Tag: volunteering

North Edinburgh projects hit the Lottery jackpot

Community groups across Edinburgh will be able to provide vital services and support for thousands of local people thanks to National Lottery funding announced today.

North Edinburgh projects have done particularly well in the latest round of funding. Both North Edinburgh Arts and Stepping Stones North Edinburgh are awarded six figure sums, while Muirhouse Millennium Centre, Heart of Newhaven, Blackhall Children’s Sports Committee, Ama-zing Harmonies and Granton Parish Church are among other local organisations to receive grants today.

The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 384 projects across Scotland, sharing in £15,048,544. 

See below for a full list of projects

North Edinburgh Arts will use their award of £148,821 to continue their ‘Green Projects’ programme which provides green spaces for local people to come together whilst offering a range of volunteering opportunities and arts and garden activities for people of all ages to get involved in.

Valla Moodie, Green Projects Manager, North Edinburgh Arts said: “This funding will enable us to start an exciting phase of work as we move back into our refurbished and extended building after two years in temporary venues, setting up our new Community Shed workshop and redeveloping our community garden at the back of our venue.

“This support, given to our ‘Green Projects’, will allow us to continue to offer opportunities for our local community that improve their health and well-being whilst contributing to the enrichment of their neighbourhood, building local resilience to big issues and sharing and supporting them with actions that combat climate change.”

STEPPING STONES North Edinburgh receive £132,020 through the Improving Lives programme.

The group, based at Inchgarvie Court in West Pilton, will use the funding to continue delivering their Family Wellbeing project, supporting primary school children and their families by providing individual, group and equine mental health support in North West Edinburgh.

Thanks to an award of £126,671, Deaf Action will run a digital literacy programme to help deaf people across the city develop and improve their skillset.

Support will be provided through a series of one-to-one sessions and group work covering specific topics such as word processing, scam awareness, healthcare apps and video calling software.

Lauren McAnna, Community Services Manager, Deaf Action said: “Our Digital Inclusion Service will support deaf people living across Edinburgh to become digitally empowered, unlocking a world of information, resources and opportunities that will foster greater independence and help improve life outcomes.

“We will support deaf adults and older people who face significant barriers to communication and social inclusion and who are likely to be experiencing financial hardship and/or socioeconomic disadvantage. 

“By supporting deaf people to overcome barriers to digital literacy they can become more connected and active citizens, have increased independence and improved wellbeing in many aspects of their lives.”

An award of £19,929 to Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland means they can continue to identify more victims of human trafficking across the city.

Joy M Gillespie, CEO, Survivors of Human Trafficking said: “We will be able to work with our cross-sector partners to recover more victims of human trafficking in Edinburgh and provide vital prevention information to those most at risk. 

“We believe there is power in partnership and are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for partnering with us to help end end human trafficking in Scotland.”

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of National Lottery funding will be distributed to groups across Edinburgh who are providing a range of essential services and support for thousands of local people, helping to make a real difference to their lives.

“As The National Lottery prepares to mark its 30th birthday later this year, today’s investment is a timely reminder of the difference that National Lottery players continue to make to communities across the country.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.   

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk    

89c5ba4a-501c-4d2d-b43a-6e1523255829Download

Community Orchard planting at Lauriston Farm this weekend

After our lovely inaugural Orchard Wassail last month, and winter pruning the existing trees, we are ready to plant some additional trees in the orchard – apples, cherries, damsons, gages and the mulberry!

If you would like to join the Community Orchard Group and help with planting, come along this Saturday 9th March, from 11am.

Meet at the green portacabin, just inside the farm gate off the Toby Carvery car park.

#NorthEdinburgh

#Edinburgh

#CommunityOrchard

#Agroecology

Volunteering Drop-In at PCHP

WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY from 9.30am – 12.00pm

Curious about volunteering?

Pop along to PCHP for a hot drink & a chat with Natalie Wednesday 28 February 9:30am-12 noon.

Informal drop-in sessions let you know how to volunteer in your community, make new friends, enhance your skills, or develop new ones!

@PiltonComHealth EH5

Granton Youth’s AGM

Granton Youth held its virtual AGM this week for its members and invited guests. Apart from the usual administration process of electing its volunteer board members those present heard about the work that the organisation did over the past year as well as a look ahead.

Mary Q-Burnside, Manager of GY, said in her report: ‘The year 22/23 was the first year following the pandemic when we were free to operate with full complement of staff and put the focus and vision of the GY strategy fully into practice – which is to provide holistic support to work with young people and their families.

‘GY has created a multi-support network and programme that can make a real difference to young people’s lives – by being where they are: in their streets, school, at our base within RWCC and within the family home.’

Mary highlighted there was a growing demand following pandemic and exacerbated by cost of living crisis means services are at capacity.

As part of GY strategy it has been recognised what we do well and ask young people and their families what they need and want.

In order to make this happen we have developed valuable and supportive collaborations through:

  • Community Mental Health fund partnership – Bwell together
  • North Edinburgh Youth Work collaborative – supporting youth work apprentices
  • Single Point Access pilot in North Edinburgh – working with NHS, Social Work and schools to ensure the right targeted support is identified for local families and young people

Despite the challenges in finding funding GY continues to be successful in sustaining its funding in an ever more competitive market.

Currently GY provides:

  • Open access youth work – a safe space to explore learning, creativity and be heard
  • Targeted youth work for nuerodivergent/isolated young people
  • Music – employing professional tutors so young people can learn to play, write their own songs and record and release them as well as being given and opportunity to play live with some of our musicians playing venues such as King Tuts and La Belle Angelle
  • Families Together – working with families to identify areas where support is required and providing tailored programmes to meet their needs
  • Volunteering – offering local people an opportunity to volunteer and receive accredited learning and have access to a paid apprenticeship in youth work
  • Mentoring- delivering 1:1 for young people requiring additional support, targeted at those who may be socially isolated or who are  at risk of antisocial behaviour
  • Streetwork – working to engage young people who are not engaging in mainstream youth work services and or education. Meeting them in the local area and on their terms
  • Counselling – GY has a centre based counselling service for local young people and adults as well as counselling presence across 6 high schools in North West Edinburgh
  • Positive Activities programme is part of our open access youth work but also with offers a targeted programme to engage physically inactive/socially isolated or those engaged in risk-taking behaviour
  • Schools based youth work – supporting young people by providing 1:1 youth work mentoring to sustain attendance and improve attainment

Dave Macnab, Chair of GY, said: “All of this happens because we have developed a dedicated staff team who are experienced, skilled and enthusiastic about the work they do and the difference they make.

“It is heartening to see that 10 of our team of 21 are from the local area and that 6 of the core team started as volunteers at GY.

“In fact, in the last two years GY has employed five young people who are the product of the volunteer apprentice scheme”.

GY reaches around 500 young people and adults per year through its various provisions and demand is ever increasing as our word of mouth reputation and positive profile grow. 

If you want to know more about the work of GY contact Mary@grantonyouth.com

Amazon Dunfermline supports local school

Employees from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline honed their DIY skills when they spent the day volunteering at a local high school.

The Amazon team volunteered at Lochgelly High School, a proud and ambitious learning community where everyone strives to achieve their best.

A group of six colleagues from the Amazon team spent over 40 hours at the school painting and building furniture to assist the school with turning a staff resource room into a new classroom.

Thanks to the efforts of the team from Amazon in Dunfermline, the school has saved around £3,000 in refurbishing. The Amazon team also donated school essentials including clothing, school bags and school meals worth over £8,000.

Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “Our team really enjoyed helping transform the staff resource room at Lochgelly High School into a new classroom.

“I hope the students and teachers are pleased with the results and that they enjoy their new learning environment.”

Kim Skelton, who led the volunteering from Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “I love helping people, especially when it’s for our local community.

“As a team at Amazon in Dunfermline, we feel very rewarded that we can help the staff and pupils by donating essential goods. The donations have already brought tears to families who have been able to utilise the products.

“The school has acted as a hub for local families in need and it’s been a lifeline to most this time of year.”

Melissa Mann, a teacher from Lochgelly High School, said: ““Everyone at Lochgelly High School would like to thank Jamie, Kim and the team at Amazon in Dunfermline for their amazing work converting the staff resource room into a classroom.

“We are so appreciative of their help – it would have taken us much longer to make the transformation happen without them.”

The volunteering and donation to the school is the latest in a number of support programmes between Amazon and Lochgelly High School in 2023.

Earlier last year, drama and media studies students from the school visited FirstStage Studios, in Leith, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour aimed at inspiring and nurturing young creative talent in Scotland.

At the studio, the students saw how The Rig, which first premiered on Prime Video in January 2023, was filmed and had careers talks with the crew and cast, including Scottish actor Martin Compston.

Lochgelly High School has also taken part in Amazon Future Engineer Class Chats, part of Amazon’s computer science education programme that provides free access to STEM learning resources, including virtual school trips, coding courses, and career talks. As part of Lochgelly’s participation in the programme, Amazon UK Country Manager John Boumphrey spoke to students from Lochgelly High School about his career experience and unique insights.

The Amazon Future Engineer Class Chats programme brings both live and on-demand virtual career talks directly into UK classrooms. Amazon employees working in a wide variety of roles share their insights and experiences with school students, engaging young people about their future opportunities.

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.

Since the start of 2022, 1.5 million essential products have been donated to more than 150,000 families in need across Scotland and Greater Manchester by a charity initiative called The Multibank.

Founded by Amazon, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Cottage Family Centre in Kirkcaldy, The Multibank in Lochgelly, known locally as ‘The Big Hoose,’ offers an emergency service for families fighting poverty, providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by businesses like Amazon and others, directly to those in need and so helping to reduce waste.

Learn more about the ways Amazon supports its communities

Letters: Volunteering with RNID

Dear Sir/Madam, 

Have you made your new year resolutions yet? Need one more? Why don’t you sign up as an RNID volunteer? 

RNID, the charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus are looking for volunteers to support our vital work across Scotland. 

Last year, our volunteers gave more than 9,000 hours of their time to support people in their communities with practical information and essential hearing aid care. But with one in five adults in the UK being deaf or having hearing loss or tinnitus there is much more to do to make sure everyone in the UK gets support 

Volunteering for RNID could involve providing information to local organisations and community groups, helping people get the most out of their hearing aids, or giving a friendly welcome to everyone who passes through the door at one of our support sessions.  

Many of our volunteers have hearing loss themselves or in their family, and volunteering with us is a great way to meet new people, gain new skills and experience, try something new and help people in your community.  

What are you waiting for? For more information, visit rnid.org.uk/join or contact us on 0808 808 0123.  

Yours sincerely, 

Jackie White, Director at RNID 

Make a New Year resolution to help cats and owners flee abuse by becoming a volunteer fosterer

A charity which provides free and confidential foster care for pet cats while their owners flee domestic abuse is looking to recruit more volunteer fosterers this January.

Cats Protection’s Lifeline service offers temporary care for cats in a home environment, enabling survivors to get to safety knowing their cat will be looked after until they can be reunited.

But in order to help more people, the charity is in desperate need of more volunteer fosterers who can offer a temporary home to a cat in need.

Cats Protection’s Lifeline Manager Amy Hyde said: “Many people want to start a New Year by making a resolution to help others, and joining our Lifeline team as a volunteer cat fosterer could be the perfect opportunity.

“Not only do our volunteers help cats, they also provide an opportunity for victim-survivors to get to safety knowing that their beloved pet cat will also be safe.

“We know that in cases of domestic abuse, pets are often targeted as a way to control or coerce a victim-survivor into staying. And as most refuges are unable to accept pets, this can be a significant barrier for people seeking support and safe housing.

“By offering free and confidential cat foster care, Lifeline helps to remove that barrier and gives victim-survivors the time, space and opportunity they need to get to a safe place.”

Referrals to Lifeline – previously called Paws Protect – come from either owners themselves or a support worker. Once in Lifeline’s care, cats are given a full health check before going to a Lifeline volunteer fosterer who is provided with everything they need to make sure the cat remains happy and healthy until they can be reunited with their owner.

After supporting cats in the South East for almost 20 years, Lifeline was recently able to expand into Yorkshire, East Anglia and the Midlands.

“We’ve fostered over 330 cats during 2023, enabling over 200 owners to get to safety but we need more cat fosterers to turn it into a UK-wide service.” said Amy.

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity, helping an average of 157,000 cats and kittens every year through a network of over 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer, or other ways to support the Lifeline service, please visit www.cats.org.uk/lifelineservice

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or know someone who is, please contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, anytime on 0808 2000 247.

Volunteer given just 0.5% chance of survival tells remarkable story of recovery

From horror crash to helping others

A woman who was given just a 0.5% chance of survival after a catastrophic car crash has now committed her life to helping others following a remarkable four-year recovery with the help of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Lauren Feeney, 29, from Glasgow, suffered a horrific catalogue of injuries including 26 broken bones, eye injuries, internal bleeding and brain damage when the car she was a passenger in collided with a 32-tonne truck on New Year’s Eve, 2019.

Her injuries were so bad that when the police officer who was first on the scene pulled her from the car, her body was “like jelly”, and she spent a month in a coma. All three other occupants of the car died in the crash.

But despite living with a brain injury, sight problems, reduced function in one leg which means she needs a brace, and other permanent injuries, Lauren now volunteers two days a week helping staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, runs regularly, swims five days a week and is in training with the Scottish National Para Swimming Squad.

To top it all off, she wants to become a motivational speaker so she can inspire others to overcome their own challenges.

Lauren had moved to London to complete her training as Cabin Crew for British Airways and was a month into her dream job jetting around the world, when the accident happened.

“I can’t remember anything,” she said. “When I hear about what happened, it’s like listening to a story about someone else, or watching a TV show. It was horrible, so maybe it’s better that way.”

Lauren spent two months in hospital in London before being transferred back to Glasgow just as COVID struck, and she spent four months in the QEUH, first in the orthopaedic department and then in the Physically Disabled Rehabilitation Unit (now called the Neurorehabilitation Unit). She then continued her rehabilitation at home with her mum Pauline and dad Kevin.

“I spent two years receiving a range of therapies,” Lauren said. “Mum and dad had been told not to get their hopes up, that my life would be severely limited. They were planning for a life of care.

“But the staff who cared for me were just fantastic. They were such an amazing support for me that I’m not sure where I’d be without them.”

As Lauren got better, she started contemplating what to do with her life. She knew she couldn’t go back to the job she loved, but rather than sitting feeling sorry for herself, she got up and got active.

“I started volunteering at the QEUH R&R Hub just over a year ago and, to be honest, I feel so lucky to be here. Before cabin crew I worked in hospitality, and I just love being around people and helping them, so being here is perfect.

“Don’t get me wrong – it’s not easy. The aftermath of the accident means as soon as I get stressed or overwhelmed, it gets really tough. Plus I can’t walk as well as I used to, and I’ve got constant problems with my sight, so days can be a bit of a challenge.

“But I don’t want sympathy, or to make a big deal of things.”

Lauren praised her workmate Caroline Maxwell (above) – paired together because managers knew they would be a good fit – for the support she has provided. 

“She’s just brilliant, and gives me exactly the amount of help I need, stepping in when I need it, but usually just leaving me to get on with it. We have our way and work brilliantly together – we really are the dream team!”

However, volunteering with NHSGGC is only the start for Lauren. She’s also resurrected her teenage hobby of swimming – and she’s so good she now trains regularly with the Scottish National Para Swimming Squad.

She’s also taken up running, recently completing her first 5K and with the ultimate goal of taking part in duathlons – even though she can’t feel her leg unless weight is going through it.

“It’s difficult right now,” she said. “I have to concentrate really hard on where my foot is going to land and with my sight issue it can be a real challenge. But I’m stubborn so I won’t give up, and I’m learning to manage pretty well.”

With a story as inspiring as this, it’s little wonder that Lauren has her eyes set on helping others who face challenges in their lives.

“I was offered the chance to speak at a conference recently, and I absolutely loved it,” she said. “People like me wouldn’t normally be able to speak, but that has made me even more determined to share my story. In fact, it feels like I have a responsibility to make the most of that to help others who have been through similar.”

Dr Teng Cheng Khoo, Lead Clinician and Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine at the NRU (formerly PDRU), paid tribute to Lauren and the work she has put into her recovery.

He said: “It is amazing how far Lauren has come. She sustained significant traumatic injuries from her accident, and not every person who went through what she did would be able to bounce back in such a way. 

“One of the main reasons for Lauren’s phenomenal recovery and re-integration is her ongoing motivation and the hard work that she has put in over the years. Staff at the then PDRU found her a joy to work with despite the challenges she had to face at that time. She worked with staff to set goals that consistently pushed the boundaries of her recovery and what she was able to achieve.

“We also have to remember that this happened at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which makes her achievements all the more impressive.”

Dr Khoo praised the way a range of services have collaborated in Lauren’s ongoing recovery. He said: “From community rehabilitation services and ophthalmology to orthopaedics and the chronic pain service, all services have worked well together to achieve the best possible outcomes, and to help Lauren live a full, independent life, despite the ongoing challenges she experiences on a daily basis.

“We all wish Lauren well, and have no doubt that she will go on to achieve the goals she has set herself.”

Mary Nolan (above), Interim Volunteer Manager (South Sector) with NHSGGC, described Lauren as “an amazing person – quick, funny, sharp, and always smiling.

She added: “Lauren started volunteering at the beginning of December 2022, and from the word go I had a feeling she would be a success. It is a credit to her that we make no particular adaptations or allowances for her significant residual disability. The HUB is a place for our staff to come to relax and have a coffee, and Lauren is so friendly and helpful – all the HUB users love her.

“Lauren has so much potential, and we are delighted that this volunteer role has been able to play a part in her ongoing recovery.”

Caroline Maxwell added her own tribute: “It’s a pleasure volunteering alongside Lauren. We bounce off each other and the hours just fly by. Lauren likes to ensure that the front-line staff are well looked after, and always makes time for a chat. 

“Oh, and she makes a great coffee!”

But the final word must go to Lauren, who is only looking forward in her life. 

“I bear no ill will. I am where I am and my life’s great now. I just want to be the best person I can be and to help others.

“In fact, if you have challenges in your life and aren’t sure you can take on something new, look at me – don’t let anything hold you back. In fact, I’d say even more that you should go for it.

“You’ll always be glad you did!”

Charities face staff and volunteer crisis 

A third of organisations reported recruitment as one of their top challenges

Third Sector organisations in Scotland are increasingly facing shortages of staff and volunteers, a new report has warned.  

The Scottish Third Sector Tracker has found that issues relating to staffing and volunteers are one of the top challenges for a third of voluntary sector organisations.

Data from the tracker observes the emergence of the sector from the Covid-19 pandemic through 2021, followed by the development of the cost-of-living crisis and associated organisational concerns during 2022 and 2023.  

In August 2021, 35% of organisations reported a significant concern about staff and volunteer numbers. Just two years on, that figure has now risen to 65%, with only finances currently proving a bigger challenge for the sector.  

While staff and volunteer support remain a growing concern, third sector groups report an ongoing increase in demand for their core services and activities over the six waves of the tracker. In Wave 1 (Aug 2021), 56% of organisations reported an increased demand, rising to 63% by Wave 6 (Apr 2023). 

These factors, on top of growing financial pressures due to the rising costs crisis and public sector funding cuts, are leading to a perfect storm for charities and voluntary groups, with strain put on already stretched teams.  

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: “The Scottish voluntary sector is a significant employer, providing jobs for 5% of the Scottish workforce. 

“At a time where many organisations are facing recruitment challenges, the funding environment means that many voluntary organisations are struggling to keep pace with salary increases needed to attract and retain staff. 

“Existing staff and volunteers have been working flat out since Covid, helping organisations and communities to weather the cost-of-living crisis.  We can no longer afford to rely on their goodwill to go the extra mile.  The invaluable services and supports provided by Scotland’s voluntary sector need sustainable investment to ensure their survival.” 

Volunteer Scotland are also concerned by the staff and volunteer crisis facing the sector, highlighted by the Third Sector Tracker. The recent release of the 2022 Scottish Household survey results reinforces the volunteer crisis, with formal volunteer participation rates falling by 4 percentage points since 2019 to 22% – this equates to less than one million Scottish adults volunteering.  

In light of the current crisis, the actions that can be undertaken by volunteer involving organisations include ensuring that volunteer expense policies are clear and considering how roles can be made more flexible to fit with the decreased time volunteers have available.  

Alan Stevenson, CEO of Volunteer Scotland said: “The many impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on volunteering has meant that we can no longer take for granted the contribution of our volunteers.

“While recruitment and retention issues are being felt more acutely by some, the first step for all must be the focus on good volunteering practice, appropriately supported.” 

The Scottish Third Sector Tracker is a growing research community made up of representatives from third sector organisations based across the whole of Scotland, who are willing to share their experiences, views and concerns as the sector faces both new and ongoing challenges. 

The Tracker is run by an independent research company called DJS Research on behalf of SCVO, the Scottish Government, the William Grant Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund. 

Those involved in the running of a third sector organisation operating in Scotland are invited to represent their organisation as a member of the Scottish Third Sector Tracker.  

An Executive Summary of the Scottish Third Sector Tracker’s First Phase of research can be found here: 

https://scvo.scot/policy/research/evidence-library/2023-scottish-third-sector-tracker-waves-1-to-6-executive-summary