community engagement
NATIONAL CONVERSATION
Just to let you know that the Scottish Government has updated the national
conversation website with feedback from the initial findings.
Find out more, via this link http://healthier.scot, with the people
who took part in our engagement activities.
Medicines in NHSScotland: How does your doctor decide on the best treatment?
Information for patients and the public The Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee (ADTC) Collaborative would like to give you the opportunity to share the attached draft medicines factsheet within your local networks (including public involvement groups) for comment. We would be pleased to take any feedback on the medicines factsheet, please contact the ADTC Collaborative via hcis.adtc-collaborative@nhs.net by Friday 8 April 2016. The ADTC Collaborative have worked with healthcare professionals and public partners across NHSScotland to prepare the medicines factsheet for patients and the public. This was developed in response to a recommendation of the Health and Sport Committee Inquiry seeking more open and transparent information for patients and the public on decision making on medicines. The medicines factsheet focuses on the patient journey starting at consultation and explains how doctors (or other healthcare professionals) decide whether to prescribe a medicine and if so, which to prescribe. It will replace the 2010 Health Rights Information Scotland (HRIS) Leaflet ‘New Medicines in Scotland – who decides what the NHS can provide?’ We are also considering the communication, publication and distribution of the final medicines factsheet. If you require additional information on the medicines factsheet or would like to provide comments and feedback, please contact the ADTC Collaborative via hcis.adtc-collaborative@nhs.net
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
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 Anchor Organisations
Community Anchor Organisations are community bodies which may act as a focal point for community groups in a localised area. The benefit of having a community anchor in your area is that it may take the lead in large projects or initiate new projects. Often the problem when initiating a new project is the creation of a constituted group and finding office bearers. A small community can only have so many treasurers and secretaries! Once created the ‘community anchor’ can invite local people to come forward with their project ideas without the necessity of them becoming an office bearer. There are many examples of ‘community anchor organisations’ throughout Scotland to inspire you. http://www.localpeopleleading.co.uk/anchor-orgs/
New website for participatory budgeting in Scotland launches
PB Scotland is a new website for sharing and learning about the great work being done by participatory budgeting (PB) initiatives around Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Government, the website will provide updates on events, policy and resources relevant to PB in Scotland, and
profile good examples of PB across the country and beyond.
Visit PB Scotland at: http://pbscotland.scot.
Let’s Celebrate!
This free event will be a great opportunity for Third Sector Organisations, Community and Voluntary
Groups from across Aberdeenshire to come together and celebrate the difference they are making
for people of all ages in towns, villages and communities across all of Aberdeenshire. The day will
consist of a variety of workshops, stands for local groups and organisations and delegates will be
entertained by a Children’s Choir from Kellands Primary in Inverurie in the afternoon.
Workshops:
Grampian Autistic Society Volunteering and Support Needs – raising awareness
Alcohol and Drug Partnership – Good Practice in Partnership Working
AVA Learning & Training – Motivate and keep your Volunteers
Volunteer Scotland PVG Awareness – raising awareness, information and guidance
Education Scotland – How Good Is Our Third Sector Organisation
Penny Downes Art in our Communities – inspiring art in our communities
Cornfields – Social Enterprise in Practise
Book your space at the conference by emailing: central@avashire.org.uk or call Ruth on 01467
626060. Booking forms for attending the conference are also available on our website at:
http://avashire.org.uk/events.html
Fairer Scotland Engagement Fund – new November deadline
The Fairer Scotland Engagement Fund has been extended, with
funding now being available to more organisations (by raising the
income threshold) and the application deadline being extended.
Applicants still have to act fast though, as the new application
deadline is 16th November. The Scottish Government’s Fairer Scotland Engagement Fund provides
grants of up to £300 (or exceptionally up to £500 for a larger event) to voluntary organisations and
community groups in Scotland to help them run an event or engagement activity with a group of five
or more people to gather their thoughts on creating a Fairer Scotland and what matters to them.
Find out more here:
http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/funding-and-support/fairer-scotland-engagement-fund/
Are you using the latest technology to attract tourists?
Digital Tourism Scotland (DTS) is a new partnership programme to help tourism businesses across
Scotland improve their digital skills and capitalise on opportunities that new technology offers.
The programme will offer advice, workshops, and insight into how others are adopting and improving
digital practices. There are 2 free ‘Digital Technologies Update for Tourism’ workshops available:
Tuesday, 24th November 2015, 1.30 to 4.30pm, Holiday Inn Aberdeen West
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-technologies-update-for-tourism-aberdeen-aberdeenshire-tickets-
18607194620
Wednesday, 25th November 2015, 10.30am to 1.30pm, Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf
Course: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-technologies-update-for-tourism-aberdeen-aberdeenshire-
tickets-18608069236
National Conversation – Creating a Healthier Scotland: What Matters to You?
From August 2015 to April 2016 the Scottish Government is holding a 
national conversation on health and social care services in Scotland. The
conversation is seeking views on what a healthier Scotland should look like in
the next 10-15 years from now and how people in Scotland can be
supported to be as healthy as they can be. To help get the conversation
started three broad questions have been issued:
• What support do we need in Scotland to live healthier lives?
• What areas of health and social care matter most to you?
• Thinking about the future of health and social care services, where should
our focus be?
A facilitation pack is now available to help you host local conversations. This material is designed to give you a bit more background on the current situation in Scotland, where there have been successes and some of the long term challenges we face.
Join in the discussions online at: http://healthier.scot/
Twitter: @scotgovhealth #healthierscotland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/healthier.scot
Email: healthier@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Community Shares
Good things always come around again. For anyone than can remember their Mum’s Co-op number you will know about Cooperatives, they are back. If you have a large project this may be one for you.
Braemar have recently raised £800,000 to construct a hydro electric scheme facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Braemar-Community-Hydro-926134364093329/timeline/
For a good read, check out how it is done on Community Shares Scotland – http://communitysharesscotland.org.uk
K&M Communities 