Thanks to Chris Woodness for passing the latest Hub Bulletin on to us, in particular there may be interest in the Draft Flood Risk Management Strategies and Local Flood Risk Management Plans section. Or indeed anything else that might be relevant to you!

News

Help with your heating costs!

  • Are you on a means tested benefit?
  • Do you use a heating system that runs on oil or LPG?

If so, you may be eligible for a subsidy payment of up to £120 towards filling your oil or LPG tank.

For more info contact the hub on 01387 26916 or email info@thehubdg.org.uk

Housing First Launches in Dumfries Housing First is a concept developed in America which offers permanent accommodation to the most vulnerable and complexly disadvantaged people as quickly as possible and provides ongoing support to help them recover from any needs they may have, such as mental health and substance misuse issues. The Scottish Government have been championing the roll-out of this approach across Scotland as part of their Ending Homelessness Together Policy. The pilot project will be for a period of 2 years and looks to home and support up to 20 individuals during that period. The Council’s Housing Options and Homeless Service have commissioned Turning Point Scotland to deliver the support element of the project with the Wheatley Group Ltd. committing to providing up to 20 homes via Dumfries & Galloway Housing Partnership. Currently referrals into the project are via the Housing Options and Homeless Service but referral routes from other services and agencies will be introduced as the project develops.  Further information on Housing First in Scotland can be found here. Anyone requiring further information around the Dumfries project can contact the Housing Options and Homeless Service by email: homelessdumfries@dumgal.gov.uk

As well as the Housing First work, The Housing Options and Homeless Service are also launching a new Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control Homelessness Protocol. Anyone experiencing or who has experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control is able to access a range of housing and advice services.

The introduction of this protocol and pathway will ensure survivors of domestic abuse who are homeless or threatened with homelessness will receive consistent advice, have access to a range of options and ensure safeguarding and the service user needs are key to service delivery.

 

Dumfries and Galloway Multi Cultural Association Update on the Afghan Refugee Resettlement Project They have secured a depot to store donations for furniture, clothes, and household items. Venue is 45 Whitesands, DUMFRIES next door to the Waterfront Take Away. Opening time is Monday to Friday 1pm-2pm. Evenings and weekends can be arranged to suit all. With this new project, they will be accepting lots of donations. They need volunteers to sort out the donations. I.e. clothes, kids, girls, ladies, gents, cookery items, beddings, towels, toiletries, cultural foods, and maintenance of cleanness, orderly of the venue and to following COVID-19 guidelines. Befrienders and community volunteer interpreters please register your interest to go for potential matching up to a particular family. PVG check and training with be supported by the D&G Council. ESOL classes will restart in September; learners will need to be registered for the new classes. Trainings for volunteers: food and hygiene, first aid, health and safety, board member governance and responsibilities, equality and diversity trainings are available but places are also limited, please register your interest by text 07749227526 or email info@dgma.org.uk

Best Start Foods payment increase Best Start Foods payments have increased this month to help boost family incomes. Best Start Foods supports families on low incomes to buy healthy food for children under three. Payments are made every four weeks on a pre-paid card to buy healthy food like eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses. The amount you get on your prepaid card will change depending on the age of your child. The payment is increasing to £18 from £17 during pregnancy and for any children between one and three years old. It’s also increasing to £36 from £34 for children under one. More information and how to apply for Best Start Foods can be found on mygov.scot or by calling 0800 182 2222.

New definition for terminal illness There is a new definition of terminal illness for disability benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland. This means we are changing the way they handle applications for people who are terminally ill. Under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, a person is said to be terminally ill if they have ‘a progressive disease that can reasonably be expected to cause the individual’s death’. To meet this definition, people should have an illness that meets all of the following criteria. The illness should: • be advanced and progressive, or with a risk of sudden death • not be responsive to treatment, or treatment is being refused or declined by the patient for any reason • be leading to an increased need for additional care and support. The new terminal illness definition moves away from the 6-month time limited definition of expectation of death that the Department of Work and Pensions currently uses. Applications will be dealt with by specially trained case managers, and will be fast-tracked to be processed as quickly as possible. Guidance has been developed by Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer to support how the new definition of terminal illness will be applied to Social Security Scotland benefits and is available through our website. Further information and guidance is available here.

Deadline for the 2021 SURF Awards is 5pm on Monday 6th September This year the 5 categories are: ● Community Led Regeneration ● Supporting Youth Employability ● Scotland’s Most Improved Place ●Housing and Regeneration ● Creative Regeneration. The SURF Awards are delivered each year by SURF, a regeneration forum with over 300 cross-sector member organisations across Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Government. The purpose is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland. Information and application materials are available on the SURF website at: https://www.surf.scot/surf-awards/

Springholm Primary Outdoor Nursery Lease Dumfries and Galloway Council are seeking to lease the premises to an experienced provider of Early Learning and Childcare with the appropriate qualifications and experience to support high quality play experiences for children with a focus on STEM in outdoor environments and which supports children’s curiosity, creativity, and problem solving. The provider will be expected to work in close partnership with the primary school and adhere to all criteria set out in Funding Follows the Child and The National standard for Early Learning and Childcare. To register your interest in this opportunity or to find out more information please visit:

View Published Notice – Public Contracts Scotland

A DAILY PLACEMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY This is a totally new service for Dumfries & Galloway area. ● A daily placement for vulnerable people in the area

  • A User led service for those affected by mental illness, learning and physical disabilities. ● Learn to socialise, take part in activities, learn new skills and improve confidence and well-being. The service is based at the 3 R’s Horse Rescue Centre near Gatehouse of Fleet. For more information go tohttps://www.themane.org.uk/

Events

HSC Forum: Next meeting of the Third Sector Health and Social Care Forum The next meeting of the Third Sector Health and Social Care Forum will take place on Tuesday 7th September from 2pm to 4pm. At this meeting of the forum, members will receive an update following the Draft Health and Social Care Strategic Commissioning Plan (SCP) consultation period and discuss the themes that have emerged from the consultation feedback. The forum will also welcome Ananda Allan who will be presenting information on the Performance Management Framework that supports the new SCP. Members will be given the opportunity to influence the performance measures set out in the Framework. You can book your place at the forum HERE

This isn’t any geegee, this is 5G Businesses, communities and organisations in the South of Scotland are being given an opportunity to find out more about the benefits of 5G technology next month. The Bringing 5G into the South of Scotland virtual event on Thursday 9 September will highlight how businesses can be more productive, efficient and competitive by capitalising on the upcoming introduction of 5G to the area. The 2-hour webinar, hosted by South of Scotland Enterprise, the Scottish Government and The Scotland 5G Centre, will also demonstrate how 5G is a radical step-change in connectivity, and how it has the potential to deliver a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits to the region. The event will boast a wide range of speakers. Their first rural hub in Dumfries, part of the S5GConnect programme, will play a key role in this and will bring more connectivity to rural areas. This webinar is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about 5G and its potential for the South of Scotland. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ bringing-5g-into-the-south-of-scotlandtickets-165747409965

 

Training

Trust the People Community Transformers programme – a free online course for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community starting 27th September 2021.What is Trust the People?  Trust the People (TTP) is a movement of community builders committed to building a real democracy from the grassroots up.  At the core of everything that TTP does is a commitment to collaboration and democracy and a wish to share the skills needed to turn our communities into democratic hubs, in which everyone’s voice is heard.  As one of the routes to achieving this end the TTP team has put together this free course to help spread the knowledge and skills needed to step into our community power and transform our society. What does the course cover?  The Community Transformers programme is made up of an introductory session and 5 modules, laid out over 8 weeks.  All the content is available online and is free of charge and can continue to be accessed well after the end of the course.  On the course participants learn a range of new skills, meet others committed to building a better society, and hear about the incredible work some community builders in the UK and across the world are already doing.  Most importantly they have an enjoyable and uplifting experience learning the skills they need to encourage democracy at a local level. It really is a course made for these times … when we urgently need to come together to develop new democratic processes now that it is clear the old ways don’t serve us anymore. It comes highly recommended for anyone who wants things to change for the better. It has something to offer the well-seasoned community development worker/ community activist as well as someone totally new to community work. The next course starts on the 27th and 30th September 2021.To find out more or to register go to the website www.trustthepeople.earth/the-course

Referee, you’re rubbish! This is your big chance to do better. No ref, no game! Learn the laws of game (something many TV pundits haven’t done) and you could make a big contribution to local football…and get paid for it. The Dumfries and Galloway Referees Association is starting an introductory referee’s course on Monday 6 September. Online sessions will be held each Monday evening from 7 to 9pm for around 8 weeks. The cost of the course is £35, which also covers the first year of registration with the Scottish FA, with a reduced cost for anyone in full time education. Register or find out more, e: secretary.sosreeferees@ outlook.com or message on Facebook.

Surveys and Consultations

Draft Flood Risk Management Strategies and Local Flood Risk Management Plans Flood Risk Management Plans (Strategies). The Solway Flood Risk Management Strategy and the Solway Local Flood Risk Management Plan are currently being updated to identify target areas, objectives, and actions for the second six-year planning cycle (Cycle 2), from 2022 to 2028. Updated versions of these documents have been drafted and are available for public consultation. During September, the Flood Risk Management Team will be hosting a series of drop-in sessions between 3-6pm to provide information and answer specific questions that you may have regarding the consultation. For more information and to book a slot please visit: https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15215/Flood-risk-management For further information on the consultation please contact SEPA at FRMplanning@sepa.org.uk with the subject title FRM consultation or call 07747 627671. Alternatively contact the Council’s Flood Risk Management team at dgc.flooding@dumgal.gov.uk or call 030 33 33 3000. Have Your Say The consultation is available from https://consultation.sepa.org.uk and will close on Sunday 31 October 2021.

 

Funding

Robin Rigg Community Fund Solway Firth Partnership is once again running the Robin Rigg Community Fund for 2022 on both sides of the Solway Firth. The Robin Rigg Community Fund, provided by RWE Renewables, is available to community groups and organisations in the eligible Solway area undertaking activities that contribute to the reduction of the effects of climate change or otherwise benefit the local community. The fund is now open to any organisation within the specified geographical area.  They can apply for a grant of £1000 to £15,000 (only once in each year of the fund). The deadline for applications to the Robin Rigg Community Fund will be 5pm on Friday November 5. Further applications may be invited during 2022 if funds are available. Full details of the Robin Rigg Community Fund including a downloadable application form can be found on the Solway Firth Partnership website https://www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk/robin-rigg-community-fund/

Magnox and Dumfries and Galloway Council are delivering the Annan and DG12 Small Business Grant Scheme. The Annan and DG12 Small Businesses Grant Scheme offers a discretionary grant of up to £5,000 for SMEs to support and stimulate the local economy and generate employment. The grant scheme will contribute a maximum grant of 50% of eligible project costs. The level of funding is specific to each application and individual considerations. For more info on grants, contact Shelley Bell, t: 030 33 33 3000 or e: BusinessGrantScheme@dumgal.gov.uk

The Thomas Wall Trust believes that communication skills are critical capabilities for people who want to improve their employment prospects, self-confidence, resilience, and life chances. The Trust recognises that communication is underpinned by a set of key features and skills such as empathy, listening, emotional intelligence, confidence, and clarity, amongst others. The Trust offer grants up to £5,000 to specific projects or core activities that develop these critical life skills for people from disadvantaged groups. They will fund: ● A UK charity that has been registered with the Charity Commission for at least 3 years ● A project or running costs for a charity that equips disadvantaged people (aged 18 and over) with the necessary communication skills ready for employment ● Annual repeat funding for up to 3 years – subject to satisfactory annual reviews of progress and impact ● The charity’s annual turnover does not exceed £500,000. For more information go to https://www.thomaswalltrust.org.uk/grants-for-registered-charities-2/

The Scottish Forestry Community Fund supports community groups and organisations that encourage people to use woods more. The Fund is now open for applications to support activities in 2021/22 financial year. Eligible applicants include community groups, voluntary groups, development trusts, social enterprises, charities, local authorities etc., with objectives supporting the above outcome and objectives. The Community Fund is not available to private individuals. Funding can support activities on Scotland’s national forests and land

For more information go to https://forestry.gov.scot/publications/297-community-fund-2020-2021/viewdocument/297

Charities Connected If you’re a charity, find out how to apply for free mobile connectivity to help tackle digital exclusion. For more information go to https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/everyone-connected/charities-connected

GVC Fund The GVC Fund offers grants of up to £5,000 to groups and projects delivering sport, healthy activity projects, and projects supporting men’s physical and mental health. The fund was first available in 2019 but was paused in 2020 due to the pandemic. The fund aims to support projects that use sport and physical activity to raise awareness, tackle mental health stigmas, and support men with mental or physical health problems to become more active. For more information go to https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/gvc-fund

Jobs

Home Care Worker Organisation: Stewartry Care Full Time / Part Time: Full Time Permanent / Temporary: Permanent Location: Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright Salary: £9.60 – £10.80 per hour Hours: Full time/Part time/Bank. Are you kind, caring, compassionate and enjoy helping others? A career in care may be exactly what you’re looking for! Dumfries and Galloway’s award-winning employee-owned Health and Social Care Provider Stewartry Care are currently looking for full-time, part-time and bank Home Care Workers to provide person centred care to service users within their own homes in Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright and surrounding areas. Previous experience is not essential as they provide a comprehensive induction and training programme ensuring that their Home Care Worker’s feel supported and confident within their role. The day-to-day role of a Home Care Worker has many misconceptions and most people who are new to care never look back once they start on this career path. When you have such a positive impact on an individual and their family’s lives you can imagine how rewarding it is. For more information Email them at carine.mcwilliam@stewartrycare.co.uk or visit their website www.stewartrycare.co.uk Closing Date: 2021-09-17

 

Support Practitioners Organisation: Turning Point Scotland. Part Time/Permanent Location: Lockerbie, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart and Stranraer Salary: £9.50 – £9.99 per hour Hours: Various hours available. Turning Point Scotland is a national social care charity providing services to adults with addictions, learning disabilities, mental health issues, those caught in the criminal justice system and those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Turning Point Scotland is a social care provider offering a wide range of personalised support for adults and young people with disabilities and lifelong conditions. Their services support people to live a fulfilling life and actively participate in their community. Please note that these posts may involve supporting service users on holiday. These posts will include sleepovers, waking nights, weekends and unsocial hours. No experience required, as full training is given. Closing Date: 2021-09-24 How to apply: https://turningpointscotland.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/mobile-0/appcentre-ext/brand-2/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/

Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service are recruiting 2 x 21-hour Independent Advocate’s. Posts x 2 – Independent Advocate – Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service. Scottish Charity No – SC036075. Full Time – 21 hours per week over 3 days (days to be agreed). Salary: (£20,566  pro rata) £12,339. Base: Their Independent Advocates have been working from home during the pandemic.  This will be reviewed within the next 3 – 6 months; one possible scenario is that they move to a combination of office/home/remote working, so candidates will need to be flexible in their approach to working location. Closing Date: Friday 10th September 2021. Role They are looking to recruit someone with experience of and/or understanding of the role of the independent advocate. Ideally, you will have experience of working with adults at risk of harm or exploitation; an awareness of the needs of those affected by mental health problems or mental disorders and an understanding of relevant legislation.

How to Apply: Go to: https://www.dgadvocacy.co.uk/vacancies/ and download and complete the application and email to the Chief Executive at: pamela.deans@dgadvocacy.co.uk  Alternatively, you can post your completed application to: Pamela Deans, Chief Executive, Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service, 9 Church Crescent, Dumfries, DG1 1DF. For any informal enquiries, please contact pamela.deans@dgadvocacy.co.uk

DGC Vacancy – Museums Access Officer (East) Museums Officer – Access (based at Dumfries Museum) £28,380 – £30,558 Closing date 17/9/2021 Dumfries and Galloway Council is offering an exciting opportunity to join the region’s Arts and Museums Team. As part of a team of four based in the East of the region, the post holder will assist in delivering museum services at the six museums and galleries in Nithsdale and Annandale & Eskdale. More details here: Museums Officer Access – | Dumfries & Galloway Council | myjobscotland

LGBT Youth Scotland – Youth Work Manager South Full Time/Permanent/Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Salary: £28,977 to £31,563 per annum (dependent on experience) Hours: Full-time 37hrs per week. Are you able to inspire and lead a team to develop and deliver high quality services for LGBTI young people? Are you passionate about youth work and community development? Can you successfully manage partnerships across all sectors? Is so, they want to hear from you. Based in Dumfries and Galloway and with operational responsibility for the South of Scotland you will: ● Lead, develop and sustain youth work and other local services ● Deliver our key national projects including the LGBT Charter of Rights ● Develop and manage partnerships across all sectors. Closing Date: 2021-09-24 How to apply: https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/jobs/vacancies/. For more information and guidance on how to apply for this job visit https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/jobs/vacancies/.

Volunteering Opportunities

the hub – your community action centre is a local charity based in Dumfries  that develops and delivers a range of social inclusion projects. We are an Investing in Volunteers accredited organisation and our volunteers are much valued team members.

 

Current Volunteering Opportunities!

 

Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme Assistant

  • Interested in helping people on low incomes find a home to rent in Dumfries and Galloway?
  • Enjoy carrying out online research and finding out information?
  • Have good communication skills?
  • Experienced at using Microsoft packages and Windows 10?
  • Can you spare a few hours on a regular basis?

If so then we have an interesting volunteering opportunity with our Rent Deposit

Guarantee Scheme that assists people in housing need find a home in the private rented sector. For more information contact Karen on 01387 269191/07434

366128 email rdgs@thehubdg.org.uk

Getting Connected Project Assistant

  • Experienced at completing a range of online application forms?
  • Experienced at updating ‘e’ forms and ‘e’ journals?
  • Experienced at creating and updating CV’s?
  • Friendly, patient and approachable?
  • Experienced at using computers and Windows 10?
  • Can you spare a few hours on a regular basis?

If so then we have an interesting volunteering opportunity with our Getting Connected

Project that assists people without internet enabled devices complete online forms/applications. For more information contact Dawn on 01387 269161/07434 366120 email info@thehubdg.org.uk

SPRING Social Prescribing Project Assistant

  • Interested in supporting people to take up activities in their local community?
  • Interested in supporting people to make positive health choices?
  • Can you provide regular contact and a non-judgmental listening ear?
  • Are you a friendly, approachable person?
  • Are you able to motivate people to improve their health and wellbeing?
  • Do you have great people skills and a non-judgemental approach?
  • Can you spare a few hours on a regular basis?

If so then we have an interesting volunteering opportunity with our SPRING Social Prescribing Project that supports people self-manage long term health conditions. For more information contact Dawn on 01387 269161/07434 366125 email SPRING@thehubdg.org.uk

Telephone Befriender

  • Interested in helping older people who may be feeling isolated or lonely?
  • Enjoy chatting to people over the phone?
  • Have good communication skills?
  • Have knowledge and understanding of older peoples issues?
  • Like finding out what local sources of support and assistance are available?
  • Can you spare a few hours on a regular basis?

For more information contact Karen on 01387 269191 email info@thehubdg.org.uk

Our Projects

Some of our projects and services remain temporarily suspended until later in the year as follows:

  • Free public access use of our computers/internet
  • hire of our meeting/training rooms

Community Defibrillators Project

 

Getting Connected Project – we provide one-to-one supported appointments to assist people:

  • Complete a range of application forms
  • carry out online job searches and apply for jobs online
  • update Universal Credit e-journals
  • create or update CV’s

We also offer additional FREE Basic Computer Skills learning sessions. These short sessions cover all the things you need to know to use computers in your day to day life. The sessions are friendly and informal allowing you to learn at your own pace. We also offer Free Money Matters sessions to assist you manage your household income using your new IT skills. We offer an iPad and free internet dongle loan scheme for those without internet enabled devices.

Contact: 01387 269161 or email info@thehubdg.org.uk

Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme

  • Do you need a deposit to rent a private rented sector tenancy in Dumfries and Galloway?
  • Are you on a low wage or receive means tested benefits and live in Dumfries and Galloway?

Then the Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme may be able to assist you!

Contact: 01387 269161 or email rdgs@thehubdg.org.uk

Winter Warmth for Older People Project– please contact us for a registration form. Closing date to register is 1st Sept 2021. We provide free briquettes and kindling for older people in D & G who rely on open fires/multi-fuel stoves as their main source of heating.

To be eligible for the service people need to be:

  • over 60 years of age
  • not in paid work and have no other household member in paid work
  • in receipt of a means-tested benefit or have extenuating circumstances e.g. long term health conditions.

Contact: 01387 269161 or email info@thehubdg.org.uk

 

SPRING Social Prescribing Project can help to address social, emotional and practical needs by supporting and connecting people to sources of support and opportunities available in their local community. People who experience social isolation, low mood, mild depression, long term conditions, pain management or physical inactivity may benefit from this social prescribing so if you or someone you know would like to be referred to us please contact 01387 269161 or email spring@thehubdg.org.uk

 

Want to put an item in our e-bulletin?

If you have items you would like included in our e-bulletin please email these to info@thehubdg.org.uk.

PRIVACY NOTICE

You can view our Privacy Notice at www.thehubdg.org.uk

The Hub Dumfries and Galloway (t/a the hub – your community action centre) is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You can ask us to remove and delete your data from our records at any time by contacting us at info@thehubdg.org.uk

the hub – your community action centre

24-26 Friars Vennel, Dumfries DG1 2RL

Tel: 01387 269161
Email: info@thehubdg.org.uk
www.thehubdg.org.uk