Dores and Essich Community

Covid-19

Community Resilience Briefing 16-12-22

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Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience. 

Winter Vaccination Programme

  • Public Health Scotland colleagues have recently translated information on the Covid and Flu vaccinations being offered as part of the Winter Vaccination Programme. This includes 36 community languages and British Sign Language versions, accessible here: Other languages – winter vaccines | NHS inform

Covid related information 

Funding  

SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:

  • The Naturesave Trust – Promotes the adoption of sustainable development relating to environmental and conservation projects, social enterprise projects, community renewable energy grants, and environmental performance reviews. Next deadline 28 Feb 2023.
  • SportScotland – Sport Facilities Fund – Supports projects that create or improve places people can take part in sport and physical activity withing clubs and schools. Next deadline 1 April 2023
  • Help the Homeless – Financially support charities operating homelessness hostels, drop-in centres, and the like. Next deadline 15 March 2023.

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

  • Priority Services Register – This is a free service proving extra help to priority customers when there is an interruption to electricity, gas, or water.Examples of eligibility include use of medical equipment reliant on electricity, have a disability, or are over 60. More information and registration forms are available from the link
  • Winter Road Maintenance – Information from The Highland Council about road maintenance this winter, including gritting route maps.
  • HTSI Winter Resilience Services – this document available from the HTSI homepage is a non-exhaustive list of services offering winter support.
  • Citizens Advice – If you are struggling to afford energy bills this winter you may be eligible to some of the grants and benefits listed here.
  • SSEN Powering on This Winter – Attached are the answers to questions relating to power supply this winter received by SSEN in a recent stakeholder meeting.
  • Scottish Water – Advice and resources to help protect your pipes this winter.
  • CyberScotland – This bulletin update contains information regarding staying safe shopping online and the latest holiday scams to watch for.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

  • NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing.
  • Cost of living crisis and your mental health
    Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.

Emergency Planning 

 Other

  • Reporting Tool for Dead Wild Birds – You should use this service to report dead wild birds if you find:
    • 1 or more dead birds of prey (such as an owl, hawk or buzzard)
    • 3 or more dead birds that include at least 1 gull, swan, goose or duck
    • 5 or more dead wild birds of any species
    • You can use this service to report other types or numbers of dead wild birds.

APHA has released a new online reporting tool for dead wild bird finds, this covers the whole of GB https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds.

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

Community Resilience Briefing 2-12-22

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Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience. 

Winter Vaccination Programme

  • Public Health Scotland colleagues have recently translated information on the Covid and Flu vaccinations being offered as part of the Winter Vaccination Programme. This includes 36 community languages and British Sign Language versions, accessible here: Other languages – winter vaccines | NHS inform

Covid related information 

Funding  

SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:

  • Esmee Fairburn Foundation – Gives grants to organisations with charitable purposes related to improving our natural world, tackling injustice, or nurturing creative and confident communities. Apply at any time.
  • Hugh Fraser Foundation – Donates to charities working in many different sectors so long as the objective is charitable. Next deadline 1 Feb 2023.
  • Cultivation Street – Garden vouchers are available to community, neighbourhood and school gardens who want to bring back community gardening. Register for 2023 competition via website.

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

  • SSEN – Attached is information about the SSEN Winter Campaign allowing people to sign up to the free priority services register in the event of a power cut if they meet certain conditions. Also attached is a home emergency plan that can be used to prepare for an emergency situation such as a power cut.  
  • Scottish Government– Ready Scotland
    • The winter preparedness campaign is underway, and households are recommended to create an emergency plan and kit in the event of an unforeseen emergency. They have prepared guidance for creating an emergency plan for your home and creating an emergency kit for your home.
    • Share your community resilience stories. We would love to feature lots of stories of community resilience in emergencies – during the Resilient Communities conference events and on the www.Ready.Scot website. Share information about your community resilience activities to inspire others and help to find local solutions and ideas. 
    • Resilient Communities Conference – Ready Scotland are looking at hosting a Resilient Communities Conference in the new year if there is sufficient interest. Proposing that the conference take place online over a series of days and times in February and March 2023.

The proposed focus of the workshops are:

  • The “nuts and bolts” of community resilience in emergencies – practical experience from rural and urban community groups talking about the different types of resilience activities they carry out, how their community groups work together and how they connect with others. 
  • Professional responder community – sharing good practice and insight on supporting and working with local communities – Statutory and sector voluntary responders will share their good practice in supporting community resilience and show what is working in their local areas. 
  • Young people supporting and leading on community resilience – hearing from groups of young people, youth leaders and educators about how they come together to create and contribute to resilient communities.

What should you do:

  • Register your interest in attending the online events (you’ll get booking links once we have the dates and times secured)
  • Consider hosting a workshop during the conference to share good practice, tools and resources for other responders.
  • Highland Council – Employability Team – The Employability Team help young people who have left school but are not in work or studying, and adults who are seeking work but need support to overcome barriers to employment. This includes support for developing CVs, job searching, and interview preparation.
    • Highland Employment Recruitment Offer (HERO) – helps people of all work ages and with the greatest barriers to employment secure and stay in jobs. Private (including sole trader /self-employed) or third sector employer with less than 50 employees in Highland can apply to HERO. The fund will help with the costs of recruiting and employing someone who fits the criteria.    About the scheme | Highland Employment Recruitment Offer (HERO) | The Highland Council
    • Paid Public Placements – The Paid Public Sector Placements support out of work Highland residents who are looking to progress into employment.  The scheme provides participants with relevant work experience and the opportunity to access training and gain valuable skills, helping them to progress into sustainable employment.    Paid Public Sector Placements | Employability | The Highland Council
  • Rotory Club – Attached are documents from the Rotary club highlighting sources of free emergency food and sources of help and advice within the Inverness Area.
  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chimneys Leaflet– There are over 1000 chimney fires each year in Scotland. Attached is information about chimneys fires and CO poisoning.
  • The Social Work Out of Hours Service has a new FREEPHONE number – 0808 175 3646
  • Improvement Service – This tool has now been adapted for Scotland to enable communities to create Local Place Plans and highlight specific areas of interest or concern.
  • SEPA Prepare for Flooding This Winter – In the aftermath of significant flooding along the Northeast coast, SEPA are urging the public to sign up to Floodline, which provides 24/7 live flooding information. Please see the attachment for more information and links.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

  • NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing.
  • Cost of living crisis and your mental health
    Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.

Emergency Planning 

 Other

  • The Great Fuel Moisture Survey – See the attachment for details on an opportunity to assist in an important piece of research to help our understanding of vegetation fires
  • Crimestoppers’ national campaign stay energy safe highlights the dangers of energy theft and how to spot it.

https://www.sgn.co.uk/help-and-advice/energy-theft

Tampering with or bypassing the gas meter is extremely dangerous. As well as being dangerous, the cost of energy theft affects us all as it adds an extra £20 to the cost of our energy bills each year. 

It can be hard to spot the signs of energy theft, but here are some things to look out for:

  • A meter that’s been turned around the wrong way so you can’t see the normal dials.
  • A smell of gas near the meter box.
  • Bits of rubber tubing instead of pipes.
  • No visible dial or counter on the meter anymore.
  • The meter shows credit has run out but gas is still available.
  • Dials on the meter aren’t going around even when gas is being used.

Whether you’re a member of the public, business, landlord or tenant, if you see something suspicious, report signs of energy theft to keep you, and those around you, safe.

To anonymously report energy theft, call the Stay Energy Safe service powered by Crimestoppers on 0800 023 2777 or report it online

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

Community Resilience Briefing 04/11/22

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Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience. 

Winter Vaccination Programme

  • Public Health Scotland colleagues have recently translated information on the Covid and Flu vaccinations being offered as part of the Winter Vaccination Programme. This includes 36 community languages and British Sign Language versions, accessible here: Other languages – winter vaccines | NHS inform

Covid related information 

Funding  

SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:

  • National Lottery Awards for All Scotland
    This funds focus is on projects that either bring people together, improve important spaces to communities, enable people by addressing issues early, or involve the arts. Applications can be submitted at any time.
  • Edge Fund
    Supports small grassroots organisations that struggle to get funding elsewhere that are focused on creating a just, equitable, and sustainable world. Opens applications twice a year, next deadline 6 November.
  • Warburtons Community Funding
    Provides small grants to support charities which improve health, place, or skills for families in their communities. Next deadline 8 November.
  • Reaching New Scots Fund – This funding opportunity is designed and managed by refugees in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund. Groups can apply for grants of up to £30,000 for projects that support New Scots. 

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

  • Money Counts Courses – These courses aim to build staff confidence to offer income maximisation help to individuals with money worries. See the attached document for more information.
  • CyberScotland October News Update
    • Malware and Viruses – It’s not just a concern for businesses!
      Read our tips to protect your computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets from the damage caused by viruses and other types of malware.
    • Charity Essentials Charity Campaign, 7th – 18th November
      CyberScotland Partner, IASME, will be offering support and guidance as well as a discount on the price of certification, to help registered charities achieve Cyber Essentials. Visit https://iasme.co.uk/cyber-essentials/cyber-essentials-for-charities/ for more information.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

  • NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing.
  • Cost of living crisis and your mental health
    Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living coantinues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.

Emergency Planning 

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

Community Resilience Briefing 21-10-22

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Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience. 

Winter Vaccination Programme

  • Public Health Scotland colleagues have recently translated information on the Covid and Flu vaccinations being offered as part of the Winter Vaccination Programme. This includes 36 community languages and British Sign Language versions, accessible here: Other languages – winter vaccines | NHS inform

Covid related information 

Funding  

SCVO  is a key source of funding information for the third sector. Funds that may be of interest include:

  • Corra Foundation – Children and Families Fund
    Supports frontline services working with children and families affected by alcohol and drugs. Next deadline 1 December 2022.
  • Harbinson Charitable Trust
    Funds organisations working in education, health, agriculture, conservation, wildlife, and the arts. Applications can be made at any time
  • The Robertson Trust – Large Grants
    Focuses on work addressing the impacts of poverty and/or trauma relating to financial wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and relationships, or education and work pathways. Apply at any time, decisions made within 10-12 weeks.

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

  • Water Safety Scotland – This voluntary association of organisations and individuals aims to reduce accidental drowning deaths in Scotland by 50% by 2026. More information, events, schemes, and resources are available at their website and in the attached posters.
  • Cyber Scotland Bulletin October – Included is information on the latest scams, including a recent energy rebate scam and new guidance for companies to protect themselves and their customers online. 
  • Energy Action Scotland – Attached to this email is information about free training for front line staff held online throughout November and December. The training is aimed at staff responsible for looking after the health, wellbeing, and social welfare of vulnerable people, enabling them to offer appropriate and effective advice relating to fuel poverty/energy efficiency.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

  • Lochaber Cares – A Community Learning and Development Approach to Community Mental Health Services for young people aged 5 -24, the Lochaber Cares project will facilitate community mental health and wellbeing projects and include events for children, young people, families, and communities. The Cares Team are holding Stakeholder workshops in each of the Community Planning Partnership areas to enable us to capture the voices and needs in your local area. This is your opportunity to influence the priorities for your community. The Meeting date is 15 November at 1030-1200 and 1830-2000, with an additional session 16 November for young persons at 1330-1500. See the Lochaber Cares attachment for information on how to attend.
  • NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing.
  • Cost of living crisis and your mental health
    Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.
  • Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund – Highland Third Sector Interface are pleased to share that there is new funding available for third sector organisations in Highland to promote adult mental health and wellbeing.

This is aimed at small-scale, grassroots community organisations to promote mental health and wellbeing and/or protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health within the adult population

Timeline:
Phase 1 
Expressions of Interest opening 17 October
Expressions of Interest deadline Midday, 7 November

Phase 2
Expressions of Interest opening 5pm, 7 November
Expressions of Interest deadline 28 November
https://www.highlandtsi.org.uk/hcmw-fund

Emergency Planning 

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

Key-stakeholders-update-21-October-2022.docxDownload

Community Resilience Briefing 12-9-22

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Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience. 

Death of her Majesty the Queen – Following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, The Highland Council has released this statement. This also includes information on local gardens of remembrance or books of condolence. 

Covid related information 

Funding  

SCVO is a key source of funding information for the third sector https://scvo.scot/funding. Funds that may be of interest include: 

  • Discover Digital Inclusion and Participation Grants 
    The ALLIANCE has a new funding opportunity for voluntary sector and community organisations through their Discover Digital programme. There are two different grants available (up to £3,000 and up to £15,000), for organisations doing work on promoting health and wellbeing through digital tools and services. 
     
     Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 14 September. Find out more and make an application.
  • Community Learning & Development Digital Device Fund 
    If your organisation delivers community learning and development services in Scotland, then you could be eligible to apply for up to £15,000 to purchase digital devices that can be used by learners to support their development. 
    Applications close at 12pm on Friday 16 September. For full fund criteria and to apply, visit our SCVO grantmaking portal

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

  • Adult Disability Payment – Social Security Scotland are providing support for extra costs for people with a disability or long-term health condition. 
  • Trellis Community Food Growing Networking Event – 30th September, Badenoch & Strathspey Community Hospital, Aviemore 10am – 3.30pm
    This event would suit any Community Food Growing projects, whether established or in the initial stages of set-up.  The last Trellis event was a great opportunity to meet with groups and organisations who have an interest in CFG and the mental/health benefits of growing food. 
  • How to Plan for National Power Outages (NPO) – Attached is details from The Scottish Business Resilience Centre who are hosting a free event on 5th October 12:00-2:00pm about preparing a business for a National Power Outage.
  • Practical Cyber Resilience Skills – Cyber Scotland are hosting two free online workshops to learn about cyber security, earning a certificate at the end and a practical cyber security badge. The events are:
  • Wednesday 14 September 10:00-12:00 – Tools for staying safe online
  • Wednesday 21 September 10:00-12:00 – Tools for Resilience and Recovery
  • Monthly Threat Update – The City of London Police have released the latest information on fraud and cyber dependent crime. Reports of scams have been increasing continually, with some of the current most common scams involving football tickets, fake holiday giveaways, and amazon gift cards. Attached is the full document with more information.

Mental Health and Wellbeing  

  • NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing.
  • Cost of living crisis and your mental health
    Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase.  This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise.

Emergency Planning 

Other

  • Energy Cost Calculator – Allows you to calculate the running costs of any electrical items using a range of tariffs.
  • free digital checkup service – SCVO have created a tool to review your digital capability and get advice on your next steps regarding leadership, equipment, content, resilience and more.
  • Opportunity to Join the University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI) Foundation – 
    Foundation is the name of our external network, who come together in an up to 120-person strong membership, four times a year, providing the vital link between UHI and our communities. The collective role of Foundation is to act as a custodian of our articles of association, shape the university’s future, champion UHI, and jointly drive positive change for the region. You can find more information here Governance – Foundation (uhi.ac.uk). You can contact Dr Jen Vanderhoven for further information at [email protected] 

    We are looking for new members from across our stakeholder groups, and the region to join – Community, businesses, government and policy makers, future students and schools, alumni and donors.

    If you would like to join UHI Foundation, please take a look at the commitment we look for from our members, on the website and then complete ouronline application form.

Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst

Community Support and Engagement

Highland Council

Community Resilience Briefing 29-07-22

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Key-stakeholders-update-22-July-2022.docxDownload

Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,

Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience. 

Covid related information  

Funding  

SCVO is a key source of funding information for the third sector https://scvo.scot/funding. Funds that may be of interest include: 

Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund
New funding is now available from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). The fund aims to support community organisations to reduce their building energy costs and carbon emissions.

The Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund is open now and is planned to run until the end of March 2025, subject to funding availability.

Funding is available for many types of community building, including:

  • community cafes
  • community hubs
  • faith buildings
  • public halls
  • community halls and centres.

Grant funding is available for up to 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £80,000. 
Find out more.

Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience

  • WhatsApp Scam Messages – attached is a message from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau with a warning about an increase in a scam where victims are contacted by criminals impersonating someone they know. This scam has already resulted in over £1.5m reported losses. 
  • Ofgem’s RIIO-ED2 Draft Determination – Attached is an email from SSEN encouraging stakeholders to take part in the consultation Ofgem are running on the Draft Determination until August 25. The Draft Determination lays out what funding will be available for gas and electricity companies to make improvements to their services for customers.
  • CyberScotland Monthly Update – Attached is CyberScotlands latest news which includes information on staying in control of personal data and third sector cyber resilience.
  • CyberScotland Bulletin July – Rounds up any cyber security information from the last month. Topics include a new briefing pack for cyber resilience, holiday cyber-attacks, and sharing the free copy of the little book of big scams.

Mental Health and Wellbeing  

Emergency Planning