Tag: support

Business Gateway helps over 34,000 businesses respond to COVID-19

Business Gateway, Scotland’s national business support service, has helped 34,687 established and start-up businesses over the last 12 months as they were forced to adapt and respond to the challenges of the pandemic, according to recent figures.

The service also had to quickly adapt its own services. One-to-one support for businesses and the self-employed and those thinking about starting a business, was carried out via video or telephone calls instead of face-to-face and all previously planned workshops were made available as webinars. Additionally, a suite of new resources was developed to support businesses trying to adapt to new circumstances.

Now, as businesses across Scotland prepare to look to the future following months of closure and tight restrictions, the service is building on its programme of free support and resources to provide business owners with relevant advice and guidance when they need it most.

This support includes national webinars covering key topics – including HR, Health and wellbeing, customer service, business strategy, marketing on a budget and writing a business plan – as well as a series of Back to Business panel webinars where businesses will also have the chance to put their questions around reopening directly to industry partners such as the Federation of Scottish Businesses, VisitScotland and the Scottish Retail Consortium.

Alongside this, business owners are encouraged to reach out to their local Business Gateway office where 1:1 support from an experienced adviser can help businesses deal with issues that they have right and plan ahead.

Additionally, through Business Gateway’s digital up-skilling programme DigitalBoost, businesses have access to a variety of free support and resources to help them gain valuable digital skills with over 660 1:1 sessions carried out over the past year.

Resources include webinars, a digital health check, 1:1 support from a digital expert, online tutorials, and practical guides on topics including online competitor analysis, setting up your digital presence when starting up, streaming your classes, digital marketing to find new customers, selling online & selecting online booking systems.

One business that benefited from the Business Gateway service this year is Isle of Cumbrae Distillers, Millport’s first gin distillery, which launched in September 2020 with its signature ‘Nostalgin’.

The business, led by a five-strong female team; Bronwyn Jenkins-Deas, Jenine Ward, Juli Dempsey, Phillipa Dalton and Lynda Gill, already has plans to expand, with three additional jobs projected for the island in the short term. create two additional jobs in the region.

Bonded by a love of the gin and a passion for the Island community, they met as strangers in a local pub to discuss fundraising for the local town hall and with that, the idea for Isle of Cumbrae Distillers was born.

Business Gateway supported the owners from a holistic, business perspective and signposted to various DigitalBoost webinars, guiding the team through the initial stages of development, and providing advice on taking the product to market.

As well as a suite of start-up support services including advice on company regulations, funding, premises and HR issues, the team accessed Business Gateway’s fully funded workshops throughout the planning stages of their new business venture.

Bronwyn Jenkins-Deas, joint director, Isle of Cumbrae Distillers, said: “Launching during the pandemic was risky, but Business Gateway gave us the confidence in our new skill sets, supported by the DigitalBoost programme.

“The webinars were exceptional, helped us develop our online presence and brand and reach our target audiences.”

Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer at the Business Gateway National Unit said: “Since this crisis began, our local offices, national unit and advisers have worked tirelessly to provide vital support to businesses and the self-employed across Scotland, and these figures are a testament to their efforts.

“While it is welcome to see more businesses engage with the Business Gateway service, we appreciate that this has been an immensely difficult period for everyone.

“For those thinking about starting up a business, the last year has presented some of the most difficult economic and operating conditions since the 2008 financial crash, so it’s understandable some plans might have been put on hold.

“However, with the focus now firmly on reopening, Business Gateway will continue to provide critical support to businesses at every stage of their journey, guiding them towards a brighter future.”

UK sends medical equipment to India to help fight Covid-19

  • Ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices due to leave UK today
  • The support follows a request from India and PM pledge for the UK to do all it can
  • First package due to arrive in Delhi on Tuesday, with further shipments later this week

More than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against Covid-19, the UK Government has announced.

The assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks. It will be used by the Government of India to provide vital medical treatment to those suffering from Covid-19 in India.

The Department of Health and Social Care have worked closely with the NHS, as well as suppliers and manufacturers in the UK to identify reserve life-saving equipment that can be sent to India.

India has this week reported its highest numbers of new daily cases and deaths since the pandemic began and is facing severe shortages of oxygen.

Following discussions with the Government of India, the first shipment of equipment will leave the UK today, arriving in New Delhi in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Further shipments are due to follow later this week.

In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week.

This equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India. The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out.

The UK is working closely with the Government of India to identify further assistance it can provide in the coming days.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against COVID-19.

“Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus.

“We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time and I’m determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against the pandemic.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “We are supporting our Indian friends with vital medical equipment at a difficult time for them in this pandemic.

“We have all got to work together to tackle Covid-19. India is a very important partner to us, so we’re providing oxygen concentrators and ventilators to help save the lives of the most vulnerable. We will be following up on this first delivery with further support, based on our ongoing discussions with the Indian Government.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: The heart-breaking scenes in India show once again how awful this terrible disease is. We are determined to support the people of India through this very difficult time, and I am hugely grateful to those who have worked hard to make this initial delivery happen.

“This first delivery of life saving equipment will provide much needed assistance and we stand ready to do more. The global pandemic has challenged health systems all across the world and the best way to overcome adversity is to unite and defeat this dreadful disease together.

“This is the just the latest example of UK-India collaboration throughout this pandemic, to the benefit of both countries and the world.”

Borders-based Agricultural Society gears up to re-open

A Kelso-based agricultural society is ready to re-open this year after overcoming the challenges of the past twelve months, thanks to support from Bank of Scotland.

The Border Union Agricultural Society (BUAS), formed in 1813, would typically hold four major events a year but saw them all cancelled thanks to the pandemic.

The Championship Dog Show qualifier for Crufts, the Border Union Agricultural Show in July and the BUAS’ annual Kelso Ram Sales, the biggest of its type in Europe, and the Borders Countryside Education day for all primary 5s in the Scottish Borders, were all cancelled in 2020.

The Society’s income was also hit by the cancellation of weddings, events and seminars that were frequently held in its main hall and the showground.

The BUAS received support from Bank of Scotland with a £210k Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme loan.

The funding has helped the business to pay ongoing business costs not covered by government support schemes and cancellation costs for events.

Now, the Society has become the site of an NHS vaccination clinic to support vaccination efforts in the Borders, and is hoping to hold some of their events this year.

Verity Mutch, administrator at the Border Union Agricultural Society, said: “After the first lockdown last March we saw all of our main events and hall hires for the year cancelled. This was extremely difficult for the Society as we missed out on our main sources of revenue for the entire year.

“Thankfully Bank of Scotland have been very supportive. We’ve been working with them since 1964 and knew they’d be on hand to help us through this difficult time.

“Over the coming months we are hoping to hold some of our events again – albeit in a scaled back capacity. While we took the difficult decision to cancel our agricultural show in January, we hope to hold our ram sales again in September and potentially our dog show in October.”

Julie McLaren, relationship manager at Bank of Scotland, said: “Despite the cancellation of its major annual events, BUAS has worked hard to keep operations running and is now in a position to welcome both members and visitors back once restrictions allow.

“At Bank of Scotland, we’ve supported the business through this challenging period and look forward to seeing the events back on our calendar as soon as possible.

“As with BUAS, we will remain by the side of business in Scotland as we support firms through the remaining months of the pandemic.”

Scotland Gas Networks: Helping people stay safe from abuse

SGN has partnered with crisis charity Hestia, their ‘UK Says No More’ campaign and Royal Mail Group to provide Online Safe Spaces for victims of domestic abuse to access specialist support and information through our website.

Online Safe Spaces is a portal that you can access via the logo in the footer of our website. By clicking on the Safe Spaces portal, you will access the Online Safe Space, which holds a directory of national domestic abuse helplines, a directory of local specialist domestic abuse services, and an assessment questionnaire. It also leaves no trace in the user’s browser history.

The portal is accessible in a variety of languages and has a quick exit button, taking the user back to the original page they were on, thereby providing a degree of safety to the user.

It comes at a crucial time for keeping people safe during the pandemic. Recent figures show that:

  • One in five offences recorded by police during and immediately after the first national lockdown in England and Wales involved domestic abuse.
  • In the year ending March 2020, 2.3m adults are estimated to have experienced domestic abuse over twelve months.
  • In Scotland, there were 30,718 charges reported in 2019-20 related to domestic abuse. It’s the highest since 2015-16, and is 5.7% higher than the year before.

Around 20 organisations have signed up including eBay, Royal Mail Group including the Post Office and Parcelforce, Ministry of Defence, and Thames Water. It’s estimated that in the last four months of 2020, there were nearly 4,000 visits to Online Safe Spaces every single day.

Claire Barnett, Executive Director of UN Women UK, said: “Covid-19 has led to increases in violence against women that threaten to roll back achievements in gender equality by decades.

“UN Women has been working with local partners to create safer public spaces for the past ten years, including through our project Safe Spaces Now. I am delighted to see the Online Safe Space initiative innovating by using existing platforms and partners to share critical information on women’s services.”

Maureen McIntosh, our Head of Customer Experience, added: “We regularly provide additional support and help to our customers who are living in vulnerable circumstances, and I’m pleased we’re going even further now by providing important information to also help people who are experiencing abuse.

“Sometimes people don’t know where to turn to for help, in what can be really difficult or dangerous situations, and I hope we can help people further and they are able to find the extra safety and security they need.”

Lyndsey Dearlove, Head of Domestic Abuse Prevention at Hestia said: “Businesses have a unique role to play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse and ensuring victims can access the help and support they need.

“Lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19 have provided an opportunity for businesses to step up their response to domestic abuse for their staff and customers through digital platforms. With the launch of Online Safe Spaces, we are delighted to work with SGN to provide their first online safe space to provide a vital lifeline to victims of domestic abuse.”

We’re proud to be the first energy network to launch the portal on our website.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. We’re committed to doing all we can to keep our people and the communities we work in safe in as many ways as possible.

Free virtual conference on impact of pandemic on children for people working with Edinburgh families

Supporting children during the pandemic and beyond, is the focus of a free online conference being held for people working with families in Edinburgh.

The virtual conference has been organised by Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and NSPCC Scotland to mark the end of a year-long campaign launched to encourage families in the city to access support and advice.

Anyone who works with children or families in Edinburgh can sign up to the conference, which is being hosted on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, April 13th, between 2pm and 5pm.

Speakers will look at how the pandemic has impacted children, the ways in which organisations have adapted to help struggling families and what has been learned during the last year.

Attendees will hear about the All of Us campaign, which was launched to prevent child neglect by encouraging families to get help at an early stage and giving advice on how to support those who were struggling.

There will also be an opportunity for people to discuss how to better support children and families in Edinburgh in the future.

Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “The pandemic has presented many hardships for families, including financial pressures, school closures, relationship strains, isolation and ill-health, and it has been more important than ever that people feel they can reach out for support and advice and get help.

“Organisations in Edinburgh have worked hard to find ways to adapt and support families while social distancing measures have been in place. This conference will give us the opportunity to look at what we have learned over the last year and how we can best support families in Edinburgh in the future.”

Jackie Irvine, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “We know that even as we move out of lockdown, people will continue to experience the impact of the pandemic on their lives.

“Protecting young people and supporting families remains a priority for us and we want everyone across the city to be aware of where to turn for help if they or someone they know is struggling.

“It is crucial that we work together to find the best ways of supporting families across the city during this difficult time and beyond.”

Early last year, as part of the campaign, a number of community events were held across the city but further ones were cancelled because of Covid-19 and all activities were moved online, including workshops, seminars and a family fun-day.

In April, the partnership brought together information on its web page about organisations and contacts where families could go for help and support during lockdown. 

This included information on support offered by public services, voluntary agencies and charities. Some examples were food banks, financial advice, crisis loans, mental health support, activities for children and support and advice on home learning.

The information was sent in food boxes to more than 300 families across the city and via email to parents through schools, and it was highlighted through social media campaigns. This resource has continued to be regularly updated throughout the pandemic.

The campaign raised awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who were struggling through lunchtime learning sessions and webinars.

To find out more about the campaign visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/allofus.

To sign up for the conference visit bit.ly/3w3UCjK or email allofus@safefamilies.uk.

For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm.

People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324.

Law firm Gillespie Macandrew announces charity partnerships

Gillespie Macandrew announces new charity partnership with Alzheimer Scotland and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

Leading Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew has begun a three year charity partnership with Alzheimer Scotland and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC).  Alzheimer Scotland provides support for those living with dementia and the ECHC supports children and their families in a variety of healthcare settings.

The new partnerships are a key part of the Firm’s overall Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, which includes donating 1% of pre-tax profits each year to the nominated charities.  The firm has an established and active CSR committee which includes representatives from all four of Gillespie Macandrew’s offices.   

As well as financial support, staff are given a day off each year to take part in charitable activities and as a result of this commitment to the nominated charities, the Firm has donated a total of over £130,000 in the past five years.

Chief Executive Officer Robert Graham Campbell commented: “We have a long and proud history of supporting charitable causes, whether it is engagement though volunteering, providing funding and pro-bono legal advice or partnering to host training opportunities. 

“We look forward to working with our two new charity partners to support the excellent and valuable work they do.”

Stakeholder Engagement Lead from Alzheimer Scotland, Caroline Miller said: “The incredible commitment from Gillespie Macandrew will help us provide a range of person-centred support for people living with dementia and their families, who have been devastated by the pandemic.

Money raised will also go towards our exciting project to build the UK’s first Virtual Dementia Resource Centre so we can offer support no matter where you are and what time of the day it is.”

ECHC’s Fundraiser Amy Ford added: “Gillespie Macandrew’s support over the next three years means that we can continue transforming the experiences of every child and young person in hospital and healthcare throughout the duration of the pandemic and beyond.

When the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People opens on Tuesday 23 March, ECHC will be there to support children, young people and families in many ways and we simply could not do this without the generosity and kindness of our charity partners like Gillespie Macandrew.”

Alzheimer Scotland and ECHC were nominated and voted for by staff and Gillespie Macandrew is pleased to be able to offer our support, particularly at a time of increased pressure on the services they provide. 

The firm has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth and advises on all areas of land and rural business, private client, commercial real estate, energy, tax and disputes. 

Minister announces plans for improvement in drug services

Women, families and children are among those who will benefit from separate funds worth a total of £18 million to improve drugs services.

Four schemes are planned for May with the funds coming from the additional £250 million announced by the First Minister to tackle the drug deaths emergency over the next five years.

The four projects will aim to develop consistent treatment standards around the country and ensure more people can get access to services that can reduce harm, provide treatment and ultimately save their lives.

The four funds are:

  • a £5 million Communities Fund to provide resources to community and third sector organisations to increase capacity  
  • a £5 million Improvement Fund to support improvements to services for outreach, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare, with dedicated support for women
  • a £3 million Families and Children Fund to support the families of those affected by drug misuse during treatment
  • a £5 million Recovery Fund for additional residential rehabilitation capacity 

Minister for Drugs Policy Angela Constance said: “We have said a national mission is needed to tackle the drug deaths emergency and this coming year will see funding for alcohol and drugs support increasing to £140.7 million.

“This latest round of funding sees us build on the £1 million Communities Fund and £1 million Improvement Fund we launched in February. We want to make additional resources available to more community and third sector organisations so that we can support more people into treatment and offer support to their families.

“I am pleased we are also able to direct more funding to develop services specifically for women and children. We want to make it easier for women to access treatment by removing any barriers such as a lack of childcare.

“I have already committed to taking action on the recommendations from the Residential Rehabilitation Working Group and this will be backed by £100 million over the next five years.

“We recognise residential rehabilitation may not be for everyone which is why we are determined, as part of our national mission, to make sure that people can access whatever treatment is right for them in the right place at the right time.”

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs CEO Justina Murray said: “There is an urgent need to improve support for children, young people and adult family members – all of whom are harmed by others’ alcohol and drug use, and all of whom have faced even bigger harms during the COVID pandemic.

“We know most family members remain hidden due to the stigma, shame and secrecy of substance use in the family, along with the lack of visible, high quality family support across Scotland.

“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government and with families to transform this situation, so that every family member in Scotland can reach the support they need, regardless of their situation or location.”

New chair and four new trustees for LifeCare Edinburgh

LifeCare Edinburgh has appointed Beverley Francis as its new chair and welcomes four new trustees to the board as the organisation celebrates its 80th year.

The renowned local charity offers registered care, outreach activities and help at home services for older people living across the North of the city. Established in 1941, the organisation supports over 800 elderly clients a year including those suffering with dementia, mobility issues, those experiencing isolation and loneliness, food poverty, mental health problems and support for carers. 

Beverley Francis has been involved the charity since 2018 and was appointed vice-chair a year ago.  Elaine Aitken will take up the position as vice-chair having been with the charity since 2017. 

She brings extensive public and third sector experience to the role.  Bringing 16 years in key positions within Scottish Government, including in welfare reform and most recently in health improvement, Francis also has her own consultancy supporting the third sector. 

She is currently in the role as Interim Director for ProjectScotland where she has supported the merger with Volunteering Matters and has previously supported mental health charities AdvoCard and Partners in Advocacy. 

Ms Francis takes over as chair from Jock Miller who held the position for six years. Miller will remain on the board as a trustee.

A further four trustees have joined the board.  Susan Mallinder, Christopher Paton, Jane Hogg and Momin Rasheed all joined the charity at the start of the year.  The new trustees all bring varying backgrounds, experience and skills which will help to shape and drive the organisation’s continued success.

Beverley Francis said: “On behalf of everyone on the board, past and present, we would like to sincerely thank Jock for his leadership, dedication and sheer hard-work over the past 10 years. 

“Through his direction we have successfully and quickly navigated the multiple challenges of COVID-19 and continued to provide essential care to over 500 older people through the crisis who simply could not survive without it.

“I feel absolutely honoured to take up the role of chair at such a vitally important time for us all. 

“Older people have been disproportionately affected by this life-shattering crisis.  We do not yet know the real impact this past year will have had on the people we care for within our communities.  So, we need to be ready to adapt, redesign and deliver the bespoke care they will need in a compassionate and caring way. We need to make sure our older people can safely and confidently re-enter our communities, and they will need our support to do so.

“As LifeCare enters its 80th year as a charity, we are all thrilled to welcome four new trustees to the board who are all eager to get involved.  I am excited to work more closely with the senior management team, alongside our new chief executive Damian McGowan.  Once we are able, I very much look forward to getting out into the community to safely meet with the people we support, our hardworking staff and all of our dedicated volunteers.”

LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and relies on the support of its funders.  Key relationships include Barclays, The TOR Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Tesco Bank and all the many local people who take part in community fundraising events.

For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/

Being everything you can be

Support for children with disabilities

Education, Children and Families Vice Convener Cllr Alison Dickie writes about support for children with disabilities:

Being everything you can be.

It’s a grand line, and actually one of the aims of our new children’s services plan.  In true Council style though, there are more words: ‘It is important to promote and support every child’s aspirations to ensure they can become everything they can be, now and in the future.’

Yip, that all sounds hunky dory but I’m wondering … does that truly include children with disabilities, particularly those with the most complex needs?

Let’s put it this way.  Have you ever watched a parent’s eyes well up as they plead for their young person to be given a purpose to get out of bed every morning?  Or for recognition of their worth, and their ability to contribute to society in some way? 

Or, as fears replace tears, hear them voice their deepest dread …what will happen to them when I am gone?

I have and it’s heart-breaking.

Despite the wide range of dedicated work going on across Edinburgh to deliver for children with disabilities and their families, parents have shared that it can sometimes feel that they’ve had to fight for the right of their child to be everything they can be.

I first questioned the message we send out to young people with disabilities whilst on a tour of St Crispin’s school in my ward.  I was appalled at its condition, its failure to reflect the fantastic work of the staff and pupils within, and the story of our value of them.  Thankfully, a new chapter has been written and they will, this year, move into their wonderful and much deserved new school at Burdiehouse.

How do you solve a ‘problem’ like … the holiday support programme? 

I’m asked this every year, and the education committee discussed it just last week.  In the past, it’s been cited as a non-statutory service, even a luxury not afforded by other Councils.  But, listen to the stories of families at breaking point, who cry out for this need, and you’re convinced this is vital respite for the whole family and to help young people thrive.

So, whilst there are big issues to be addressed, such as safety and staffing, we aim to return to the pre-covid provision in the summer, and through engagement with parents, look to how we can further improve this service.

And what of those positive destinations…more so, the lack of them, for young adults with the most complex needs? 

Here, communication about what is available, earlier and stronger transitional support, an understanding that one size doesn’t fit all, and a more flexible and collaborative approach are all being considered as we explore with parents how to grow these opportunities and give every young person a future. 

Some of this will have budgetary implications, and some the need for more innovative thinking, but one thing’s for sure…every young person has strengths, interests and potential to use in their unique way.

Lockdown has been difficult for everyone, but it’s been particularly challenging for these children and their families. As part of the recovery process, let’s push for progress and help all young people to be what they can be.

This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News

Rental sector loan schemes extended

Tenants and private sector landlords facing financial difficulties caused by the pandemic have more time to access support after two loan schemes were extended.

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and the Private Rent Sector Landlord (non-business) COVID-19 Loan Scheme, both of which offer interest-free loans, will continue to receive applications beyond the original deadline of 31 March 2021.

It comes after Housing Minister Kevin Stewart extended temporary regulations banning the enforcement of eviction orders in the private and social rented sectors, giving further safeguards to tenants during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Mr Stewart said: “Throughout this pandemic our focus has been on enabling people to stay safe in their homes while the lockdown restrictions needed to suppress the virus are in place.

“These loan schemes have provided vital support as part of our broader effort to help those facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. For the majority of tenants facing financial difficulties and arrears the best means of support continues to be regular non-repayable support, for example through Universal Credit and Discretionary Housing Payments.

“However, for those who may fall through the gap and are unable to claim such support, these funds offer a helping hand to manage any rent issues that have arisen in the last few months as a result of COVID-19.

“We have been clear that no landlord should evict a tenant because they have suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic and that tenants in difficulty should engage with their landlord and seek advice on the options open to them.”

Applications for the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and the Private Rent Sector Landlord (non-business) COVID-19 Loan Scheme can be completed online.