Coronavirus: children’s rights
Source: Equality and Human Rights Commission
Date: 20 November 2020
 
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published a report expressing concerns about how the coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating existing inequalities and having a devastating impact on children’s rights, well-being and futures. Key concerns outlined in a report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) include: more children being pushed into poverty, widening educational inequalities and worsening mental health.

Read the news story: Government must do more to safeguard children’s rights and protect them from the impact of the pandemic
Read the report: Children’s rights in Great Britain (PDF)

TFN’s Guide to Running A Charity or Social Enterprise 2020/21 is out now – and you can read it here!

This year’s edition is a guide like no other, as it has been a year like no other.

In it, a group of experts from across the sector look at how we work in the face of the pandemic – and offer all sorts of advice for a range of related topics, from home working, to Zoom meetings, to looking after mental health.

The Guide includes an exclusive introduction to SCVO's exciting new HR Service for charities.

It also sees the return of TFN’s popular charity bank accounts table – where you can compare what’s on offer to make sure you get the best deal for your organisation.

VSGWL is pleased to provide an analysis of the difference that monies from our partnership with WLSEN and The National Lottery Communities Fund has made to small, grass roots organisations that have been supporting those in need during the Pandemic.

Aileen Campbell, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, has paid tribute to the work of TSIs and Local Authorities in supporting the community response to the pandemic. An overview of the currently available evidence on volunteering in relation to Covid 19 is available here.

Family Food Pantry - affordable, accessible food for families with at least one child aged 5 years and under and expectant families. Currently running during Tier 4 restrictions daily from Kidzeco Bathgate. Families can sign up for annual memberships here and find up to date days and times via our facebook page.

KidzStart - this service is for families with a child under one. Families can be referred to this project to receive a 'gift' of baby clothes, toiletries and other essentials. The referral criteria is outlined on the attached form.  We are also able to offer baby essentials such as baths, moses baskets, sterilisers etc. should the family be financially disadvantaged.  

Wean the Weanz - we have recently launched an app to support the weaning journey. The Wean the Weanz app offers many tasty recipes as well as hints and tips to get started on introducing baby to solid foods. There is a shopping list facility which is helpful when making the weaning shopping run. This facility can be of use when supporting families with financial difficulties as they can be referred to our Family Pantry and send over their shopping list for the weaning ingredients via the share function. These can be packaged and either given to the families at a minimal cost or free; supplying free goods would be a one off request and any further need would require further communication from referrer.

This app complements our Weaning Resource Packs which contain a selection of practical items to help start the weaning journey. These packs will be accessible via our referral form and are available to parents/carers who fall into the same categories as our KidzStart packs. Referrals can also be made for practical weaning classes as well as one-off weaning discussion sessions which will be offered as restrictions permit and like the app is open to all.

Kidz Knashers - information and advice promoting positive oral health practices to families with children 5 years and under consisting of fun activities through our Knashers Challenge and Tommy Knashers check up sessions. Families can join our toothbrush exchange programme too!

There will be other health initiatives to look out over the coming months from Kidz Eco/Kidz N Kin including baby massage, baby wearing support and Kitchin Kin Adult Cooking sessions.  

Should you require any further information on any of our services please get in touch with Toni Martin, Kidz n Kin Manager (toni.martin@kidzeco.net) or Tracy Murdoch (tracy.murdoch@kidzeco.net)

This Christmas Asda are donating 1 million meals to help combat holiday hunger. Food grants of up to £1000 are available to community groups through the Asda Foundation, contact your local store for more information.

Live in Blackburn and want to have you say on how public funding in is spent locally?
 
Community Choices is a process that enables local communities to decide how public funding is spent. It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in Blackburn and is a pilot project as part of the wider development of Participatory Budgeting (PB) in West Lothian.  It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in Blackburn and is a pilot project as part of the wider development of Participatory Budgeting (PB) in West Lothian.​

In partnership with Foundation Scotland, VSGWL is pleased to launch a £9k small grants fund to help community organisations respond to the challenges associated with accessing food, shelter or basic amenities. Grants of between £500 - £1000 are available from monies provided from the Resilience element of the Response, Recovery and Resilience (RRR) Fund. 
 
All grants will need to respond to the following priority: ‘Living with poor, interrupted or impaired access to food, shelter, and necessary amenities (e.g. sanitation, heat)’.
 
Please see one page application form and guidance for further information.

Application process
1. Closing date for applications is 4 December 2020.
2. Organisations will be informed of the outcome on 9 December 2020.
3. Activity between 1 January and 31 March 2021.

Alan McCloskey
CEO
VSGWL