A message on volunteering in recovery, and support available for Falkirk’s local sector, from a member of our Volunteering Team, Lynsey: “As lockdown restrictions ease and more of our local third sector groups and organisations take steps to renew their valued services and activities, involving volunteers in a safe and appropriate way is a hot topic. We know that volunteers will be needed more than ever during recovery and reconnecting, and we’d like you to tell us how this will look for your organisation, and help people choose the opportunity that fits them.”
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Review, Revive and Thrive: Focusing on Recovery
As Scotland enters a new phase of its recovery efforts and lockdown measure begin to ease, we at CVS Falkirk are also focusing on recovery and how we can best support our local third sector going forward. Our theme for this period is “Review, Revive and Thrive”: a chance to evaluate and adapt as we plan how best to go forward, how to make the “new normal” even better than what came before.
Free CVS Falkirk Funding Portal
The CVS Falkirk Funding Portal is free and can be used to search for funding available in your area, during COVID-19 and beyond. The online portal is powered by Grantsonline, the UK’s most comprehensive and up to date UK grant funding information service. Once registered, users will be able to search for a range of different funding opportunities, across local and national organisations.
Connecting Scotland: Applications Open
Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government digital access programme set up in response to COVID-19, and is now open for applications.
The programme provides iPads, Chromebooks and support to develop digital skills for people who are: digitally excluded, on low incomes so cannot afford to buy a device or pay for internet access, and at risk of isolation due to COVID-19 because they are in the extremely high vulnerability group or the higher risk of severe illness group. Organisations (including third sector groups) are invited to read the Connecting Scotland guidance, and submit device applications for people they support. The deadline for applications is 5pm next Sunday 28th June.
Local Action to Tackle COVID-19 Food Insecurity in Scotland: A Report
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.”
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.
