VASA Fortnightly FOCUS 29th July 2022 by Voluntary Action South Ayrshire

VASA Updates – keeping you in the loop We hope you are all enjoying the summer season and annual leave, the quickest 2 weeks of the year! We do hope you are loving the new look for our newsletter and the new ‘Fortnightly Focus’ name. Here’s some of the work VASA have been doing over the past fortnight: VASA Forums Trustee Forum – Save the Date - Thursday 8th Sept, Abbotsford Hotel, Ayr. This newly formed forum will meet again, for their quarterly info session and networking, on Thursday 8th Sept. This forum gives Trustees, Board members and Committee members an opportunity to share information, learn about various aspects of governing their organisation and committee, network with one another and offer peer to peer support. The forum is also open to those who have an interest in joining an organisation. To register your attendance, please email angela@vasa.scot and the meeting details and next agenda will be emailed to you. Third Sector Providers Forum The Third Sector ‘Stronger Together’ Provider Forum welcomed Angi Pinkerton, Trauma Informed Practice Officer, South Ayrshire Council as a guest speaker to share the plans on how practice and policy embeds a trauma informed approach in South Ayrshire. Rich discussion was had, and the sector look forward to working with Angi, embedding the guidance, sharing learning and knowledge moving forward. Networking Much networking and relationship building has taken place over the past few weeks since the last newsletter. Some of the organisations and agencies we met and sessions we attended, to connect with and strengthen relationships, included:  Scottish Fire and Rescue Community Action Team – this is a great service for all the team, especially South Ayrshire Lifeline, to learn about and offer to our clients across all our services, as well as planning to deliver a workshop to our volunteers to raise their awareness.  Home Energy Scotland South West Partner Update Network - with rising energy bills and the cost-of-living crisis, more and more people are worried about the coming months. Affordable warmth and fuel poverty are real concerns. The meeting discussed how HES might help and support people in these challenging times. This was also a good opportunity to network with other partners and find out what wider support is available within other organisations.

 Start Scotland – presentation of all VASA services given to the team at Start Scotland, looking at potential collaborative working on some of our programmes.  Hub South West – a very informative visit to Hub South West to find out more around Community Benefits and how this can help support groups in South Ayrshire. Keep an eye out for more developments around this topic.  Community Food partners – Very productive meetings with both the Food bank and Southside Church, in relation to how we can work together with the Ayr Food Pantry to ultimately increase our delivery of services to those who need it most.  Adult Support and Protection – (revised guidance launch event). The event followed consultation regarding revisions to the Adult Support and Protection guidance. The ASP policy team in the Scottish Government, in conjunction with Iriss, launched the publication of the revised ASP guidance suite, and also discussed the beginning of a national implementation strategy. The event included an introductory speech from the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care - Mr Kevin Stewart MSP, and presentations from Iriss (Iriss: Better lives for people, workers and communities), Iona Colvin (Chief Social Work Advisor, Scottish Government) and Cathie Cowan (Chief Executive, NHS Forth Valley). Events The Community Food Network are holding an online event to support people to eat well on a budget. The event is being facilitated by VASA and supported by Rhonda Noone, NHS Ayrshire & Arran Health Promotion Dietitian. We are inviting both organisations and individuals needing some tips and tricks to eat well during these challenging times to attend, please see save the date information below.

Save the Date (Contact VASA for more info - 01292 432661 or enquiries@vasa.scot) 17th August – Third Sector Mental Health Provider Forum – meet and hear about the Ayrshire Wellbeing Alliance. 1st September – Community Food Network. 5th September – Food Insecurity & Health Promotion Online Event 7th September - Third Sector Learning Disability Provider Forum. 8th September – Trustee Forum – Abbotsford Hotel, Ayr. 14th September – Third Sector Children, Young People & Family Services Forum. 28th September - Third Sector ‘Stronger Together’ Provider Forum – meet South Ayrshire Council Community Benefits colleagues and a representative from SALUS to tell us more about the Ayrshire Growth Deals’ Occupational Health, Safety & Return to Work Services. 29th September – Online information session of the new look Locality Planning with Phil White (Partnership Facilitator)

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Local News Going the distance for Christmas Companions! As featured in the previous Fortnightly FOCUS, VASA’s own Telephone Befriending Coordinator Jill Haigh has taken on the challenge of cycling 500km in the month of July to raise money for the Christmas Companions fund, which allows VASA to host a Christmas Day meal and small celebration for seniors in South Ayrshire who would otherwise be alone on that special day. We are proud to report that as of the 28th of July, Jill has cycled 530km and is by no means taking the last few days of the month off – she wants to finish with a bang and hit that 600km mark. We at VASA can only say well done Jill and thank you for all your time and effort to help us make a difference this Christmas to those that are often forgotten about. If you would like to donate and make a difference, please click here to visit Jill’s JustGiving page.

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Funding VASA Funding Support VASA can support you to look for funders for projects, capital costs, running costs etc. We have access to over 8000 funders and can create you a bespoke report of potential funds to access for any specific projects or reason. All we need is a quick chat about your organisation and project and we will do the rest. We can also offer you guidance in completing application forms and look over completed forms prior to submission. To chat to someone from our Capacity Building Team, call 0800 432 0510 or email enquiries@vasa.scot

South Ayrshire Funding opportunities

Lots of funding opportunities are available in South Ayrshire. Please click on the image to view.

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Funding Scotland update Find funding for your charity, community group or social enterprise using our free online search engine. From small grants to funding for big capital projects, we can help you track down the funding you need to make a difference in your community. South Ayrshire Charitable Trust Please note this fund is only open to groups and residents in Ayr & Coylton. There is a maximum award of £7,500 for applications to the Ayr fund and a limit of £500 is in place for applications from Coylton. The South Ayrshire Charitable Trust has been set up to assist and improve the lives of South Ayrshire residents who are in need because of poverty, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or another disadvantage. To find out more, click here.

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About Dementia, Age Scotland and Scottish Government Partnership Fund The fund is aimed at smaller, grassroots organisations and groups looking to provide community-led support for people affected by dementia. Applicants can apply for awards of £5,000 to £20,000 over a 12-month period. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 24th August. If you are thinking of applying contact them in the first instance to have a chat before submitting your applications. Contact: Jennifer.kean@agescotland.org.uk or 0131 378 7283 Adam.huntley@agescotland.org.uk or 0131 668 8053 An information session is being held on Wednesday 3rd August on zoom at 11am. For the link to attend, please email dementiagrants@agescotland.org.uk. More information on the fund guidance and application form is available on their website. They are extremely keen to hear from smaller groups and this fund is open to both constituted and unconstituted groups.

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Recruitment & Employment Training View all AILN vacancies Click the image to browse all AILN’s latest job vacancies, as well as information about training and upcoming events which we hope you will find useful.

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Children & Young People Outreach Specialist Full time (35 hours p.w.) £25,290 – £28,464 Lanarkshire/Ayrshire/South-West Scotland (hybrid working from home and occasional travel to Edinburgh head office) Closing 9th August 2022 Click here for details For more information visit the Ayrshire Tigers Facebook page

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Volunteering

The Scottish Ambulance Service Infection Control Committee plays a vital role in ensuring ambulance staff are trained to the highest standards and vehicles maintained in accordance with national cleanliness specifications. They need a volunteer to provide an independent patient’s perspective to assist in this process. The role will require you to have access to Microsoft Teams and an internet connection. The group meets for four times per year for three hours. They cannot pay for attendance, however, they do pay agreed expenses. Taking pride in providing a very high standard of care and you could play a key role in helping to maintain these standards. Please get in touch with them here to apply.

South Ayrshire Lifeline For more volunteering opportunities please click here

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North Ayr Thegither

Palgeo@churchofscotland.org.uk

South Ayrshire Befriending Project

www.bfriend.org.uk/volunteer-application

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News & Events

National Mission on Drugs: National Collaborative We are committed to reducing drug and alcohol related deaths in Scotland. The National Collaborative is being set up so that people who’ve been affected can help shape our services. For more information on how to get involved click here. National Strategy for Community Justice This revised National Strategy for Community Justice sets the national direction for community justice by building on progress made to date. It is designed to provide a clear roadmap for future improvement work, by highlighting key areas for partners to focus on. To view the revised strategy, click here. A new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy – consultation

We want to hear your views on what a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Scotland should look like. We have asked a series of questions, and your answers to these will help us write the final Strategy. To contribute to the strategy, please click here.

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Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) would like to hear views to help finalise Scotland’s new Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan which will be published in September 2022. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and our ambition is a Scotland where everyone works together to prevent suicide. The consultation will run for six weeks, until midnight on Tuesday 23 August and, asks for views and comments on a draft of the Strategy and a draft of the Action Plan. The consultation will be hosted via Citizen Space, the Scottish Government’s online consultation platform. You can access the consultation here. You may also wish to read the consultation document which contains the same questions as the online version but provides you with the option to respond ‘offline’. That document can be accessed here. If you have any questions, you can contact the Strategy development team directly by emailing contact@suicidepreventionengagement.scot

Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 2001 The full consultation document can be viewed and downloaded at Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 2001 changes: consultation - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and can be responded to online using the Citizen Space hub at Consultation on changes to the Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 2001 - Scottish Government - Citizen Space The questions within this consultation require you to state if you agree or disagree with proposals in relation to potential changes, and answers are therefore subjective. Due to this and learning and feedback from similar previous consultations recently, there is no intention to submit a partnership response from the Community Justice Ayrshire Partnership. Scottish Government are looking to seek the views of as many people as possible and, as such, we encourage you to consider responding. The consultation will run for 12 weeks and close on Wednesday 12 October 2022. If you would like any further information or to discuss the consultation, please contact: Sandra.wallace@gov.scot

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Call to take part in Census Coverage Survey Along with the unseasonal hot weather, you might also notice another unusual feature of Scottish holiday season this year - the teams of workers who continue to visit households in the Highland council area to collect vital data for the Census Coverage Survey (CCS). The CCS is the second largest social research exercise in Scotland after the census itself, covering around 1.5% of households nationwide including some in the Highlands. Taking part in the CCS is important: together with census returns, it helps to provide an accurate estimate of Scotland’s population and the people within it. This information allows National Records of Scotland (NRS) to produce census data which can be used to plan and deliver the services we all rely on from schools to healthcare, housing and roads. The survey, which began in June, is being conducted door-to-door by NRS staff carrying identification. Paul Lowe, Registrar General for Scotland and Chief Executive, NRS said: “We’re grateful for all residents’ earlier contributions to the census itself. The Census Coverage Survey is a separate but key part of the census programme and ensures a comprehensive and accurate picture of return rates across the country has been recorded. “Even if you have completed the census, you may still be asked to take part in the coverage survey. It’s important to participate if asked, as the information you provide has a direct impact on your local community, from the building of new schools and hospitals to improving transport links and understanding health needs.” CCS staff carry ID and their identity can be checked with a free telephone helpline on 0800 033 4010. They will never ask people for financial information like their bank account details and will not ask for money. A small number of questions will be asked that can either be answered on the doorstep, by completing a paper form or by speaking to the free helpline.

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Advantage is the Age Scotland magazine that provides information, inspiration, and ideas to empower Scotland's older people, their families and carers. We showcase the fantastic work being done by older people's groups across Scotland, provide useful information and share the latest news from Age Scotland and selected partners. There are three editions a year - in Spring, Autumn and Winter.

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Living Wage - Interested in becoming a living wage employer? An opportunity has arisen for an information session about how to become a living wage employer and to find out if you think that this could be beneficial for your organisation. The real Living Wage is based on the cost of living and is voluntarily paid by nearly 10,000 UK employers who believe we all need a wage that meets our everyday needs. As well as being good for society, there are significant business benefits to paying the real Living Wage. Some of these benefits include: Improved reputation of the service Improved motivation and retention rates for employees Improved relations between management and staff If you would be interested in attending a session to hear more about becoming a living wage employer please contact barbara@tact.scot. If there is enough interest TACT will organise a free online session.

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Officially supported by Scottish Government and the Centres of Expertise, Procurex Scotland is Scotland’s leading public procurement event, offering education, networking and celebration of excellence all in one day. Book your complimentary public sector ticket to attend Procurex Scotland – click here to book online. To learn more about the GO Awards Scotland and the new categories open to the public sector, visit the website: https://www.goawards.co.uk/scotland/ Entries are now open.

Ayrshire Regional Skills

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Mindfully Present We are passionate about teaching mindfulness and have been doing this for NHS staff over the past 10 years. We are Mindfully Present, a CIC aiming to make Mindfulness classes more accessible to people in South Ayrshire, particularly where cost may be a barrier. Mindfulness is a skill that can be learned and with practice, make a significant difference to people’s life experience and chances. Attending an 8 week mindfulness course has potential benefits:  Lower stress, anxiety and depression symptoms  Improved management of emotions  Greater satisfaction with communication and relationships.  Better ability to focus  Greater immune function.  Reduced psychological distress. The intention is to make this opportunity available to as wide a range of the South Ayrshire Community as possible. Fully funded and partially funded places will be available, with the criteria for these spaces dependent upon funding stipulations. The 8 week course involves sharing information, practicing mindfulness together and breaking into pairs to discuss individual experiences. We enable people to make the link between what is happening in the moment and their reactions, both physically and mentally. By sharing our thoughts and feelings people recognise that we have patterns of reaction and that by “taking a pause” we can respond differently, leading to improved mental health and well-being through personal resilience, and emotional regulation, giving hope and enhanced confidence. We have been working with local partnership and third sector organisations to help identify people who could benefit from a more mindful life. We have delivered awareness sessions to enable potential attendees to understand the course and the difference it could make to their lives. For further information or if you would like to organise an awareness session for your clients, staff or volunteers, please contact: mindfullypresentayr@gmail.com or 07715 636 628

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Timebanking Scotland Ltd Timebanking is a commitment to transform a group of strangers into a community, where time is the principal currency. For every hour participants ‘deposit’ in a TimeBank, by giving practical help and support to others, they are then able to ‘withdraw’ equivalent support in time, when they themselves are in need. In each case the participants decide what they can offer. Everyone’s time is equal, so one hour of my time is equal to one hour of your time, irrespective of whatever we chose to exchange. Because Timebanking is just a system of exchange, it can be used in an almost endless variety of settings. There are 5 TimeBanks in Scotland who formed a network to share experience in setting up and running a TimeBank and offer support to anyone in Scotland who wanted to establish a TimeBank.This progressed to the setting up of a charity to seek funding to develop a framework to raise awareness of Timebanking and to share knowledge and skills accumulated from existing Timebanks and to help build capacity and resilience in communities. Launched on 4th March 2022 Contact details George Cuthill mobile: 07768038202 timebankingscotlandgc@gmail.com

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Adult Disability Payment will replace Personal Independence Payment in Scotland in every Local Authority from 29th August. Changes have been made to the decision making process and the ways information is gathered to support a client’s application. Free online events for stakeholders who support adults with a long term health condition, disability or terminal illness are being held and you are invited to sign up to these sessions via the Social Security Scotland website. Both public and third sector organisations are a huge support to potential clients when it comes to supporting information and with that in mind they will be hosting bespoke events for each sector covering: How Social Security Scotland will make a decision on a client’s application The process for organisations when supporting information is requested by Social Security Scotland An overview of the consultation process and Decision report They are also hosting events focusing on the application process and general policy, as well as cross cutting policies – Special Rules for Terminal Illness and Debt, Overpayment and Hardship. Details of these events can also be found on their Twitter page @SocSecScot

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Ukraine - Scotland’s Super Sponsor Scheme Temporary Pause to New Applications The Minister with special responsibility for Ukrainian refugees announced a temporary pause to Scotland’s super sponsor scheme for displaced people from Ukraine. This was a difficult decision and follows considerable discussion and analysis. The pause took effect from 09.00 Wednesday 13 July. Applications received before then, and visas already issued, will be unaffected. The pause is for three months, subject to review. You can access the Scottish Government’s news release and policy position paper setting out in more detail the background and reasoning behind the pause. The Minister and officials have been speaking with stakeholders to draw the announcement to their attention. Latest UK Government statistics as at 5 July show that more than 22,000 people have applied naming the Scottish Government as sponsor, with 17,377 visas issued and 4,666 arrivals. When taken together with those privately sponsored, Scotland has welcomed over 7,000 Ukrainians - more than double the 3,000 committed to when the scheme launched in March. With a similar pause introduced by Welsh Government in June, applications to Scotland’s super sponsor scheme are rising exponentially. As a result, Scotland now has the highest number of applications, visas and arrivals per head of population of any of the four nations. While not everyone who receives a super sponsor visa will decide to travel, even if only half decide to then it is reasonable to suggest a further 9,000 people could arrive in the coming weeks. It is with this in mind that a temporary pause is now required to ensure safe accommodation and support can continue to be provided to those here already as well as those likely to arrive in coming weeks. This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. The Minister is immensely proud of the public and third sector response to this humanitarian crisis. As I mention, the pause will be reviewed in three months and the Minister hopes we will be able at that point to open the programme again.

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Could your small rural community organisation benefit from free training? Inspiring Scotland is hosting a series of small, interactive workshops this summer. Attendees will be able to get bespoke advice from experienced community group leaders & funders: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/rural-communities-getting-to-gripswith-621249 Do you run a small, community-led, grass roots organisation that has not received funding from Scottish Government, LEADER or Lottery? @InspiringSland is running free, interactive workshops to support rural community organisations: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/rural-communities-getting-to-grips-with-621249

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Social Enterprise

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Surveys Are you an autistic person, family member of an autistic person, or professional? The National Autistic Society Scotland and Scottish Autism are asking for your views around appointing a Commissioner to promote and protect the rights of autistic people in Scotland. Take part in the survey to help influence your commissioner's role and responsibilities.

National Care Service (Scotland) Bill Share your views Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has published a Call for views to inform their scrutiny of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. As well as the standard call for views there is also an online consultation on the Your Priorities Platform which is designed to allow people to share their views more informally. These two options provide choice for people in relation to how they would prefer to share their views. Both options are open for engagement until Friday 2 September. The Participation and Communities Team are particularly keen to support use of the Your Priorities platform. They provide organisations with an accompanying “conversation toolkit” which can support you to engage with groups you may work with and help them upload their views on to the platform. Alternatively, they would be happy to discuss holding a facilitated session for any groups you work with either online or in person to talk through the consultation and support people to share their views. To discuss the best option for your organisation and the people you work with or if you have any further questions contact PACT@Parliament.Scot Twitter: @Engage_SP

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Newsletters

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Facebook: @vasaayr Twitter: @VASouthAyrshire Telephone: 01292 432 661 Email: enquiries@vasa.scot

Website: southayrshirelifeline.org Facebook: @SouthAyrshireLifelineSupport Telephone: 0800 432 0510 Email: enquiries@salilfeline.scot

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