News

The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee is holding an inquiry into the provision of allotments, as part of its post-legislative scrutiny of Part 9 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act (2015). They are looking for responses from anyone with an interest in allotments, including the wide range of community organisations and social enterprises who provide gardening and food growing initiatives. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 24th May.

This year, Scottish Bus Week runs Monday 23rd May – Sunday 29th May. Scottish Bus Week is an initiative from #lovemybus at Transform Scotland, aiming to provide an opportunity to celebrate all that bus can do for people, raise awareness about all the benefits of bus. It is designed as a chance to promote and support bus as a solution to reducing emissions, improve health, reduce congestion, sustain jobs in manufacturing low and zero emission buses, running services, and to realise a fairer transport system. 

Maggie’s Forth Valley is holding their first ever Summer Fayre. The Fayre will feature stalls with treats, local crafts and gifts available to buy, plus refreshments. It will be held at the Dobbie Hall, Main Street, Larbert, FK5 4BL, on Sunday 22nd May, 10am – 3pm.

Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre is now taking bookings for their next Professional Information Afternoons, taking place via Zoom, 2pm – 4pm on Wednesday 18th May and Wednesday 15th June. The information afternoons aim to provide an opportunity for professionals to meet with unpaid carers and learn more about the Carers Centre, the support they offer unpaid carers and how they work, along with the Carers Act and Carers Rights.

CVS Falkirk is pleased to offer the opportunity to attend a fully funded “Lasting Leadership” in-person training programme taking place on Tuesday 24th May and Tuesday 31st May. The programme is aimed at third sector groups and organisations, and individuals, involved in community leadership roles, and is designed to cover topics for personal development, and improve your capacity and resilience to lead your group and your community.

The Marie Curie charity shop in Bo’ness is seeking friendly volunteers who can spare 2 – 3 hours a week to help out. Volunteers will help sort bags of donations, process items for sale, serve customers at the till, and help create attractive seasonal window displays; an eye for fashion and design would also be an ideal skill. This opportunity is open to those aged 14 years old and over.

Go Forth & Clyde is seeking 6 enthusiastic Repair Shop Volunteers who would like to pass on their skills to the community in their new project. They are looking for volunteers who would like to help others learn new skills – this includes people who are just starting a new activity and would like to learn more, and those with skills and hobbies they have been doing for years and would like to show others.

The Helix Green Team is open to everyone, with meetings on Tuesday mornings. This opportunity may suit people interested in some outdoor practical conservation volunteering within the Helix Park. The group’s volunteers plan, prepare and supervise these conservation sessions with the park’s staff. Volunteers should bring their enthusiasm, weather appropriate clothing, and wear sturdy shoes.

ASH Scotland has small grants available to support community organisations to improve people’s health and wellbeing, by addressing smoking. The support available includes access to a small grant of £500, a package of tailored support, and free resources and training. Grants will be allocated in line with the eligibility criteria, funds available and ASH’s capacity to support applicants. The deadline for the next round of applications is Monday 23rd May, with results expected by Monday 13th June.

Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) has updated the eligibility criteria of the Restart/Start Up Grant associated with the Community Opportunities Resource Pack, and will no longer include backdated costs. Groups and organisations applying to the grant should download and submit the new application form (linked for your convenience). The resource pack (designed by…