News

A number of local residents have been recognised in the Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours, including: Margaret Robertson MBE of the Shetland Fiddlers, Margaret Coutts BEM, for her time with Falkirk and Central Scotland Samaritans and our local communities, Ghulam Farid BEM and Shagufta Shamim BEM, for their work and support in Grangemouth during COVID-19, and Marlyn Gardner BEM at NHS Forth Valley, for her work supporting local communities during COVID-19. CVS Falkirk would like to congratulate each and every one of them, and thank them for their support for Falkirk’s communities.

Strathcarron Hospice has organised “Stream for Strathcarron”, an online fundraising campaign with a difference. The clocks go back on Sunday 25th October, meaning Strathcarron nurses will work an extra hour to provide specialist care. “Stream for Strathcarron” asks gamers, streamers and content creators to take on their own nightshift, 12pm on Saturday 24th October – 12pm on Sunday 25th October (split into different “shifts”), and stream their activity via a JustGiving profile.

Social Investment Scotland has launched their latest Impact Report, which begins to chart their journey towards their vision of an Impact Economy. The report showcases the impact of their wider work, and highlights some of the activities SIS customers have taken in response to COVID-19 challenges. This has extended the report’s timespan to 15 months, April 2019 – June 2020.

£1 million funding for short breaks projects for disabled children and young people (aged 20 years old and under) and their carers is now available through the Better Breaks programme. A wide range of short breaks projects and services are funded, including activities and breaks for disabled children and young people, families, adult or parent carers, or young or sibling carers with the person they care for. Projects must evidence how their activities will benefit people, by providing a break from their normal routine. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 19th November.

The Social Enterprise Network Scotland, Scottish Communities for Health and Wellbeing (SCHW) and the Community Health Exchange (CHEX) are collaborating on a pilot project to address the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced within local communities as a result of COVID-19. The pilot will enable 15 community organisations to tap into a wide range of mental health and wellbeing focused activities and services supplied by social enterprises and third sector organisations. The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 23rd October.

The Cyrenians’ Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR) is currently running a free month-long International Digital Festival, in place of their annual conference. The festival brings together speakers, film makers, writers and artists from around the world speaking on their own experiences, combined with the opportunity to engage in interactive workshops and the arts. This format is in response to a growing need for connection, understanding, kindness and compassion.

Falkirk Council’s Employment and Training Unit (ETU) provides a range of employability programmes aimed at helping participants aged 16 years old and over improve their skills and progress into sustainable, fair work.

Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre has announced their new “Care with Confidence: Power of Attorney” Zoom sessions for unpaid carers. The first Falkirk session is Monday 19th October at 12pm. The sessions are informal, and ask: “What would you do if the person you care for lost the capacity to make decisions on their own?”