The serious neurological condition Myalgic Encephalomylitis (M.E.) will sadly be all too familiar to some of your readers: at least 20,000 children and adults in Scotland live with M.E., also diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or M.E./CFS).
Many face barriers in accessing health and social care services that meet their needs, and some professionals still don’t understand the impact of M.E. and its symptoms.
UK charity Action for M.E. is trying to change this by offering people with M.E. across Scotland one-to-one advocacy, via phone and email, to help them be heard, understand their rights and access support.
We want to expand this much-needed service, and are seeking enthusiastic volunteers in Scotland who can make the most of our online advocate training programme to develop their skills, gain valuable experience, and help improve the lives of vulnerable people with M.E., all from home.
Anyone who is interested in finding out more can call, email or visit our website – we would love to hear from good listeners who can spare two hours a week.
The New Year is usually a time for a fresh start – making resolutions, getting fit, setting new challenges and goals. But with the continuing uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems harder to commit to making a change.
With restrictions ongoing, it’s becoming even more important for us to find new and innovative ways to raise vital funds for NSPCC Scotland to help children at risk of abuse and neglect.
Children have been greatly affected by the pandemic. Since the first lockdown measures were introduced, the average monthly number of referrals from the NSPCC’s helpline to agencies in Scotland, such as the police or children’s services, have been more than 50% higher than the first three months of 2020. And the effects are far from over.
Even with social distancing, there are still many ways you can fundraise for us. From hosting a virtual quiz or coffee morning to selling handmade crafts, cakes or old clothes, we’ve got lots of great virtual fundraising ideas you can try while following the Scottish Government’s advice on social distancing.
By volunteering just a couple of hours each month, fundraising in your local area, you can help make 2021 a better year for children.
So please think about using your New Year passion and enthusiasm to come up with some ideas to fundraise and help us be there when children need us most.
Projects that will boost the physical and mental health of young Scots are amongst those sharing in £732,323 of dormant bank accounts funding announced on Thursday.
Ten projects, run for and by young people, are celebrating the cash from The National Lottery Community Fund’s Young Start fund.
One of them is Edinburgh’s Capital City Partnership, who receive £62, 500. The city council’s arms-length employability agency will use their Young Start funding to work with ‘young people in Edinburgh at high risk of unemployment’ who will be supported by a dedicated Employment Advocacy worker. The project will work with twenty young people and will also offer two volunteering opportunities.
The Young Start funding will remove barriers to sport and physical activity for young disabled Scots like racerunner athlete Wiktoria Mucha following a grant of £66,000 to local charity,PHSYICAL.
Wiktoria Mucha, 18, from Blairgowrie has cerebral palsy and is a member of Perth Strathtay Harriers which is one of the many partner organisations and sports clubs that PHYSICAL will work with as part of their Young Start funded ‘Positive Beginnings’ project.
Over the next three years hundreds of young people from Perth & Kinross will be able to access coaching opportunities, accredited courses, volunteering opportunities, one to one mentoring and peer support.
Welcoming the news Wiktoria said: “I enjoy race-running as it improves your overall fitness and emotional well-being. I’m looking forward to taking part in Positive Beginnings as I think it will help me with my confidence by meeting other people and learning new skills.”
PHYSICAL trustee Jim Hunter added: “This Young Start grant will allow us to evolve and grow our ‘Positive Beginnings’ programme. Young disabled people, like Wiktoria, will be at the centre of this process and involved throughout.
“It will help each young person develop lifelong skills and knowledge through the platform of sport and physical activity. This cash boost goes a long way to help us reach the financial target for this project.”
Meanwhile, Dundee Football Club in the Community Trust receives £95,624 to help build the confidence, skills and future employment prospects of young people aged between 15 and 24.
The project will create a safe space for young people to access work placements and further education opportunities whilst using their local knowledge to plan and deliver activities for their communities.
Over two years, it will support 45 young people who will create, design and benefit from the programme.
Welcoming the news, Greg Fenton, Community Manager, Dundee FC In The Community Trust, said: “We are delighted with the news of our Young Start grant, which will help us achieve what we set out as a charity to Deliver Change and Transform Lives in our community.
“This project will give young people a fantastic chance in life and, working with our team and partners, this will increase their positive life chances and support them into further education and/or employment.
“The Trust have guaranteed to employ some of the young people on full time and part time contracts from the programme for a full year, so they can give back to their community whilst transforming their lives and the lives of other young people.”
Young Start awards dormant bank and building society cash to youth-led projects across Scotland and is delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund.
The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “At a time when young people are understandably concerned about their futures, it’s great to see that today’s Young Start funding will provide access to accredited courses, volunteering and training opportunities.
“This in turn will help to grow the confidence of many young people like Wiktoria who will lead from the front and realise their full potential.”
Groups wanting to know more about Young Start, and how it can support them during these unprecedented times should telephone 0141 846 0447 or visit https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/youngstart
The UK public feel that any sense of ‘community togetherness’ that has been built during the coronavirus crisis will disperse as soon as it is over says a new study commissioned by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham .
A poll undertaken by Populus of 2,088 adults in the UK found that older generations and women have felt a stronger sense of community togetherness recently, compared with younger generations and men, who have not felt this to the same degree.
Conversely, there was the opposite generational gap identified in terms of those who agreed that community togetherness would disappear after the crisis is over, with those aged 45-64 being most negative (61%), compared with less than half of those aged 18-24 (46%).
This suggests that there has been a marked generational divide in how people have responded to the crisis. This is highlighted further in responses from 18-24 year olds to the valuing of health of older generations today over longer-term economic prosperity. Younger people disagreed with this statement in larger numbers (13%) than those aged over 45 (9%).
The importance of character in times of crisis was highlighted, as 68% of the British public valued ‘being compassionate/caring’ in their top 3 most valued character strengths seen in those around them – an identical figure to a preliminary poll conducted in April 2020; they also valued it the most in terms of personal well-being (25%). Yet, concerns over the lack of community spirit were further emphasised.
Findings showed that less than a quarter of the British public have given their time to benefit others during the crisis. Of those who have, 18-24 year olds and those aged 55-64 have volunteered the most, with women volunteering more than men, and the East Midlands and South East being the areas of the country where people have volunteered the most.
There was a decline in the value placed on the civic character strengths of ‘being of service’ and ‘having community awareness’ in the people around us, compared to the April 2020 poll. Instead, the British public placed greater value on ‘being resilient’; this is suggestive that the public mood has moved to one of self-preservation over community togetherness.
Commenting on the findings, Aidan Thompson, Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Jubilee Centre, said; ‘Strengths of character have helped everyone to negotiate a path through these uncertain and unprecedented times.
“This poll reflects the continued importance of character in how we treat those around us and those we look up to. Good character development benefits both the individual and the community, so whilst notions of ‘community togetherness’ may seem as though they are dwindling, continuing to provide opportunities to serve the public good are essential to cultivate a character-full society.’
Other notable findings include:
Good judgement is valued more by older generations than younger ones as important to one’s wellbeing;
Older people have felt a stronger notion of community togetherness during the crisis than younger people, but were more likely to agree that it would disappear once the crisis is over;
The public value having ‘good judgement’ (71%) and ‘being wise’ (40%) in senior leaders and politicians in greater numbers than in the first poll;
A large majority (71%) of the public support following government lockdown guidelines as an expression of civic duty, though only 56% of 18-24 year olds agreed, compared with 87% of those over 65 years.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has recorded a video message thanking the tens of thousands of volunteers who have helped Scotland’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
The clip – filmed as part of this year’s Volunteers Week – celebrates those who continued to carry out voluntary work in the initial stages of the pandemic and more than 60,000 people who signed up to the Scotland Cares campaign.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1268467530915631108
Just one of the many thousands of volunteers is grandfather Neil Aitkenhead, 62, a delivery driver with Start Up Stirling, which helps people who need basic essentials.
Neil said: “My experience has been so enriching. People from all backgrounds volunteer; some who have been having a hard time in their personal life, others who have been laid off and many people like me who are retired and just love the companionship.
“The best part about being a delivery driver is that you’re encountering the people who really need your help and the people receiving the food deliveries are always delighted to see you. It is really eye opening to see the variety of people who rely on foodbanks. There are people from all parts of society who need our help.
“I think the volume of people volunteering in Scotland is just what you’d expect from Scots. It’s no surprise that in times of crisis people really do come together.
“I would encourage anyone to start volunteering. It’s really satisfying and great for your mental health.”
Adding her thanks, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Over the last few months, volunteers have been organising shopping, delivering food packages, dropping off medicines and helping support lonely neighbours with phone calls.
“On top of the thousands already giving their time and skill before the pandemic began, an extra 63,000 signed up through our Scotland Cares project.
“Like Neil, these volunteers are making a massive contribution. As we begin to ease some of the restrictions in place because of the virus, our volunteers will be at the heart of helping to build our communities back up again.”
Neil’s Story:
Neil Aitkenhead, 62, lives in Thornhill, Stirlingshire, and started volunteering on 20 March with Start Up Stirling, which helps people experiencing hardship.
Neil said: “I’m now living on my own since my wife, who has advanced Alzheimer’s, has moved into full-time care and is in hospital.
“After I was no longer her sole carer I felt like I had got my life back in some shape or form and I wanted to give back to the community. My neighbour actually let me know that Start Up Stirling urgently needed more drivers.
“I volunteer at two sessions a week. I first started out as a driver but, when lockdown began, a few of us started shadowing the team leader, in case anything happened to him during the pandemic. On Tuesdays I shadow the team leader and on Thursdays I head to the depot, roll up my sleeves and do anything that needs doing.
“From making up delivery packs for the vans, pulling fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries together and receiving incoming deliveries from supermarkets and donors. I’ll be driving again soon but volunteers generally just help wherever they can at Start Up Stirling.
“My experience at Start Up Stirling has been so enriching. There are people from all backgrounds who volunteer; some people who have been having a hard time in their personal life, others who have been laid off from their businesses and many people like me who are retired and just love the companionship.
“I think everyone has had a time in their lives when they’ve been down on their luck and they’ve needed to reach out to people for help. I’ve had plenty of support from many organisations with my wife so I really want to give back to the community.
“The best part about being a delivery driver is that you’re encountering the people who really need your help. You’re essentially the public face of Start Up Stirling and the people receiving the food deliveries are always delighted to see you. It is really eye opening to see the variety of people who rely on foodbanks. There are people from all parts of society who need our help.
“I think the volume of people volunteering in Scotland is just what you’d expect from Scots. It’s no surprise that in times of crisis people really do come together. I’ve been overwhelmed with how nice the people at Start Up Stirling are.
“I would encourage anyone to start volunteering – I think you really get a glow from having helped someone with no expectation of a reward. It’s really satisfying and great for your mental health.”
There are volunteering opportunities available across the capital. Volunteer Edinburgh is currently running a ‘Think Local, Act Local‘ initiative. Scores of local organisations could use your help – get in touch!
Edinburgh MSP Gordon Macdonald has paid tribute to volunteers who have helped the NHS and local communities during Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June).
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution and work of millions of volunteers who give up their time to help others.
During this pandemic, volunteers have signed up to help in record numbers through the Scotland Cares initiative – over 53,000 in one month – joining the thousands of people who were already helping, either with one of Scotland’s many voluntary and community sector groups or informally with neighbours.
MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “Volunteers’ Week gives us a chance to celebrate the contributions of volunteers who have made such a huge difference to their local areas.
“Many people in Edinburgh have taken on Covid-19 related volunteering roles to help communities deal with the many consequences of the coronavirus, and it’s more important than ever to show our appreciation for their hard work.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped the NHS and their local communities during the Covid-19 pandemic, and continue to do so.
“Volunteers will be critical in our efforts to support and rebuild our communities, and I am sure I speak for everyone in Edinburgh when I say we are all appreciative and grateful to those who are ensuring people across the country get the help and support they need.”
Registrations to volunteer and help communities and public services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have reached more than 76,000 in Scotland.
This figure only counts those involved in the Scottish Government’s own Scotland Cares initiative – many thousands more are helping out in their neighbourhoods and volunteering in local community schemes across the country.
Local induction programmes are underway to ensure volunteers are ready for deployment and many have already started to deliver food parcels, ensure essential supplies and medicines reach vulnerable people and phone those who need assistance or companionship.
Within health and social care, offers of employment are being made across NHS Scotland with nearly 700 applicants ready to be deployed and more than 3,600 returners in the process of completing their pre-employment checks.
Recruitment for the Scotland Cares Campaign, which launched one month ago, will now be paused as it enters its next phase.
This includes temporarily pausing recruitment through the health and social care strand. The campaign has resulted in:
35,077 sign-ups to Volunteer Scotland to support charities and community groups
18,640 sign-ups to the British Red Cross to support public services
23,029 health and social care workers returning to work, and students joining the service
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “The Scotland Cares Campaign has been massively successful with more than 76,000 new sign-ups offering their support in the month since it opened.
“In addition to the thousands of amazing volunteers who were already giving their time and energy to help their communities, I want to thank each and every person who has signed up. I am sure I speak for everyone across Scotland when I say we are appreciative and grateful for this public spiritedness which will ensure people across the country get the help and support they need.
“The response from the public has been so tremendous that we are now pausing our recruitment. Not all volunteers who have signed up will be needed immediately, but I’d like to stress that volunteers will be critical in our efforts to support and rebuild our communities and many of those who have not yet been called on to help will play a vital role over the weeks and months to come.”
Emma Morrow signed up to the British Red Cross as a volunteer when Scotland Cares launched last month and has been deployed as a Community Reserve Volunteer to package food for vulnerable people in Glasgow.
Emma said: “It’s great to see everybody pulling together. It’s really fulfilling to know that by doing a few hours work I am going to help somebody that can’t get out the front door.”
Rosemary Lowne is volunteering in West Dunbartonshire as a telephone befriender, calling elderly people in the community every week.
Rosemary said:
“I absolutely love my role as a befriender. My callers say that our weekly chats really lift their spirits and reassures them that there are people looking out for them. I strongly believe that now more than ever ‘it’s good to talk’ and to let people know that they are not alone. The feedback I’ve received has been wonderful.”
Robert Colburn, Emergency Response Operations Manager for British Red Cross, said: “With our added capacity we are looking forward to finding new opportunities for our regular and community reserve volunteers to help the most vulnerable in the days, weeks and months ahead.
“Every single person who signed up with us is joining a force of thousands ready to help in their local community now and in the future, whenever crisis strikes.”
CEO of Volunteer Scotland George Thomson said: “A pause in recruitment is the correct action just now as we move to connect the wonderful offers of support from so many citizens from all our communities to meet local needs.
“Beyond the lockdown we will have a massive recovery challenge ahead, and we aim to engage this incredible first wave of volunteers before seeking others in future.”
I’m sure this will come as no surprise but due to the current and ever changing situation, we have decided to postpone this year’s ceremony that was planned for Wednesday 3 June. No decision has been made for a future date as yet, but rest assured that we will communicate this when it happens.
We have subsequently re-opened nominations and as yet we don’t have a deadline, so get nominating! If you have already submitted your nominations, thank you. These will be retained and you will have the option to either use these or submit a new one.
Thanks again for your support in recognising the fantastic achievements of our amazing volunteers in Edinburgh. I’m sure you will agree that they will continue to be a vital part of our success now and going forward.
To nominate and for more information please visit voled.in/nominations
or contact me via email for any additional queries at events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk
