The Poverty and Inequality Commission has published a report on local action to tackle food insecurity in Scotland during COVID-19, after the recent consultation period. The consultation, carried out by the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit (SPIRU), involved a variety of community groups, organisations and projects across Scotland. The Commission states that, “it is clear that the role played by community organisations in helping people weather the storm is vital.”
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Volunteers’ Week 2020: Help Us Say Thank You!
Volunteers’ Week takes place each year in the first week of June – this year, many will miss the opportunity to get together in person with their volunteer colleagues and the organisations they give their time to. However, we still want to thank each and every volunteer who dedicates their time, enthusiasm and commitment to help others in their own communities – and we need your help. We have created Celebrating Volunteering Certificates for organisations to download and send to their volunteers. Once the lockdown restrictions are lifted we will be able to print and present the certificates for you. For all our Falkirk Bairns, we have a colouring page you can colour in and display in your window for all volunteers to see!
Volunteers’ Week Colouring Page
Falkirk Bairns – we want to say a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who have been helping and supporting local people and communities recently. Volunteers Week is Monday 1st June to Sunday 7th June, and we would love if it you can colour this picture in. You can use as many colours as you want. Then display it in your front window during Volunteers Week so that all the volunteers see it. Open this article to download!
Wellbeing Fund Reopened for Applications
Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund has reopened for applications, and third sector organisations are strongly encouraged to apply. Activities should be based on working with at risk groups with new needs not currently met by existing services, and be focused on providing vital wellbeing support. Applications from groups working with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities are particularly welcomed. The deadline for applications is Friday 22nd May.
Falkirk Business Support Fund Open to Charities
Properties occupied by charities (with a rateable value of £18,000 or less) are now eligible to apply for grants of £10,000 from the Business Support Fund, part of Scottish Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of these grants is to help protect jobs, prevent business closure and promote economic recovery. Falkirk Council has been asked to administer the grants for businesses and charities based in the Falkirk Council area.
COVID-19 Falkirk Volunteer Expenses Fund
The COVID-19 Falkirk Volunteer Expenses Fund has been set up to support community groups and voluntary organisations which operate in Falkirk and District, and whose volunteers provide support through community activities during COVID-19 (from Wednesday 1st April – Saturday 30th May 2020). Expenses will be reimbursed directly to volunteers in order to reduce organisational time and resources required. All COVID-19-related volunteer-involving groups and organisations are eligible to use the fund. The current deadline for applications is Friday 31st July.
Safety Message from CVS Falkirk CEO
A message on safety from our CEO Jen Kerr: “Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers helping across Falkirk! Keep yourself and the people you are helping safe: Do not enter anyone’s home; leave shopping or messages on the doorstep. Maintain at least 2 meters distance at doorsteps. Wash your hands regularly.”
Volunteers Available
Our team has been working with our local communities and people to help place those who want to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic where they are needed. We now have a bank of volunteers who are ready and keen to assist local groups and organisations supporting people, and are asking those groups who need volunteers to get in touch with us so we can match them with volunteers.
Falkirk Third Sector Forums Update: New Zoom Forum
Unfortunately, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are cancelling third sector forums held at our office. At the moment, this will be until the end of June. However, we are running a bi-weekly COVID-19 online forum using Zoom: the COVID-19 Third Sector Response Forum.
COVID-19 Community Responses, Resources and Guidance Page
As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, CVS Falkirk has pulled together different guidance, resources, and amazing efforts by our local communities to support each other, in order to make them as widely available as possible. The page will be updated regularly with additional resources and guidance as they become available. Our team at CVS Falkirk has set up an online TapaTalk group to discuss third sector responses and offers for help, which anyone can join and feed into.
