Messages from Scottish Borders Council

TOP Messages from Scottish Borders Council updated to 26th July 2022

Click on  links to view. They should either appear in a new browser tab, or download as a PDF file into your Downloads folder

Subject: [OFFICIAL] Lidl Neighbourly Campaign

Lidl are currently running a ‘Feed it Back’ programme in a way to tackle food poverty.  Surplus food is available to community groups, foodbanks, charities and schools through their Neighbourly campaign.  Further information including how to apply can be found at this link: https://www.neighbourly.com/FeedItBack

Hannah Lacon Community Engagement Officer   Communities and Partnerships  Resilient Communities   Scottish Borders Council

Polish Map of Scotland (near Eddleston)

For information about Majka Kozlowska’s  work with the Polish Map of Scotland see the website kozlowska.majka@gmail.com

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Recruitment to Tweeddale Assessment Panel

From: Harrow, Kenny <Kenny.Harrow@scotborders.gov.uk>

Subject: [OFFICIAL] Tweeddale Assessment Panel – recruitment

We are on the lookout for another member of the Tweeddale locality to join The Tweeddale Assessment Panel. The panel are making funding recommendations on the Tweeddale Neighbourhood Support Fund for 2022-23 which is now open. The fund provides support and assistance with the development of community based projects for voluntary and community groups that are active in their local area. Groups who would like to take forward projects that will be of benefit to the local community can apply for grants up to the value of £5k or up to £7.5k under certain circumstances. 

The Role

This independent panel is responsible for scrutinising grant applications to ensure consistency of assessment against approved processes and criteria, value for money and the potential to achieve positive outcomes for the benefit of the community. The Panel report their decisions and makes recommendations as appropriate to the Area Partnership.

 What are we looking for?

We are looking to create an assessment group that is as inclusive as possible and which effectively represents the broad, diverse constituency of Tweeddale; therefore, we would welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

Successful candidates will have a genuine interest in the charitable sector, as well as an interest in the positive development of communities across Tweeddale.  We are looking to add to our mixed group of experienced and non-experience grant assessors however, applicants should be able to demonstrate sound business judgement, effective communication and interpersonal skills, and a willingness to work as part of a team.  We will expect group members to be ‘challenging’, but at the same time respectful of the views of others, and to adopt a constructive and supportive approach to this very important role.

If you are interested in being part of the Tweeddale assessment panel, the application form is attached or if you have any questions then please contact Hannah Lacon (cc’d in to the email) or myself and we can provide more detail.

You can also find some more information on what groups have been funded and some of the work of the Engagement Officers via their newsletter here; Community Engagement Newsletter – June 2022 | Scottish Borders Council (scotborders.gov.uk)

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Energy Saving Trust are pleased to announce the relaunch of the eBike Grant Fund. 

Transport Scotland has committed a further £900,000 of funding to assist local authorities, public sector agencies, further and higher education institutions, active travel hubs and community groups to adopt ebikes as a sustainable alternative to car journeys. The fund can be used to cover the cost of ebikes, etrikes, ecargo bikes, cargo bikes and trailers, tandems, adapted cycles, trikes and associated equipment.

The eBike Grant Fund will continue to be split into two separate streams.

• Category A offers up to £25,000 of funding towards projects that will provide opportunities to communities to trial ebikes.
• Category B offers up to £200,000 of funding per application towards large scale fleets of pool bikes or public bikeshare/hire schemes and promoting large scale uptake of ebikes.  

Projects can also apply for extra funding, limited to 5% of the total project cost, to provide subsidised access to ebike hire for targeted groups. This is to ensure that these target groups, such as those on low incomes, with disabilities or mobility issues, jobseekers, modern apprentices, young people, and students have equal access to ebike opportunities.

More information, including our guidance and information document can be found on our webpage here – eBike Grant Fund available in Scotland – Energy Saving Trust

Please email ebikegrantsscot@est.org.uk to request an application form if you are interested.

Thanks    eBike Grant Fund​ https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/

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Links to older messages are below. Click on  links to view. They should either appear in a new browser tab, or download as a PDF file into your Downloads folder

Unpaid Carers Needs Assessment – Consultation

RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM

The purpose of this questionnaire is to ensure that Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership make informed decisions about the services you may need to support you in your caring role.

We recognise that as unpaid carers you may need to access support that provides you with opportunities to:

• have a break from the demands of the caring role

• have access to a life outside of caring

• ensure you can continue to provide care whilst maintaining your own health and wellbeing.

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, mental health problem or an addiction, can’t cope without their support.

You do not need to be in receipt of carers allowance to be recognised as an unpaid carer.

If you are an unpaid carer, please complete this questionnaire and tell us what would help you in your caring role.

At the end of the questionnaire there are some extra questions (Section 6). The answers will help us to understand how many unpaid carers are living in the Scottish Borders and who they are caring for. These questions are optional.

This questionnaire can be completed online at

http://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/get-involved/carer-needs-assessment-consultation/

If you would prefer to fill it in off line completed questionnaires can be sent to

Public Involvement Office  Freepost RTLY-BYGC-AHCY  NHS Borders Education Centre Melrose TD6 9BD

If you would like details about the support and advice available to unpaid carers in the Scottish Borders, information is available at:

Borders Carers Centre: 01896 75243

Borders Carers Centre (click for link)

Scottish Borders Council (click for link)

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The SBC May Newsletter is now available to download by clicking THIS LINK

Tweed Wheels:  More Bus Trips – Click THIS LINK to view

Dementia Friendly Tweeddale Invitation:    INVITATION

Dementia Friendly Tweeddale invites you – a Dementia Carer, Volunteer, Supporter
to a Cuppa and a Chat at
Peebles Masonic Hall, 9 Northgate
2.30 – 4.30pm on Thursday 12th May 2022
We need to talk – Do come along
RSVP to Lyndal 07561 602621 lyndalb@hotmail.com

Community Survey – Priorities for the Scottish Borders

Borders Buddies expansion plans

Courses    Space available on current courses

SBC Ukrainian Response:     Update    Communications – handling enquiries and provision of information

www.scotborders.gov.uk/ukraine

ukrainian.support@scotborders.gov.uk

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

All enquiries to

esol@borderscollege.ac.uk

Jean.Dobbing@scotborders.gov.uk

Msmail@scotborders.gov.uk

Online English for families -Thursday evening 6 to 7.30pm and is offered nationally in Scotland. You have to email the address and they will send you the information and link back to you: e-sgoil@gnes.net

Royal Voluntary Service Update

Placemaking in Tweeddale – Survey

Peeblesshire Community Events

Scottish Borders Council April Newsletter

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    

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Response to Ukraine Crisis

For  updated information SBC website : www.scotborders.gov.uk/ukraine

Online ESOL classes (Scotland wide) e-sgoil@gnes.net

For information on SBC ESOL please contact : Jean.Dobbing@scotborders.gov.uk or esol@borderscollege.ac.uk

Margaret Smail Tweeddale Community Assistance Hub: Tel: 0300 100 1800  Covid-19Community@scotborders.gov.uk

Acting Team Leader PT (Adult Learning) Community Learning & Development Scottish Borders Council msmail@scotborders.gov.uk

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Royal Voluntary Service Update

As requested, an update on the Services we do in Tweeddale are as follows:

Peebles Social Centre located at the Bakehouse at the St Andrews and Leckie Parish Church – On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 9.30am to 2pm.

Innerleithen Social Centre located at the Innerleithen Parish Church, Leithen Road – On Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am to 2pm

West Linton Social Centre located at the West Linton Village centre – On Thursdays.

All the Social Centres provide morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, and transport to and from the centre, organised activities that can include physical and mental games, as well as crafts and music and a Move it or lose it exercise regime. They are a place for friendships to be created and continued. They help to prevent social isolation and loneliness.

The criteria for the social centre are:

• Over 65
• At possible risk of Social Isolation/would benefit from organised activities
• No more than mild to moderate dementia
• Can self-medicate (we can prompt)
• We don’t offer personal care, but if personal care needs can be met another way by a third party, then we can accommodate them, this would be discussed on an individual basis.
• We can’t take wheelchair users, due to transportation issues but this can be discussed on an individual basis also.

If you are interested in referring someone to our Social Centres, we would need a referral form filled out.

We also offer community transport to take people to appointments, which could be to the hairdressers, shops or to a hospital appointment.

We are always looking for volunteers to help in our social centres and provide the community transport.

You can contact our office on 01896 754481 or ScottishBordersHub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk for more information or to make a referral.

Sabrina Edwards Scottish Borders Service Manager ROYAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Scottish Borders Hub, North Wheatands Mill, Wheatlands Road, Galashiels, TD1 2HQ

Tel No: 01896 754481 Mobile: 07342 059961 Email: sabrina.edwards@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk  Web: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

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The Tweeddale Area Partnership have set up a Place Making Working Group to make recommendations on the best way forward for Place Making in Tweeddale.  The Working Group are interested in gathering responses from various groups in the community to outline what the key priorities are, if any town plans are underway and what individual groups view as being of value in the place where they live.

The responses gathered will enable the working group to gauge broad interest and develop a support model to take Place Making in Tweeddale to the next stage.

Please find attached a message to communities which further explains the intention of place making and how it can benefit your community.

You can complete the questionnaire either through the attached word document submitting your answers to the community engagement inbox CommunityEngagement@scotborders.gov.uk or by completing the online survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/L9HBCTY we ask that you submit your answers by Tuesday 31^st May.

Message to Communities in Tweeddale

Expressions of interest in becoming involved in Placemaking activity

The Tweeddale Area Partnership has set up a Working Group (WG) to make recommendations on the way forward regarding Placemaking in Tweeddale.  We have summarised below what Placemaking is, why we think it is important and who is involved.    

A key question for the WG relates to the number of communities, or groups of communities, that currently have plans, are in the process of producing plans, or would like to create their own Place Plan.  We would therefore like to hear your initial views.  We have asked some specific questions in the email below.  Please add your comments under each question and return to us by Tuesday 31st May. If you prefer you can complete the questionnaire online at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/L9HBCTY.

At this initial stage an indication of your preliminary thoughts is probably more important than a detailed, formally agreed response. We plan to use replies to this questionnaire to gauge broad interest and help us develop a support model to take Placemaking in Tweeddale to the next stage.

To do all of this we need to engage with all age groups and sectors of the community such as schools, businesses, statutory services, representatives of community groups and clubs, Community Councils and Trusts but most of all we need to hear from individuals living and working in the area.

The Tweeddale Area Partnership will act as co-ordinators and link to Local Government and South of Scotland Enterprise.  So please give us your views on as many questions as possible.

Kind regards

Crick

Crick Carleton

Chair

Placemaking Working Group

Tweeddale Area Partnership

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Placemaking?
 
Placemaking is a community focussed, bottom up, planning system.  It recognises and builds on a community’s uniqueness, aspirations, and potential to create public spaces, places, events and activities that promote people’s health, happiness and wellbeing.
 
Why is Placemaking important?
 
By engaging with and listening to our community, we can help to:

• tackle disadvantage and social isolation

• raise levels of ambition and achievement

• support local economic growth, regeneration, job creation, learning and training

• create stronger, more interconnected and inclusive communities

• improve people’s health and wellbeing

• increase cultural activity

• build pride and a sense of belonging to the place we live and work in

• attract investment and funding

 
Who is involved in Placemaking?

Everyone in the community.  We want to ensure that this is not a top-down approach, imposed on our community by local and central government so it needs to involve everyone.
 
We believe developing Place Plans will show that we:

• are able and keen to work together as a community

• can look to the future with strong local insight  

• are able to identify what needs to be improved

• have clear, creative, sustainable plans for the future

• understand how we will achieve change and deliver the plan

Some questions:

1. Name of Group

2. Contact email address

3. Where do you consider is your ‘place’ or ‘community’?

4. Does your community currently have a town/village plan?

5. Are you in the process of developing a town/village plan?

6. Is your group / organisation interested in creating a specific plan for your community or as part of a wider initiative?

7. Who are the key people and organisations you need to engage with?

Please list as many as you can.

8. What do you see as unique and valuable in your community?

9. What makes you proud to live here?

10. What are the negatives of living here?

11. List some of the things you think would make this a better place to live and work

    1. Short term – quick wins

    2. Medium term projects

    3. Longer term plans

Hannah Lacon  Community Engagement Officer Communities and Partnerships  Resilient Communities

Scottish Borders Council  0300 100 1800  Hannah.Lacon@scotborders.gov.uk

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Peeblesshire Community Events

As things continue to open up and people gain confidence to return to enjoying the things they love to do, we want to hear about what is happening across Peeblesshire communities!

Please let me know what events you have planned for this year so far, or what events you plan to attend in your local area.  This can be a group meeting, a fund raising event, a concert, a regular class or a celebration, it can be anything happening in your community! Tell me about what you’re doing and when it’s happening.

We can help spread the word but we’re hoping to gather this all together as a local resource to support the groups going forward and update it at regular intervals.

Lorna McCullough, Area Manager for Tweeddale        

The Bridge   The Volunteer Resource Centre   School Brae   High Street   Peebles   EH45 8AT    Tel 01721 724354

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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 knowshttps://energysavingtrust.org.uk/ 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

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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

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Curry and Chaat

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Courses

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 21^st April – https://buytickets.at/healthinmindscottishborders/679649

Connecting through music listening (online) – starting Tuesday 26^th April – https://buytickets.at/healthinmindscottishborders/675316

Mental health awareness (Kelso) – Wednesday 27^th April – https://buytickets.at/healthinmindscottishborders/679743

Creative Writing (Kelso) – Starting 26^th 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.

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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 24^th 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

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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>

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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 Poster

Reading is Caring Workshops

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

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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

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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

http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Togetherall-Scottish-Borders-Council-Overview-Session-9th-December-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

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