Important information about Cash For Kids this year:

We have been updated by Radio Clyde Cash for kids that, sadly, due to the impact of Covid-19 on their fundraising activities over the past 6 months, with all corporate fundraising and events unable to take place, they will not be a financial position to open the Cash for Kids family grants this year. We appreciate that this will be disappointing for many families. On a more positive note, Radio Clyde Cash for kids raised £430,000 from listeners and supporters from when the lockdown began, and distributed grants to 12,020 families who were adversely affected by Covid-19, for essentials such as food, fuel, nappies etc.

The decision to not open Cash for Kids grants for Christmas was a difficult one and Radio Clyde Cash for kids will continue with its commitment to helping those in most need.

£500 Self-Isolation Support Grant available from 12th October 2020:

From 12th October, the Self-isolation Support Grant can be applied for by those on low incomes who have been advised by the Track and Trace service to self-isolate, helping to ensure those who are affected and qualify are looked after and won’t need to go to work, reducing the community spread of the virus. The grant is for people who receive Universal Credit or Department for Work and Pensions legacy benefits.

The £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant is delivered though the Scottish Welfare Fund and you can apply via Glasgow City Council’s website: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/swf

You must apply for this grant within your 14 day self-isolation period. Those who have been asked to self-isolate on or after 28 September but before 12 October will have 14 days from 12 October to make an application. Please see the weblink above for more information about eligibility and how to apply.

SHA holds successful virtual Annual General Meeting

The Annual General meeting (AGM) of the Association’s members was held on 22nd September.  This year it was held “virtually” by video-conference because of the ongoing restrictions on public gatherings.  Advice and assistance were provided to help several people participate who would otherwise have been unable to.  Thanks to all those who made the effort to take part.   At the meeting, Association Chair Gillian Johnston presented her annual report, during what was her fifth and final AGM as Chairperson.  Gillian, who is a NHS nurse by day, described being Chair as “hard work but a privilege” and thanked Committee and staff for their support during her tenure.  She was then warmly thanked for her successful leadership of the Association during a period of significant change and development.

Aileen Ogston of auditors Scott Moncrieff spoke about the Annual Accounts.   The meeting then considered the nominations that had been received to the Management Committee.  Grace Barbour and Gillian Johnston were re-elected and new recruits Isabella Barnes, Elizabeth Battersby, and Jenny Kiernan will also now join the Committee.   This brings the total number of elected Committee members up to ten.  Full details of the AGM are available on request.

You can read the Chairperson’s report by clicking here.

New Covid-19 restrictions in place in Glasgow for two weeks

Following an increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the West of Scotland, additional restrictions have been introduced for people living in three local authority areas; Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire. The new restrictions came into effect as of midnight on Tuesday 1st September, initially for a two week period.

The restrictions mean that people living in these areas:

  1. should not meet other households in indoor household settings, whether in these areas or elsewhere
  2. can continue to meet other households outside e.g. in gardens or hospitality
  3. should be extra vigilant and follow all guidance.

You can find more information here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-local-measures/

Remember if you have any #coronavirus symptoms, even if they’re mild, you need to self-isolate and book a test straight away –https://www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect?fbclid=IwAR1hsXOcgK081UiZbUfVsY0c0I-L0Yeg4JuTffZ6MzAsFiJQaRuedoVXRWI

Warm Home Discount applications open with many energy suppliers

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a Government scheme funded by energy suppliers. It’s designed to help lower income and vulnerable households with their energy costs during the winter.If you meet certain criteria, you may qualify to receive the Warm Home Discount payment of £140.

Applications for WHD now open with following suppliers:

British Gas: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/energy-saving/warm-home-discount.html

Scottish Power: https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/whd.process?execution=e1s1

E-on: https://www.eonenergy.com/warm-home-discount.html

N-power: https://www.npower.com/help-and-support/extra-support/warm-home-discount/?AG=003&CH=PPC&REF=GOOGB&WT.mc_id=RESPPCGOOGB&WT.srch=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-O35BRDVARIsAJU5mQVCXxszf-m8ILS7Kvg9YR56sHQn4cTqUYk8lVLPBB4ZGhmEwI7-0gYaAmybEALw_wcB

You can register your interest with following suppliers for WHD:

SSE: https://sse.co.uk/forms/warm-home-discount-register-interest/name

EDF energy: https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-support/warm-home-discount

WHD still to open with E energy: https://www.e.org/support/warm-home-discount

WHD closed with Utilita: https://utilita.co.uk/help/warm-home-discount applications were accepted for one week from 5th of August.

Closed for bank holiday – reopening on 21st July

We are now closed for the Glasgow Fair bank holiday and we will resume our services at 9am on Tuesday 21st July 2020. Our office will remain closed to the public as before, however our staff will continue to deliver services remotely.

Update on disability benefits face to face assessments

The DWP announced on 6th July 2020:

• Face-to-face assessments to remain suspended, but kept under review

• Some review and reassessment activity to gradually resume from July 2020 for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• People are encouraged not to delay making claims as all benefits remain open and telephone and paper based assessments are in place where appropriate.

This temporary suspension, initially brought in for three months to protect people from unnecessary risk of coronavirus at the outset of the pandemic, will remain in place following a consideration of the latest public health guidance. date

Government’s Furlough Scheme extended until end of October 2020 but June 10th deadline for new furlough arrangements

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will now remain open until the end of October 2020 and furloughed workers across the UK can continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500 per month. However, June 10th is the deadline for any new furlough arrangements to begin as workers must have completed three weeks on the scheme by June 30th. From 1 July 2020, businesses will be given the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part time.  Individual firms will decide the hours and shift patterns their employees will work on their return, so that they can decide on the best approach for them – and will be responsible for paying their wages while in work.  From August 2020, the level of government grant provided through the job retention scheme will be slowly tapered to reflect that people will be returning to work. That means that for June and July the government will continue to pay 80% of people’s salaries.  In the following months, businesses will be asked to contribute a share, but crucially individuals will continue to receive that 80% of salary covering the time they are unable to work.  For more information see www.Gov.UK or the Money Saving Expert website https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/04/employed-help-coronavirus-furlough

Scottish Government to invest £19.2 million to support 83,000 Scottish Carers

As part of the next emergency coronavirus legislation, the Scottish Government is proposing an additional £19.2 million investment in Carer’s Allowance Supplement. This is in recognition of the additional pressure carers are under as a result of the ongoing pandemic. If approved by parliament, around 83,000 eligible Scottish carers will get an extra £230.10 through a special one-off Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement in June. As with the current supplement, they will not need to do anything to get this extra payment as it will be paid automatically to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. This would mean that carers receive an additional £690.30 this year on top of their Carer’s Allowance and any other income.

Funding success for Shettleston Community Growing Project (SCGP)

Shettleston’s award winning Growing Project has been awarded over £118K by the National Lottery Community Fund, to allow it continue its work for another three years.  The award will allow it to continue to: help local people grow food for their families, get children involved through the Smelly Welly Club after-school and holiday programme, run a volunteer programme, work with local schools  and deliver special events for the whole community.  Exciting new work the Project will be getting involved in will be helping to establish a community pantry in the local area that will give people access to low cost food, including fresh fruit and vegetables.  Shettleston Housing Association was instrumental in getting SCGP off the ground in the first place and has continued to support it as a valuable community asset.  Next year will be the SCGP’s 10th anniversary so the Lottery funding is a great boost in the run up to its big year. 

At the moment, of necessity, many of the SCGP’s activities are suspended due to the Coronavirus lockdown.  In the meantime they are continuing to keep the site in good shape and growing their crops so that things can be picked up quickly when allowed to do so. If you would like to get in touch with the Growing Project, contact Jane McBride on 763 2821.

https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2020-04-28/7-3-million-of-national-lottery-cash-bolster-incredible-efforts-of-scottish-community-projects