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New Messages from SBC up to 10th September 2021
Volunteer Opportunities:
Walks
Open Walks in the Borders (Opens as PDF)
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Changing conversations:
In the run-up to COP 26, the crucial climate conference in Glasgow in November, Tweedgreen have arranged a series of “conversations” in the Eastgate. We look forward to seeing you there and hope you find them useful:
Wednesday 8th September, 7.00pm
An artist’s lens
Artists work to provide a different lens through which to see and understand things. Jayne Murdoch, the project officer for Peatland Connections based at the Crichton Carbon Centre in Dumfries, will be in conversation with .Kerry Morrison, a socio-environmental artist based in Dumfries and Galloway, about the community role of artists in raising awareness of climate change without contributing to eco-anxiety.The conversation will be facilitated by Emily Cropton of Connecting Threads (www.sup.org.uk)
Wednesday 15th September, 7.00pm
Green health
As retired mental health and medical practitioners, Jan Cameron, author of “The Garden Cure”, and Lesley Morrison, author of “The Wellbeing Toolkit for Doctors”, will be in conversation with Catherine Lockerbie, former director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, about how being in green space is good for individual health, community health and planetary health.
Tuesday 21st September, 7.00pm
Dealing in climate
Jean Blaylock, campaign and policy manager for Global Justice Now (https://www.globaljustice.org.uk/event/webinar-corporate-courts-climate), will be in conversation with Dr Christa Hook, previously of Medecin Sans Frontieres, and share her expertise about how trade deals are affecting climate action and damaging our environment.
Please contact the Eastgate Theatre for more information: https://eastgatearts.com/
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Fire Alarms
The law on fire alarms is changing. By February 2022, all homes in Scotland will be required to have interlinked fire alarms, meaning if one alarm goes off, they all go off. This will alert you to danger more quickly, no matter where you are in your home.
The new legislation requires all homes to have:
- One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
- One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
- One heat alarm installed in the kitchen All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked
- Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance, such as a boiler, fire (including open fires) and heater, a carbon monoxide detector is also required. This does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.
The homeowner is responsible for making sure their home meets the new fire alarms standard, and for finding a contractor to carry out the work. When purchasing an alarm, choose a reputable brand and make sure the packaging clearly displays compliance with BS EN14604:2005 for smoke alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms should have the British Kitemark (EN 50291-1). Heat alarms should comply with BS 5446-2:2003. To find out more about the new legislation and the support available, visit: mygov.scot/firealarms
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Grants for Rural Communities
Today Scottish Government have released details of their new Rural Communities ‘Ideas into Action’ fund which consists of two streams:
- Small Grants of up to £3,000 for grassroots rural groups or organisations to support community projects that fit with local needs and are locally led. The process for applying for this funding has been simplified to make it easy for unincorporated groups to apply and both capital and expenditure costs are eligible.
- Large Grants of between £3,000 and £50,000 for not for profit organisations to invest in community led initiatives that respond to local need. Again, capital and revenue costs are eligible and these can be delivered in partnership with other local organisations.
Further details are available here. The grants are open for applications from Monday 13th September with a closing date Friday 8th October–with only £1.5 million available across Scotland. Applications through Inspiring Scotland from next week.
If anyone wishes to discuss applying and needs support please get in touch with me asap,
Lorna McCullough, Area Manager for Tweeddale The Bridge The Volunteer Resource Centre School Brae High Street Peebles EH45 8AL
email lorna.mccullough@the-bridge.uk.net
My working days are Tuesday – Thursdays, currently from home.
www.onlineborders.org.uk/community/thebridge
Old Messages from SBC from 8th August 2021
There is new information about setting up Digital Buddies events:
This might be of interest to some of the people in your groups, a new guide to setting up a Digital Buddies project, based on our real-life learning.
Messages received July 15th 2021
Border Activities Calendar for Older People July 2021
Borders Buddies Signposting List (a DOCX file)
A list of Borders Buddies activities
Final Community Testing Update July 2021 (a DOCX file)
Information about Covid symptoms and how to get a Covid test. Covid testing is available in West Linton on 16th and 17th July.
To obtain information and request a certificate of your Covid vaccination follow this link: https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/after-your-vaccine/get-a-record-of-your-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-status
Message Received 16th June 2021
Get Into Summer – Micro and Small Grants: Now Open!
#BordersGetIntoSummer
YouthBorders are administering a micro and small grants scheme, in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, as part of the national ‘Get Into Summer’ initiative. These two funds will provide funding for play equipment and summer experiences and activities which will benefit children and young people of all ages across the Scottish Borders.
Grants of between £250 and £4000 can be applied for by eligible applicant groups.
· Micro Grants: £250-£500 for play equipment
· Small Grants: £500 – £4000 for play or social projects, activities and experiences for children and young people
Closing date for applications is 30th June 2021. All applications will be assessed on 1st July 2021 with decisions being communicated thereafter. Funded activities should take place in July and August 2021. All the information you need is on our website: Get Into Summer – Grants Scheme | Youth Borders
Please get involved by making an application to the fund:
· Please make an application if you are eligible – and help make this summer a great experience for children and young people. Further information and a very short application form are available from the YouthBorders website.
· Get Into Summer – Grants Scheme | Youth Borders
Please get involved by spreading the news of the fund:
· Please help us share the news about this fund by sharing this email with your networks. It is now open for applications with the closing date for applications 30th June 2021.
· Please promote the fund on your social media channels using this suggested content:
Are you part of a community group or voluntary club which works with children and young people in the Scottish Borders? Then be part of #BordersGetIntoSummer by applying for a micro or small grant via @YouthBorders
Funding is available to eligible groups and organisations who can provide exciting play, sport, cultural or social activities and experiences for children and young people this summer.
Grants are available between £250 and £4000. Apply by 30th June 2021.
https://youthborders.org.uk/get-into-summer-grants-scheme/
#BordersGetIntoSummer
Message Received 16th June 2021
Both Live Borders and the Council recognise how much customers, communities and visitors value these services, which range from swimming pools to museums. The jointly agreed reopening plan acknowledges this while also taking into account a range of other current factors, which include the vital support being provided through Live Borders facilities and their staff for the critically important COVID vaccination programme, ongoing Test and Protect, and where services cannot be delivered through alternative means.
The services being prioritised for re-opening will also help to:
- support getting communities active and, consequently, healthier again following the lockdown period;
- support the local visitor economy by attracting those taking staycations, and
- generate income for Live Borders, thereby helping to subsidise the delivery of a wide range of the charity’s other services.
Key re-opening dates:
- w/c 26 April
- Health and fitness sites, including gyms and swimming pools
- 17 May
- Jim Clark Motorsport Museum;
- Heritage Hub, Hawick
- 31 May
- Mobile Library service
- 28 June
- Start of a phased reopening of museums and galleries
- 16 August
- Indicative start of a phased re-opening of libraries, library contact centres and standalone contact centres. Earlier opening may be possible in certain circumstances
- 30 August
- Halls and Community Centres operated by Live Borders
- TBC
- Live Borders facilities which are currently supporting COVID-19 vaccination and testing programmes
In order to comply with the strict social distancing, sanitising, and pre-booking operating requirements, services will not be able to reopen to pre-COVID opening times or capacities