ThinkSpace - Friday 20 August

EVOC wishes to invite all our contacts at Neighbourhood level to a ThinkSpace on Friday 20 August from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

We would like to take this opportunity to carefully consider how the city's Third Sector could work together effectively as the role for Edinburgh's Neighbourhood Partnerships changes.

EVOC is keen to hear from service delivering organisations as we work towards refining our own forward plan.

Please do put this date in your diaries, and feel free to share this invitation with other Third Sector colleagues as appropriate.

For more information see the programme flier and the draft agenda for the day. To book a place please contact Dianne Morrison at EVOC on 0131 555 9100.

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News from the West Edinburgh Time Bank

Planning for the future

Steve Kent from EVOC attended a Steering Group meeting to explore with members the best option for the West Edinburgh Time Bank in terms of registering as a charity and meeting the legal requirements of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).  After discussion with Steve, the Steering Group decided West Edinburgh Time Bank should become a Limited Company, able to employ staff if successful in attracting funding.

Steve has now produced a draft Articles of Association, necessary for the Time Bank to be registered as a charitable company under the Companies Act 2006. These are currently being scrutinised by the Steering Group.

Promoting the work of the West Edinburgh Time Bank

Take a look at the EdinburghTime Bank website to see all the work that is going on. The website was developed and designed as a city-wide resource, as we are hoping that other developing Time Banks in the city could add their pages to the website.

On the website you can find, among other things, the latest Progress Report, Members’ Handbook and an Application Form. However our Time Broker is having difficulty uploading photographs. What we really need is a website administrator so if you, or someone you know, has the necessary skills and would like to give some time in return for time credits, please contact Tracy.

We are also thinking about setting up a West Edinburgh Time Bank Face Book page – if you can help with this, please get in touch.

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Health All Round

Health All Round is a Community Health Project serving Gorgie Dalry and surrounding areas in Edinburgh. It offers a lively and diverse programme that both imaginatively responds to the needs of the community, whilst addressing health inequalities.

We aim to improve and maintain emotional, physical and social wellbeing through a wide range of services. In response to this over arching aim we are pleased to say we believe we are providing a diverse programme that appeals to all of our local community.

Our gateway service is our drop in. This allows people the opportunity for an informal one to one chat with a worker from the project. This can be about any health related concern. Drop in is open on a Monday 10am – 12noon, Wednesday 10am – 2pm or Thursday 12noon – 2pm. No appointment is necessary; anyone can just come along! During this session we can advise about the services we offer, or from our comprehensive knowledge of citywide services we are able to signpost people to the best possible service for their particular needs. This service also allows people to make a positive link with the project, allowing them to feel less daunted when they are coming along for a group or further appointment.

The whole community can benefit from our comprehensive range of physical activities. Whether you are active or inactive Health all Round have an activity to suit. A mixture of Walking Groups and Exercise Classes means we can cover a range of ability levels.

Active Measures is a fantastic weight loss programme, which allows one to one mentoring, coupled with advice and guidance regarding nutrition and exercise, an individual tailored programme to match the needs of each individual.

We offer a number of one to one therapies, ranging from the well used and appreciated Counselling Service, together with Art Therapy, Life Coaching, NLP and Hypnotherapy. All these services carry a waiting list and while clients are waiting for these we are fortunate to be able to offer them a varied programme of personal development courses and workshops. These include Anxiety Management, Confidence Building, Self Esteem, Assertiveness and Works Well. The demand for these services is ever high and we attempt to run at least 3 or 4 of each during the year.

Another service we offer is a range of Holistic Therapies. We offer Massage, Homeopathy, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Shiatsu. We provide these at extremely competitive rates, with all services only charging £15 – £25 per session. This is a well used service with appointments often being made 3 or 4 weeks in advance, so book early!

To complement all our services we offer, in response to feedback from the community, a range of ‘one off’ workshops, information mornings and taster sessions. These are as varied as the requests we receive, examples of these include information mornings on Meningitis, Healthy Hearts, Real Nappies, Smoothies, Food and Menopause, Food and Mood and various Complementary Therapy taster sessions.

Partnership working is something we are always open to. Previous experience has shown it is an amazing way to foster positive links with other organisations and enhances services.

Full details of all the individual classes, groups and services can be found either on our website or by calling the project on 0131 537 7530 (24 hour answering machine.)

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All neighbourhoods

Independent Budget Review: have your say

The report of Scotland's Independent Budget Review Panel was published on Thursday July 29. The Panel's report sets out a series of options for the Scottish Government and Parliament to consider in a significantly constrained public spending environment.

This may result in a radical redesign of public services, which would impact upon the voluntary sector and its role in delivering services.

You are encouraged to join the public debate before the Scottish Government publishes its budget plans in November. See Have your say on public spending in Scotland.

SCVO is also keen to hear your views to inform its own detailed response highlighting the interests of the voluntary sector in this debate. Please send your views to Ruchir Shah at SCVO.

Tackling Inequalities for Edinburgh's Children and Young People

A Compact-run Edinburgh Partnership: in Conference event takes place on Wednesday 3 November at Tynecastle Stadium.

'Tackling Inequalities - Promoting Health and Wellbeing for Edinburgh’s Children and Young People' will bring partners together to increase our understanding of how inequalities impact on children and young people and to identify and build on good practice in tackling inequalities and improving outcomes for children and young people.

Co-author of The Spirit Level and Co-founder of The Equality Trust Richard Wilkinson will present the Keynote address, and participants will engage in a World Cafe conversational process to enable the development of collective intelligence around actions to address inequalities.

See the full programme and promotional poster for more information.

To register, please contact Dianne Morrison at Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations' Council on (0131) 555 9100.

Recycle furniture with Four Square

If you’re looking for some furniture, or if you’ve got furniture to dispose of, take a look at the Four Square website for information about their furniture recycling service. Four Square is based in Logie Green Road, and they will collect and they can deliver. Profits go to help prevent homelessness.  The contact is Lorraine on 0131 557 7910/7913.

 
Edinburgh Food and Health Traning Hub free networking conference

Please see this programme and booking form for information about the Edinburgh Food and Health Training Hub free networking event, taking place on Wednesday 22 September from 10 to 4:45 at the City Chambers. This is open to anyone with an interest in food and health. You can email for further details.

Designing gardens for people with dementia and cognitive impairment

Trellis is holding a free training day in conjunction with the Dementia Services Development Centre, on the topic of 'Designing gardens for people with dementia and cognitive impairment.' 

The event will be held in Stirling on Wednesday 22 September from 10 am  to 1pm and the trainer will be Annie Pollock, the Director of Architecture and Landscape Design at the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling.  

The programme for the day will be finalised according to the needs of delegates but is currently planned to include a practical session of design activities for a given site plan.

Please see the Trellis website for more information, and use this booking form to reserve a place. The deadline for bookings is 6 September.

IT training from Edinburgh Community Technology Academy

The Edinburgh Community Technology Academy (ECTA) provides free or subsidised IT training for people who are on low income or are unwaged or unemployed. The training leads to industry-recognised certification from organisations such as Microsoft and Cisco, helping people to improve their chances of finding employment or providing a stepping stone into further education.

We plan to run a CompTIA A+ course in September and Cisco Certified Network Associate course in October. These particular courses are only available to people who are unwaged and living in Lothian.

For more information contact Patrick Smyth at Edinburgh Community Technology Academy, on 0131 551 5550 or 07732 624079.
 

Freedom of Information - What Difference Has it Made?

The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner is hosting an event at the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics, which will bring together a number of campaigners and voluntary bodies who have made use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) in their work. The aim is that their stories will help to inspire others to think about how FOI might be used to benefit their activity.

This free event takes place on Saturday 21 August at 1:30 pm. For more information see the Festival of Politics website or contact Paul Mutch, Freedom of Information Officer at the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner, on 01334 464610.

Free training courses and information sessions for carers

VOCAL is holding a series of  free training and information events for carers this autumn. These courses offer carers the opportunity to experience an increase in confidence in their caring role, feel more able to engage a with and shape services, improve their physical/mental health and report a significant increase in knowledge.

To see the range of events, to download information fliers and to book a place, please see the VOCAL website. You can also contact Jane Greenacre on 0131 622 6666 for more details.

Welcome Package for Migrant Workers - free online materials about living and working in Scotland

Edinburgh University Settlement have published a resources website with materials for adults living in, or thinking of moving to Scotland. The resources combine up-to-date information about living and working here with short language learning activities. Most sections are accompanied by audio and video, as listening to British native speakers was identified by learners as a real challenge for them.

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City Centre

Your City Centre, Your Views

Every year, the City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership carries out a series of engagement events/activities called "Your City Centre, Your Views" in order to capture peoples' views on what they see as the good and the bad things in the area; the things that need to be protected and the things that need to be changed so that the city centre remains a place that we all feel proud of and that balances the needs of those who live, work, study and visit here.

This year they are developing a questionnaire that will take this a stage further, going into more detail of the issues/improvements that people want to see tackled by the Partnership in the next three years.  They would like input in compiling a short list of the topics/issues you think they should be trying to find out more about and, ultimately, address. These topics should be relevant to the main themes and priorities already identified over the last three years:

• area cleanliness
• improved visual appearance
• improved community safety
• improved streets, pavements and public realm
• business support
• and the living city centre (ensuring a balance between those who live in the area and those who visit.)

They are receiving suggestions until Monday 9 August. Meanwhile if you have any comments or questions please do not hesitate to contact Alan Dean or Claire Ironside.

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Leith

Access to Industry's Leith Festival Radio project

Please see this flier about Access to Industry's Leith Festival Radio project which will run Monday 23 August to Friday 27 August. The project is open to Leith residents aged 16+ who are moving on from substance misuse, care, prison or homelessness.

Students will learn about recording and editing programmes, review Fringe shows and interview the stars, produce a radio feature for local broadcast, and gain SQA qualifications.

Acceptance onto the project will be subject to a short, informal interview.

For more details or to put someone forward for this opportunity please contact Donnie on 0131 226 3006.

Edinburgh Mela Festival

The 2010 Edinburgh Mela Festival takes place from Friday 6 August to Sunday 8 August, and will be held on Leith Links.

For more information please see the Edinburgh Mela website. 

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Liberton and Gilmerton

Next meeting - Liberton and Gilmerton Neighbourhood Partnership

The next meeting of the Liberton and Gilmerton Neighbourhood Partnership will be held at 2.00pm on Monday 9 August at 13 Newtoft Street. Items on the agenda include:

• update on the Learning Fair Roadshow
• presentation on the Review of  Community Plan 2008-2011
• reports from the Get On Club and Little France Working Group
• information about the Your Edinburgh website

Gardening session from Bridgend Allotment Community Health Inclusion Project (BACHIP)

Please see this poster for a gardening session now on offer at Gilmerton Community Centre. For more information contact Chris Macefield, Outreach Project Officer, BACHIP.

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South Central

Royal Edinburgh Hospital Fete

You are invited to a fantastic fete at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital on Friday 13 August from 11am to 3pm.

There will be a barbeque and a variety of entertainment suitable for all ages.

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South West

From There... To Here: a new blog about the history of Wester Hailes

Prospect Community Housing has produced a blog, From There... To Here, that will publish a range of posts (articles, opinions and ideas) linked by the theme of the history of Wester Hailes.

As an area, Wester Hailes has a long history of community-led action. As early as 1970, before the building of the estate was complete, a tenants association had been set up to fight for improvements to the area. Wester Hailes has a fascinating history, sometimes controversial, always thought provoking. It is a place of social historical significance both in terms of its physical transformation but also through the emergence of a strong community that developed what was once regarded as one of the most sophisticated forms of community involvement in the UK.

Many of the initiatives that seemed so promising faltered as funding priorities changed. There are achievements to be celebrated but also lessons to be learned as regeneration efforts have found sustainability a challenge.

Prospect Community Housing has been looking for a way to share information, views and pictures from this story as widely as possible. They want people to be able to comment on what they see and read, and to add their own views, memories and thoughts. 

Whether you are a current or past resident, whether you work here now or you used to work here, or if you’ve simply got an interest in social history, public policy, urban regeneration and community activism, please take a look at From There... To Here and consider adding your comments or even contributing a short article.

Shiatsu - free information session

Health All Round is hosting a free Shiatsu information session on Thursday 26 August beginning at 12.30pm. 

Shiatsu therapist Kirsty Mooney will begin the session at 12.30pm with a brief over-view and demonstration of this amazing ancient Japanese Therapy.

This will be followed by 10 minute tasters, giving participants the opportunity to experience this fantastic therapy. We expect a high demand for this session and places are limited.

Please see the poster for more information and contact Claire on 0131 537 5730 to reserve your place.

Vacancy: Administrator at WHALE Arts Agency

WHALE Arts Agency is seeking an Administrator to run reception and central office services and to provide administrative support for projects.

The post is from September and is offered on a permanent, part-time basis (28 hours per week).

Please see recruitment details. For more information and an application pack, please contact Alsion Reeves at WHALE Arts on 0131 458 3267. Closing date for applications is Thursday 5 August.

Wester Hailes:Breaking News Photography Exhibition

Wester Hailes estate was 40 years old in 2009 and WHALE Arts Agency is celebrating its 18th birthday this year. What better excuse to look back at the history of this community as captured by the photographers of the Wester Hailes Sentinel and West Edinburgh Times? See if you can spot any familiar faces in these images of some of the key events and community members over the decades, as collected by the Wester Hailes Lives project.

Also exhibited: portraits of Edinburgh folk by Dalry photographer Josie O'Toole.

Please join the launch event for the exhibition and share your memories of these pictures and the community of Wester Hailes, on Thursday 5 August from 5.00pm to 7.00pm. The exhibition runs to 1 October.

Big West Fest

The Big West Fest takes place from Thursday 5 to Friday 13 August. The Big West Fest is Wester Hailes estate on site festival, linking people in the area to the Festivals by bringing a wee bit of it out West. This year's highlights include:

• Performances by Moving Parts and Chameleon Theatre Company
• Screening of 'Trouble Sleeping' by Theatre Workshop
• Meet the Author event with Sophie Cooke
• Ceilidh Dancing with Minnow Ceilidh Band
• And the launch of the South West Sounds project featuring performances by Rod Jones from IDLEWILD

All events are FREE! You can view the whole programme and book in advance by calling 0131 458 3267. Book now as places are limited.

Free Zumba class

Wester Hailes Health Agency is offering a new free Zumba class on Wednesdays from 4 to 5pm. See the poster for more details.

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Funding

Take a look at the Third Sector Funding Edinburgh blog for the latest information on grants and funding for the voluntary sector. There are new posts with details on the following:

• Funderfinder at Edinburgh Libraries
• CashBack4Communities
• Comic Relief UK
• Stations Community Regeneration Fund

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Send us your news

The deadline for the next issue of Voluntary Sector Forum News is 5pm Monday 30 August. Please send your news to Julia and also please ensure that you include the following information:

• a contact name and details for your news item - if this is not yourself, please specify or it will be your name published
• which section/s your news belongs in, eg one or more neighbourhoods (which ones?) or all neighbourhoods

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