Welcome to the VAA Community Bulletin Page 1 Friday 15 th May 2015 Health and Social Care Make an impact through volunteering The Health and Social Care Integration approach is being used in Angus and making a significant difference to the lives of people in the county. The partnership working between the third sector, Angus Council, NHS Tayside and the independent sector has seen a significant increase in the number of people volunteering and people being supported in their communities. The feedback from volunteer befrienders, drivers and people benefiting from these services reflects a culture of caring communities and strong partnership working A befriending network has been set up which brings together a host of organisations who deliver befriending services A celebration of age forum is also very active bringing together the experiences and voices of people benefitting and volunteers Below is just a snapshot of some of the recent activity however we will provide a regular feature in our bulletin on Health and Social Care Community Befriending Since Jan 2015 has received 123 referrals for Befriending In the month of April 2015 Voluntary Action Angus volunteers provided befriending services 185 times That amounts to over 360 Volunteer hours. recruits drivers and befrienders for a range of different organisations including: The Third Sector NHS Tayside Angus Council Social Work and Health Community Transport Since Jan 2015 has received 103 requests for community transport supporting socially isolated people to access their health appointments / social activities Community Support Since January 2015 has received 33 requests for help. These mainly consisted of: House clearance - where the person has recently been bereaved or needs to move house D.I.Y - where an individual needs support for the simplest of things painting a wall etc.. Gardening preparing for the spring, weeding, cutting the grass etc Registered Office: 32 34 Guthrie Port, Arbroath, DD11 1RN
For more information on the befriending network and celebration of age; or becoming involved as a volunteer driver or befriender please get in touch with Sharon or Lesley at on 01241 875525 or 01307 466113 or email lesley@voluntaryactionangus.org.uk or sharon@voluntaryactionangus.org.uk Page 2 of 10 Angus Council People Directorate (Social Work and Health) are looking for volunteer befrienders and drivers. To find out more contact Sandra at on 01241 875525 or email sandra@voluntaryactionangus.org.uk Or Janet Rowlands at Angus Council on 01307 474863 or email RowlandsJ@angus.gov.uk We are actively working towards putting together a programme of activities for Volunteers Week for the first week of June. This is a fantastic opportunity for all partnerships across all sectors to come together for total success and the betterment of the communities involved. There has been some fantastic pieces of work achieved in the last year and we feel that together we can all make Volunteers Week one which will be remembered. Below is what we are proposing so far, if anyone wants to be involved please get in touch soon. For those of you who are involved in other activities please let us help you promote them and send details of that to either morag@voluntaryactionangus.org.uk or sharon@voluntaryactionangus.org.uk or alternatively you can give us a call on 01241 875525 or 01307 466113 Date Activity Area Monday 1 st June Friday 5 th June Exhibition of services an opportunity for all Forfar VAA All day organisations to show the impact they are making Tuesday 2 nd June Celebration of age an opportunity for befrienders Arbroath VAA 11.30-1.30 and befriendees to come together Tuesday 2 nd June 7-9pm Volunteer recruitment event promoting opportunities with Angus Cycle Hub Arbroath VAA Wednesday 3 rd June and Thursday 4 th June All day Road show Covering all of Angus in 2 days to promote volunteering and what s on in Angus Across Angus Friday 5 th June 1pm onwards Saturday 6 th June 12-3.00 Celebration of volunteering to be held at the House of Dun This will comprise of a BBQ and fun activities to celebrate the work of volunteers An outside family fun day The day will consist of: traditional sports races fundraising by young people s group Face painting Refreshments Showcase of voluntary organisations in Angus House of Dun Arbroath (ideas for open space)
Page 3 of 10 Volunteer Recruitment Angus Event Needs Your Support! On Sunday, 31 May 2015 Montrose will proudly host the Second Montrose Triathlon. To ensure its continued success the event needs the support of the local community and the organisers are calling for volunteers to help on the day. The event is full with 210 people signed up to take part plus a further 37 on a waiting list. It is based at the superbly equipped Montrose Sports Centre and from there participants will swim, bike and run their way around Montrose. No experience is necessary - full details of your role will be provided on the day. The event volunteers are vital to the success of the event simply it cannot run without them! The volunteer roles are vital and you will make an enormous difference to the competitor s and spectator s event experience. Volunteering is a great way to have fun, make friends and gain experience. Volunteering at the event can also give you the opportunity to test out potential career choices. Equally, if you know of others who can join you then please ask them to get in touch. We have a variety of roles available from directing participants, helping at the start/finish, providing information for spectators to handing out the all-important medals! In return for your support, food and refreshments will be provided. Planning for the event is well under way, and it would be great to know that you want to come and help us at the event. Volunteers will be required from approximately 0930 to 1530 but timings will be confirmed nearer the event. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at this event please get in touch by e-mailing info@triangus.co.uk.
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Page 5 of 10 Hope Garden SCIO Spring Plant Sale Saturday 16 th May - 11.00 am 4.00pm At the HOPE GARDEN, Hospitalfield, Arbroath Good selection of bedding plants, shrubs and fruit plants Also fresh organic vegetables for sale Admission free HOPE Garden is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) and a Charity registered in Scotland SC020928
Page 6 of 10 Save the Date - Angus Advice Workers Forum Boardroom - Angus House, Angus Council HQ, Orchardbank Industrial Estate, Forfar. Tuesday 09 June 2015 3pm 5pm Agenda to follow For minute of last meeting or for additional information please contact Joy Watson, Hillcrest Housing Association, jwatson@hillcrestha.org.uk or call 01382 315725.
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Page 9 of 10 Funding Making a difference in our communities Applications are now open for the new RBS Skills & Opportunities Fund The new RBS Skills & Opportunities Fund is open for applications from not-for-profit organisations until noon on Friday 22 May, for awards of up to 35,000. The Skills & Opportunities Fund is one of the many ways RBS are contributing to the communities we live and work in. This year they are committing 2.5m to fund projects in charities, social enterprises, community groups, state-funded schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland. Their focus for this funding is to support organisations that help people in disadvantaged communities develop, create or access the skills and opportunities they need to help themselves; skills that will enable them to get into work or start a business, now or in the future. RBS believe that helping people gain such skills and access opportunities to learn can help turn their lives around and build better communities for everyone; when we build stronger communities, we all grow. Supporting local communities The country has been split into seven regions, each with its own decision making board, in order to distribute the Skills & Opportunities Fund. Although all regions will be looking to fund projects that enable people to help themselves, each will have differing priorities recognising regional differences. Prior to applying for funding, it s worth looking at your region s priorities and making sure your application responds to them. For more information, and details of how to apply please visit: http://skillsandopportunitiesfund.rbs.com./
Page 10 of 10 Job Vacancies