Third Sector Forum

Date: 05/10/2020

Apologies: Jane Crawford | CAPS Independent Advocacy, Sara Zielinska | Penumbra, Alan Bell | Recharge Youth and Community Facility

Minutes taken by: Gordon Scott

Topics / Points Discussed Action by

1. Welcome & Apologies

• Claire Spiden from Carers of , • Lesley Kay Youth Project • Maureen Allan Chief Officer at Volunteer Centre East Lothian • Jacqueline Lawson with Volunteer Centre East Lothian • Tracey Redpath, Volunteer Centre East Lothian • Gordon Scott IT & Admin Support for Volunteer Centre East Lothian • Tina Pollock at First Step • Glenn Liddall from People Known How • James Strong - People Know How • Candace Higgins, Director of East Lothian Foodbank • Mandy Hockey from Home-Start East Lothian • Sue Northrop - Dementia Friendly East Lothian • Suzanne: Community Engagement • Tina Pollock - First Step Community Project • Theresa Casey East Lothian Play Association • Osbert Lancaster - Sustaining • Elaine Alsop - Can-Do & Independent examiner/chair • Maggie Young from St Columba's Hospice • Laura Kearney: Laura from HcL Transport - we provide Dial- A-RIde and Dial-A-Bus • Gareth Morgan on behalf of Paristamen - a small grant making charity based in Dunbar. • Loreen Pardoe - Support from the Start, ELPA and Generations Working Together • Gill Ridge: Gill from The Ridge Dunbar • Emma Cashmore-Gordon: Emma - Aberlour Perinatal Befriending Service

3. Overview of what s change at VCEL Maureen: Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) formally known as STRiVE has undergone significant changes since April 2020.

Over the coming months VCEL will move to a new delivery model, based on a

Our new vision

“of a strong and sustainable third sector that can make a lasting change to the health, wellbeing and community life of the people in East Lothian”

What were the drivers for the re-structure?

• Business/financial sustainability was the main reason, our core

funding comes from Scottish Govt (203k per annum) this did not sustain 16 members of staff albeit some extra funding came from external projects.

• VCEL are now a core team of 4 from 16, we are currently holding vacancies due to Covid and would hope that when we know what the new normal will be probably around April

2021, will readvertise • VCEL have new set of policies and procedures and governance, our accounts have been made clear a

transparent to anyone who wish to view them. • VCEL have been supported by Improvement to see what a TSI should look like.

• VCEL have updated our social media, bulletins and website. • To compensate for the restructure many of our functions are accessible through our new website and search function

called “self serve” this allows Organisation’s or community groups to access all the information they need to make a decision about which “route” they would like to take e.g.

SCIO, CIC etc. • VCEL will be working towards “locality” where staff will know a bit about everything rather than organisations/people

having to wait to see another member of staff • STRiVE as an organization was not an effective mechanism for the third sector or any of the statutory partners

• VCEL have new set of policies and procedures and governance, accounts have been made clear a transparent to anyone who wish to view them.

• VCEL have been supported by Improvement Scotland to see what a TSI should look like. • VCEL have updated social media, bulletins and website.

Our Short-Term goals (6months)

• To improve our knowledge and relationships of the all the

different organisations and groups operating in East Lothian. Which will build on our ability to sign post opportunities services and work in partnership. • To expand our sectors role as a key strategic partner as we have realized that no one of us as have effect in

feeding into the Strategic Partnership so we wish to ensure that your voice is heard effetely. Which is part of the role as Chief of at VCEL

• To increase the awareness and understanding of our role and corruption that we make to East Lothian. • To increase and share the knowledge of funding Gordon to share opportunities available in East Lothian, we would latest bulletin encourage organisation to sign up to VCEL’s bulletins of the latest information available.

Questions

• Laura Kearney: gave feedback stating that the last funding bulletin from VCEL ones on of the best they have seen in while. • Suzanne: Community Engagement formerly known as Scottish health council with Improvement Scotland would like to know what support does VCEL need and how we can work together and direct projects and trends we are following. •

5. What would a good TSI look like to you and your organisation

• VCEL would like to send out surveys to obtain feedback on what you would like for your TSI to look like. As we are here to serve the Third Sector in the East Lothian and the communities within. Whether at is by funding support, training, support offline.

6. Your Organisation

• Tina Pollock the project manger at First Step which are a community-based project which has been in ,

Wallyford & for 30 years and provide nursery provision to 18 months to 5 years and provide outreach support and counselling to families.

• Theresa Casey is with East Lothian Play Association, they are small charity that support children’s right to play throughout East Lothian. The Association has been successful

in securing funding during lockdown which has stabilised they posts during the period and have been able to do work related to covid from the start using they principles but has

been difficult has previous the would work within the schools and face to face with the children. And is looking for futures ways to support the children.

• Elaine Alsop the finance Manager at Can-Do which was previously known as East Lothian Special needs Playscheme. They other playschemes and youth clubs for children with

Special Needs throughout East Lothian. Elaine is also an accountant who works with different charities in East Lothian. • Claire Spiden from Carers of East Lothian, team are still

working from home still providing service virtual but still provide limited garden services. Claire asked if Maureen could investigate the Scottish fund to help with covid pleasure Maureen

Date of Next Meeting: TBD