An opportunity has arisen to invite organisations in Edinburgh to apply for one-off funding for one year from June 2018 to support community based work around health inequalities. This funding could be used to develop existing activity or for a new initiative to help meet a need/ gap in provision.
Closing date for applications 21st June – 12 noon
EVOC as an organisation has a responsibility to protect and respect your privacy and to look after data provided to us.
In compliance with the GDPR, EVOC has updated its privacy policy. The new privacy notice is available by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
This privacy notice explains what data we collect, how we use that data, where we store the information, how long we store that data for and how we store your details securely.
EVOC may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. The last updated date will be displayed at the bottom of this page.
– What information is being collected?
– Who is collecting it
– What data we collect
– How we use that data
– Where we store your information
– How long we store the data
– How we store your information securely
– External web links
– Requesting Personal Data Records
– Your right to make a complaint
– Contact details
Volunteer Edinburgh along with Volunteer Glasgow has just launched volunteerwiki.org.uk which gives volunteer managers access to high quality, reliable and up to date information on managing volunteers.
Whether you are just starting out involving volunteers or you have been managing volunteers for many years, they aim to cover a wide range of volunteer management issues and give you access to the knowledge that you need.
To make life even easier they have example policies and forms which anyone is free to download and use.
Here is the subjects it covers:
Involving Volunteers
Creating a Volunteer Role Description
Developing a Volunteer Policy
Recruiting Volunteers
Selection and Screening
Volunteer Agreements
Volunteer Inductions
Volunteer Training
Insuring Volunteers
Volunteer Expenses
Volunteer Risk Management
Volunteer Criminal Disclosures PVG Scheme
Supporting Volunteers
Volunteer Exits
Volunteers and Health and Safety
Volunteering and UK State Benefits
Dealing with Volunteer Complaints
Volunteer Problem Solving Policy
Childcare for Volunteers
Involving Volunteers from Outside the UK
When Does a Volunteer Become an Employee?
Measuring the Cost and Value of Volunteers
Defining Volunteering and Internships
On 25th April 2018 the Scottish Government and Disclosure Scotland launched a consultation document that will form the basis of the PVG scheme in the future.
The PVG Scheme will become mandatory and Scottish Ministers have decided the consultation will be about how this will come into existence in the next couple of years. This consultation will give organisations, groups and individuals the opportunity to feedback so that policy makers can understand the impact the proposed changes will have on those that use the disclosure system.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks ending on July 18th 2018, giving respondents an opportunity to consult with stakeholders.
The consultation is split into seven sections, each section provides information and discusses policy options and then asks the respondent to answer questions on matters relating to possible options for change.
Over the next 3 months you have the opportunity to feedback on issues such as:
• The number of disclosure products that are available
• Fee structures
• Moving to a digital service
• Replacing regulated work with a list of positions.
• Definition of a protected adult
• The duration of PVG scheme membership
• Introducing a membership card
• The definition of a qualifying voluntary organisation
• Implementation of a fee for volunteer disclosure checks
• Changes to the referral, barring and under consideration process.
• The removal of information from a scheme record.
The above is just a selection of the areas that the consultation is covering and Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services would recommend reading over the consultation prior to starting to answer the questions so that you have an overview of the complete proposal before answering.
To take part click here.
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.
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.
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/
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:
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.
The Communities and Families Small Grants Programme for 2018-19 is now open. The closing date for applications is 3pm on 15th December and you will find the application pack available for download.
We are keen to receive applications particularly for new pieces of work. There are no new questions this year, however, we have added further points to consider when writing your responses so do please read the guidance carefully. You will also notice that we have changed to a 0-4 scoring scale rather than a 0-3 scale.
The maximum value of the award is £10,000 and the minimum will be £1,000. As last year, 80% of the budget will be available only to organisations with a turnover of less than £500,000.
The report with award recommendations will go the Education Children and Families Committee on 6th March 2018.
Should you have any questions about the programme please contact CF.Commissioning@edinburgh.gov.uk or telephone 0131 469 3457.
Download:
Part C – Financial Projections
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.
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:
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.
