thinkSpace

Edinburgh: A Good Place to Live?

9th January 2020 By evocadmin

Join Edinburgh’s Compact Partnership as we discuss what makes a ‘Good Place to Live’ and what Edinburgh needs to achieve this.

The Partnership works towards Edinburgh’s Community Plan which has three priorities for the City:

enough money to live on

access to work, learning and training

a good place to live.

We are hosting an event on 30th January looking at one of these priorities in more depth: A Good Place to Live.

We have invited several community groups and voluntary organisations to deliver short presentations on what ‘A Good Place to Live’ means to them in the context of Edinburgh.

We wish to invite anyone who works in the arts, communities, social care, health or social justice to come along, hear from others and share their own views on what ‘A Good Place to Live’ looks like for Edinburgh.

To sign up for the event and more details please visit the eventbrite here.

thinkSpace: ‘Open All Hours’ Prevention and Enhancement of out of hours care

20th September 2018 By evocadmin

‘Open All Hours’ : A Lothian-wide Third Sector Event to explore ideas preventing the need for, and enhancing the delivery of, out of hours care.
NHS Lothian and the four Lothian IJBs are currently working together to redesign care services for primary care out of hours periods – namely evenings/overnight, weekends and public holidays.

This event will bring together the senior decision makers of the Programme Board and third sector organisations to explore ideas and discuss how we might develop proposals to support patient needs.

Easter Road Stadium, The Edinburgh Room, Wednesday 10 October 2018, 9.30am registration + breakfast roll for 10.00am to 1.30pm

Programme aim:
‘To develop an Urgent Care Resource Hub which coordinates well-led and well-supported multidisciplinary health and social care teams, including third and independent sector, to deliver urgent care in the Out of Hours Period’

System issues:
We are noticing disjointed patient pathways through the Out of Hours Services
There are numerous pressures on current Out of Hours Services, such workload, workforce and a pressure to deliver more care in the community
We need to build a sustainable integrated model that delivers the right care at the right time in the right place

Please contact kyle.stuart@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk to provide us with any dietary requirements or accessibility requirements

To view the event flyer click here.
To download the event powerpoint click here.

Draft Economic Strategy for Edinburgh

16th January 2018 By evocadmin

After much consultation including our Thinkspace in November to help develop the Economic Strategy for Edinburgh, the first draft is now available for you to look at and comment on. This will be considered by elected members on the 18th January. If you have comments that you want to make, these can be sent directly to Chris Adams, Chris.adams@edinburgh.gov.uk

Download the draft strategy: Item_7.1___Edinburgh_Economy_Strategy (2)

We will keep you informed of any opportunities to influence and shape the action planning that will come out of this.

Edinburgh Social Enterprise Impact Report

19th December 2017 By evocadmin

Please follow this link https://bit.ly/2jRsGLC to the Edinburgh Social Enterprise Impact Report for 2017.

As you will see, Social Enterprise in Edinburgh continues to grow with the report showing increased numbers of volunteers, paid staff and turnover. Paid posts have increased by almost 10 times in 4 years (3.5 times in 2 years) showing that social enterprise is a growing area for employment, whilst volunteer hours contributed an estimated value of £1.29m to social enterprises for the 12 months to July 2017. There has been a reduction in the rate of increase in volunteers sitting on boards/management committees, which is consistent with the wider third sector, and this is an area that will be targeted over the coming 12 months in partnership with Volunteer Edinburgh and EVOC.

Turnover is still up, but growth is at a lower pace than previously reported, consistent with the national picture. However, international trade for Edinburgh based Social Enterprises is 10%, which is ahead of the national average of 7%.

More Social Enterprises are reporting higher percentages of income coming from trade, rather than other sources of income, such as grants, with some members reporting 100% income from trade. Edinburgh Social Enterprises continue to show high levels of consumer-facing trade, with 49% selling direct to the public.

All in all, Social Enterprise is creating employment, training and volunteering opportunities: increasingly contributing to Edinburgh’s economy: becoming more robust and sustainable as a sector (against challenging market conditions) and increasingly trading at an international level.

Social Enterprises provide vital support and services to the most vulnerable people in Edinburgh, with 76% of respondents reporting that they have 200 or more beneficiaries, some have many more.

Furthermore, ESE is delighted to see that City of Edinburgh Council has pledged to invest in Social Enterprise as part of its commitment to create the conditions for businesses to thrive, as part of the 52 commitments made under the coalition agreement.

Key dates for your diary

ESE network members event: Finance, Investment, and Social Return | 31 January 2018 | 1- 3:30pm | Foundation Scotland

Edinburgh Social Enterprise AGM | 31 January 2018 | 4-6pm | Foundation Scotland

Social in the Gardens (SitG18) | 27-28 July 2018 | Ross Theatre, Princes Street Gardens

Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF18) 2018 | 12-14 September 2018 | Edinburgh

For more information on the above events inlcud9ng booking details, or to find out more about Edinburgh Social Enterprise and the ESE network, please follow this link to our website https://www.edinburghsocialenterprise.co.uk/

Setting the Council budget 2018/19

8th November 2017 By evocadmin

We are planning our budget for 2018/19 and are once again looking for your feedback.

The changes that we face, just like other cities, continue:

our population is changing and growing
demand for our services, such as for schools and health and social care, is increasing all the time
Council income has not kept up with rising demand.

In 2017/18 we invested over £900m on services for residents, businesses and visitors. We focussed on the things you told us are important like education, care for older people, culture and services for vulnerable children and adults.

We have saved around £240m since 2012/13 and continue to work more efficiently and prioritise our services. Even with this, we estimate that we need to save at least £21m by 2019, over £100m by 2021 and £150m by 2023.

Tell us what you think

Please give us your views on our budget proposals at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/playyourpart. You can also register to come along to Question Time on Monday 27 November, where you can put a question to our panel of senior councillors.

Third Sector as a Vital Partner in Edinburgh’s Economic Strategy

11th October 2017 By evocadmin

Third Sector as a Vital Partner in Edinburgh’s Economic Strategy

Over the coming months, organisations which make up Edinburgh’s Economic Partnership are pulling together thoughts, ideas and ambitions for Edinburgh’s Economic Strategy.

We would like to invite the sector to a thinkSpace event with Councillor Gavin Barry and Councillor Lesley Cameron which explores how this contribution can be articulated and supported in the Economic Strategy for the City. As an organisation and as a sector, we want this Economic Strategy to be different, to demonstrate what role we do in fact play, and how this can be taken further collaboratively.

Book now to give us your views.

Building on the three themes of People, Places and Business this session, hosted by Councillor Gavin Barry and Councillor Lesley Cameron will consider how the Third Sector already contributes and how we can do so differently. Of course, every organisation will have its own angle – and that’s something we want to hear – but here are a few things to get you thinking:

People

o Recognising the Third Sector as a huge employer in the city

o Considering how the Sector can support individuals and communities to make their economic contribution through preventative work on mental health in the workplace, supporting carers etc.

o Looking at the contribution of the volunteers in the City

o Supporting the development of a workforce fit for the City’s demands

Places

o Looking at the infrastructure of the City

o Considering the carbon impact and sustainability of the City

o Considering new digital technologies in social issues

Business

o Looking at social enterprises

o Supporting social entrepreneurs

For years we have all been arguing that the Third Sector has a significant economic impact within the city. This is our opportunity to embed that perspective within the Partnership’s strategy. Book now so we can hear your views.

Book Now

Health & Social Care Grants Rolled forward to March 2019

25th September 2017 By evocadmin

At its meeting on Friday 22 September, the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (IJB) agreed to extend a number of grants streams forward to March 2019, 12 months beyond the current expiry date. The Council aligned the end dates of all the above grants to 31 March 2018 on the basis that the budget for these programmes is now delegated and it is for the Integration Joint Board to determine its grantmaking strategy for 2018 and beyond.

In addition to the main grant programme, part of the Social Justice Fund associated with Integration Joint Board functions has also been delegated to the Board by the Council; as has the contribution to the health inequalities programme previously funded through Edinburgh Community Health Partnership. Grants have also been made through the Integrated Care Fund.

All of these grants are now extended and are designed to:

promote community resilience and local activism;
encourage self-help and volunteering initiatives;
complement wider spending on health and wellbeing and inequality strategies;
deliver a ‘return’ on investment’ by providing the leverage needed to attract other sources of grant funding; and
support the maintenance of the civic ‘fabric’ of Edinburgh.

During 2018 there will be a full grants review and the scope, methodology and timescale will be reported back to the IJB for approval in November. The work of this review will be led by the IJB Strategic Planning Group.

Further information is available here – full IJB report.

Locality Improvement Plans Update

20th September 2017 By evocadmin

The Locality Improvement Plans (LIPs) were considered by the Council’s Culture and Communities Committee on 12 September 2017. The Committee decided to defer the item until its next meeting on 14 November 2017.

This action has been taken to enable the Council to develop and align governance arrangements for the introduction of Locality Committees alongside the LIPs and the wider community planning partnership going forward. An options paper is currently with the Council Leader for discussion.

A report will be presented at the Edinburgh Partnership to defer consideration and endorsement of the LIPs to its next meeting on the 7 December 2017. This will allow time for the Council to align the plans within the proposed governance and scrutiny arrangements currently under consideration.

Partners are encouraged to continue with their own sign off arrangements recognising that final conclusion will be at that meeting.

This means that final sign-off will not be concluded in time to meet the Scottish Government deadline of 1 October 2017.

The Council and its partners have demonstrated that substantial work has been undertaken through engagement at both a locality and small area level. Scottish Government will be provided with an update on the process to date and the next steps being taken by the Community Planning Partnership (CPP).

Edinburgh continues its fight to eradicate Islamophobia

18th September 2017 By evocadmin

Police in Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh’s Third Sector are continuing to work with the community to create a city free from Islamophobia and associated prejudice behaviour.

A total fund of £40,000 has been contributed to by Police Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Government.

Its purpose of the Shared Vision – Your Decision initiative is to help local people deliver innovative projects which reduce prejudice and foster positive relationships between diverse communities.

Between 10 November and 12 December 2016, applications were submitted for projects to receive up to £5,000 from the total fund.

Residents were then asked to decide which of 34 projects, who collectively applied for over £120,000, were given funding. A vote was launched on 28 January, running until 13 February, at an event in the city which brought together the projects and the public.

Over 2500 people collectively voted at the event, online and at local libraries with thirteen projects now being given funding. Sergeant Scott Kennedy of Edinburgh’s Prevention’s Interventions & Partnerships (PIP) Team said:

“It’s been really encouraging to see so many people eager to be involved and the support received from the public throughout this process. We’ll continue to work together with all the projects to tackle prejudice and ensure that Edinburgh remains a welcoming and diverse city. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved and wish all the projects the best of luck!”

Councillor Maureen Child, Convener of the Communities and Neighbourhood Committee, said:

“Participatory budgeting exercises like this continue to be exceedingly popular, allowing local people to make real decisions about priority activities in their local area. ‘Shared Vision – Your Decision is a great example of the positive work being carried out across the city with partners to promote equality and tackle Islamophobia.”

Below is a list of the successful bids:

Amina, The Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – Based on the human library concept that breaks down prejudice through social interaction of people over a cup of tea.

Amina, The Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – Muslim women deliver interactive workshops aimed at building more integrated, socially cohesive communities, by safely challenging negative stereotypes & prejudices.

Edinburgh Lone Fathers Project / Edinburgh Central Mosque ‘Dads & Kids Day – A day of fun, conversation and learning at the Edinburgh Central Mosque.

Edinburgh Women’s Interfaith Group – EWIG would like to build bridges of friendship bringing the local community together celebrating all cultural, traditions and spiritual heritage.

Edinburgh Interfaith Association – Raising awareness of Islam’s peaceful message, inviting non-Muslims to ‘Unite4Ramadan’, joining a Ramadan fast & sharing an evening meal at mosque.

Just Enough Scotland – Delivering fun, educational workshops on radicalisation and terrorism in 10 Edinburgh schools. Trying to prevent further rise in hate crime.

Kids In The Street, One Team, Many Cultures, One Goal – Raises awareness of the true meaning of faith through football, fun, food & learning.

Leith Festival Association – Celebrating our Asian community highlighting and showcasing the varied communities, customs in the area through music, dance, art and food.

LifeCare (Edinburgh) Limited – Breaking down boundaries and eroding prejudice across cultures, communities and generations through friendships for isolated over 60s in Edinburgh.

Protest in Harmony – Singing and songwriting workshops at Edinburgh College to explore our similarities and differences, raising awareness of issues around Islamophobia.

Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees – An interfaith series of monthly gatherings and events to increase intercultural understanding and build bridges between locals, refugees and migrants.

Sikh Sanjog YGirls – A safe space for girls and young women to meet, share experiences, critically reflect and build self-esteem and resilience.

The Welcoming Association – Learn about the experiences of refugee families in Edinburgh through community screenings and discussion of our short film ‘Syrian Voices’.