UK charity is following-up its major 2014 survey, M.E. Time to Deliver, by looking, five years on, at health, welfare, employment and education for children and adults with M.E. in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. By sharing your experience on topics including symptom management approaches, the impact of M.E. on your relationships, and access to the right sort of support, you can help Action for M.E.  campaign more effectively for improved services and support from professionals, planners and policy-makers. You can find the Big Survey online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/afmebigsurvey, and it’s open until Friday 2 August. It’s a long survey, and you have the option of saving it to come back to so you don’t have to do it all at once.

​Please see below an invitation from the Unforgotten Forces partner the Scottish Older People's Assembly (SOPA) for veterans aged 65 and older to attend an engagement event taking place at the Legion Club in Bathgate on Thu 13th June. The views, voices, issues and opinions gathered at this event will then be taken to SOPA's annual Scottish Parliamentary Assembly at Holyrood later this year in October. As such this will be a good opportunity for older veterans to help influence parliament and politicians etc. in regard to the issues that affect or matter to them. Refreshments, lunch and musical entertainment will also be provided (for free!).

Should you have any queries about this event, or wish to book a place, please contact Caroline Clark at SOPA on e mail: caroline@scotopa.org.uk<mailto:caroline@scotopa.org.uk> or tel: 0131 357 1277

Consultation on Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Strategic Plan 2019-22
 
On 9 May 2019, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will launch a new draft Strategic Plan for public consultation.
 
The plan marks an important stage in the development of the Service and will shape our forward direction for the next three year period.  The draft Strategic Plan 2019-22 will be fully consulted upon for 10 weeks, ending on 18 July 2019. 
 
As one of our vitally important partners, we value your views on the activities we propose as we aim to ensure that your needs, and those of Scotland’s communities, are met.
 
Access to the public consultation exercise will be readily available on our website from 9 May 2019. I will also ensure that you receive a copy of our proposed draft Strategic Plan and details on how you can participate in the consultation.
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Locality Planning Engagement Events – Have your say on Adult Health and Social Care in West Lothian
 
The council and NHS Lothian are working together under the direction of the West Lothian Integration Joint Board to provide better health and social care services in West Lothian. To make sure that services are matched with local need, separate community-based plans will be produced for the East and West of West Lothian.  As part of the engagement process, you are invited to come along to an event for your Locality to share your views.  Please look at the attached surveys if you are unsure which Locality is most appropriate for you. There are two times available for each Locality, which are listed below:
 
West Locality Events
Blackburn Partnership Centre (Multi-Purpose Room)
Tuesday 14th May
2.30pm – 4.30pm or
5.30pm – 7.30pm
 
East Locality Events
Howden Park Centre (Space 3)
Tuesday 21st May
2.30pm – 4.30pm or
5.30pm – 7.30pm
 
Please contact Lorna Kemp at lorna.kemp@westlothian.gov.uk by Tuesday 7th of May for the West events or by Tuesday 14th May for the East events. Please include your name, whether you are an individual or attending on behalf of a group or organisation, which date and time you would like to attend and any access requirements that you have.
 
To find out more about the Locality Plans consultations and take part in the survey for the East or West Locality, please visit: http://www.westlothianchcp.org.uk/IJB-strategic-plan
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The Scottish Government are runnng a short term lets consultation which was launched by FM yesterday and is now live. The consultation will run until 19 July 2019, and can be accessed via the following link: https://consult.gov.scot/housing-services-policy-unit/short-term-lets/.