News

Falkirk Council will soon be launching their new 5 year Litter Strategy 2021-2026, and have opened consultation with an online survey and a series of virtual events in early January. The Strategy will cover all aspects of litter and waste. Falkirk Council is keen to hear from people across Falkirk. The deadline for responses is Friday 22nd January 2021.

NHS National Services Scotland (NHSNSS) has launched a new online survey gathering patient and carer views about radiology services in Scotland. The survey (which should take 10 minutes to complete) focuses on experiences of diagnostic and interventional radiology services in the last 12 months, including both outpatient and inpatient and planned and urgent care. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 5th January 2021.

Falkirk Council has now launched their Disabled Parental Employment Support (DEPESF) and ELC Boost Fund. This funding supports disabled parents, young parents under 25 years old, and parents of children aged 2 years old in ELC-funded nursery places. As with the PESF, support for parents includes help to gain qualifications, improving skills or work experience, money advice, and motivational support.

NHS Forth Valley has launched the #ScrubChallenge, a fun movement activity to help people of all ages learn the correct hand washing procedures, as recommended by Health Protection Scotland and the World Health Organisation (WHO). There are 2 “scrubs” for people, their friends and family, or community groups to try. People are asked to record and then share their scrub via Twitter, using the hashtag #ScrubChallenge.

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland (NLCFS) has released information on different updates to their different funding streams. Funding will mainly continue to operate as before, but there have been some changes to help make sure these funds are still accessible and can better support people and communities through COVID-19. Summary: the National Lottery Awards for All (up to £10,000) and Young Start (up to £100,000) funds…

Forth Valley College’s Workforce Development Fund is now open to applications from small and medium sized employers (SMEs). SMEs from all sectors can apply for up to £5,000 to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for their existing staff. Those interested in apply for the Fund are also invited to attend an online seminar on Wednesday 16th December at 10am.

Link Living will offer 2 programmes of support for young people, beginning in January 2021. “Employability Award – Online Learning” and “Steps to Resilience – Online” are both available to young people aged 16 – 24 years old. Young people can be referred to both programmes now, to begin in January 2021. The Link Living team may also be able to help source a suitable device to take part in their programmes, if this is a barrier.

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is reviewing their current training programme, in order to ensure they are providing the sector with relevant learning. They have launched a short online survey to gather feedback, and are looking to hear from as many people across the third sector as possible. All submissions will be anonymous. The deadline for responses is Thursday 24th December.