INVERLEITH & FORTH VOLUNTARY SECTOR FORUM

North Edinburgh Arts Centre

7 th May 2014

10-12am

WELCOME AND APOLOGIESGena Wylie - http://www.pycp.co.uk/Thomas Brown - http://www.drylawnc.org.uk/Lorna Bowry - http://www.freshstartweb.org.uk/Steph Guerin - http://www.freshstartweb.org.uk/Morag Wilson - http://steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk/Sandra Walkingshaw - http://www.livingwellnorthedinburgh.org.uk/Nigel Green - http://www.communityrenewal.org.uk/ourprojects.phpJen Richards - http://www.pchp.org.uk/Ross McEwan - https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Granton-Improvement-Society/367131130066281

Kate Wimpress - http://www.northedinburgharts.co.uk/

No apologies received

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

TB suggested that as the last meeting was so long ago and attendance was low that we would move directly to the Agenda.

RE-INTRODUCTION TO THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR FORUM

At the last meeting the NEDAC presentation highlighted the need for joined up training in area around drug and alcohol.

GW been a member of the VSF for a long time during which there has been highs and lows. Most effective when we had a cause to be behind. FSF withdrawal attracted a large attendance. Sooner or later the sector is going to get hit with cuts etc. Should we be trying to pre-empt this? If we are going to have cuts group should be asking questions. KW agreed with GW and also highlighted the importance of information sharing at the meetings. What are NPs doing. What is the NP doing, how does it relate to us…what can this meeting do? Must have voluntary representation on that partnership. JD explained that the subgroups have been suspended at the moment due to the consultation going on around the Local Community Plan, therefore priorities. The subgroups may change and will reflect what the priorities are that have been identified. (Following the meeting JD contacted Scott Donkin to discuss. The subgroups, as were are no longer running, the consultation period has now been extended until end of June and maybe into July, a report shall then be presented to NP Board and decisions shall be made on the substructure from there. A timeline shall be produced which shall be shared with JD to inform the Forum). Have they decided on priorities. (Consultation still in progress priorities not set as of yet, JD) GW attending the Business meeting tomorrow. Forth have

ACTION REQ’D

Action Groups still going. Real issue with Subgroups being suspended and NP doesn’t seem to be running. They all stopped about a year ago. Inverleith still have 5 Action Groups that feed in. Forth Decides….(KW) cumbersome and a lot of hoops to jump through. Would have been good to come to VSF and discuss. Where did this come from? Whose idea?

Populist thing not a democratic process. GW shall raise at the Business Meeting tomorrow. Want to hold NP accountable for what they are doing.

What other things should VSF be looking at. TB looking at training for employees across the board. Try to get funding for this. Get some funds for orgs to do the training for us. Would it be useful in the meantime to offer training outwith our own organisations? How do we communicate outwith meeting to ensure people invited along? Will this be done through an email list(NG). NG raised that joint funding applications could be submitted. Must have a vested interest in Forum. We need to knuckle down key outcomes. Welfare Reform was also a major issue. Presentation of Welfare Reform at Medical Centre was really helpful. Did anyone go to Cammy Day’s outing? – no-one knew about this…Council have bought over the Shopping Centre – been lots of discussion but no-one knew about this. TB suggested that we invite NPT along to do a presentation on the Health Hub. (GW attended NP meeting where people were informed that there shall be two events taking place, The Local Community Council will be organising an information evening for people to attend to here about what is happening regarding the Health Hub and also the Shopping Centre, details shall be forwarded as soon as they are available. The NP Team will also be arranging a Community Engagement event in the near future and again details shall be circulated when available). JD explained that Councillors will be invited along later in the year. Is info being circulated? JD assured any info coming to EVOC in relation to NP is circulated as and when it comes through.

Good to come to VSF for networking but also opportunities for joint working. Shared resources. NG suggested Information Exchange – agreed.

Meetings:

How should they be run? Good to have presenters and visitors. Try to organise a presentation regarding Health Hub (see above comment regarding information evening). What information do we get from Total Craigroyston – none really Christine is invited to come along each meeting to do up date. Morag Wilson suggested that herself or Marilyn could give update from Total Craigroyston. JD suggested that Subgroups need to be added as a standing item and suggested that a proforma be compiled for each member who attends sub-groups asking for 3 key points from subgroups meeting to be reported on at the Forum meetings.

Themes

Staff training, funding, and how to prepare ourselves for cuts was raised as themes/issues to be looked at. Community Transport, people struggling to be able to afford community transport. JD reiterated her role especially with regards to development ideas. Lobbying should also be a key part of the VSF and is a strength in this community. Had a great community capacity programme but funding cut. Tenants and Action Groups began to flounder without support.

JD

JD

JD

Is there still an issue with transport costs? Is the transport service available to community or is it about contracts for transport organisations? £40 booking fee!!!! North West Carers had to cancel as they were paying £35 per day for booking fees alone. Cheaper to get taxi. Should it be called community transport?? Is this a question should be asking? JD to investigate where we are in terms of the community transport review. Some are using local bus operators but would rather use a voluntary sector organisation. If Community Transport organisations taking on contracts from elsewhere no capacity for the neighbourhood. GW will ask about Community Transport at NP.

Raising the profile of the Voluntary Sector in community. Council publish all that they do. Raising their profile. About community knowing and valuing what we do. JD put forward suggestion of presentation and research on what the 3rd sector bring to the table for the meeting that Councillors shall be invited to. A family fun day could be done. The Gala may be being resurrected. Celebration day to be organised. Working group. JD/MW &….other agencies to be asked. JD to lead. Community Grants fund???

Sub groups:

Celebration Day

To be looked at and considered with JD and MW leading.

TB and SG raised the topic of the Pilton and Muirhouse Gala Day, there was talk of organising one for this year. SB kindly forwarded link to a webpage for this event as below:

http://www.westpiltonandmuirhousegala.co.uk/

JD shall circulate this around all Forth and Inverleith VSF contacts for their information.

Training – standing item of agenda rather than a subgroup.

Provide training for Vol Sector frontline workers. Drug and alcohol training, Good quality training for staff working in communities. People to bring training together at next forum. NG suggested confidence building and motivation training, can deliver employability training – Forth Sector (7 weeks). JD suggested that members forward any training planned for the year and she shall collate and circulate. GW also highlighted that other helpful things i.e., insurance changes and savings in costs etc can also be brought.

Welfare Reform training:

Been a lot of training but nothing seems to have happened that should have been happening. Would be good to get someone along to discuss. DHP etc. GW and JD suggested inviting Alan Sinclair the Welfare Reform Manager of CEC to do the presentation he gave at EVOC’s Welfare Reform ThinkSpace which was an excellent presentation. (JD has extended an invite to Alan for the next meeting and awaits his response).Funding

This group shall be created as and when required.

Review of 3 rd Grant

NG seemed to be the only person who knew about it. TB informed the meeting that the Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre knew it was happening but didn’t know it had been done. Also review on concessionary lets, GW reiterated theimportance of this review to the 3 rd Sector.

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

PYCPPYCP got grant this year. Not sure what shall happen next year. Has been talk in the past re merging the three three projects (PYCP, MYDG, GYC )together has been off the agenda. For awhile but every now and then is mentioned e.g. at a recent council led meeting . PYCP financially in a good place at the moment. Attracted more money for preventative work. Running for 3 months now, funding down to 15 months, got a full year. Had our own almost Secret Millionaire. The project was contacted by the family of a gentleman who had always been interested in PYCP, family decided to honour wishes and the project received £50,000!! The money came through the company called Bunzle. Great news! A lot of changes coming over the following months. Manager been appointed to cover maternity leave, Laura going on Maternity leave and Gena retiring. May be a lot of restructuring. Don’t know anything about grants etc. Training carried out with and for Stepping Stones. A lot of work with PCHP. See 500 people per week. Incredible amount of work carried out in area.

Pilton Community Health ProjectReview of Adult Counselling service. Used to offer 52 weeks of counselling bringing down to 20 week, if someone has greater need will look to extend. Not many people went beyond 20 weeks. Young person’s counselling service, Broughton and Craigroyston a lot of CP issue in Broughton. Living in Harmeny organised and held a great ceilidh, Granton Gardeners involved. Training in area and worker trying to get out into the community. Food: Cooking Groups, sessional worker, restructured Lisa Arthur’s post now dedicated to food. PAHA award. Women’s session once a month. Finance was standstill across all grants. Worried about next year. New Board members. Finished refurbishment of building.

Community Renewal.

Just been awarded new contract from IES. Main hubs (16-65) getting back to work. Offices in North, Leith, Gate 55, Gilmerton and Liberton. Contract extended for another year subject to performance. 2 years done. Not sure what will happen. 3000 people have been supported over 2 year period, high level of getting jobs, further education etc. Volunteer Centre still supporting. Young person’s project continued for another year. 2 workers focussing on Pilton area, been extended. Future of Challenge Fund, there shall be one but feeling is fewer organisations will get funding. James Riordan is now working for YMDG?? (Thomas or Gena can you confirm I have this right please?). Had to have restructuring of own organisation. NG taking redundancy.

Freshstart

New staff have been recruited. Lorna Volunteer co-ordinator. 15 members of staff now

and people have moved jobs within organisation. Painting and decorating and start packs. New location in Polwarth (Phoenix Club), cooking classes, hit squads, work together with Stepping Stones and Wester Hailes all run by volunteers. Clients and volunteers welcome. Have allotment and the hope is that in 2 years time the produce grown shall be used in thecooking classes. Tie budgeting into cooking classes and provide food packs (basics). These packs are a one off keep people going for a couple of days. 116 cookers given out aiming for 150 this year, difficulty sourcing so any suggestions welcomed. Getting more referrals than we can keep up with. Carpet service still on the go, going well. Edinburgh trust applications, washing machines fridge freezers etc for anyone in need, people affected by flooding etc can apply. JD suggested to SG that she contact Janette at EVOT as there is a Fire fund for people affected by fire, could be a good link.

Stepping stones

Lots of changes. Depute manager recruited programme development worker and full time family support worker and early years manager. Everyone settling well and working well together. Groupwork programme more intense and challenging. Accredited first aid and raising children with confidence. Health and well being course. Speaking to Heather Horton Up, Up and Away course with early years team. Trying to find funding for yearly residential trip to Ratho in July. Bumpstart was NHS Lothian managed but now taken over management wise by Stepping Stones. Bumpstart workers, support to pregnant women and their families. Sleep clinic, Sleep Scotland trained, prevents people having to make way to town. In conjunction with Granton Early Years, no age remit or criteria, any family in need of help. Available to parents of any age. Parenting Outreach Support worker funding coming to an end, looking to extend after next year. In same boat as everyone else regarding funding, uncertain future.

Living Well

Evaluation of services. Consultation out to members. Changes in hours/services. Now Mon-Fri, Fridays been successful. Art therapy groups, confidence and support, cooking classes, able to give people a light lunch maybe 2 times a week. Funding NHS secure for 2 years, Council got at end of financial year.

Granton Improvement Society

14 months since set up, but started 4 years ago. Main aim is to acquire a large piece of land from Council and Waterfront limited. 3 projects: Garden Festival, attract visitors and create employment. Provide up to 150 art studios on lot beside garden at low rentals for the art community, generate significant income to project. Provide a recreation facility, outdoor swimming pool, fun pool, adults pool and training pool for triathletes. Cold salt water. Main purpose to generate a large income stream, in process of becoming a charity. Advised to look at small projects first. Applying to lottery, planning application for 3 projects. Projected income £400,000 which shall go into pot for local community groups. Need 100 applicants for memberships. What is timeline?

Timeline to get to full planning permission and first stage funding 18 months.One big project, art studios one year after that, Garden Festival 2017, based on project in central France that has been running 18 years and creates £1million euros. 20 designs chosen ten built over months….continuing process utilising local people to support projects/gardeners. Up to 150 jobs full and part time after construction etc. GW asked

where was the land. Walled garden behind Caroline House. Eventually the project shall be able to fund other projects.

Madelvic House

Something came out last year to lots of orgs. First car production in UK. Owned by Edinburgh Waterfront. Looking for a use for the building. Look at other enterprises etc. Group of people, Barbara, Willy Black Cammy Day, Gena and Vicky to look at taking forward. Need to ask the community as if they don’t buy into this it won’t happen. 24 th May open Day. Near Wire Works in middle of new housing. No new initiatives incorporated into this project should be in competition with anything that already exists in area. Would be a great community resource. Situated in the middle of a lot of new housing. GW will continue with that group even after retirement.

Drylaw NC

New health classes, fitness and cooking. Review of the Centre (BOLD. ) new Board as last board stepped down at last AGM. Youth Work been busy, Youth Work programme been decided. Development of Skate Park in Drylaw, raised £200,000 still got £60,000 to raise. Waiting to hear about £50,000 fund. On old BMX track, 3rd of size of Saughton skatepark. Young people complaining about bus service on Sundays to Saughton skatepark. Campaigned to the Council so supported young people to do that.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

6th August Pilton Community Health Project.