Aberdeenshire
Recycle Aberdeenshire
Recycle Aboyne is a project run by Aberdeenshire Council’s social work department for people who may require training and support to access employment. We are investigating whether a collection service for used, but unwanted electrical and electronic items (such as laptops, PCs, flat screen TVs, tablets, mobile phones, unused printer cartridges) would be used within Aberdeenshire. The items would be securely data wiped, repaired and sold by Recycle’s partner in the project, Re-Tek UK, who would provide a share of the profits back to Recycle.
Interested in this service being available more widely in Aberdeenshire, let us know. Please visit;
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RS2SZ7Q
and answer a few short questions.
Community Resources Network Scotland
CRNS Enewsletter 15th January 2016Welcome to our first CRNS E-newsletter for 2016, we have got some great things being planned for this year to support our members and the wider community reuse sector here in Scotland. CRNS is a membership network first and foremost and all of our activities are designed to support, connect and strengthen the collective activities of all of our members. In February look out for the publication of our annual member survey which will provide the very latest data on the membership. In March we will be running our first regional forums and thematic seminars of the year as well as supporting ‘Pass It On Week’ 2016. In April we are really excited to be holding a CRNS Awards Dinner, more details on all of these activities soon! All of the CRNS staff are looking forward to a very busy 2016 and if there is anything that you think we should be doing this year to help our members better then please let us know. David Wood, CEO |
Driving improvement in healthcare
Do you want to improve the quality of care for people in Scotland?
Will you dedicate some of your valuable free time to this important task?
Healthcare Improvement Scotland is now recruiting volunteers to the role of Public Partner to ensure the experiences and voices of people inform and influence improvements in the quality of care in Scotland. There are a variety of Public Partner roles involving a range of activities. These include developing, promoting and supporting quality standards and guidelines, encouraging sharing of good practice and spreading improvement, and participating in hospital inspections.
Previous experience is not required as training will be provided. You must live in Scotland to be a Public Partner. For some role
s, travel throughout Scotland with occasional overnight stays may be required. While the role of Public Partner is voluntary, expenses will be paid.
For an informal chat about what is involved, please contact: Katy Penman on 0141 225 6892 or send an email to katy.penman@nhs.net
To request an application pack, call 0141 225 6887 or send an email to contactpublicinvolvement.his@nhs.net
Closing date: 5pm, 1 February 2016
Please note: An information and selection day will take place on 17 February in Glasgow. Induction is planned for 9 and 10 March in Clydebank.
Driving improvement in healthcare http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland
Discover North Kincardine Weekend
Project Launch Event – Wednesday 20th January 2016
Come along to this drop in event which will allow you to see an overview of the 5 trails being developed within North Kincardine, meet Anne Murray the artist in residence and members of the North Kincardine Public Arts Group and partners involved.
Find out more about the events over the weekend, the proposed routes, the mapping project, public art planned for this year, get involved and have your say. Read the rest of this entry »
People’s Postcode Community Trust – Community Grants Programme
The Community Grants Programme accepts applications for projects that meet one or more of the following funding themes: advancement of community development, advancement of health and environmental improvement. Applications may be submitted at any time. More
Improving the Quality of Drug and Alcohol Service in Scotland
Small Test of Change Fund
The Scottish Government is making available small sums of money to encourage and support improvement in the quality of drug services. We are looking to invest in local small tests of change which contribute to our ambitions to build and strengthen recovery orientated systems of care (ROSC) across services throughout Scotland and support implementation of The Quality Principles: Standard Expectations of Care & Support in Drug & Alcohol Services.
A maximum of up to £3,000 (non-recurring) will be available per application (if successful). The concept of “small tests of change” stems from the Scottish Government 3-step Improvement Framework for public services. More detail can be found via: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0042/00426552.pdf.
Partnership applications are welcomed. It is expected that the lead bidder will be a third sector provider. It is also expected that applications received will sit within at least one of the following priorities; Prevention, Education, Harm Reduction and/ or Quality Improvement.
All applications should be signed-off by the local ADP. It is expected that any funding application received will clearly align to an outcome agreed as part of a local improvement work underway in your area. The ADP team in your area should be able to support you with this
https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenshireAdp
Deadline for applications and review process
This will be a rolling fund with applications received on a quarterly basis. The closing date for this round of applications is: 29th January 2016.
All applications received will be reviewed and successful bids will be notified within 4 weeks. Light-touch feedback will be provided to any unsuccessful applications. Read the rest of this entry »
SUNSET SONG – SEE THE FILM THEN VISIT THE ABERDEENSHIRE LOCATIONS
Explore Aberdeenshire’s inspiring natural landscapes from the epic north east coastline, including the Banffshire coast, to beautiful Royal Deeside and the stunning Cairngorms National Park. The region has ancient castles, idyllic towns and villages and stunning countryside to explore, which is home to a variety of wildlife. Discover clifftops, coves and beaches and explore traditional fishing villages – or unravel a dramatic past through Scotland’s Castle Trail. You’ll find everything fr
om rugged ruins to grand fortresses and royal residences. Head into Aberdeen city to find award-winning restaurants, fantastic shopping and a vibrant nightlife. Aberdeen offers a wealth of history and culture including fantastic galleries, museums and historical buildings, as well as a superb beach just a short walk from the city centre. To find out more about Sunset Song and where it was filmed, visit:
http://www.ballogie-estate.co.uk
http://www.grassicgibbon.com
http://www.glentanar.co.uk
http://www.glenmuick.com
http://www.invercauld.estate
http://www.arbuthnottbervieandkinneff.org.uk/arbuthnott-history
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/fettercairn/fettercairn
Big Lottery Fund
Today we are opening our new funding offer to applications. We have £250M of life changing Lottery funds to commit in Scotland over the next five years.
We want to ensure that our Lottery funds support people and communities most in need across the country so we have designed our new funding here in Scotland to best achieve that aim. We’ve learned from our previous work and spent time talking to many of you as we’ve developed our new plans – so to everyone who took time to join our conversations, thank-you.
For the first time we are asking communities to tell us how their approach to what they want to do is people-led, strengths-based and/or connected.
We’ll focus our Lottery funds to work with groups that are improving lives, as we know that many people experience challenges at some point in their lives and we want to support activity that helps them overcome these difficulties and become more resilient. And we’ll support community-led activity with funding that aims to work with communities to bring real improvements to the places they live and the wellbeing of those most in need.
Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair explains why we’ve chosen this approach: “We have refreshed and redeveloped our approach and focus so we will work with communities and organisations to support activity which is people-centred, strengths-based and has good local connections. We are sure our new approach will ensure our Lottery funds make a truly life-changing and inspirational difference to people across Scotland.
“In these challenging times we hope this new Lottery money will open the door to support activity which puts people in the lead at the heart of their communities.”
Over the next five years we will make grants of £10,000 to over £1 million – with a streamlined single-stage process for all grants up to £150,000 which should be able to go from application to award in four months. For organisations and groups looking for more than £150,000 we have a more proportionate two stage process which should be able to go from application to award in six months.
For more information on our new plans, eligibility and how to apply please go to our website or you can email advicescotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Healthier Scotland Engagement Fund
As part of the national conversation about the future of health and care services in Scotland (Creating a Healthier Scotland – What matters to you) VAF is delighted to announce the launch of the Scottish Government’s new Healthier Scotland Engagement Fund.
From August 2015 to Spring 2016 the Scottish Government is holding a national conversation on improving the health of the Scottish population and the future of health and social care services in Scotland.
With £26,000 to give out in grants the Healthier Scotland Engagement Fund is part of this conversation. It aims to help small voluntary organisations and community groups in Scotland run an event or engagement activity to gather views of people who would not normally participate in a consultation of this nature.
Grants of up to £500 (or exceptionally up to £1,000) are available to support an event or engagement activity with a group of five or more people.
We are particularly keen to fund events or engagement activities that will involve seldom heard or hard to reach groups or communities. Applications that will gather the views of these groups will be considered a priority as will applications from groups with an income under £100,000.
Applications should be received by VAF by 5pm on Friday 11 December 2015. Applicants will hear the outcome of their application by Thursday 7 January 2016. A short report on the event or activity should be returned to Voluntary Action Fund by Thursday 18 February 2016.
Further information, including the guidance and application form, is available on the VAF website at www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk or click on this link: http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/funding-and-support/healthier-scotland-engagement-fund/
The Voluntary Action Fund receives funding from the Scottish Government.
Scottish Charity number SC035037. Company Number SC261186.
Community Shares
For major projects it may be worth considering community shares as an option. Last week Applecross Apple Juice Hydro Scheme reached their £750,000 investment to construct a Hydro Scheme, amazing result for a population of 225 people.http://www.applecrosshydro.scot/news/ Closer to home, Huntly has opened a share issue to construct a windturbine which will fund community projects http://www.huntlydevelopmenttrust.org/wp-content/uploads/GRE-panels-low-res-for-web.pdf
Share issues can be used for any projects, not only energy schemes, it is worth having a look if you have a large project – http://communitysharesscotland.org.uk/
Where there is muck there is brass…
Community Resources Network Scotland (CRNS) is the network for projects that Reuse, Recycle and Repair. There are many local projects which divert waste from the skip and I am sure there is room for many more. Composting, 2nd hand goods, furniture restoration, swap shops……..the list is endless. If you are interested in developing a project that can reuse, recycle or repair this may be the link for you http://crns.org.uk/about/mission-vision-and-values/
What Do You Think?
Aberdeenshire Council is engaging with residents, service users, community groups and staff about its budget for 2016/2017. Public sector funding is reducing across the country, and we need to live within our means. This means we have to consider delivering services differently in a way that will make us more efficient. As a result, some services may reduce, whilst others services may become a higher priority for us.
We need your help with this. Aberdeenshire Council still has a budget of £530m to spend. Your views are very important in helping us to decide what our priorities should be, how willing you are to see service changes which will save money and how best to spend the remaining budget.
This process will help to inform the decisions made by Aberdeenshire councillors in setting a balanced budget which will ensure that the council continues to deliver a range of valued local services to communities, highlight the Administration’s emerging priorities and reduce overall spending for 2016/17 by £18million.
The survey that starts the engagement process can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Shirebudget
K&M Communities 