TOP Messages from Scottish Borders Council updated to 10th May 2022
Click on the links to view. They should either appear in a new browser tab, or download as a PDF file into your Downloads folder
Community Survey – Priorities for the Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders Council April Newsletter
Borders Buddies expansion plans
Curry and Chaat Saturday 14th May 7-9pm MacFarlane Hall Peebles. An opportunity to talk about mental health issues
Courses Space available on current courses
SBC Ukrainian Response:
Communications – handling enquiries and provision of information
www.scotborders.gov.uk/ukraine
ukrainian.support@scotborders.gov.uk
Previous Messages to April 5th
Community Survey -Priorities for the Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership* is refreshing the priorities for our area. This work will take account of how community priorities may have changed since the pandemic.
We want to work with you to develop the priorities that will help to reduce inequalities and make things better for those most in need in our communities. A survey asking what is most important to you, and your thoughts on how we can work together to help make the Borders a more equal society, is now open and is available using this link:
Priorities for the Scottish Borders (2022) – Scottish Borders Council – Citizen Space
We’d be really grateful if you would take some time to share your thoughts with us.
Please share this email with your networks and encourage as many people as possible to play their part in this important piece of work.
Kind regards Clare
* Community planning is the process by which Councils and other public bodies such as Health Boards and Police Scotland work with local communities, businesses and community groups to plan and deliver better services and improve the lives of people who live in Scotland
Clare Malster Participation Officer Communities and Partnerships Team, Resilient Communities
Scottish Borders Council Tel: 01835 826626 (direct line)
E-Mail: communityengagement@scotborders.gov.uk
————————————————————————————————————————————
Borders Buddies – expansion plans
Borders Buddies – expansion plans
Outside the Box have always aimed to fill gaps in statutory services to ensure people on the fringes stay connected with what should be their basic needs and rights. We are not a service provider as such, we promote community development and support people to help themselves.
Our pilot Borders Buddies project in Tweeddale (funded by the SBC Community Fund) supported people who had been disconnected during the pandemic to reconnect with basic things such as getting out to the shops or to a local group. To watch a short animation about the project, follow this link: https://biteable.com/watch/3527087/8c5f3e75b470c07ec8a9fa40154633ec
|
|
|
We hope the worst of the pandemic is over, nevertheless we recognise that many people have always been in some way disconnected or isolated, and for some the aftermath of the pandemic will continue to exacerbate this. We have been speaking to individuals and groups all over the Borders, and through our networks all over Scotland, and we have been hearing that many people are still struggling to feel able to reintegrate themselves in ‘normal’ activities.
This is where Borders Buddies comes in – where appropriate, it matches people up with a volunteer to support them to get back to doing what they want to do. It also provides signposting; because we the way we work at a very local level, we have good knowledge of what is going on locally. We do this by employing a worker who lives in the local area and knows the local community well. Where groups or activities do not exist, we can support local people to try these out and start them up if there is a demand. Borders Buddies has also been instrumental in taking on local issues, for example access for less able people, and empowering these people to take on the issues themselves. It is very much an enabling, rather than a handholding project.
We are just at the expansion planning stage and want to check out that what we are hearing is right, that we are not duplicating what others are doing or stepping on any toes! We are all about filling gaps, partnership working and complementing what is being done, not reinventing the wheel!
We would like to continue to support people in the Tweeddale area, particularly in more remote outlying areas where access to activities and facilities may be more problematic.
Could you see Borders Buddies working in your local area? Do you know people who have slipped between the gaps, invisible or ineligible for other supports? Are there local issues around access, transport, the right to good food or tenants’ rights which are not being addressed? Are there people – older people, young people out of work, less able people – who might benefit from Borders Buddies?
If so, please drop us an email, and we will follow up soon. Please do feel free to share on with colleagues or others.
Thanks in advance, Ruth Noble Development Worker Outside the Box Mobile: 07711 210431 Ruth.n@otbds.org
Outside the Box have always aimed to fill gaps in statutory services to ensure people on the fringes stay connected with what should be their basic needs and rights. We are not a service provider as such, we promote community development and support people to help themselves.
Our pilot Borders Buddies project in Tweeddale (funded by the SBC Community Fund) supported people who had been disconnected during the pandemic to reconnect with basic things such as getting out to the shops or to a local group. To watch a short animation about the project, follow this link: https://biteable.com/watch/3527087/8c5f3e75b470c07ec8a9fa40154633ec
We hope the worst of the pandemic is over, nevertheless we recognise that many people have always been in some way disconnected or isolated, and for some the aftermath of the pandemic will continue to exacerbate this. We have been speaking to individuals and groups all over the Borders, and through our networks all over Scotland, and we have been hearing that many people are still struggling to feel able to reintegrate themselves in ‘normal’ activities.
This is where Borders Buddies comes in – where appropriate, it matches people up with a volunteer to support them to get back to doing what they want to do. It also provides signposting; because we the way we work at a very local level, we have good knowledge of what is going on locally. We do this by employing a worker who lives in the local area and knows the local community well. Where groups or activities do not exist, we can support local people to try these out and start them up if there is a demand. Borders Buddies has also been instrumental in taking on local issues, for example access for less able people, and empowering these people to take on the issues themselves. It is very much an enabling, rather than a handholding project.
We are just at the expansion planning stage and want to check out that what we are hearing is right, that we are not duplicating what others are doing or stepping on any toes! We are all about filling gaps, partnership working and complementing what is being done, not reinventing the wheel!
We would like to continue to support people in the Tweeddale area, particularly in more remote outlying areas where access to activities and facilities may be more problematic.
Could you see Borders Buddies working in your local area? Do you know people who have slipped between the gaps, invisible or ineligible for other supports? Are there local issues around access, transport, the right to good food or tenants’ rights which are not being addressed? Are there people – older people, young people out of work, less able people – who might benefit from Borders Buddies?
If so, please drop us an email, and we will follow up soon. Please do feel free to share on with colleagues or others.
Ruth Noble Development Worker Outside the Box Mobile: 07711 210431 Ruth.n@otbds.org
—————————————————————————————————————————————
———————————————————————————————————————————————-
We have spaces remaining on some of our upcoming courses.
Please share with anyone you think might be interested in attending.
Creative Writing (online) – Starting Thursday 21st April – https://buytickets.at/healthinmindscottishborders/679649
Connecting through music listening (online) – starting Tuesday 26th April – https://buytickets.at/healthinmindscottishborders/675316
Mental health awareness (Kelso) – Wednesday 27th April – https://buytickets.at/healthinmindscottishborders/679743
Creative Writing (Kelso) – Starting 26th May – https://buytickets.at/healthinmindscottishborders/679658
Kind wishes,
Rachael Honeyman (pronouns: she/her/hers)
Scottish Borders Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Services Manager I Health in Mind
a: 6B Island Street, Galashiels, TD1 1NU e: ScottishBorders@health-in-mind.org.uk t: 01896 807000
w: health-in-mind.org.uk
Health in Mind is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC004128, and a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number SC124090. The registered office is at 40 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4RT.
————————————————————————————————————————————–
Messages from Scottish Borders Council updated to 5th April
The Food Foundation’s Food and Friendship Service
The Food Foundation (a Peebles based Social Enterprise) is preparing to re-introduce its Food and Friendship service. This service provides a hot, nutritious, 2 course meal, each Thursday, to older people living in Peebles. This service is ideal for those who are unable to cook due to age, disability, illness, recently out of hospital or just do not enjoy cooking. It is hoped that this service will re-start on 24th March 2022.
The meals will be delivered by friendly local volunteers who will get to know their customers over the weeks. There is no charge for this service however any donations would be gratefully accepted.
Spaces are limited for this service and will be allocated on a first come basis. We are looking for relevant organisations to make referrals for anyone that they think would be benefit from the service.
If you would like more information on our Food and Friendship service or would like to submit a referral, please send an email to thefoodfoundation@outlook.com.
Elaine Turnbull Operations and Funding Manager The Food Foundation
Victoria Park Centre, Kingsmeadows Road Peebles EH45 9BH T: 01721 722421
——————————————————————————————————————————————–
Gardening and Golf Buddies
Message from Ruth Noble:
We have funding to support people to volunteer at Peebles CAN garden – normal volunteering sessions are Tuesday and Friday 10-12. It can be very light ‘gardening’ including seated table potting etc, plus a cup of tea and some banter! I can support people to go along and try it out, can also organise transport etc if necessary. Please contact me by email or phone.
Golf – taster sessions to be delivered via Golf in Society. Still to be confirmed by Golf Club but if people register interest through me that would be good. Probably mid-May.
Resources: available to download on website here: https://otbds.org/?s=borders+buddies
or contact me (with address) for hard copies.
Ruth Noble Development Worker Outside the Box Mobile: 07711 210431 <ruth.n@otbds.org>
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Reading is Caring Course
Message from Keira O’Sullivan (Scottish Book Trust)
I’ve attached our poster information sheet about the course and our evaluation report as mentioned.
Reading is Caring Feedback Evaluation
Unfortunately the video trailers are too big for me to send by email so you can access them through these links and download them from there:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w90pyx2jysr41yb/reading_is_caring_final_no_subs_%20%281080p%29.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mgc0m4te2elhj4i/reading_is_caring__final_subs_.mp4%20%281080p%29.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8cv4sh2k173sm66/RiC%20Captions.srt?dl=0
I’ve also attached our upcoming timetable for workshops, although as Koren said, we’re happy to seek out new times for anyone this doesn’t work for.
Please do pass on my email address to anybody who is interested, as well as our outward-facing email readingiscaring@scottishbooktrust.com. I’d of course be happy to send out leaflets too.
It would be wonderful if you could send me the contact details for the other locality meetings if possible, or pass on my email address and interest to them directly.
Keira O’Sullivan (she/her) Reading Communities Coordinator (Reading is Caring)
Scottish Book Trust Sandeman House, Trunk’s Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR
Registered charity SC027669
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Opportunity for Community Cooks
Please follow this link for a poster from You Can Cook with an opportunity for Community Cooks! Please share and display within your memberships, thank you.
Lorna McCullough, Area Manager for Tweeddale The Bridge The Volunteer Resource Centre School Brae High Street Peebles EH45 8AT
Tel 01721 724354 email lorna.mccullough@thebridge.scot
Online Event for Autistic Adults 26th March
Please see details below about an online event on 26th May for autistic adults. Please share with any groups or members you may be interested.
From: Pauline Charles <Pauline@bordersadditionalneeds.org>
Sent: 15 March 2022 11:14
Subject: Autistic adults online meet up Scottish Borders
Please see information regarding an upcoming event open to Autistic adults aged 21 years and over both pre and post diagnosis . The aim of the event is outlined below both Sean Kennedy and I are delighted to run this event. We will have special invited guest Rhona Harkness Occupational Therapist NHS Borders attending.
Join Sean Kennedy and Pauline Grigor online to discuss living in Scottish Borders with Autism. Do we need to promote Autism in our community
About this event
Sean Kennedy Autistic Adult advocate and Pauline Grigor Community Autism Coordinator would like to invite Adults who have an Autism Diagnosis to meet online . the aim of this informal meeting is to discuss:
- Do we need to build an Autistic adult Community
- Is there enough Autism Awareness in Scottish Borders
- Is there a need for additional support for Autistic support pre or post diagnosis
We would like to meet you and hear your experience and build a stronger Autism Community in the Scottish Borders
Click on the link to book your free place : Autistic Adults Online Session Tickets, Thu 26 May 2022 at 19:00 | Eventbrite
Can I ask that you promote around your networks . Thank you in advance —Pauline
Pauline Grigor Scottish Borders Autism Community Coordinator Monday – Wednesday 9-4pm
Tel : 07825812468 E Mail : pauline@bordersadditionalneeds.org
New Messages from SBC up to 4th March 2022
Changeworks- volunteers requested to join focus groups to discuss debt in payment of electricity bills
Changeworks have been commissioned by the Scottish Government’s e to conduct research into fuel debt and complex debt.
We are hosting a series of focus groups with consumers who have experienced debt in order to pay their energy bills. This can include debt to energy or fuel suppliers, or other debts such as credit card debt or council tax debt as a result of paying energy bills.
All participants will receive a £25 voucher for their time, on completion of the focus group. Focus groups will be held online and will last around 1.5 hours. They will be held in early March.
We are particularly interested to hear from clients using unregulated heating fuels such as oil, LPG, solid fuels or who are connected to a heat network.
Can you help us recruit participants for our focus groups? If you have clients who are interested, please pass on their contact details to Freya Burns (Research Consultant) fburns@changeworks.org.uk
Please ensure that clients have given permission and are happy for Changeworks to contact them before sharing any contact information with us.
Please note my usual work days are Monday – Thursday only. Ruth Dickinson Partnership Coordinator Changeworks 36 Newhaven Road Edinburgh EH6 5PY
Call 0131 538 7959 Mobile 07554 881 492 Email rdickinson@changeworks.org.uk Visit changeworks.org.uk
Garden Buddies: opportunities for volunteering
At the moment volunteering sessions are Monday afternoon (for 1:1/people with less confidence), Tues 10-12 from March and Friday 10-12.
There will also be opportunities to join in with their SkillsShare sessions, and online cooking with FoodPunks.
If anyone’s interested, please put them in touch with me by phone or email, I’d chum them at least initially.
Ruth Noble Development Worker Outside the Box Mobile: 07711 210431
Scottish charity: SC 035317 Company number: 265077 www.otbds.org
New Messages from SBC up to 7th February 2022
Access to Winter Hardship Fund
Click this link for a PDF with useful information
Government Time Out scheme for Carers
Click this link for a PDF with more information
Information about Tweeddale Food Banks
Click this link for a PDF with more information
New Messages from SBC up to 16th January 2022
Young Person’s Travelpass. Applications and information about TravelPasses for young people up to the age of 22 can be found at the Transport Scotland Website
Home Heating Support Fund has funds to help people who have difficulty paying heating bills. Click this link for a pdf document with more information
The Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund has received fresh funds to help families across Scotland who are trapped in poverty and need urgent help. Small cash grants are available so that families can meet their basic needs such as food, heating, clothing and bedding. Full details of how to apply can be found on our website at https://www.aberlour.org.uk/service_category/urgent-assistance-fund/
Useful Help Numbers across Tweeddale – Click this link to download a pdf flyer with lots of social services contact information for Tweeddale residents: Foodbanks, NHS, CAB, Financial Support etc
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Grants and Funding: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20076/community_grants_and_funding/1152/queens_platinum_jubilee_fund_2022
Messages from SBC up to 31st December 2021
Togetherall
What is Togetherall?
Togetherall is an award-winning digital mental health service available at
togetherall.com. It offers 24/7 support, with trained clinicians online at all times, as
well as a range of helpful tools and resources.
Togetherall is widely commissioned in the NHS, as well as by local authorities,
employers, universities, and the Armed Forces. The service also offers anonymous
peer and community support, moderated and facilitated by trained clinicians.
For more information see: https://togetherall.com/en-gb/
http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Togetherall-Courses-Overview-Guide-2021-1.pdf
Community Information about the Omicron Variant of Covid-19
https://www.scdc.org.uk/news/article/2021/12/15/community-covid-response-omicron-variant
Outside the Box: The South East Scotland Winter Newsletter
http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SE_-Winter-2021-newsletter.pdf
Link to Scottish Borders Welfare Trust:
Welfare Trust | Scottish Borders Council (scotborders.gov.uk)
Funding Updates
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
————————————————————————————————————————————