Edinburgh Integration Joint Board
The organisation responsible for delivering health and social care meets today with what are potentially some difficult decisions to make.
At the last meeting the board proposed making £4.5 million of cuts in grants to third sector bodies. This threat (which amounted to £750,000 in year) was averted and funding was to be found until the end of March. Third sector bodies include organisations such as the Health Agency in Wester Hailes who get about £170,000 in core funding and also at the other end of the scale the Portobello Older People’s Project which gets about £14,000. These organisations are embedded in the community and as you will read here can actually save the NHS and other organisations from other expenditure.
It looks as though the can might be kicked even further down the road at this meeting rather than any decision being taken (although it is difficult to know what will happen), and there is still a deficit on the EIJB books of £51million.
In the main report about Third Sector Organisations this is what the EIJB say:
“Considering concerns raised by EIJB members and Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) on 1 November 2024
regarding the cessation of the grants programme, it was intended by officers to
consider any revised proposal alongside other savings proposals in March 2025.
Feedback from TSO representatives was that it would be preferable for EIJB members
to consider the 3 month extension in December so that they had greater certainty and
more time to make the necessary preparations. Officers committed to supporting
discussions with the Council and NHS Lothian in how the whole system supports Third
Sector Organisations rather than working in silos and submit a paper for the
December EIJB meeting requesting a 3 month extension.”
A member of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) former councillor, George Gordon, has lodged a proposal that the matter of third sector grants is shelved for a further six months to September 2025.
Grange Association talk this evening
For this month’s Grange Association talk, on Tuesday 17 December, Ian McHaffie, former teacher of Classics and Religious Education at George Watson’s College, will be talking about ‘The Athens of the North: Greek Inscriptions in Edinburgh’ – a fascinating dip into the history of our city, where ancient Greek influences in architecture and culture can be found all over the place.
As if this weren’t enough, your Committee have decided that in the spirit of the season, we will be offering mince pies at the event – and not just any mince pies but from Kate’s Café on Causewayside. Anyone who has been there will know how good they are.
As ever, the talk will take place at St Catherine’s Argyle Church, Grange Road, commencing at 7.30 pm. Doors open at 7.00 pm and tea, coffee and the mince pies will be available from then. This event is free for members, and £5 for non-members. (For anyone who wishes to join the Association, it will be possible to do so at the event).
Stand by your beds!
Scottish veterans’ charity, Erskine, has received a major donation from retailer, Scotmid.
The charity, which provides care to veterans in Scotland in their residential homes, activity centres and a Veterans’ Village, has received a £50,000 donation, which will be split between Erskine’s East, North and West locations.
A share of the funding will go towards providing 28 new beds in Erskine’s Gilmerton home in Edinburgh. The purpose built home provides 24-hour care for 40 members of the ex-Service community with nursing needs as well as those living with dementia.
The new beds will replace the current ones that have been in use since 2000. They’ll have a much less clinical feel, with special features such as full-length side rails to provide additional comfort and safety. Quality furnishings are integral in allowing Erskine to cultivate an environment where veterans can relax and really feel at home, whilst accessing the services they require. The Erskine care homes focus on maximising the wellbeing of residents and Scotmid is honoured to be able to play a part in ensuring that this is achieved.
Books books books
Scottish Book Trust has announced that it will gift books to children and families visiting food banks this winter including Community One Stop Shop (3 Broomhouse Market) as well as Edinburgh Children’s Hospital, and also primary school children.
The charity has been inundated with requests, from food banks and local authorities across Scotland, to support more vulnerable children and families facing challenging circumstances.
While the cost of living crisis continues, over a million people in Scotland are already living in poverty, a quarter of which are children.1 Too many children are growing up without books and the impact of this lasts a lifetime. Children and young people who don’t have a book of their own are twice as likely to have lower mental health.
Over the past three years, the charity has given over 290,000 books to children in need of our support and living in areas of deprivation through food banks, community hubs and other charities.
Funds raised from the appeal will enable Scottish Book Trust to give books to families, via food banks, other charities and community hubs, and deliver more of its life-changing work. Some examples of its programmes include specialist support for young families facing significant challenges through Bookbug for the Home, providing tactile books for children with additional support needs and supporting those living with dementia and the people who care for them.
To learn more about Scottish Book Trust’s Christmas appeal, visit scottishbooktrust.com/donate.
Drylaw/Telford Community Association
The Drylaw/Telford Community Association in Edinburgh is just one of the organisations which has received a grant from the Scottish Building Society to “enhance services that support vulnerable older adults”.
Paul Denton, Chief Executive of Scottish Building Society, said: “As a mutual organisation, we are committed to strengthening communities across Scotland. The charities supported through this round of funding reflect the incredible work happening on the ground to tackle issues such as isolation, mental health, and youth development.
“All of these charities support fantastic causes, and for many people, community groups and charities serve as a vital lifeline. We understand their impact, and with the support of our members, we are committed to continuing our part in helping them thrive and make a lasting difference.
“These grants will empower them to continue making a positive difference, and we are proud to be part of their journey.”
Applications for the next round of funding will open in March 2025. Charities across Scotland are encouraged to apply for grants of up to £5,000 to power their initiatives and make a lasting difference in their communities.
For more information on the Scottish Building Society Foundation or to apply for funding, click on the link: www.scottishbs.co.uk/scottish-building-society-foundation
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
