Garioch Community Planning E-Bulletin 23 December 2020

If you have information which you think we should include in a future bulletin, please e-mail or forward it to @.gov.uk

*PLEASE CHECK EACH SECTION FOR NEW AND UPDATED INFORMATION*

(Photo credit: Aberdeenshire Council Image Library)

Contents : (click on heading links below to skip to relevant section)

Guidance

Service Changes

Community Resilience

Support & Advice

Health & Wellbeing

Survey & Consultations

Funding

Guidance Links to national and local guidance

Aberdeenshire - Level 3 Restrictions Aberdeenshire is currently in level 3 in the national Covid-19 protection levels. Head to this page to find out what that means in Aberdeenshire (or any other local authority area). The below image (click to view full-size) shows, in a nutshell, what level 3 means. Please see the section below regarding the restrictions over the festive period.

*UPDATED* The Scottish Government - COVID-19 Latest Update On Saturday 19th December, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon held an emergency press conference to update on the worsening Covid-19 situation in the UK, and the impact on .

Below is a summary of the latest update for mixing over the festive period.

The “bubble” plan previously allowed families to mix indoors with no more than three other households from 23-27 Dec. However, she confirmed that the situation with the new variant is worsening rapidly and as such a four nations meeting took place in which the rules around festive mixing are to be tightened. She also made announcements about the levels in the mainland and the return to schools.

It was confirmed that:

• The relaxation will now only apply on Christmas Day . • Travel to and from other parts of the UK will not be allowed over the festive period. • Tougher level four rules will apply across mainland Scotland from 26 December. • Schools will return later than originally planned after the Christmas holidays.

Planned 5 day allowances for careful mixing are being scaled down and will now only allow for mixing on Christmas Day itself.

Levels review

From the morning of Boxing Day, all of mainland Scotland will go into level four restrictions for a period of three weeks initially. That means all non-essential shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants will close. , , the Western Isles and the other islands with reduced restrictions will be in level three with strict restrictions on who can travel there.

Schools

She confirmed that the school Christmas break will be extended, and teaching will not resume now until 11 January, when it will be online for the majority. Children of key workers and the vulnerable will be supported from the planned start of term. A return to classroom learning will not be taking place until 18 January earliest.

Ready Scotland Website The Scottish Government's recently refreshed Ready Scotland website, provides a range of information for anyone looking for support during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as advice on preparing for winter weather. It also provides guidance for those who wish to help those around them, whether on an individual basis or through volunteering with local community groups or charities. More information can be found on the Ready Scotland website www.ready.scot/

Helpful Links The Scottish Government - Protect Scotland App NHS Inform - Website Page (British Sign Language and easy-read advice ) NHS Grampian Covid-19 Website - Staff Page Scottish Community Development Centre - Advice for Community Groups, Organisations and Volunteer Networks

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Service Changes

*NEW* Aberdeenshire Council - Contact Centre Festive Opening Hours The operating hours over Christmas for Aberdeenshire Council's Contact Centre are as follows:

24 December - open 8.45am-4pm 25-28 December - closed 29-30 December - open 8.45am-5pm 31 December - open 8.45am-4pm 1-4 January - closed 5 January - open 8.45am-5pm

See the Emergency and Office Hours telephone numbers below:

EMERGENCY Telephone numbers (outwith office hours) Housing Repairs 03456 08 12 03 Environmental Health 03456 08 12 07 Homelessness 03456 08 12 06 Social Work 03456 08 12 06

OFFICE HOURS Telephone numbers Benefits 03456 08 12 00 Council Tax, Business Rates & Payments Due 03456 08 12 01 Education & Leisure Facilities 03456 08 12 02 Housing 03456 08 12 03 Planning & Building Standards 03456 08 12 04 Roads, Parks & Open Spaces 03456 08 12 05 Social Care 03456 08 12 06 Waste & Environmental Health 03456 08 12 07 GENERAL ENQUIRIES 03456 08 12 08

*NEW* The Grampian Assistance Hub - Festive Opening Times The Grampian Covid Assistance Hub will stay open over Christmas and New Year if you need help. 0808 196 3384 free phone 21 st Dec - 24 th Dec - Helpline & Isolate & Protect - 9am-5pm 25 th Dec - Helpline only - 10am–3pm 26 th Dec - Isolate & Protect only - 10am-3pm 28 th Dec - Helpline & Isolate & Protect - 10am-3pm 29th Dec – 31 st Dec - Helpline & Isolate & Protect - 9am-5pm 1st Jan - Helpline only - 12noon-5pm 2nd Jan - Isolate & Protect only - 10am–3pm 4th Jan - Helpline & Isolate & Protect - 10am–3pm 5th Jan – 8th Jan - Helpline & Isolate & Protect - 9am-5pm Or go online www.gcah.org.uk Imagine the difference we could make if we all knocked on just one door and looked in our neighbours this festive season? You can call the Assistance Hub if someone else needs help too.

*NEW* Live Life Aberdeenshire - Covid-19 Level Four update LLA are closing almost all their facilities and suspending most services from 2pm on Christmas Eve in line with Level 4 coronavirus restrictions. Sports and leisure facilities and cultural venues across Aberdeenshire will close from 2pm on December 24 until at least January 18.

Lets of community facilities and sports halls will also be suspended, other than where permitted by Government guidance. Click and Collect library services will continue to be available wherever possible, but access to Public PCs is suspended. Active Schools programmes are also suspended – please contact your local Active Schools Aberdeenshire Coordinator for further details.

Payments already made by customers will be honoured when facilities begin operating again and affected fitness passes will be extended to reflect the unavailability of facilities. Anyone who'd like to request a refund should contact their customer helpline between January 5 and 15 on (01467) 532929 (8am till 8pm, Monday to Sunday). Alternatively, please email: [email protected] .

While facilities are closed, you can still access online library services, Festive Fun activities and exercise at home videos, amongst many other resources, on our Live Life @ Home platform. See what’s available here: https://bit.ly/LLAhome

Get support to help you start, or continue, on a journey towards improved health and wellbeing. If you prefer to self-manage, we offer advice, information, and opportunities to support you along the way. Find out more at: https://bit.ly/LLWShire

*NEW* Aberdeenshire Council - Volunteer Snow Wardens We introduced the Volunteer Snow Warden Scheme to actively support members of the local community who wish to offer their spare time to manually clear snow from publicly-adopted footways and footpaths.

The scheme runs from approximately 1st November to 31st March. It requires groups of volunteers to nominate a snow warden leader who is responsible for carrying out duties assigned to them by the scheme.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer snow warden team member or leader, view our Snow Warden Scheme - welcome pack (pdf 380KB) . It also includes instructions on how to apply. Part of the application process includes taking council-approved Snow Warden Scheme - training (pdf 229KB) . View Snow Wardens Scheme privacy notice (pdf 82.2KB) .

Snow warden leaders can return their application form to their local Roads office by email:

• Banff and : [email protected] • Buchan: [email protected] • : [email protected] • Garioch: [email protected] • : [email protected] • : [email protected] Alternatively, you can post it or deliver it in person to one of the drop off points .

*NEW* Waste & Recycling Collections during Christmas & New Year

*NEW* Aberdeenshire North Foodbank Festive Opening Hours (click to view full size)

Aberdeenshire Council - Parking Charges We will be reintroducing charges at our pay and display car-parks from week beginning Monday, January 4, 2021. The charges were suspended at all off-street parking facilities in March as a result of the current Covid-19 (Coronavirus) emergency to alleviate any concerns which members of the public may have had with touching the machines and to reduce the need for council staff in attending them.

For more information, please visit our website .

Helpful Links Aberdeenshire Council - parentsportal.scot Aberdeenshire Council - myAberdeenshire

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Community Resilience

Live Life Aberdeenshire - Knit a Cosy Bosie Do you or your friends like to knit? You could help some of the most vulnerable in our society this winter by contributing knitted garments to help keep them warm. Live Life Aberdeenshire has teamed up with colleagues in Aberdeenshire Community Planning to launch the initiative. It's a chance for people to be kind to others in a time of need, with donations of knitted or crocheted items such as hats, scarves, lap blankets, pairs of socks or gloves in any colours or sizes being sought. The items will then be gifted to someone who would benefit from a Cosy Bosie to help them get through the colder months ahead. Community groups who can help co-ordinate the distribution of Cosy Bosies in Aberdeenshire are also encouraged to get in touch. Donations of knitted items can be made by booking a time slot at one of the library service’s Click and Collect locations. See: https://bit.ly/CnCLLA If you’re a community group who would like to get involved please email [email protected] and a member of the project team will be in touch. For further details about how to get involved see: http://bit.ly/CosyBosie

The Garioch Partnership - Interactive Map The Garioch Partnership have launched a new interactive map to help you find out about support organisations and resilience groups operating in the Garioch area. It includes the areas which each group covers and contact details if you would like to get in touch with the groups.

Aberdeenshire Support Map - Click here to view The Aberdeenshire Rural Partnership Federation have published an Aberdeenshire-wide map compiling the 6 local maps together, including TGP's map above. If you click on your area, it will take you to your local map. By clicking on your area in the local map, you will find a list of the resilience groups near you who can provide support and help.

Community Councils There are 9 Community Councils which cover the Garioch area of Aberdeenshire. You can find contact details for each Community Council here .

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Support & Advice

*NEW* Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action - Update Following the announcement that Aberdeenshire will be moving to Level 4 restrictions from Saturday the 26 th of December, Keith Anderson, AVA Development & Support in Garioch has advised AVA are still available for support and guidance to the groups that are responding in our local communities through the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Moving to level 4 could well generate support needs in our local communities and there will no doubt be a response from either existing local covid support groups, or possibly new groups or sources of support.

If you become aware of a group that requires support or guidance in any way, or indeed any issue that you think we might be able to help with please contact Keith directly either by e-mail or by phone (07969 603595).

Keith Anderson, AVA Development & Support in Garioch [email protected]

*NEW* Advice on the EU Settlement Scheme CLD Partners have an important role to play in supporting eligible citizens to exercise their right to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. The slides in the link from the Citizens Rights Project explain the process and where people can get support. Please also see the flyer below.

*NEW* Garioch Know Where to Turn Leaflet (click to open full size)

*NEW* Creative Aberdeenshire

*UPDATED* Trading Standards Scotland - Scam Share Update 17.12.2020 As Scottish communities deal with uncertainty and isolation, there is a rapidly increasing variety of scams related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read the latest edition here .

Update on Smoke Alarm Regulations Legislation was due to come into effect in Scotland in early 2021 which would mean the standards for smoke, heat and CO alarms which apply to private rented property and new builds would be extended to all homes. Due to the pandemic, this is now potentially being delayed until February 2022. For more information, please visit the SFRS website which also provide further links to Scottish Government guidance.

Winter Words Initiative Live Life Aberdeenshire has launched its annual Winter Words initiative , with a range of activities for all the family and all abilities. Normally the Winter Words initiative is purely a libraries-based event, but this year physical and cultural activities are included, widening the offer. Participants can check off the activities they complete and once they have completed eight are entitled to enter a prize draw. Activities include requesting a Book Bundle from your local Click and Collect library, downloading eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers, eMagazines and music. There are also arts and crafts and aquarium-related activities too – hopefully providing something for everyone. Participants can get involved individually, together as a family or a group of friends to keep occupied during the winter months. The Winter Words initiative started on Monday, December 7 and ends on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

Aberdeenshire Young Carers

Funding available to support families eligible for Free School Meals A £100 direct payment before #Christmas is now available as part of a multi-million-pound winter fund to help those struggling financially during the #COVID19 pandemic, the Scottish Government has announced. Those eligible for income-based Free School Meals will receive the £100 payment per eligible child direct to their bank account. We will process the payment the week commencing Monday, December 14, and the money will be in bank accounts by the end of the week. More information is available at http://www.bit.ly/2W1rJnr

Inverurie BID - Christmas Video ’s got that Christmas magic! We Are Inverurie BID have produced a spectacular video capturing the festive spirit of shopping local this Christmas.

The essence of Christmas is best seen through the eyes of a child and the story revolves around a little girl’s family heading to Inverurie for some Christmas shopping. The magic of Christmas is brought to life as they pick items from some of the town’s famous shops and she interacts with some of the welcoming faces that make up Inverurie’s strong retail identity.

Featured throughout is the Inverurie ‘Bought Local’ shopping tags that are being used across the town’s shops. The video concludes with the notion that all the presents and things we need for Christmas can be found locally and found in Inverurie. The story aims to provide warmth to families in what has been a tough year and looks to create a feeling of positivity and pride for our high streets.

NHS Grampian - Shopping List This festive season will be different to anything we have had before. It is important to be safe. We also want people to support local where they can. No doubt, those together can seem confusing but we are here to try to help. Remember, 'Shop local, shop safe'. Make sure you keep yourself safe in premises and work with the regulations that businesses have put in place. They are for our own good. The ‘Scotland loves local’ campaign has been supported by Aberdeenshire Council, and it encourages people to support shops, cafes, bars and restaurants in their own communities before thinking of travelling further afield or turning to online retail giants – and to do that responsibly by following all hygiene and physical distancing guidelines. More advice for business owners here: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/.../scotland-loves-local/

Below are links to organisations, services, websites and opportunities we have highlighted in detail in a previous bulletin: Lets Talk - Energy Fund Get Safe Online - You, Coronavirus and keeping safe online No Recourse, North East Partnership - Support for Non-UK Nationals The Scottish Government - Kickstart Scheme Aberdeenshire Alcohol & Drugs Partnership - 3 Forums Winter Wellbeing Facebook

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Health and Wellbeing

*NEW* NHS - How to Celebrate the Festive Season Safely (click image for full size)

*NEW* SAMH Introduction to Suicide Prevention Training SAMH are now pleased to offer a series of dates bookable through EventBrite for the 90 minute ‘Introduction to Suicide Prevention’ delivered via Microsoft Teams and available free of charge to all staff in City, Aberdeenshire and . They have offered differing days and times for flexibility. SAMH will review demand and may be in a position to offer more regular courses in 2021. You can book a maximum of 4 tickets per booking for staff and colleagues. Spaces are limited to 12 participants per course. The dates for training are as follows: Friday 8 th January – 2pm Tuesday 12 th January – 2pm Wednesday 20 th January – 2pm Thursday 28 th January – 10am Friday 5 th February – 10am To register for the course, please visit the Eventbrite page here.

*NEW* Covid-19 Update Need a bit of a steer about things we can all be doing now?: • Wear a mask • Stay (one reindeer) apart • Shop local, safely • Start taking extra precautions NOW if you plan to spend time with any other households this Christmas • Remember, any relaxation only covers Christmas Day. Mixing indoors with other households on or after Boxing Day is not permitted.

NHS - IMPORTANT UPDATE From Monday 14 December, the self-isolation period is reducing from 14 to 10 days if you:

• are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus • have travelled into Scotland from a non-exempt country

Full details - http://bit.ly/self-isolation10days

Suicide Prevention

Are you feeling lonely, alone or isolated? Or are you worried about someone you know? The British Red Cross can help individuals connect with their local community and meet new friends, give guidance about coping with loneliness and offer tips to help others. See link to some helpful advice to combat this.

Alcohol & Drugs Action Alcohol & Drugs Action Recovery Groups have been an incredible support to many in terms of their Recovery and throughout the Covid Lockdown. If you would like to find out more information and joining details, please email [email protected] .

Mobile Testing Unit - Inverurie A mobile COVID testing unit will be available every Wednesday until further notice. The mobile COVID testing unit will be available in the car park at House. Anyone looking for information on COVID should refer to the guidance available online at www.nhsinform.scot .

Useful Helpline Numbers Age UK 0800 1244222 Breathing Space 0800 838587 Childline 0800 1111 ParentLine Scotland 08000 28 22 33 LGTB Youth Scotland 0131 555 3940 or Text Line (Mon-Fri) 07984 356 512 Combat Stress (Veterans) 0800 138 1619 Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 Abused Men in Scotland 0808 800 0024 Icarus (Armed Services) 0333 987 5055 Mind 0300 123 3393 Papyrus 0800 068 4141 RSABI (Farmers) 0300 111 4166 Samaritans 116 123 (free call) SANE 0300 304 7000 The Silver Line 0800 4 70 80 90 Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs 08080 10 10 11 Disability Information Scotland 0300 323 9961 Shelter Scotland 0808 800 4444 Promis.Scot 0800 111 4191

Previous Highlights Aberdeenshire Peer Support - Newsletter #1 CLAN - In-person Appointments Live Life Aberdeenshire - New Service

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Survey & Consultations

*NEW* Aberdeenshire Community Sports - Club Training Survey - click here The Aberdeenshire Community Sport Hub initiative would like feedback from local sport clubs on what their training requirements will be for the upcoming year. This survey is open to all sport clubs in the Aberdeenshire area. Your valued responses will help to shape the training calendar for 2021. It would be appreciated if one key representative from each club could complete the short survey linked above.

*NEW* Energy Saving Trust - Electric Vehicles Survey Closes Sunday 10 January 2021 Do you have views about electric vehicles and charging technology? The Energy Saving Trust seeks to learn more about people’s views and experiences. You can help them by completing a survey on people’s knowledge and attitudes on electric vehicles. The information will help inform a study Transport Scotland has funded the Energy Saving Trust to deliver in all 32 Scottish local authority areas. Your input will help shape this work and ensure responses are accurate. Your personal data will not be shared as a result of completing this survey. The survey closes on Sunday, January 10, 2021. Here is a link to the survey: http://www.bit.ly/2JLIC2M

Aberdeenshire Council - Employability Support Survey The Employment Support Team are seeking your views on the type of Employability Support that is required in the communities. They would appreciate your feedback in order for us to tailor services to meet your needs.

Aberdeenshire Council - Food Poverty Survey Following raised awareness of a potential increase around hidden poverty in our communities due to Covid-19, statistics are being collated by the Council and partner organisations to identify areas requiring support. Below is a short survey to gather your understanding/experience of food poverty in the area you work or volunteer in.

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Funding Please find information on sources of funding below.

The Garioch Partnership - Funding Opportunities The Garioch Partnership manages funding schemes available to not-for-profit community groups or community-run organisations in the Garioch area:

Community Initiative Grant (CIG)

The Community Initiative Grant (CIG) Scheme is The Garioch Partnership’s small grants scheme, originally introduced in 2012/13, and supported by Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch .

Applications are open to not-for-profit community groups or community-run organisations in the Garioch area. Grants of up to £750 are available.

For 2020/21 the Garioch Area Committee has allocated £5,000 for this grant scheme.

Find out more about the Community Initiative Grant and How to Apply.

Resilience / Flood Recovery Fund The Resilience / Flood Recovery Fund is administered by The Garioch Partnership on behalf of Inverurie & District Round Table. Donations were received following the flooding caused by Storm Frank in January 2016.

Applications are open to not-for-profit community groups or community-run organisations in the Garioch area. Grants of up to £750 are available.

Find out more about the Resilience / Flood Recovery Fund and How to Apply.

Applications to both schemes are reviewed by a grants panel of local volunteers, who assess applications and make recommendations to the Board of The Garioch Partnership.

Aberdeenshire Council - Community Food Fund Applications to a new Aberdeenshire Community Food Fund are now being accepted. Aberdeenshire Council has made funds available to support local projects tackling food security in north-east communities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further information can be found here . Applications to this fund will be assessed by the local Area Manager's office and funds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If approved, funds will be awarded within 20 working days of the application being made. For information on the criteria and to submit an application, click here . If you need assistance or are unable to submit a form online, you can contact your local Area Manager's office by telephone on 01467 533200.

Aberdeenshire Council - Community Resilience Fund Applications are still welcomed from community groups in Garioch. Please go to https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/funding/community- resilience-covid-19/ for more information on how your community/voluntary group can apply for a £2000 grant to help support your efforts to alleviate the effects of Covid-19.

Please note it is not designed to support community groups who may be affected because they cannot raise funds/income as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Groups in this situation should visit SCVO at https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus/funding/for- organisations/third-sector-resilience-fund

Comprehensive List of Funding Sources AVA has recently developed a file of Covid-19 funding information that can be downloaded and shared. It will be updated on a weekly basis and will show funds that are open at the time of publishing. The funding information previously listed here is contained within the above list. Please also view the funding page on the Our Aberdeenshire website for more sources of information.

Please be aware that funds can go out of date quickly so check that the fund is still open before putting together an application . If you require assistance, please get in touch with your local AVA Development Officer - Keith Anderson .

Previous Highlights The Scottish Government - Town Centre Fund The Robertson Trust - Various Grants Wee Grants Small Grants Large Grants Community Vehicle Grants Community Building Grants Asda - 1 Million Meals before Christmas EventScotland - Events Recovery Fund Aberlour - Urgent Assistance Fund