CLD Catch Up

Last week team CLDSC met with colleagues from Education Scotland CLD, HMIe CLD and the Scottish Government CLD Policy Unit. The jam packed agenda included CLD career pathways, professional learning, the recently launched adult learning strategy and the current CLD plans. Information sharing included CLD regional events and discussions focused on what the cost of living crisis, digital learning and the recent SQA results mean for the CLD sector.

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CLDSC Professional Induction Programme – open for registration!

So far we’ve had 8 sign-ups for the CLDSC Professional Induction Programme due to start in September this year. That means there’s still space for up to 10 more CLDSC members to take part, each of whom who will be matched up with a buddy and have 3 full months’ to complete the online course. 

The professional induction programme is for new and longstanding CLDSC members alike. It was created to introduce members of the CLDSC to the purpose and functions of the Council and what is expected of membership based on its professional standards.

Register your interest in participating in the course. If we can’t fit you in this cohort then we’ll note your interest for the next cohort starting in January.

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WE NEED YOUR INPUT: Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation

A wee reminder that we would like your support to gather CLD Standards Council (CLDSC) members’ voices, in response to the current Scottish Government review of the Mental Health and Wellbeing (MH&W) Strategy. CLDSC have looked at some key areas of the consultation, and have created 3 ways in which you can have your say:

1. Complete a survey on the proposed outcomes. The questions (1-7) are directly from the main consultation, however you do have an opportunity to add comments and pose any questions you may have in section 8. It should only take a few minutes of your time and the survey will be open until 3rd September.
2. Attend our next Virtual Members Meet Up on 1st September, at 4pm, where we will be discussing some of the other key areas in the MH&W consultation. Register for the September Virtual Members Meet Up on Eventbrite. 
3. The consultation closes on 9th September 2022 and you can access the full Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation if you would like to complete an individual and full response.

Thank you in advance for your time and support with this strategy consultation. If you have any further questions, please email us at: contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk.

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Education Scotland – New Educator Leadership Programme

Growing from the success of Education Scotland’s Teacher Leadership Programme (TLP), the new Educator Leadership Programme (ELP) welcomes Early Learning and Childcare practitioners, Community Learning and Development practitioners and classroom teachers to bring together their skills and experiences. It creates space to collaborate and share practice across sectors, while keeping the learner experience at the centre through a focus on practitioner enquiry.

Applications are open until Friday, 2nd September ahead of the Induction Day on Tuesday, 6th September. 

Find out more and apply for the Educator Leadership Programme.

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Education Scotland – Supporting Workforce Wellbeing

Supporting Workforce Wellbeing is a Scottish Government funded package which first launched in 2020 in response to the pandemic.

The offer is now in its third year and has evolved after listening to feedback from the education system.

The 2022-2023 offer is centred on providing mental health and wellbeing support for individuals in the education workforce across the wide education spectrum including schools, Community Learning and Development and Early Learning and Childcare. 

Find out more about Supporting Workforce Wellbeing where you can search for the for the offer and apply for the relevant programmes. 

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Conference Season is here!

There are lots of CLD professional learning opportunities coming up at a variety of conferences over the coming months.  Below is September’s offering with more to come next week.

DTAS – 4th and 5th September 2022

The Development Trusts Association Scotland annual conference and AGM is returning as an in-person event in 2022, for the first time in three years. The theme for this year is Gather, Connect and Thrive. Bookings for the conference have now closed, but you can follow events on Twitter @DTAScot and #DTAS22.

CDAS – 20th September 2022

Community Development Alliance Scotland is holding its annual conference on 20th September in Edinburgh with a focus on #StrentheningCommunityDevelopment. The conference will explore the challenges and opportunities we currently face and the next steps for community development in Scotland, and beyond.

Speakers include: Tom Arthur MSP, Scottish Government – Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth; Prof Alan Miller, Professor of Practice in Human Rights Law School University of Strathclyde; and opportunities to participate in workshops, world cafe open space for networking and reverse panel inputs from membership organisations.

Find out more and register to attend the CDAS Conference. 

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National CLD Numeracy Practitioners Network Meeting – 6th September

Booking is now open for this practitioners’ network meeting, on Tuesday, 6th September from 10am-11.30am. There will be information about Maths Week Scotland along with sharing of practice, including online resources. 

Book your place for the National CLD Numeracy Practitioners Network Meeting.

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Becoming a Numeracy Champion – free training available for CLD practitioners and STEM Ambassadors

Following on from the success of Phase 1 of a STEM grant, this programme is being offered free to CLD practitioners in the South East (Oct-Nov), Northern Alliance (Sep-Nov) and Tayside (Nov-Dec). There is also a ‘mop up’ session for all areas (Dec). 

The programme consists of 3 x 2 hour workshops and was highly valued by previous participants. Dates and registration details are below: 

• Northern Alliance – Numeracy Champion Training: 1st, 8th and 15th September – 9.30am-11.30am 
• South-East Collaborative – Numeracy Champion Training: 18th, 25th October and 1st November – 1pm-3pm  
• Tayside Collaborative – Numeracy Champion Training: 30th November, 7th, 14th December – 9.30am-11.30am 
• All Regions Numeracy Champion Training: 1st, 8th and 15th December – 9.30am-11.30am
  

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Illuminating Leadership Events – 20th and 21st September

After a successful Illuminating Leadership Festival earlier this year, Collective Leadership for Scotland and partners are now inviting you to join the Autumn Illuminating Leadership Event Series. A variety of events will take place over the course of 2 days, during which participants and hosts can reflect, share, and identify ways in which they have taken ideas and learning into practice. All events are free and open to all, regardless of background or practice setting.

Events include: 

• Collective Circle for Change
• Coaching for Systemic Change
• Creative Inquiry
• Facilitating in Complexity

Find out more and book a space on the Illuminating Leadership – Collective Leadership for Scotland website.  

You can also follow on Twitter @CollectiveScot and check out  #IlluminatingLeadership.

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CLD Summer 2022

Huge thanks to all the CLD: youth workers, community workers, parent helpers and volunteers. You just smashed Summer 2022 making lots of memories with and for young people and their families all over Scotland. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and pictures @cldstandards #BecauseOfCLD.

We hope you have a deserved break before the autumn session.

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College Sector Engagements

South Lanarkshire College Staff Development Event

Last week our Director, Dr Marion Allison, was pleased to be a panel member at South Lanarkshire College’s all staff development event. The topic of the day was ‘Success’ and Marion’s contribution focused on the pathways and partnerships between CLD practitioners and colleges in supporting learners and communities to develop and achieve their desired and required skills, knowledge and career opportunities.  

College Development Network Judging Panel

Marion also had the tough task of taking part in the judging for the College Development Network’s College Awards, noting it was inspiring to learn more about the outstanding work, partnerships and programmes going on across the college sector in Scotland. Look out for the shortlist announcements over the next few weeks @ColDevNet.

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Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation and Virtual Members Meet Up

A reminder that we would like your support to gather CLD Standards Council (CLDSC) members’ voices, in response to the current Scottish Government review of the Mental Health and Wellbeing (MH&W) Strategy. We have 3 ways in which you can support this consultation. You can do 1, 2 or all 3 of these options as outlined below. The more responses we gather, the more informed a response we can give.
 
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy guides the work that the Scottish Government and partners will do to improve MH&W in Scotland. This will include an overall shared vision, a set of outcomes, and how these will be achieved and measured to improve people’s MH&W. Scottish Government want to make sure that the Strategy does the right things to improve MH&W for people in Scotland. It is crucial that we support CLDSC members to input and support the development of this strategy, for the benefit of CLD practitioners, of the communities and of the learners we work with.

1. Survey

CLDSC have looked at some key areas of the consultation, and have created a survey which focuses on a section regarding proposed outcomes for people and communities in the strategy.

Complete the survey on these outcomes. It should only take a few minutes of your time and the survey will be open until 3rd September.

2. Meet Up

At our next Virtual Members Meet Up on 1^st September, at 4pm, we will be discussing some of the other key areas in the MH&W consultation, such as:

• Looking after your MH&W
• Barriers to accessing services and support
• Current impact on MH&W for young people and families
• CLD & partnership work to supporting MH&W

If you would like to come along and join us at this 1 hour session, you can register for the September Virtual Members Meet Up on Eventbrite. 

3. Full Response

The consultation closes on 9th September 2022 and you can access the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation if you would like to complete an individual and full response.

Thank you in advance for your time and support with this strategy consultation. If you have any further questions, please email us on: contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk.

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CLDSC Professional Induction Programme – Register to participate

We are pleased to announce that, following its launch at the Gathering by Jamie Hepburn MSP (Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training), the CLDSC Professional Induction Course is running its first full cohort from September 2022. The cohort will consist of up to 18 CLDSC members who will be matched up to buddies and have 3 full months to complete the online course. 

For new and longstanding CLDSC members alike, the professional induction programme was created to introduce members of the CLDSC to the purpose and functions of the Council and what is expected of membership based on its professional standards.

Register your interest in participating in the course.

If we can’t fit you in this cohort then we’ll note your interest for the next cohort starting in January. 

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Concept – new edition

The Summer edition of Concept – the Journal of Contemporary Education Practice and Theory, is now available to view and as always, it is a great mix of articles and reviews. Articles include ‘Post Covid Youth Work and Mental Wellbeing of Young People; Participatory Action Research and Disability Activism; and Rethinking Community Activism as Policy, Politics and Practice’.

Have a read, reflect and clock up some time towards your CLDSC Professional Learning commitment. 

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DIGI Ken CLD? How digital looks within the sector

Don’t forget to sign up for Education Scotland’s conversation around How Digital looks within the CLD Sector on 25th August at 4pm. They will be exploring how digital can enhance CLD Practice, while discussing practical solutions to the challenges that we are facing. With inputs from several organisations that will be sharing their experience of using digital approaches, to the introduction of the Digital CLD award, this promises to be a session full of creative dialogue and will highlight How Digital Can Improve the CLD Sector.

Find out more and sign up for DIGI Ken CLD? How digital looks within the sector on Eventbrite. 

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Digital Youth Work Live and Online – 30th August, 1.30pm-3pm

Join them on 30th August 1.30pm-3pm for Digital Youth Work Live and Online, a 90-minute online session to get your digital youth work kick-started for the session and an introduction to the rest of the programme.

This introductory event will be ideal whether you are using – or thinking about using – digital as an element of your youth work and a great way to connect with others involved in this area. There will be a strong focus on using digital for ‘in person’ youth work; as online continues to be important for many, YouthLink will be including opportunities to think about that too. This is interactive discussion based training, so come ready to share your ideas, resources, examples and advice and hear about some great practice too.

Register for Youth Work Live and Online.

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Scottish Learning Festival – 21-22 September 2022 – Registration now open!

Registration is now open for Scottish Learning Festival 2022. 

This year’s theme is Being Me, Being Us: Placing learners at the heart of Scottish Education.The theme puts learners at the heart of Scottish Education and reflects The United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC) and also the themes of Ken Muir’s recent reform report ‘Placing Learners at the Centre’ and the OECD 2030 report. The ‘Being Me’ element links to the Education Scotland and Scottish Government publication, Realising the Ambition: Being Me (PDF). The theme champions learner-centred pedagogy and the importance of meeting learners’ developmental needs over time; highlighting that learners develop their individual skills, knowledge and attributes at different rates according to who they are. 
 
There is an expansive virtual SLF Programme. As well as the virtual events, there are six Satellite Events – SLF2022 taking place across the country. These events will be in person, but will also be live streamed.

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SQA Appeals Process – A Short Reminder

On Tuesday 9th August, thousands of young people across Scotland received their results for their Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers, National Progression Awards, Skills for Work Awards, National Certificates and Awards. 

A quick reminder that a variety of information is available for parents and pupils on the SQA’s Appeals 2022 service.

This includes key information and resources:

• A decision tree to help pupils decide on whether you should submit an appeal  
• What you need to know about the appeals process
• Where to submit an appeal

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Virtual Members Meet Up: Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation – 1st September 2022, 4pm

The next Virtual Members Meet Up will take place on Thursday, 1st September, 4pm-5pm. This month we are focusing on the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy consultation.

The Strategy will guide the work that the Scottish Government and partners will do to improve mental health and wellbeing in Scotland. This will include an overall shared vision, a set of outcomes, and how these will be achieved to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing. It will also describe how we impact will be measured. Scottish Government want to make sure that the Strategy does the right things to improve mental health and wellbeing for people in Scotland. They also want your views on whether the draft overall vision, and our draft outcomes, are the right ones.

We want to gather your voice to respond to some key areas of the consultation. It is crucial that we explore how CLD Standards Council members can input and support the development of the strategy, for the benefit of CLD practitioners and of the communities and learners we work with.

You can sign up for the session on the September Virtual Members Meet Up EventBrite page. 

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CLD Changes Lives!

As we all know, CLD definitely does change lives and at CLDSC we are keen to showcase some of the amazing work that goes on in the CLD Sector. 

In last week’s bulletin we highlighted some fabulous work from Dundee City Council, taken from their CLD Review report 2020–2022. But we know there’s more happening across the country too.

What have the communities you work with done? What was the feedback from activities you engaged with them in? What was the impact?

Let’s share the stories as a celebration of the CLD Sector. We want to hear all about it! We need you to send us links, photos, stories, quotes, and really tell the tale of how CLD Changes Lives!

Do it now! Send information to contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk. Someone may just enjoy that wee 5 minutes of fame! 

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DIGI KEN CLD? How digital looks within the sector

Education Scotland would like to invite you to join them in a conversation around How Digital looks within the CLD Sector on the 25th, August at 4pm. They will be exploring how digital can enhance CLD Practice, while discussing practical solutions to the challenges that we are facing. With inputs from several organisations that will be sharing their experience of using digital approaches, to the introduction of the Digital CLD award, this promises to be a session full of creative dialogue and will highlight How Digital Can Improve the CLD Sector.

Find out more and sign up for DIGI Ken CLD? How digital looks within the sector on Eventbrite. 

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IACD Practice Insights Magazine – Call for Abstracts

IACD sees community development as a necessary and important strategy for positive strengthening of individuals and systems, and want Practice Insights to highlight how the challenges of the climate crisis are compelling innovation, encouragement, opportunity, and resilience. Suggested topics include the role of community development in:

• Local responses to supporting communities impacted by climate change due to acute disasters and/or chronic stress
• Re-shaping of public services in response to community needs and weaknesses in systems highlighted by climate change
• The role of young people as caretakers, community organizers, and advocates in climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Innovations in technology for the purposes of addressing climate change at the community level
• Creative innovations to climate protection, social connection, and communication
• Coordination with public health and/or medical health responses in the face of acute emergencies related to climate change-related weather events

If you have experience of working with communities on issues that relate to climate change, why not write about it and send an abstract describing your article in 500 words or less by 15 September, 2022 to Paul Lachapelle at: paul.lachapelle@montana.edu

Don’t worry if you are not experienced in writing for publication, IACD will provide supportive comments and suggestions on your proposal (“abstract”) and your article. 

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New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy – Implementation and Impact Survey

A short online survey that was developed to explore the implementation and impact of the New Scots Refugee Integration strategy has been extended and now ends on Friday, 12th August 2022. Practitioners are invited to complete this survey if they or their organisation have been involved in activities which support the integration of refugees and people seeking asylum in some way.

This will be the last opportunity to fill out the survey. Organisers want to gather data from as many practitioners as possible to ensure a wide range of perspectives are represented in the findings.

The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete and all responses will be anonymised.

Complete the survey.

If you would like to respond but you cannot do so by Friday, 12th of August, please email: Asiya.Hamid@scotcen.org.uk.

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Challenge Poverty Week – 3rd-9th October 2022

Times are hard, and getting harder, for hundreds of thousands of people across the country. A rising flood of living costs is pulling more and more people towards poverty. But together, during #ChallengePovertyWeek2022, we can start to #TurnTheTide on the injustice of poverty in Scotland.

Getting involved is easy and fun! To help your organisation plan how they will get involved, the Poverty Alliance are running a Get Involved meeting on 1 September 2022 at 2pm, designed to showcase the different ways your organisation can take part in the week, and to help you plan your activities.  

Find our more information about Challenge Poverty Week and sign up to reserve your place! If you have any further questions, email suzi.murning@povertyalliance.org.

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Women’s Experience of Poverty

The Poverty Alliance and the Scottish Women’s Budget Group are looking to speak to women living on low-incomes about the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.

They are interested in speaking to a range of women across Scotland including disabled women, women from minority ethnic communities, women with caring responsibilities, single parents and single women.

People taking part will receive vouchers for their participation. Please share with anyone you think might be interested!

For more information, please email laura.robertson@povertyalliance.org or call on 07867 818239.

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SQA Outlines Support to Young People

On Tuesday 9 August, thousands of young people across Scotland received their results for their Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers, National Progression Awards, Skills for Work Awards, National Certificates and Awards. SQA has published the 2022 results and headline figures. 

SQA’s Appeals 2022 service is free of charge.

If learners have a query about their certificate, they can call SQA’s Candidate Advice Line on: 0345 279 1000.

Further information can be obtained from:
Skills Development Scotland’s Results Helpline: 0808 100 8000
UCAS: 0371 468 0468 / UCAS Clearing resources

And don’t forget to check out the #NoWrongPath Campaign which demonstrates that many people in interesting job roles across Scotland may not have taken a straight, obvious or traditional path to get there – that there is #NoWrongPath.

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CLDSC Annual Report 2021-22

We are delighted to share the CLD Standards Council Annual Report April 2021-March 2022 with you!  

This annual report summarises the vast range of project work undertaken by the CLDSC and its members over the year, as well as highlighting the impact and influence this work has had throughout the CLD sector.

Supporting our members and their practice contributes to the support given to learners and communities. Thank you to all of our members, committee members and partners for their ongoing contributions and support of the CLD sector in Scotland.

Please note that on the website, there are two versions of the Annual Report available: the report slides on the graphic design platform named ‘Canva’, or an alternative PDF version of the report that can be downloaded.

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The Community Learning & Development Digital Device Fund

The Community Learning & Development Digital Device Fund is provided by the Scottish Government and managed by The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). The objective of the fund is to provide capital funding to voluntary sector CLD organisations across Scotland to purchase digital devices that can be used by learners to support their learning.

Organisations can apply for up to £15,000 for the purchase of digital devices and the deadline for applications is 16th September 2022. Find out more information and apply on the funding portal.

Please share with any relevant CLD voluntary organisations you are working with and if you use social media, you can retweet SCVO’s tweet about the CLD Digital Device Fund from your account. 

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Tackling Sectarianism CPD for Youth Workers

The training will explore the various resources available to youth workers to use in their practice. Participants will have a brief introduction to the topic of sectarianism and will also be able to have a go at some of the interactive activities available. There will also be information available on where participants can do some self-directed learning at a later stage.

A range of dates are available between September 2022 and March 2023. For more information and to book a place, visit the YouthLink Scotland webpage for Tackling sectarianism CPD for youth workers. 

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The Scottish Cyber Awards 2022

The Scottish Cyber Awards are for anyone working in the cyber field who feels they, or someone they know, is going above and beyond their day job to make a difference to the cyber security of Scotland. Nominate yourself or share the love and nominate a colleague or partner who is excelling.

Award Categories include: 

• Leading Light Innovation
• Best Cyber Education Programme
• Diversity Champion
• Outstanding Young Person in Cyber

Find out more and apply at the Scottish Cyber Awards webpage. Applications close on 31st August 2022.

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CLD Changes Lives!

Dundee City Council’s CLD Review Report 2020 – 2022 gives us a wealth of material to use in what we hope will be a recurring item in the weekly CLDSC Member Bulletin. This is only a snippet of the stories and more will be shared in future editions.  

The Hilltown Community Larder began November 2020 in response to the crises people found themselves in during the pandemic.  The Larder began as a partnership with Hilltown Local Management Group, the Coldside Community Forum and the Community Empowerment Team (CET).  A Committee now runs this with the support of the CET.   

Quote from the Larder volunteer: “Being able to volunteer here, saved me during lockdown by giving me a purpose.” GT

We helped distribute over 60,000 food bags in response to demand due COVID

The report from Dundee City Council gives a flavour of what CLD did during the pandemic, showing how we continued to engage with young people, families, adult learners and community organisations; particularly in our most disadvantaged communities and how we supported people in their communities.

Well done to all involved.

We need to celebrate and shout from the rooftops about the amazing stuff we do in the CLD Sector, so go on, send us your stories! contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk.

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Virtual College Expo22 – Tuesday, 23rd & Wednesday, 24th August 2022

The theme of Rewrite the College Story: Learning Experiences, Skills Development, Anchoring Communities is embedded throughout the action-packed programme for the Virtual College Expo22. It offers a wide range of inspirational keynotes, workshops, seminars, and panel sessions.  

View Virtual College Expo22 programme (PDF) for more information on speakers and sessions and book your free place.   

Follow on Twitter @ColDevNet #CollegeExpo22

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Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Workshops

SCQF is hosting a range of workshops over the next few months, both in person and online:

Would You Credit It? – Thursday, 1st September 2022 – 10am-4pm
This full day in-person workshop is designed to support individuals and organisations who are developing, or who already have, a learning programme which they are considering having Credit Rated for the SCQF. Venue: SCQF Partnership Officers, 201 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LW.
Find out more and register for Would You Credit It.

My Skills, My Future – Tuesday, 13th September 2022, 10am-3pm
A full day in-person workshop for those wishing to use the ‘My Skills, My Future’ suite of resources to support individuals in identifying the skills they have gained from other experiences outwith formal qualifications. Venue: SCQF Partnership Officers, 201 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LW. 
Find out more and register for My Skills, My Future.

An Introduction to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – Tuesday, 20th September 2022, 10am-12:30pm
An online workshop for employers who are looking to recognise the learning that employees have gained through life, work and educational experiences.
Find out more and register for An Introduction to Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL).

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Coming Soon: CLDSC Annual Report for 2021-22

The CLD Standards Council is pleased to announce that the Annual Report for 2021-22 will be published and shared with partners in August 2022 (watch this space!). 

This annual report will summarise the vast range of project work undertaken by the CLDSC and its members over the year, as well as highlighting the impact and influence this work has had throughout the CLD sector.

A few highlights:

• 2,845 total members as at 31 March 2022
• Did you know: On average, 16 new members joined the CLDSC every month
• There were 54 Approvals requests
• 22 Professional Learning events were held
• 5 Policy and Consultation submissions were completed by the CLDSC on behalf of members (including to the Education Reform)
• The Professional Induction Programme was launched at the SCVO Gathering for 2022

If you are not currently a member of the CLDSC and wish to join, you can find out how to register on the CLDSC website.

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August Virtual Members Meet Up – Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland

A final call to sign up for our Virtual Members Meet Up on Wednesday, 3rd August, 1-2pm. Come along to find out more about the recently launched Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland and discuss how CLD Standards Council members can support the implementation of the Strategy and help it achieve its mission and ambitions. 

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Becoming a Numeracy Champion: Children, families and feeling good about maths programme

Education Scotland is working with National Numeracy to run Phase 2 of the ‘Becoming a Numeracy Champion: Children, families and feeling good about maths’ programme in the autumn and is offering free places for CLD Practitioners.

The programme is run as a series of 3 online sessions which equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to support families to have positive attitudes towards maths.

Each programme covers:

• Numeracy: understanding the numeracy issue
• Supporting positive attitudes in children
• Supporting parents, carers & families

There are free places for CLD practitioners in the three Regional Improvement Collaborative areas which were not included in Phase 1 of the programme. There is also an additional session open to all regions who might have missed the original opportunity to get involved last year. The sign-up links and dates for each programme are below:

• Northern Alliance (1, 8 and 15 September 9.30-11.30am)
• South-East Collaborative (18, 25 October and 1 November 1-3pm)
• Tayside Collaborative (30 November, 7 and 14 December 9.30-11.30am)
• All Regions (1, 8, 15 December 9.30-11.30am)

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Education Scotland Community Learning and Development (CLD) Wakelets

This Community Learning and Development (CLD) Wakelet makes it easy to access relevant materials from the one place. When you explore the Wakelet you will discover a collection of links to online resources. Please check which are available and suitable for use within your organisation, as well as relevant to the learners in your area of practice.

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CashBack for Communities Fund – phase 6 open for applications

CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government fund that uses funds recovered from criminals to expand young people’s horizons and increase the opportunities they have to develop their interests and skills. £20-million is available in this round of funding and successful applicants will commence from April 2023 to March 2026.

Organisations must have a proven track record of delivering activities which support the Scottish Government’s Justice Vision and the criteria for CashBack Phase 6 as set out below. You can find out more on the Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice in Scotland here.

Phase 6 will fund projects which deliver a range of trauma informed and person-centred services & activities for young people between the ages of 10-25 that:

• Support young people most at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending towards or into positive destinations
• Provide person-centred support for young people, parents and families impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma
• Support young people to improve their health, mental health and wellbeing
• Support people, families and communities most affected by crime

Further information on the criteria for the fund and how to apply can be found on the CashBack for Communities website. 

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YouthLink Recruitment – Chair and Honorary Treasurer

The Board of YouthLink Scotland is currently recruiting for the roles of Chairperson and Honorary Treasurer. YouthLink’s present Chairperson, The Very Rev. Dr. Lorna Hood OBE and Honorary Treasurer, Gavin Whitefield CBE will retire in November having completed their second terms of office. 

YouthLink is asking for members and stakeholders to help to nominate a new independent Chairperson and Honorary Treasurer. The appointments are for someone not currently employed within the youth work sector but with the right skillset and sector fit for the next chapter of the organisation.

For further information and to view the person specifications and job roles, visit the YouthLink website. 

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#NoWrongPath

Launched in 2017, #NoWrongPath is a social media movement led by Developing the Young Workforce, which provides inspiration and reassurance to young people receiving their exam results. 

Developing the Young Workforce are aiming to demonstrate that many people in interesting job roles across Scotland may not have taken a straight, obvious or traditional path to get there – that there is #NoWrongPath. It aims to show young people the options that are available to them and that exams results are not necessarily the key to unlocking future success.

• Step 1: Pledge your support for the campaign and mark Tuesday 9 August 2022 (Scottish Exam Results Day) in your diary.
• Step 2: On Tuesday 9 August 2022, post a photograph of yourself holding a handwritten sign outlining your name, what you did when you left school and what you are doing now. Remember to use #NoWrongPath. Download the #NoWrongPath template PDF file.
• Step 3: Nominate a friend or colleague and encourage them to get involved, too!

Get Involved and Promote Your Pathway into CLD at #NoWrongPath.

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Scottish Government Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy – Consultation

Scottish Government have launched a public consultation on ‘A new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy’ and are keen to hear views from a broad range of stakeholders to help inform the final strategy, which will be published before the end of 2022. The Strategy will aim to focus on every part of what mental health and wellbeing means. This covers a range of things, including:

• Addressing the underlying reasons behind poor mental health
• Helping to create the conditions for people to thrive
• Challenging the stigma around mental health
• Providing specialist help and support for mental illness

There are online consultation events, or individuals and organisations can submit their own responses. There is also an easy read option which may be useful when supporting young people and adult learners to participate in this consultation. The virtual events provide an opportunity for anyone interested to engage with Scottish Government on this work and share views. You can book onto one of five sessions below:

Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation – Wed 3 Aug 2022 at 15:00
Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation – Mon 8 Aug 2022 at 10:00
Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation – Tue 16 Aug 2022 at 09:30
Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation – Fri 26 Aug 2022 at 14:00
Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation – Thu 1 Sep 2022 at 15:30

The consultation is open for responses until 9th September 2022.  CLDSC will be submitting a response on behalf of our membership. Details on how you can participate will be available soon. Find out more about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy consultation.

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August Virtual Members Meet Up – Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland

Don’t forget to sign up for our next Virtual Members Meet Up, which takes place on Wednesday, 3rd August, 1-2pm. Come along to find out more about the recently launched Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland and discuss how CLD Standards Council members can support the implementation of the Strategy and help it achieve its mission and ambitions. 

You can sign up for the session on the August Virtual Members Meet Up EventBrite page. 

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Digital CLD Awards

The pilot was funded by Scottish Government’s CLD Digital Development Fund and is focused on recognising the many planned and ongoing improvements organisations are making in developing the skills of their staff to improve the ways they reach and support learners through digital technologies. The awards highlight how well these increasing uses of digital approaches are impacting on the experiences and skills of learners and stakeholders. Awards were granted to:

• CLASP (Community Led Action & Support Project, North Ayrshire)
• Dundee City Council – Adult Learning ESOL Team 
• Glasgow ESOL Forum 
• Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Community Development Project
• LEAD Scotland
• LGBT Youth Scotland
• Youth Space (Fife Council)

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training said: ‘I offer my congratulations to all organisations who have achieved the Digital CLD Award. This is an important digital achievement for them and will make a real difference in helping to build the digitally literate, inclusive and talented young people, adults and communities of the future.’ 

You can find out more on the Digital CLD Awards Scotland website. 

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A Shout out for Cultural Videos – WCDC 2022

The World Community Development Conference 2022 (3rd-5th October 2022) is a great event that brings together hundreds of people involved in community development from around the world. 

This event is always accompanied by traditional songs, national dances and performances which is always very exciting and inspiring. The virtual format of the conference this year includes the regular cultural programme, so attendees can still enjoy the culture and traditions from different parts of the world! It’s going to be wonderful! 

THEY NEED YOU! Please send your cultural video to them, so that everyone around the world attending the conference will be able to enjoy songs and dances together, and explore the full of the colours of the culture of all countries involved.

For more information visit the World Community Development Conference 2022 website.

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DTAS Conference – 4th-5th September 2022

The theme is Gather, Connect and Thrive. This year’s speakers include CEO of Circular Communities, Michael Cook, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, Barry Fisher, as well as Mr Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth. The conference programme includes a study visit to Cranhill Development Trust in the east end of Glasgow, a virtual study visit to Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association and a total of nine workshops to choose from. Workshop topics include succession planning and collaboration, Community Ownership Support Service and Community Shares Scotland sessions. Attendees will be able to participate in a speed-networking session and browse the Marketplace which will include stands from a wide range of different organisations. 

For those unable to attend in-person, selected sessions from the programme will be available online free of charge, including the virtual study visit, AGM and the opening and closing plenaries.

For further information and to book your place, visit the DTAS website.

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Scotland Learns

Education Scotland have published a schedule for August 2022 until June 2023 detailing publication dates and submission deadlines for Scotland Learns. You can find out at more details on the Education Scotland website.

This newsletter focuses on offering up to date information to support you, as educational practitioners, in creating ideas and learning activities to support children, young people and family learning. It also includes news, resources and useful links, as well as sharing practice from around Scotland. With well over 35,000 subscribers, this is a great way to share your news with stakeholders. 

There are still a few weeks until the newsletter resumes, so if you’d like to submit content, please send around 40 words and a link to further information to scotlandlearns@educationscotland.gov.scot or email them to subscribe and receive your monthly copy.

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The Promise Partnership Fund

Phase 3 of the Promise Partnership Fund has launched on the Corra Foundation website. The three key areas of focus for applications are around a supported workforce, supportive school structure (right to education) and youth justice & rights.  Find out more about the next steps and the challenge briefs/application criteria on the The Promise Partnership – Corra website.  

The closing date for applications is 16th September 2022, with outcomes from the Decision Making Panel announced in December 2022.

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Launch of CYPFEI & ALEC Fund Replacement

Third sector organisations that support children, young people, families and adult learners are now able to apply for core funding from the new Children, Young People, Families and Adult Learning Third Sector Fund (CYPFAL). The fund is a replacement for the previous CYPFEI & ALEC fund and will provide up to £16-million funding for 2 years from April 2023.

The new fund focuses on providing core funding to organisations that are delivering services and support that are targeted towards positive outcomes for children, young people, families and adult learners with particular focus on the Scottish Government policy priorities:

• Children, Young People, Families and Adult Learners affected by Poverty
• The Promise
• Implementation of UNCRC
• Family Support
• Mental and Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing
• Equalities and Wellbeing

Applications can be completed online from 12:30pm on 6 July 2022 via the Corra Foundation website where guidance and the online application form is available. The deadline for submitting applications is at 3pm on 5 September 2022.

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August Virtual Members Meet Up – Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland

The next Virtual Members Meet Up will take place on Wednesday, 3 August, 1-2pm, hosted by Simon Ashpool  from Scottish Government CLD Policy Team. This month it will focus on the recently launched Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland and will explore how CLD Standards Council members can support the implementation of the Strategy, and help it achieve its mission and ambitions. You can sign up for the session on the August Virtual Members Meet Up EventBrite page. 

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Scottish Government – Covid 19 Principles

Scottish Government official information on the guiding principles to manage Covid-19 including for a community learning and development (CLD) setting was revised on the 22nd of June 2022. 

Specifically, the Overview and Principles have been updated to reflect current guidance. For further information, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19): universities, colleges and CLD providers page on the Scottish Government website. 

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World Community Development Conference – 3-5 October 2022 – online

Inclusion, Challenges, Opportunities is the unifying theme for #WCDC2022, in order to encourage a global discussion and reflection on the new reality that community development practice has to operate in as we enter a post pandemic world. This will build upon the work many have been doing in realizing the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda 2030.  

The deadline for submitting abstracts has been extended until August 1, 2022, so if you’d like to present at the conference, please visit the Call for Participation page on the WCDC2022 website.

If you’d like to attend as a participant, you can now register at the WCDC2022 website.  Keep up to date with news and events on Twitter using #WCD2022.

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New Guide to Accessing Community Based Adult Learning for Disabled People

LEAD Scotland recruited and paid six disabled people, all with some past or current experience of accessing CBAL, to co-produce the guide. It was important for the group to reflect their experiences of being disabled and sharing tips on how to ask learning providers for the right support to learn. The guide is full of useful advice and information related to various disability related topics, such as knowing your rights under the Equality Act and using CBAL to build knowledge on how to get involved in campaigning.

Find out more about the new Guide to Accessing Community Based Adult Learning for Disabled People. 

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#IWill Ambassador Recruitment 2022

@IWillScotland have opened applications for this year’s #IWill Ambassadors! More than 1 in 5 of us are under 18, but who gets to make the decisions that matter? Do you care or know someone who cares about putting #YouthVoice at the centre of our society? 

#IWillAmbassador applications & nominations are open.  Find out more at YouthLink Scotland  #IWill Ambassador Recruitment.

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Summertime CLD Activities

It’s mid-July and CLD summer activities and programmes are well underway with adult learners, young people and community groups. Please link us in to your work by tweeting – tag us on @cldstandards and use the hashtag #BecauseOfCLD. We love seeing the amazing practice being undertaken in communities across Scotland and want to share it widely.

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Adult Learning Strategy Launch Videos

Following the launch of the Adult Learning Strategy on 29 June, the recordings of the session are now available on i-develop. We are also pleased to welcome Simon Ashpool, from the CLD Policy Team in Scottish Government, to host our August Virtual Members Meet Up which will focus on the Adult Learning Strategy and workforce development in CLD. You can sign up for the event on the August Virtual Members Meet Up EventBrite page.

Watch the introduction from Mhairi Harrington OBE, Chair of the Adult Learning Strategic Forum for Scotland followed by Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education, Youth Employment and Training.

Watch recordings of the workshops centred around each of the Strategy’s key themes. 

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CLD Career Day

Following feedback from our further and higher education partners, we are delighted to announce that the CLD Standards Council will be hosting our first CLD Career Day in Autumn 2022. The purpose of the event will be to promote all aspects of Community Learning & Development as a career.  We will have employers, education providers, student support providers, CLD partnerships and alliances all in one room where current and prospective CLD students can hear all about the opportunities available to them in the CLD sector

We will be releasing details of the event soon, including a ‘Save the Date!’ and information on the location. In the meantime, if you would like to be involved in shaping the event and contributing ideas, please contact us at contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk by 15 July and we will be in touch!

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CLD Standards Council Conference 2022 – 2 December – Save the Date!

Book the date(s) in your diary and keep a look out for the conference registration opening after the summer.

Please note, the conference is for members of the CLD Standards Council.  If you or a colleague are not currently members and would like to attend, find out how to apply for membership.  

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Community Development Alliance Scotland (CDAS) Annual National Conference 2022 – Save the Date!

CDAS have announced that their Annual National Conference will be held on Tuesday, 20 September 2022, 10am – 3pm in person in Edinburgh. The event will include workshops, speakers and participation from a number of CDAS membership organisations highlighting the social, environmental, physical and economic impact of community development.

Registration will open soon and you can find out more by following CDAS on Twitter @CDAScotland and through the CDAS Facebook page.

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National Voluntary Youth Work Organisations Support Fund 2022-2023

The National Voluntary Youth Work Organisations Support Fund 2022-23 is now open for applications! Funded by Scottish Government and administered by YouthLink Scotland, this fund supports workforce development with the voluntary youth work sector. In addition to funding national voluntary sector youth work organisations, the fund this year – for the first time – also offers support to specialist equalities focused voluntary youth work organisations to support them to build on and develop their reach and offer to young people with protected characteristics. Grants of up to £35,000 are available for national youth work voluntary organisations, £10,000 for regional equalities focused organisations, and £5,000 for local equalities focused organisations.
 
The deadline for submissions is 22 July 2022 and you can find out more on the YouthLink Scotland website.

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Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund 2022-2025

Funding from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) is here to support communities to engage with, participate in and benefit from the energy transition to net zero emissions. The fund opens in May 2022 and is planned to run until the end of March 2025, subject to funding availability.

Funding is available for many types of self-managed community buildings, including:

• village halls
• community centres
• community hubs
• sports facilities
• faith buildings

Find out more information about the Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund at the Local Energy Scotland website. 

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Adult Learning Strategy Launch

Thanks to everyone who came along this morning to celebrate the launch of Scotland’s first Adult Learning Strategy today, led by Jamie Hepburn MSP – Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training. We were especially pleased to hear the importance that workforce development is playing, both in the strategy itself and in its implementation. 

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Virtual Members Meet Up Reminder – Social Security Scotland

Do you work with people who might be eligible for claiming benefits from Social Security Scotland? If you answered “yes!” this workshop is for you. 

Our next Virtual Members Meet Up is on Tuesday, 5 July – 1pm to 2pm and this month it’s all about Social Security Scotland’s new benefit – Adult Disability Payment, soon to replace Personal Independence Payments and Disability Living Allowance in Scotland. 

Come along to hear about Adult Disability Payments, how you can support any CLD learners you work with to apply, how you can prepare your own services, and have any questions you might have answered. The session will provide an overview of the new benefit, outline special rules for terminal illness, how to apply for the benefit, how decisions are made and information collected, and how appeals can be made. 

This session is for anyone who might support clients or service users to access benefits, or who works regularly with people who may be eligible to apply. It will give you the knowledge needed to make sure your CLD learners get the support they need.

Join the July Virtual Members Meet Up by registering on Eventbrite.

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Free workshops for guiding blind and visually impaired people

This one-hour, free virtual training is ideal for people who work or volunteer with members of the public and teaches sighted guiding. It is available to anyone over the age of 18 and is delivered in a live, online session by one of Guide Dogs’ expert staff. It will cover: 

• How to start a conversation when you meet someone who is blind or partially sighted
• The confidence to ask someone if they need assistance
• Basic guiding techniques for crossing roads, getting around obstacles and getting in and out of cars
• An introduction to common eye conditions and their impact
• Awareness of access rights and barriers to independence

Sessions are limited to 15 people and you can sign up for the sighted guiding training sessions on the Guide Dogs’ website.

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LGBTQ+ Health Needs Assessment Report

The Health Needs Assessment (HNA) was commissioned by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), NHS Lothian and Public Health Scotland from 2020 who recognised that there are gaps in knowledge about the health and wellbeing of LGBT+ groups.

The comprehensive HNA sought to better inform approaches to public health for LGBT+ people, differentiated for each of seven groups: lesbian and gay women, gay men, bisexual women, bisexual men, trans women, trans men (trans masculine) and non-binary people across the Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Lothian areas.

The HNA Report brings together the findings from all aspects of the HNA including the presentation of the survey findings.

Find out more and read the full HNA report.

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International Association of Community Development (IACD) AGM – Save the date!

The International Association of Community Development’s (IACD) AGM takes place on Wednesday, 13 July 2022 at 1pm and members and friends of IACD are welcome to attend.

You can register for the IACD AGM on Eventbrite.

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Local Funding Streams

Local Recovery is a non-political group which works to give communities a louder voice. They advocate for local priorities and believe that the policies of local authorities and national governments should deliver for local communities

Local Recovery can provide advice and support to local groups who are looking to access funding from schemes such as the Place Based Investment Programme Fund, the Investing In Communities Fund and the Aspiring Communities Fund.

Find out more about resources available for local areas on the Local Recovery website. 

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Open University in Scotland Graduation – Congratulations

Marion Allison (left) and Ruth Washbrook (right)

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Adult Learning Strategy Launch

The official launch of Scotland’s first Adult Learning Strategy is taking place virtually on Wednesday, 29 June 2022. Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education, Youth Employment and Training, will officially launch the strategy and a series of workshops centred around each of the strategy’s key themes.

Places are still available to attend and the closing date for registration is this Friday, 24 June. Please email SGCLDPolicy@gov.scot if you’d like to attend and you’ll be sent registration details as soon as possible. 

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Launch of Scotland’s new Volunteering Action Plan

Last week saw the launch of Scottish Government’s new Volunteering Action Plan. The plan aims to create a Scotland where everyone can volunteer, more often, and throughout their lives. It is designed to provide actions over a 10‐year period as a living plan and it seeks to raise the profile of volunteering and its impact on society.

We were pleased to be invited to be part of the working group for the plan’s creation and hope it will serve as a useful tool to the CLD sector as a whole. 

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July Virtual Members Meet-up – Scotland’s New Benefits System

Our next Virtual Members Meet Up is on Tuesday, 5 July – 13.00-14.00 and this month it’s all about Social Security Scotland and the new benefits system coming to people in Scotland.

Come along and hear what Adult Disability Payments are, how you can support any CLD learners you work with to apply, how you can prepare your own services, and have any questions you might have answered. The session will provide an overview of the new benefit, outline special rules for terminal illness, how to apply for the benefit, how decisions are made and information collected, and how appeals can be made.

This session is for anyone who might support clients or service users to access benefits, or who works regularly with people who may be eligible to apply. It will give you the knowledge needed to make sure your CLD learners get the support they need.

Join the July Virtual Member Meet Up by registering on Eventbrite.

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Building Racial Literacy and Education Leadership Programmes

Don’t forget, CLD colleagues can submit applications for these two programmes until 23:45 on Monday 27th June. 

• Building Racial Literacy – The national Building Racial Literacy programme promotes anti-racism as a baseline professional value, empowering educators to identify and implement anti-racist behaviours and processes in their everyday practice. To find out more about the programme, please watch the Story of the Building Racial Literacy Programme video and visit the Education Scotland website and select the section on ‘Applying for the programme’. 
• Educator Leadership Programme – Growing from the success of the Teacher Leadership Programme (TLP); the new Educator Leadership Programme (ELP) welcomes applications from Early Learning and Childcare practitioners, Community Learning and Development practitioners and classroom teachers. To find out more please watch the Educator Leadership Programme video and visit the Education Scotland website and select the section on ‘Applying for this programme and further information’ section.

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CashBack for Communities Fund – phase 6 open for applications

Cashback for Communities is a Scottish Government fund that uses funds recovered from criminals to expand young people’s horizons and increase the opportunities they have to develop their interests and skills. Phase 6 of the fund is now open for applications and closes at noon, Friday 12 August. £20-million is available in this round of funding and successful applicants will commence from April 2023 to March 2026.

Organisations must have a proven track record of delivering activities which support the Scottish Government’s Justice Vision and the criteria for CashBack Phase 6 as set out below. 

Phase 6 will fund projects which deliver a range of trauma informed and person-centred services & activities for young people between the ages of 10-25 that:

• Support young people most at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending towards or into positive destinations
• Provide person-centred support for young people, parents and families impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma
• Support young people to improve their health, mental health and wellbeing
• Support people, families and communities most affected by crime

Further information on the criteria for the fund and how to apply can be found on the CashBack for Communities website. 

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Congratulations to the winners of the Scottish Charity Awards

As always, the Scottish Charity Awards event was an evening of inspiration and CLD practice was at the forefront! All 44 finalists deserve to be recognised and the first in-person Awards ceremony for 3 years was the only place to be last Wednesday evening. You can read more about the winners on the night on the SCVO website. 

CLD Standards Council was delighted to sponsor the Community Action Award at this year’s Scottish Charity Awards. Warm wishes go to the finalists and huge congratulations to the winners Feldy-Roo! Feldy-Roo was set up at the beginning of the pandemic to provide daily hot meals, free newspapers and a friendly chat for isolating residents in Highland Perthshire during both lockdowns. Feldy-Roo created a social experience for both volunteers and residents, and continues to work within the community, seeking to improve social and health opportunities for all ages.

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