Falkirk Council’s benefits calculator is available to help people find out the benefits they can claim, including those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The calculator is free to use, and anonymous. Please note that the results of calculator are an estimate or guide to potential entitlement and are wholly dependent upon the answers you have given.
News
Best Start School Age Payment: Applications Open
The Best Start School Age Payment is now open for applications for children born between Sunday 1st March 2015 – Monday 29th February 2016 (due to start school in August). This is a £250 payment made around the time a child normally starts Primary 1 to help with the costs of a child starting school; the child does not need to be taking a place in school for the family to be eligible. The payment can be used for anything that families may need at this key stage in a child’s life.
OPFS Emergency Energy Grant for Single Parents
One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) has secured funding from Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund to provide support to single parents across Scotland during this challenging period. Through this funding, third sector and statutory organisations can sponsor single parents to apply for £50 for help with their energy costs. This is not a means tested application, though sponsors are required to ascertain there are issues of hardship. Single parents with children up to 25 years old are eligible. The deadline for applications is 5pm next Wednesday 24th June.
Report: “COVID-19 and the Impact on Social Enterprise in Scotland”
Social Enterprise Scotland (SES) has compiled a new report, “COVID-19 and the Impact on Social Enterprise in Scotland”, based on findings taken directly from Scottish social enterprises.
Forth Valley Social Enterprise Network Recent Meeting
The Forth Valley Social Enterprise Network (FVSEN) held its first online meeting on Friday 22nd May, providing an opportunity for members to share their experiences of running their social enterprises through the current COVID-19 pandemic, and to offer each other support. FVSEN also welcomed Social Media professional Shannon Earaker as a guest speaker.
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. 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 deadline for registrations is Friday 31st July.
Volunteer Opportunity Refresh for Recovery and Reconnect
The challenging circumstances of COVID-19 have led to many of our local people letting us know that they are ready, willing and able to volunteer to help. We want to provide them with the information they need to choose a volunteer opportunity that is a good fit for them. We know that volunteers will be needed more than ever, during recovery and reconnecting, and we would like you to tell us how this will look for your organisation.
Message on COVID-19 Governance Support Available
A message from one of our Development Officers on some of the impact COVID-19 has had on our charities, and support available, including that of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
“Housing Rights In Practice” Report Published
The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has released its latest report on housing rights: “Housing Rights in Practice: Lessons Learned from Leith”. The SHRC worked with people living in poor housing conditions in Leith, north Edinburgh, over a period of 4 years. They aimed to support residents in securing improvements in their housing by advocating for their right to an adequate standard of housing.
Waverley Care COVID-19 Support
Waverley Care, one of Scotland’s leading HIV and Hepatitis C charities, has received funding from the Wellbeing Fund to support their most vulnerable service users living with HIV or hepatitis C, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will help Waverely Care support people (including those who are destitute, struggling financially, have poor emotional or mental health, or who are at heightened risk for other reasons) as they socially isolate or shield.
