Leith Theatre are hosting an advice coffee morning with ourselves and a number of our partner organisations on Wed 22 Feb. Why not drop in, warm up, have a cuppa and get some advice and support on a wide range of issues?
A charity’s trading arm is earning a national reputation for delivering practical support to the growing numbers of people in need of emergency assistance across the UK.
Local authorities, charities and housing associations are increasingly turning to Family Fund Business Services to provide them with cost-effective and easy access to thousands of essential products including white goods, furniture, energy vouchers, cash and food vouchers. These are then dispatched to people, including veterans and refugees, struggling financially to meet their most basic needs.
This rising reputation for trusted expertise and a focus on customer service as they deliver this support, has led to Family Fund Business Services being shortlisted for a top national award.
It is the only social enterprise to make the grade in the UK Customer Satisfaction Awards as a trusted quality provider- alongside corporate household names such as IBM, Next and Suzuki GB.
The awards event on 7 March is one of the most prestigious for customer service excellence across all industries in the UK.
Family Fund Business Services was established to generate additional funding for its parent charity Family Fund, the UK’s largest grant-making charity for families with disabled and seriously ill children, on low income.
Family Fund supports families with grants for essential items such as kitchen appliances, clothing, bedding, sensory toys, computers and tablets, much-needed family breaks and more.
Last year, the charity provided over 170,919 grants and services worth over £37 million to families across the UK.
Now in its tenth year, Family Fund Business Services, which gifts 100% of its profits to Family Fund, has generated over £9 million in total from its expertise in procuring essential goods on behalf of over 40 organisations.
Phil Henderson, Director of Family Fund Business Services, said: “Our clients include local authorities and major national charities supporting people in the greatest need.
“The fact they choose us again and again to procure and supply urgently-required essential goods such as beds and cookers, demonstrates their trust in us and the quality of our service.
“Once they work with us they stay with us – and recommend us to others. We are therefore extremely pleased to be in the shortlist for this top customer service award as a trusted provider.
“We really care about how we look after our customers and the people who receive the goods and services we provide, and we measure this every year through a customer survey.
“It’s great that these measures are confirmed by this external nomination for an award, and a real honour for an organisation of our size to be alongside the household names that are also on the shortlist.”
The value of grants fulfilled by Family Fund Business Services for clients in the last financial year (2021-22) was over £75M, more than triple the value delivered in 2019-20.
Home-Start Hampshire:
“We would thoroughly recommend working with FFBS as we have found the relationship to be invaluable in running our project, helping us distribute support to families across Hampshire.”
North Yorkshire County Council Local Assistance Fund:
“… above and beyond every time ….so proud of what we have able to do together for … those in North Yorkshire that need this support the most. Wonderfully efficient and hardworking dedicated team to the cause.”
Phil Henderson added: “Our unique business model means that we deliver social value twice over – our profits extend Family Fund’s vital grant-giving and at the same time our expertise with securing value-for-money contracts with suppliers, helps to extend the funding of other organisations. They can, then, help even more people facing hardship.
“What emerges from this is a unique model that drives real social change through collaborative working.”
Projects supporting people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness will receive a share of almost £1 million support funding announced today.
The money will help to provide warm spaces, hot meals, group activities and fuel payments to people most at risk of isolation including older people, young parents, carers and disabled people.
Organisations to receive grants/funds include Age Scotland, who will continue to deliver their ‘Keeping The Doors Open’ grants programme, and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland who are recruiting Urdu and Punjabi-speaking volunteers to make Kindness Calls.
Equalities and Older People’s Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Social isolation and loneliness can affect anyone, especially at this time of year when people can struggle to get outside and socialise. The pandemic and the cost of living crisis have increased isolation for some people, including young people, carers and disabled people.
“The funding will be a lifeline for a range of organisations who are helping to keep people connected during this challenging time.
“This fund is just one of the many crucial steps that we are taking to tackle social isolation and loneliness as part of our plan, A Connected Scotland.”
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Chief Executive Jane-Claire Judson said: “We know that living with a disability or long-term condition can be hugely isolating and that for those who are unable to read or communicate fluently in English, this isolation can be even more significant.
“This funding from the Scottish Government will greatly enhance the ability of our support services to reach non-English speaking and minority ethnic populations in Scotland to reduce isolation and loneliness.
“Ultimately, it will allow us to engage with and support more people across Scotland who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions, better enabling them to live their lives to the full.”
Chief Executive of Age Scotland Mark O’Donnell said: “Older people’s groups have an incredibly important role in communities across Scotland, supporting health and wellbeing, physical activity, tackling loneliness and food insecurity.
“Our research has identified that around 200,000 over-65s rely on groups like this but the impact of Covid-19 and spiralling inflation has meant that these lifelines have been facing incredible pressures to keeping their doors open. We’re incredibly grateful that the Scottish Government took notice of our research and our ask of greater financial support for older people’s groups.
“The funding will help many such groups and clubs meet the rising cost of energy bills, food, transport and venues to meet, ensuring that their members can stay connected and are able to be as well as they can be.”
18 projects and organisations will receive a share of £971,019. They are:
Twenty-four Scotland based Hip Hop artists working in music, visual arts, dance, drama, literature, and screen have received bursaries totalling more than £31,000 thanks to a growing nationwide programme of support designed to strengthen and sustain Scotland’s thriving Hip Hop community.
With a doubling of funding in this, its second year from Sunny Govan Radio, UP2STNDRD, 644 Studios and The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the Scottish Hip Hop Bursary Programme is providing one off grants of up to £1,500 to emerging and established artists towards development, presentation and promotion of new work.
From Turriff to Dumfries, Angus to Aberdeen, the bursaries are backing DJ workshops, the development of new EPs, singles, albums and music videos; dedicated writing, producing, audio engineering and dance training, the creation of new Hip Hop web series’, provision of DJ equipment and the roll out of new events.
Artist, producer, lyricist Queen of Harps (Anise Pearson – pictured above) is in development on a new EP and music video; Angus’ NoQuestion (Connor Metcalfe) is working on an instrumental beats album offering open-source material for future collaborations; and Tristyn Jay Trustler’s forthcoming album – created in memory of their mother, will form the basis for a new theatre production.
Edinburgh’s Werd (Andrew Devine), who’s using his bursary to develop a new album in collaboration with local producers, said “Sunny Govan’s always been a cornerstone in showcasing and supporting Hip Hop in Scotland.
This funding will allow anyone to progress doing what they love while easing financial concerns. I’m proud to be included and given the chance to push myself and others I work with and I encourage all independent acts to learn about these great opportunities on offer.”
Steg G of Sunny Govan Radio said: “These bursaries are an important step towards improving access to arts funding and support for new and existing Hip Hop adjacent artists to develop their skills and talents.
“Hip Hop’s energy, artistry and community spirit is alive and thriving in Scotland. It’s a culture, a movement, and a way of life. The ambition, the appetite is palpable and now we’re working together with partners to put the infrastructure and opportunities in place that will help sustain and grow Scotland’s vibrant and diverse scene.”
121 mentoring with legendary Hip Hop Artist Steg G, Talent Manager and Creative Producer Mobo Agoro or DJ and Producer K4CIE also features this year, alongside availability of additional access costs.
Jenny Tipton, Place, Partnerships & Communities Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Now in its second year, we’re excited to be able to provide refreshed opportunities for Scotland’s growing Hip Hop community and pleased to be able to offer increased provision, additional mentoring opportunities and further access support for each bursary.
“In a time of increased uncertainty for the creative sector, small bursary programmes like these are more important than ever to support artists to develop their careers and provide sustained opportunity across the multi art form genre that is Scottish Hip Hop. It’s with thanks to The National Lottery that we’re able to continue to support this programme.”
| Artist | Project Summary | Location | Amount £ |
| Karin Bezchlebova | DJ workshops for women in hip hop, supporting guest women DJs to deliver sessions. | Glasgow | £1,500 |
| Gracia Brill | 6 track EP for CrayTwinz that also documents the creative process via video so that it can be shared with other artists as a resource. | Dunbar | £1,000 |
| Steven Buckby | Hip Hop writing and producing workshops for women over 21 in Polmont Prison. | Fife | £1,478 |
| AJ Crawford | Two new singles with accompanying music videos. | Glasgow | £1,500 |
| Sean Cosgrove | Web series showcasing young Scottish MCs in a cypher format with artist as DJ. | Glasgow | £1,000 |
| Ibrahim Dikko | Collaborating with local videographer to develop music video for new music release. | Glasgow | £1,035 |
| Andrew Divine | New album for Werd (SOS) working with local producers. | Edinburgh | £1,500 |
| Yas Farzan | Filmed DJ sets showcasing 4 under-represented Hip Hop artists in Scotland. | Glasgow | £1,050 |
| Rowena Gatenby | Equipment to support artists development in DJing, and MCing. | Aberdeen | £1,500 |
| Lewis Linich | Audio engineering workshops for early career audio engineers and producers. | Glasgow | £1,500 |
| Connor Metcalfe | 16 track instrumental project by NoQuestion creating an open source beats material for future collaboration. | Angus | £879 |
| John Lee Miller | 5 track EP that highlights theme of mental health. | Glasgow | £1,000 |
| Andre Muvuti | 7 tracks with 7 Scottish producers focusing on spoken word pieces to be developed into music. | Glasgow | £1,500 |
| Ian Nijdam | Producing a collaborative Hip Hop EP with artists based across Scotland. | Glasgow | £1,250 |
| Anise Pearson | Develop new EP and music video for Queen of Harps. | Edinburgh | £1,000 |
| Harry Raitt | 3 track release, with recording, mixing, artwork and visuals collaborating with Scottish based creatives. | Turriff | £1,500 |
| Jordan Robertson | Collection of music videos to support development of work. | Glasgow | £1,000 |
| Alexander Romance | Live music event supporting under-represented artists in Hip Hop. | Dumfries and Galloway | £1,150 |
| Joe Rosenthal | Music video for band AROMA collaborating with rapper Skittles. | Glasgow | £1,500 |
| Nadia Sewnauth | Midgierakers Unite Dance workshops in collaboration with Shelltoe Mel, offering sessions for women and young people to learn different Hip Hop Dance styles. | Dumbarton | £1,500 |
| Sarah-Jayne Simpson | 2 tracks exploring contemporary life in the North East of Scotland. | Aberdeen | £1,262 |
| Faris El Sheikh | Working with producer Stu Brown and filmmaker Meray Dinar and contemporary dancer to develop a new song, music video and dance piece. | Glasgow | £1,500 |
| TJ Trusler | Album created in their mother’s memory, that will form the basis for a theatrical production. | Edinburgh | £1,500 |
| David Wark | Collaborating with Big City Brains in Copenhagen, two dance artists from the popping scene in Glasgow will travel to Copenhagen to meet this dance collective and develop a sustainable model of artist development for dancers. | Glasgow/Copenhagen | £1,500 |
MILES Briggs is calling on people living with epilepsy in Lothian and across the local authority to take part in a new national survey to understand the affect epilepsy can have on mental health, launched this week by Epilepsy Scotland.
Epilepsy is defined as the tendency to have repeated seizures which start in the brain and there are an estimated 58,000 people in Scotland living with epilepsy, which is the most common neurological condition.
This new national survey looks to understand the experiences of people of all ages living with epilepsy across Scotland and seeks to identify which specific support measures should be highlighted.
Miles Briggs said: “I am delighted to support Epilepsy Scotland in promoting this vitally important national survey to understand the specific mental health needs of people living with epilepsy in Scotland.
“There are an estimated 8108 people living with epilepsy in my region in Lothian, which can have a serious and detrimental impact on their mental wellbeing and general day-to-day activities.
“Depression and anxiety are just some of the mental health issues that epileptic people are more likely to develop as a result of the condition.
“I would encourage all my constituents and people across Scotland with epilepsy to make their voices heard through this vital survey.”
Lesslie Young, Chief Executive of Epilepsy Scotland, added: “We are pleased to have the support of Miles Briggs in promoting our ‘It’s Time to Talk about Epilepsy’ mental health survey to people living in Lothian and across Scotland.
“Epilepsy can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health and almost every person we support through our national helpline is affected by mental health struggles.
“To someone living with uncontrolled seizures, there is a significant psychological impact of never knowing when the next seizure is going to happen. For some who have controlled seizures, the medication can have side effects which affect mood and mental health.
“I would encourage anyone living with epilepsy to share your experiences through our survey, to ensure your voice is heard.”
The survey will run for six weeks and will close on Monday 13 March 2023.
To complete the survey, please go to:
Parents and guardians who get qualifying benefits or tax credits and who have a child born between 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018 are being urged to check whether they should apply for Best Start Grant School Age Payment as this year’s deadline approaches.
Applications for the one-off payment of £267.65 per child, which can be used for books, bags, clothes and equipment for school, have to be submitted by midnight on the 28 February closing date.
The Scottish Government introduced automatic payments for Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment in November 2022. Parents and guardians who get Scottish Child Payment will get School Age Payment automatically when their child reaches eligibility and within the School Age Payment window of 1 June to 28 February.
There are some people who don’t qualify for Scottish Child Payment that could be eligible for School Age Payment, including those who get housing benefit.
There may be others who choose not to apply for Scottish Child Payment who can still apply for School Age Payment. There are also parents and guardians who opted out of automatic payments so they could have more control around when they receive this money. All of these people are being urged to check if they could be due School Age Payment and to apply if they do.
Statistics last week revealed that more than £105.8 million has been paid by Social Security Scotland in the Best Start group of payments – which also includes Pregnancy and Baby Payment and Early Learning Payment.
Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “If you have a child in the family aged five, or who turns five this month, then you could be eligible for School Age Payment.
“We are making it easier than ever to apply but we still ask people to check and make sure they know what they are entitled to.
“The Best Start Grant payments, which include School Age Payment, were the first three of our five family payments to be introduced.
“To date we’ve provided more than £100 million across these three payments.
“Making these payments automatic, where we have the information to do so, will enable us to get this money to families at key stages in their child’s development and when they may face additional costs.”
Ahead of Time to Talk Day (tomorrow, 2nd February), Business Gateway has announced the launch of a new training programme for its local advisers in association with SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health.
With guidance from experts at Scotland’s national mental health charity, business advisers across Scotland will participate in webinars to help equip them with the skills to encourage more open conversations about mental wellbeing amongst Scottish small business owners.
Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer at Business Gateway, commented: “We have a network of local advisers who manage relationships with Scotland’s most inspiring and innovative small business owners, however, many of these business owners operate alone and are under increased pressure because of the ongoing economic challenges.
“Business Gateway is already supporting SMEs through several business start-up and growth support programmes, but we are becoming acutely aware of the need to offer additional wellbeing support, which could be as simple as asking someone if they are doing okay, or that they are taking time for themselves.
“The training delivered by SAMH will focus on helping our business advisers to identify and support individuals who may be struggling, and will also provide advice on how to signpost them to appropriate resources and support services.”
Emma Mamo, Assistant Director of Workplace & Business Development at SAMH, added: “Every year, one in four of us in Scotland will experience a mental health problem, so it’s important to empower as many people as possible with the necessary confidence and skills to support others who may be going through a tough time.
“This training will be a vital addition to Business Gateway’s offering and we’re looking forward to helping its team make a positive impact among the business community.”
Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation.
Taking place annually, it encourages friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.
To find out more on how Business Gateway can help your business, visit:
Are you worried about going through menopause? Are you peri-menopausal or have questions about either?
Come along to the M Club on Monday 6th February.
This session will focus on our to keep calm, relax and also how important knowledge is at any stage.
Contact shescotland-victoriaburns@outlook.com for more information
As Breathing Space Day approaches on 1st February 2023 the message for people across Scotland who might be feeling down is one of hope and support.
Scotland’s mental health service, Breathing Space, is encouraging people to open up when they are feeling down, instead of hiding behind the phrase we all use, ‘I’m fine’.
Opening up to friends, colleagues, or family is a good place to start but the service’s trained advisers know it’s not for everyone. It recommends finding ways to support one’s own breathing space in ways to suit them which might include a brisk walk, a favourite TV show or podcast, a good book, a feel-good play list or simply some time to sit quietly with their thoughts and feelings.
Breathing Space benches across the country provide spaces for a quiet moment or a quick chat. Breathing Space unveiled its 50th bench recently in Golspie, Highland, in partnership with Change Mental Health as they marked50 years of supporting people.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is as important as looking after our physical health. That message is especially relevant now, given the continuing challenges which we all face in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis.
“Breathing Space is a free service providing vital out-of-hours support to people across Scotland who are feeling low, stressed, or anxious. I am pleased to highlight the help available and to support Breathing Space Day.
“I would urge anyone who is experiencing low mood, anxiety or distress in their lives to get in touch with Breathing Space or to look at the range of helpful advice on the website.”
Tony McLaren, National Coordinator of Breathing Space, said: “We are all finding our way in uncertain times right now. If you are struggling to find your own breathing space, please don’t hide behind ‘fine’. Our team are here for you and you can lift the phone or contact us on webchat to open up.
“Our advisors at Breathing Space are available in the evenings and at the weekends on 0800 83 85 87 or through web chat, to listen and offer information and advice.”
Blackhall Mosque – Sunday 29 January House O’Hill Rd, Edinburgh EH4 2AJ
Islamic Relief UK is partnering with community pillars including Blackhall Mosque, Crookston Community Group and Masjid Al Hikmah to distribute 500 essential food hampers and supermarket vouchers to vulnerable families.
The new year continues to see the cost of living crisis pushing families into poverty and Scotland has seen an alarming rise in food insecurity and the need for financial assistance, fuelling the need for food banks across the city.
Islamic Relief UK will continue to support the most affected through food banks, mosques and other organisations but are calling on the UK government to ensure people have adequate incomes to cover the essentials.
A new report by the Resolution Foundation finds that there are large increases in people unable to afford essentials compared to the pre-pandemic period. In November 2022, 28 per cent (up from 9 per cent pre-pandemic) of adults say that they could not afford to eat balanced meals, and 11 per cent or 6 million adults (up from 5 per cent pre-pandemic) reported being hungry in the past month but they didn’t eat as they lacked enough money to buy food.
These very alarming outcomes are more common among groups known to experience disadvantage. This includes low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees who were already struggling to feed themselves.
Many families in Scotland have been hit hard by the pandemic and suffered a cold Winter of choosing whether to heat or eat.
To help some of the most vulnerable, hampers will be packed with essential food by staff and volunteers, before delivery to locations across the city and residents.
The food packs will contain essential items such as bread, pasta, tea, biscuits, oil, sugar and others.
Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said: “Food banks are not a sustainable or dignified way to help people who are struggling to survive because they do not have a sufficient or reliable income. We will continue to support the most vulnerable through our programmes, but food banks should not exist in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
“The current cost of living crisis has revealed just how much the UK’s benefits system is failing to support those on the lowest incomes. Only long-term structural change will give people the best chance of escaping poverty and living with dignity.
“The UK government must do more to deal with the immediate impacts of the cost of living crisis, but also undertake a fundamental review of the UK’s social security system with a view to ensuring benefits provide people with an adequate income to cover their essential needs.”
About Blackhall Mosque and Association of Scottish Muslims
Association of Scottish Muslims (formely CEPA) is a registered charity founded in 2001 by concerned Muslims from Edinburgh. Its purpose is to work with the Muslim community and statutory organisations to build an infrastructure to provide a range of services to promote the inclusion, the development and the welfare of Muslims, enabling them to become a responsible and thriving part of civic life.
Locations:
Masjid Al Hikmah – Saturday January 28 2023 11am – 4pm 31-33 St Clement Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5FU
Blackhall Mosque – Sunday 29 January, 1 House O’Hill Rd, Edinburgh EH4 2AJ
Crookston Community Group – Tuesday January 31 11am-3pm 1005 Paisley Road West, Glasgow, G52 1EQ
