our own networks, mass texts, and social media channels, and by translating information for use by partners.
A MINORITY COMMUNITIES HUB SERVICE USER
CASE STUDY
WE LOVE COMING TO THE CONVERSATION CAFÉ AND MEETING OTHER PEOPLE THERE. IT’S LIKE THERAPY! WHAT WE WILL DO Key pieces of learning and developments which we will take into 2021-2022 are:
•
The importance of the “human” element of service delivery, which can only work effectively face-to-face.
•
The value of true partnership working and building a ‘network of allies’ with similar values and visions.
•
The increasing levels of need, and a new approach to balancing crisis support, which will always be required, by making the space for prevention and early intervention.
In late 2020, we were approached by a service user who was fired by her employer for stealing fruit. She and her partner had been living for some time in in-work poverty, and were unable, on several occasions, to afford to feed themselves, but had not known who to turn to for support. When this came to the attention of her employer, the times she had taken the fruit were viewed as repeated incidents, and she was let go without notice, exacerbating their financial problems. Due to the holistic nature of our support, we were able to signpost to various services that could support the couple. With support from the Ethnic Minority Law Centre, the service user was able to understand her rights and we passed this element of the case over to be handled by EMLC’s lawyer. We also provided support to the service user and her partner to review their entitlements, and employability support to find new employment as quickly as possible. With this support, the couple were able to take stock of their situation and consider where they wanted to go with their careers, without worrying about how they were going to feed themselves day-to-day, or manage to heat their home.
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SCOOTER HIRES
2,888
SHOPMOBILITY
INDIVIDUALS JOINED
OUR YEAR
HOW WE ADAPTED
Throughout 2020-2021, we hired out 735 mobility scooters to visitors of Perth City Centre, a significant number considering the service was closed due to COVID-19 for the majority of the year.
People with mobility and general health issues are still very anxious about venturing outdoors. However, most have commented that using a mobility scooter gives them a feeling of confidence regarding being able to keep a social distance from others.
Our number of registered users has climbed to 2,888, demonstrating the need and importance of our service.
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152
NEW
735
REGISTERED USERS CLIMBED TO
Despite the partial closure of the service, 152 new individuals joined Shopmobility. Customer donations continued to assist the funding of the service. This shows the gratitude people with limited mobility are feeling with the service providing them with the means to reduce their social isolation.
We modified our premises and updated guidelines and procedures to keep individuals safe and confident and the service running during lockdown.
WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT Usage figures have dropped due to the national lockdown and the lack of visitors from out-with Perth & Kinross, due to travel restrictions which has affected the service. However, local people are still finding the service invaluable allowing them to attend various appointments, complete their shopping, meet with friends, and more.
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received over 2,000 new referrals INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Donations £23,999
Other trading activities £11,877
Fundraising costs £19,280
Government grants £1,428,323
Investment income £4,909
Employment costs £1,468,672
Non government grants £609,332
Other income £334
Service delivery costs £273,264
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charitable activities £100,228
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Motor and travel costs £24,882
Service running costs, marketing and subscriptions £122,143 Legal & professional fees £8,370
actively supporting over 6,000 people
Establishment costs £182,991
Income: £2,179,002 6.5% INcrease
Depreciation £36,560
Expenditure: £2,148,480 3.0% Decrease
Audit fee £11,461
We would like to thank the many individuals and organisations who, over the year, have made generous contributions to PKAVS and our services. Donations and funding allow us to help so many people throughout Perth & Kinross, we are very grateful to everyone that has helped us to make a difference.
SIGNIFICANT FUNDERS OVER 2020/2021 Perth & Kinross Council
The Gannochy Trust
The Robertson Trust
NHS Tayside
SSE
The Lyndal Tree Foundation
Perth and Kinross Health & Social Care Partnership
National Lottery Community Fund
Scottish Children’s Lottery
The Scottish Government
Children in Need
Royal Bank of Scotland
UK Government (Home Office)
Tesco
Asda Foundation
Shared Care Scotland
The Forteviot Trust
Youth and Philanthropy Initiative
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021
(INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT AND STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES)
Unrestricted funds £ Income and Endowments from: Donations and Legacies 5,749 Charitable Activities 177,956 Other Trading Activities 4,848 Investments 4,909 Other Income -
Restricted funds £
Total funds 2021 £
Total funds 2020 £
18,250 1,959,927 7,029 334
23,999 2,137,883 11,877 4,909 334
39,641 1,925,707 60,056 7,126 13,682
Total Income
193,462
1,985,540
2,179,002
2,046,212
Expenditure on: Raising Funds Charitable Activities
19,280 299,356
1,829,844
19,280 2,129,200
12,427 2,203,470
Total Resources Expenditure
318,636
1,829,844
2,148,480
2,215,897
Gross Transfers between Funds Net (expenditure)/income for the year Net (outgoing)/incoming resources
(123,530)
154,052
30,522
(169,685)
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension schemes
4,025
-
4,025
7,639
Net movement in Funds
(119,505)
154,052
34,547
(162,046)
Fund balances at 1 April 2020
372,977
396,764
769,741
931,787
Fund balances at 31 March 2021
253,472
550,816
804,288
769,741
Other recognised Gains and Losses
2021 £ Fixed Assets Tangible Assets 459,087 Investments 2 459,089
480,008 2 480,008
Current Assets Debtors 110,976 544,023 Cash at Bank and in hand 654,999
71,426 546,536 617,962
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (268,705) Net Current Assets 386,294 Total assets less current Liabilities 845,383
(283,109) 334,853 814,861
Provisions for Liabilities (41,095) Net Assets 804,288
(45,120) 769,741
Income Funds Restricted Funds 550,816
396,764
Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds 128,419 General Unrestricted Funds 125,053 253,472
122,969 250,008 372,977
Total funds
804,288
2020 £
769,741
This is an extract from the audited accounts of Perth & Kinross Association of Voluntary Service Limited approved on 25th October 2021. On behalf of the Board of Trustees:
We confirm that this information is consistent with the audited annual accounts.
Archie MacLellan PKAVS Chairperson
Bird Simpson & Co. Chartered Accountants, 144 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4EB
A complete set of the audited accounts is available from: The Finance Manager, PKAVS, The Gateway, North Methven Street, Perth, PH1 5PP or can be found on our website www.pkavs.org.uk
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PKAVS is a large local charity that has been supporting the wellbeing of people and communities throughout Perth & Kinross, at the times when they need it most, for over 50 years. With our committed staff of almost 80 and the help of more than 100 dedicated volunteers, we support unpaid carers, those recovering from mental ill-health, minority communities, older people, the local Third Sector, and volunteers.
www.pkavs.org.uk @PKAVS
@PKAVScharity
@pkavscharity
PKAVS Head Office The Gateway, North Methven Street, Perth, PH1 5PP Email: admin@pkavs.org.uk Tel: 01738 567076 (Reception) The Gateway is open 8.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. Perth & Kinross Association of Voluntary Service Ltd (PKAVS) is a registered Scottish charity (SC005561) regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and a Scottish company limited by guarantee (SC086065). Designed by tgocreative.co.uk 27