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The annual Fauldhouse Santa Parade will be taking place on Wednesday 18th December 2019.
The Santa car is organised for the parade and stalls, photobooth, stories with Mrs Claus, face painting etc in the Partnership Centre Parade leaving from the usual place outside Scotmid at 6pm. If volunteers could meet at 5:20 in the partnership centre for a quick brief about the walk. Please bring a torch if you have one
If anyone would like to come in for a chat we would be happy to meet you or you can call me on 07801 307 086.
This is relatively new service for young people and includes a full range of contraception, and emergency contraception, free condoms , testing/treatment for all sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy testing, referrals for termination and someone to talk to about sex and relationships.  West Lothian 50+ Network currently have two paid positions available. Applicants can apply by emailing wlothian50plus@btconnect.com with their C.V. and a covering letter detailing their suitability for the role they are applying for.
Please see below for job descriptions: CHRISTMAS APPEAL IN AID OF HOMELESS YOUNG PEOPLE IN WEST LOTHIAN
NEWLANDS HOUSE AND OPEN DOOR ACCOMMODATION PROJECT This Christmas instead of sending cards , please consider making a charitable donation Send out and assist young homeless people in West Lothian have a brighter Christmas. Although the Christmas season is one of festivities and joy for most, many of the young people in homeless accommodation in West Lothian have very little to celebrate. Please help us to enable them to experience some of the Christmas spirit by kindly donating to this appeal. We would love to take the young people these two local organisations support to see the Christmas lights and provide ongoing activities throughout the year - so please light up Christmas for young people who have faced such dark times. Save time, the environment and help others by making a donation this year. Young people within Open Door Accommodation Project and Newlands Supported Accommodation will benefit from the money you donate- with all money raised going directly to them. You can donate to our Christmas appeal via the following link: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?campaignId=10331&charityId=1018555 Alternatively Martyn Day MP is once again very kindly supporting our appeal and is accepting toiletries, sweets and gifts for young vulnerable people to receive this Christmas. Gifts can be handed into his office at 62 Hopetoun Street, Bathgate, EH48 4PD by Thursday 19th December 2019 or telephone 01506 654415 for further details. Email contact. Christine.calder@parliament.uk for uplift arrangements if required. West Lothian Social Enterprise Network's ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Members of the Company will be held at – Craigsfarm, Maree Walk, Craigshill, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 5BP, on Thursday 5th December 2019, commencing at 2pm for the purpose of reviewing the Directors Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending as of the 31st March 2019 and to consider other matters that may be raised by the membership. AGENDA
The AGM will be followed by a Network Meeting. Relevant Documents:
Ahead of the launch of our new strategy in 2020, we can now confirm the closing dates for all of our current open award programmes. Full details can be viewed here, with the key points being:
We have put together some FAQs to explain a little more about our strategy renewal process. Help us spread the word This is really important information for anyone thinking of submitting an application for funding so we would be really grateful if you could share with your networks. You can Tweet with a couple of clicks by using the link below:
Our partners in the Community Planning team are developing an new Local Outcomes Improvement Plan (LOIP) which is a long term plan that sets out priority issues and how partners will work together to tackle issues and improve outcomes. Over the last few months, there have been lots of discussions and gathering of data/information to identify issues that the new LOIP should focus on. So far three focus areas have emerged – sustainable places, improved health and wellbeing, and skills and jobs. To build on the this they want to raise awareness of the focus areas of the proposed LOIP and how they were developed, but also want to think about how we may tackle these issues at a local level. Your thoughts and comments will help shape the draft LOIP which we will be consulted on in early 2020.
Please get in touch with ourselves or email to community.planning@westlothian.gov.uk If you would like any further information on the LOIP review please email the above address or call Joanna Anderson on 01506 281086 We are pleased to share with you a letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney, which describes how the Scottish Government will incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Scotland, and which contains the following two links: • Progressing the Human Rights of Children in Scotland: An Action Plan 2018 – 2021 - Progress Report 2019 • An Analysis Report of responses to Children’s Rights: Consultation on incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into our domestic law in Scotland. 
Test for Change - Managing Attendance at Children's Hearings (from 2 December 2019 for West Lothian27/11/2019 What is changing?
During December 2019 and January 2020 (from 2 December 2019 for West Lothian), the practice about who goes into the hearing at the start will be changing. The new practice will be that the following people go into the hearing at the start: · the child · the relevant persons for the child · any representative for the child or a relevant person · any safeguarder (if there is one) · a social worker (as lead professional) for the child. [In exceptional circumstances, where the local authority considers that a social work manager also needs to be present to assist consideration of the child’s case the Reporter will bring both the social worker and the social work manager into the hearing at the outset. ] After the hearing has started, the chair of the hearing will decide whether and when other people are to come into the hearing.  NHS 24 have created a youth forum to give young people an opportunity to influence NHS 24 services. This helps us to create services that are accessible to young people. Our current members have had the opportunity to feedback on a web chat function which Breathing Space are looking to implement this year. We have also recently worked with Young Scot and provided feedback on some work they are doing in creating digital health services. We are keen to help our young people gain new skills, for example we have provided a training session on effective communication.
The group meet 4 times per year and try to meet at different locations. We are registered with the Saltire Awards so they would be able to achieve certificates for volunteering with us. We also provide lunch on the day as well as any travel expenses. Our next meeting is on Saturday 7th December at the Mitchell library in Glasgow 11am – 2pm. If you require any further information or if anyone is interested in attending one of our meetings please email youth.forum@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk. West Lothian Council Proposal to Establish a new Denominational Secondary School at Winchburgh19/11/2019 Education Executive at its meeting on 12 November 2019, agreed commencement of Statutory Consultation on the proposed establishment of a new denominational secondary school at Winchburgh. Under the terms of the School (Consultation)(Scotland) Act 2010 the consultation will run from Friday 15 November 2019 to 5pm on Monday 13 January 2020.
Please find attached for your information the letter offering further information on the Statutory Consultation. Further information is available here Referral and signposting are vital parts of delivering a holistic service to ensure your customers get the right help from the right people at the right time. Why not come and find out how to turn signposting into an ACTIVE referral and then be able to track your referral and find out who and when your customer was contacted.
By signing up to the FORT system not only will you be able to refer and track you will also be able to take advantage of becoming part of the directory of support services and encourage / increase referrals into your own service. If this interests you then why not pop along to the launch on Wednesday the 20th of November at Howden Park Centre between 10am – 12 – use the eventbrite link below to book and find out more and meet other people who are already signed up to the FORT system or are thinking about signing up. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fort-west-lothian-fast-online-referral-tracking-system-tickets-79122713165 Scottish Government is seeking comments on the draft framework for Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports and Services by Monday 18th November 2019.
The Programme Board has asked all representatives on the board to circulate the draft framework to wider networks to secure feedback on the opportunities and key challenges associated with how this framework is interpreted locally. SCVO has set up a short response form for voluntary sector organisations to contribute their thoughts on the draft framework, which aims to set out a clear broad national approach for the support that children and young people should be able to access, as well as assist local partnerships with the commissioning and establishment of new local community mental health and wellbeing supports or services or the development of existing supports or services. All responses to our form received by Monday 18th November 2019 will feed into the evidence submitted in support of SCVO's representatives on the Programme Board. SCCR Conference 2020
The Faces of Transition Wednesday 29th January 2020 Radisson Blu, Edinburgh OPEN FOR BOOKINGS Inspired by the Roman God Janus, our FREE 2020 National Conference ‘The Faces of Transition’ explores the themes of beginnings, transitions, time, duality and how our past can impact our future but does not define us. To coincide with this event and to celebrate our work under Scottish Government’s Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention Fund, the SCCR will publish a new report detailing the impact of our work over the last four years plus the findings from new SCCR 2019 National Surveys. The conference will highlight the legacy of the SCCR and look to the future regarding our ambition, purpose and strategic work in relation to earlier intervention and prevention for young people and families across Scotland. We are honoured to welcome highly regarded professionals in their respective field. Speakers include:
Any group of volunteers can apply for Volunteering Matters Action Earth 2019 grants of between £50 - £250 to run environmental activities in Scotland’s green spaces. This includes enhancing local biodiversity by creating or improving habitats, community gardens, wildflower meadows, ponds, woodlands, urban greenspaces and other growing areas.
This year we also have a VERY limited number of Enhanced Health grants of up to £500 for environmental projects which can demonstrate a significant health impact through working with people who have defined health and social needs. Check our website for eligibility and availability of these enhanced grants. 50% of our grants are for projects in areas where there is substantial social or economic deprivation. We also prioritise applications from volunteer groups who do any of the following: • Improve and develop the health and wellbeing of their local community • Involve disabled people, vulnerable people or those at risk of exclusion • Encourage and involve people under 26 in practical outdoor conservation Projects should complete by December 2019. Grants are allocated on a first-come basis so don’t delay – register today at www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk/actionearth Volunteering Matters Action Earth grant funding is provided by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). For more information contact Volunteering Matters Action Earth on: E: robert.henderson@volunteeringmatters.org.uk T: 07808 860356 www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk/actionearth www.facebook.com/volunteeringmattersactionearth A charity working to ease loneliness among older people has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to support its West Lothian groups.
Re-engage, formerly known as Contact the Elderly, tackles social isolation through regular Sunday afternoon tea parties and other activities. The monthly events are usually held in a local host’s home and guests are chauffeured to and from the gatherings by volunteer drivers – a crucial service that solves any transport worries for those who have difficulty getting out and about. The West Lothian groups are part of a network of more than 140 tea party groups in Scotland. More than 1000 guests lives are often transformed through this simple solution of some kindness and company over a cup of tea. There are 5 groups in West Lothian but there is also a waiting list of guests. They are currently experiencing a shortage of drivers. Lorna Dunbar, the charity’s support officer for the area says: “Social isolation is one of society’s biggest problems, especially among the older generation, but we see the huge difference social events like ours can make to someone who perhaps doesn’t have the chance to interact with others as much as they would like. “We believe everyone should have the opportunity of a social life, no matter how old they and we’d really love to hear from locals who can help us enrich the lives of the older generation in their communities.” Drivers are asked to devote just a few hours one Sunday afternoon a month to the charity. “It’s not a huge commitment if you’ve got a spare Sunday afternoon and for anyone new to volunteering it’s an ideal way to get involved,” said Lorna. “Guests are usually over 75 and our volunteers are generally much younger so it’s also a great way to bring the generations together. I’m confident locals will step forward to help us out and I can guarantee they’ll get as much out of it as the guests – it’s just so satisfying to see the difference you can make to the life of someone who is feeling isolated.” To find out more about becoming a volunteer or guest of Re-engage, please contact Lorna Dunbar at lorna.dunbar@reengage.org.uk or tel 01738 730249. Volunteer Scotland and the Scottish Volunteering Forum have launched a major new report ‘The Contribution of Volunteering to Scotland's Health and Wellbeing’. It reveals how volunteering can help Scottish society face some of its biggest challenges: an aging population, labour market skills shortages, mental and physical ill-health , social isolation and loneliness, and poor community engagement. Volunteering brings even greater benefits for volunteers who experience disadvantage and exclusion.
Volunteering’s extraordinary contribution in helping to address Scotland’s health and wellbeing challenges, which it achieves through:
How we can enhance this contribution – ten recommendations for both policy makers and practitioners have been put forward, including:
Policy Makers A supporting document aimed at policy makers and stakeholders has been created to help integrate volunteering into a wide range of policy areas The Contribution of volunteering to a healthier and happier Scotland: how organisations can help to influence policy and practice in Scotland This document will be of interest to policy teams within the Scottish Government as well as local authorities, Health and Social Care Partnerships and organisations across the voluntary, public and private sectors. We would like your help to share this report and the influencing policy document with your colleagues and stakeholders including Local Authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships. This report follows the publication of Scotland’s ‘Volunteering for All National Framework’ earlier this year. The 2019-20 Programme for Government highlights our commitment to developing and launching a delivery plan for the Outcomes Framework over the next year. |
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