NEWS

Link to an excellent short video on Community Pharmacy – Community Pharmacist, Susan Baillie, talks to John Freestone, Deputy Medical Director for Primary and Urgent Care, about the role of the community pharmacy. Your local community pharmacy can give you expert help for treating conditions such as sore throats, earache and cold sores, along with common clinical conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTI’s). Pharmacy teams also offer advice, treatment or referral to other healthcare teams if required. This service will help people access the right care in the right place, without having to go to their GP practice or local Accident and Emergency Department for non-urgent treatment.:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6HotCerqOYg

Calling All Local Community Groups – Our Community Benefits Wishlist Is Open!

South Ayrshire Council’s Community Benefits Wishlist is open for submissions.

Suppliers who win any major contract with the Council must commit to supporting local causes. This can be through activities such as community enhancement; training and employment opportunities; work placements; school curriculum support; and business supply chain development.

The Wishlist is open to any community group, organisation, association, or charity within South Ayrshire who would like to request external support. Contractors will then be directed to the Wishlist and put in touch with community groups if they can help with the request.  

There are no guarantees around how long it might take for wishes to be selected, and we unfortunately can’t promise that your request will be fulfilled. However, we will do all we can to signpost contractors who work with the Council to the requests on the portal, and promote the many opportunities to give back to them as part of our procurement processes.

Councillor Bob Pollock, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development said: “Community benefits are a way of ensuring that the financial impact of the council spending money isn’t just benefitting the contract holder, but local people too.”

“Some examples of community benefits that contractors could provide is for staff to plant trees in a local green space; supplying materials for a community build; or providing training and workshops for local community groups.”

“This is a fantastic incentive, and I would encourage all local community groups, organisations and charities to submit their wishes on our website.”

For further information and guidance on submitting a wish to the Community Benefits Wishlist, visit our website.

Applications are now open for free school transport for those eligible, on the Council’s website.

Those who need help to complete the online form should contact our Education Transport team on either 01292 616634 or 01292 612285. These lines are open from 10:00am – 12:00noon and 2:00pm – 4:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Applications need to be submitted before 30/04/23. Those who already have a place do not need to re-apply.

School transport application form – South Ayrshire Council (south-ayrshire.gov.uk)

Groups should complete the attached form and send  back to Milissa.mcculloch@south-ayrshire.gov.uk  for Friday 3^rd February.  This will enable a newsletter around funding to be pulled together that groups have received and the difference this has made to their group/community. Please click on the links for further information.

Newsletter info request template

no 1. January 2023 (1)

Milissa.mcculloch@south-ayrshire.gov.uk| South Ayrshire Council | The Grain Exchange | High St | AYR| KA7 1PZ 

For more information on the image above please click on the link: NHS Ayrshire & Arran – Winter (nhsaaa.net)

Winter and the Cost of Living

Outside the Box has a new Winter Support resource which shares tips for supporting each other through Winter and the Cost of Living.

They’ve been talking to communities from the Borders to the North coast about how they get through difficult winters. And local people across Scotland have lots of wisdom and ideas to offer. From staying warm, reducing energy costs, to looking out for neighbours – there are small, practical things everyone can do. You can read it here

hscp.south-ayrshire.gov.uk | #SAWellbeingPledge

Visit our web site at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Community Action Fund

The Community Action Fund exists to support grassroots campaigning and community organising in the UK.

It will provide one-off grants between £2,500 and £20,000.

These grants are available to grassroots organisations that are building the power of their community and campaigning for long-term change. The deadline is 26th February 2023 and you can find out more here

Veterans’ partnership steps up

Support for former services personnel on medical appointments – Veterans’ partnership steps up – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

People urged to make sure they are not missing out on benefits – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Recent Publications:

In summer 2022, SG ran four National Care Service (NCS) Bill engagement sessions. A number of questions were asked during these sessions, so they have produced questions and answers (Q and A) for these. National Care Service: questions and answers – engagement sessions – easy read – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

National Care Service: keeping you informed survey

SG want to understand the best way to let you know what they are doing to develop the National Care Service (NCS). This survey will let you tell them how you would like to find out updates and news about the NCS. National Care Service keeping you informed survey (www.gov.scot)

The Household Hardship Fund Now Open

The Household Hardship Fund is a £2 million fund provided by The National Lottery Community Fund and administered by Corra Foundation. Groups can apply for up to £5,000 to provide families and individuals with cash or vouchers. All funds must be passed on to families and individuals by 30 June 2023.

Eligibility information and application form are now available here

Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill

The Scottish Government is looking for disabled people to advise them about their new Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill. The new deadline is 19th January and you will get paid for your time. Apply to be involved here

Energy Grants

A total of £3 million is available as grants to charities and community energy groups that support households most at risk from cold homes and high energy bills, or that work on innovation and carbon emissions reduction. The deadline for applications 30 Jan 2023 and you can find out more here