Fairer Renfrewshire Update
Renfrewshire Council · 18 September 2024
Back to Leadership Board — 18 September 2024 and its agenda
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_____________________________________________________________________________________ To: Leadership Board On: 18 September 2024 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive _____________________________________________________________________________________ Heading: Fairer Renfrewshire Update _____________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Council and its partners continue to work together to progress the Fairer Renfrewshire Programme, with a strong shared focus currently on the local response to the cost-of-living crisis. 1.2 This paper provides: • A summary of the key issues reported to the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee on 4 September including the cost of living and programme updates, and seeks approval from the board in relation to any specific funding allocations required. • An overview of priorities over the next 3 month period, as set out in Section 6. • An update for Elected Members on work that is being undertaken to commission a support service for people with a brain injury in Renfrewshire as set out in Section 7 of the report. 1.3 Work is specifically planned during Autumn 2024 to review programme delivery to date, and to bring forward priorities for consideration by elected members for the next year of the programme. _________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that elected members: • Note the content of the report and the work being undertaken to progress the Fairer Renfrewshire programme locally.
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• Agree to allocate £121,000 from Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding to support the extension of the MYLA initiative until March 2025 and the launch and development of a Stigma and Language programme. • Approve the guidance for the Winter Connections 2024/25 programme and associated implementation arrangements as detailed in section 6 and Appendix 1. • Agree that authority is delegated to the Head of Policy and Partnerships to award Winter Connections grant funding, in consultation with the Council Leader and in line with the guidance attached at Appendix 1. • Note the update in relation to the commissioning of a support service for people with a brain injury and their family. ______________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Fairer Renfrewshire Programme has continued to develop and evolve over the last 18 months, with the immediate focus of the Council and its partners being in relation to the ongoing cost of living response and wider initiatives which seek to tackle poverty and inequality. This is a fast paced and constantly evolving programme and the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee continues to meet to provide oversight on all related activities being undertaken. 3.2 As previously reported to Board, four key themes were identified for the initial Fairer Renfrewshire programme: • Improving financial security • Advancing equality of opportunity • Building community capacity and resilience • Listening to lived experience 3.3 As highlighted in some of the sections below, the programme is now at capacity in terms of existing officer and partner resources and over Autumn 2024 we plan to undertake a stocktake of where the programme is at in terms of delivery and funding and to bring forward recommendations around the prioritisation of the future work programme. 4 Update from the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee 4.1 At its meeting on 4 September 2024, the sub-committee considered: • The most recent programme update including information on recent statistics and research in relation to the cost-of-living crisis, including the cost of living dashboard developed locally • An initial update on the delivery of the Summer of Fun programme and Digital Inclusion. activities across Renfrewshire.
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• Progress updates in relation to the provision of school based advice services, the community needs assessment in Gallowhill, the Thrive under 5 project and wider advice campaigns planned over Autumn / Winter 2024. • An update on the work of the Fairer Renfrewshire Lived Experience Panel with an event involving the Panel and Sub-Committee Members being held on 3 September 2024. 4.2 Officers gather information from a variety of sources at both a local and national level to inform discussion at the sub-committee. As highlighted above a cost of living dashboard is presented and a detailed cost of living paper is also provided which gathers together all of the local and national information. Further key statistics and information is provided in table 1 below, with the full report available within the sub-committee papers and can be circulated to members of the board if this would be of interest on a regular basis. Table 1 Key national statistics • The rate of inflation is standing at 2.2%, having reduced to 2% (May and June 24), and now is slightly above the target rate set by the UK Government for the Bank of England • The inflation rate for food has continued to reduce; now 1.5%. • The Bank of England has reduced the interest rate to 5% from 5.25%. The rate had been at 5.25% since August 2023 until it was reduced on 1 August. • The Energy Price Cap, originally introduced by Ofgem in January 2019 to set limits on the underlying rates energy suppliers, is now set at £1,568 from the 1 July until 30 September. This is £122 lower than the previous quarter, however will rise to £1,717 from 1 October. Cost of living research (national) The latest insights into the cost of living from the Office of National Statistics in June found: • 51% of adults said their costs of living had increased compared with one month ago, while 47% said it had stayed the same. This has decreased gradually since October 2022 when 80% of adults reported an increase • For those who reported an increase, costs of food shopping at 93%, fuel at 52% and energy bills at 47% were the most commonly reported reasons. • 4 in 10 people are finding it difficult to pay for energy or housing. Employment and income • According to the ONS, the Claimant Count, which is taken from JobcentrePlus administration systems, for those claiming unemployment-related benefits in Renfrewshire remains at 3.1% as it was in March 2024. This currently equates to 3,575 people aged between 16 and 64 and is down from June 2023, when there were over 3,700 claimants.
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• Around 26,200 people aged 16 to 64 years in Renfrewshire were "economically inactive" in the year ending March 2024. This is an increase based on the previous reported figure of 25,100 in the year ending December 2023. Debt StepChange Scotland published their Scotland in the Red report on 26 June 24. The report highlights how cost of living and inflationary pressures continue to impact households and identifies how their clients in Scotland continue to be affected by problem debt. • 25% of their clients say their main reason for problem debt is costs of living • 31% of their clients are in a deficit budget, meaning their spend on essentials is higher than their income can cover • 55% of their clients are in full or part time work • 43% have children with 22% being single parents The amount of debt under management by both Renfrewshire Citizens Advice and Advice Works has sharply risen in the last quarter, at £2,408,161 compared to £740,768 in the previous quarter. Figures from Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau show that of the 1446 clients seen this quarter, 455 were working either full time or part time. The numbers of those working who are accessing the service has risen steadily over the last year. Food costs / insecurity • Over the three years between May 21 and May 24, food prices rose by 30.6%. It previously took over 13 years from January 2008 to May 2021 for average food prices to rise by the same amount. The main downward effects came from a combination of bread and cereals, meat, and fruit. • In Renfrewshire 1,400 Foodbank Vouchers were issued in Quarter 1, in comparison with 1,148 issued in the same quarter the previous year, an increase of almost 22%. The vouchers covered 1863 adults and 866 children this year, which was an increase in total number receiving assistance compared to the same quarter last year (1473 adults and 589 children). • The rising costs of essentials remains the most commonly cited factor in the reason for voucher issue in Renfrewshire, at 716 times. This is compared to the second most cited factor, ongoing impact of physical or mental health condition at 185 times. Priority debt continues to be the third most cited factor, at 164 times. Housing • According to the ONS, private rental prices in Renfrewshire rose to an average of £749 in June 2024, an annual increase of 9.5% from £684 in June 2023. This was higher than the Scottish rise of 8.4% over the year. 5. Fairer Renfrewshire Programme Update
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5.1 Since the last update to Leadership Board in May 2024, a range of activities have continued to be progressed by officers and partners. A summary is provided in the sections below. Summer of Fun 5.2 As part of the Council’s budget for 2024 it was agreed that funding of £100,000 should be allocated through the Fairer Renfrewshire programme to support the development of a summer holiday programme, with a focus on providing support over the holiday period to low-income families. 5.3 Initially it was agreed that £50,000 of the £100,000 Fairer Renfrewshire funding would be allocated to support a small grants programme for local community groups and organisations to operate for Summer 2024. This aimed to deliver free activities over the summer holidays which could reach communities that might be underserved by mainstream activities, particularly low- income families. The fund was oversubscribed and at the start of June 2024, a further £10,000 was allocated to support the programme. 5.4 In total, 29 organisations applied for grant funding, with 21 being successful and the full budget of £60,000 being allocated. Activities included toddler play sessions, STEAM activities, sports activities, arts and crafts and day trips to visitor attractions to allow families to make memories together. 5.5 With the remaining £50,000, the Community Learning and Development team also developed a programme of activities for children and young people with the provision of a healthy meal. Following on from last year’s successful programme, the summer camp model offering places to children and young people aged 5 to 14, targeting low-income families was again utilised. A varied programme of activities for children, families, and young people was offered and the holiday camps were held in 6 venues across Renfrewshire including Gallowhill and Ferguslie Park. 5.6 In addition, OneRen libraries supported the Summer of Fun with activities across Renfrewshire, especially in villages where no funding bids had been received. Skoobmobile also planned their timetable taking into account areas with no grant funded activities, or libraries, such as Howwood, Houston and the Lochfield Road area. 5.7 A full evaluation report is currently being carried out, as with the 2023 programme, and this will be presented to elected members at the next Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee meeting. School and Family Advice Provision 5.8 With the new school year having started in August, work has been ongoing with colleagues in Advice Works and Education as well as Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau (RCAB) to boost numbers using the School Support Service across Secondary and ASN schools provided by RCAB and the Family Advice Service for families of Primary and ELCC schools provided by Advice Works.
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5.9 Working alongside colleagues in Corporate Communications, plans are in place to ensure parents and carers are aware of the advice available to them. The plan includes updates to school websites and newsletters, texts to parents and wider communications including social media and a press release as well as attendance at parents’ nights. 5.10 Engagement with Education Managers will continue throughout the year to ensure relevant school and nursery staff, including pastoral staff are aware of the services and can signpost or refer parents who may benefit from advice around money and benefits. This will include parents who have school meal debt. 5.11 In addition to this promotion of the service, as part of the work to boost take up of advice by parents with low incomes, Advice Works have embedded a question about whether families need support with money as a part of the application process for Free School Meals and School Clothing grants. Any applicant who indicated they wanted support received an email immediately with information on financial supports available for families, where to access help with money and a link to Advice Works online referral form. One reminder was sent if no contact had been made, again including a link to the online form again and reminding them that help is available. 957 applicants indicated they would like support with money. Community Needs Assessment in Gallowhill 5.12 As previously reported to the sub-committee, late in 2023, Renfrewshire HSCP was successful in a funding bid to NHSGGC Public Health to carry out a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) in Gallowhill, recognising the increase in Child Poverty rates in the Gallowhill and Renfrew South Ward. The commissioning process for an organisation to carry out the CNA has ended, and Active Communities are the successful organisation. 5.13 The CNA commenced at the start of July 2024 using the Place Standard Tool. An Engagement Event will be organised for autumn and Active Communities are also hoping to recruit volunteers from within the area to carry out the survey with their own social groups. Although the survey is online, it is hoped to complete the majority of forms face to face to capture honest discussion with community members. 5.14 An application has been made to the Scottish Government Child Poverty Accelerator Fund to support the testing of new place-based approaches to child poverty in Renfrewshire, which would be informed by the CNA currently taking place. This is a joint bid with Renfrewshire HSCP, NHSGGC and Active Communities, with Renfrewshire Council being the lead partner. The Scottish Government will inform applicants whether they have been successful in September. Lived Experience Panel 5.15 Elected Members have been given a number of updates relating to work of the Fairer Renfrewshire Panel. The August session of the Panel was used to examine and feedback on the Local Transport Strategy currently being developed. In Early September an event was held involving members of the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee and Officers Group, while the
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Events team will return later in September to discuss the plans for the Paisley Halloween event and feedback on outcomes from the previous meeting earlier in the year. 5.16 In October, the panel will visit the Russell Institute to carry on the conversation with Invest and see the changes made to the premises based on Panel feedback. Looking ahead the Panel have been commissioned by Renfrewshire HSCP to support them with work around the findings of their most recent Health and Wellbeing Survey, feeding back on the findings and helping identify priorities from the results. Thrive under 5 5.17 Following the launch of the Thrive under 5 programme to referral organisations, the launch of the programme for parents and carers in Johnstone took place during July. Supporting a minimum of 60 families, the service is targeted to parents in the child poverty priority groups who have children under 5 and offers: • 12 free shops at Active Communities Community Pantry • Access to Cooking Workshops and free equipment • A cooking starter pack and 8 weeks of free recipe kits • Money Advice from RCAB, including income maximisation • Physical activity opportunities for families provided by Active Communities 5.18 The first referral window for families closed in early August with 28 referrals made and 21 families accepted for the programme, with a mix of referrers including Social Work, GPs, nurseries and 3rd sector organisations. 5.19 Further tranches of recruitment will take place for families once this first group have been through the programme. Affordable Credit 5.20 As one of their funded projects, Renfrewshire Affordable Credit Alliance (RACA) was invited to present at the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit’s 20th Anniversary Conference in August. Over the last year, RACA has been working with a number of new partners to promote affordable credit options and so reduce illegal borrowing. 5.21 With a focus on social housing tenants, RACA has targeted local housing associations providing them with information and their newly launched ‘Your Good Guide to Credit’ booklet. While this engagement work is ongoing, Williamsburgh Housing Association have agreed to issue the booklet to all their new tenants, and RACA are working towards a similar agreement with Linstone, Ferguslie Park and Bridgewater Housing Associations. 5.22 Over the summer, RACA has supported Multiply sessions, Summer of Fun sessions for teenagers, including at the School of African Cultures and started working with the St Mirren Charity. They have also engaged with Invest in Renfrewshire around offering support within Job Clubs and their
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booklet is being handed out to parents and carers who are engaged in the Thrive Under 5 initiative. Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme 5.23 As reported previously to board, an evaluation of funded projects and initiatives which have been delivered in response to the recommendations of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission is now underway. In order to ensure continuation of key projects whilst the evaluation is completed, the programme board has recommended that additional funding of £46,000 from the Change Programme be allocated to support the MYLA project to be extended until March 2025. This is a housing led project in partnership with Turning Point Scotland, which provides intensive support to people with complex needs and aims to help improve outcomes for service users across a number of areas, including being able to sustain a tenancy. Positive outcomes data is emerging for this project and the extension of the funding will allow a full evaluation of the project to be completed to inform future funding recommendations. 5.24 The programme board has also recommended that £75,000 is allocated to support an organisation-wide programme which will promote positive language and aim to reduce stigma. This will be linked to the Council’s values training and our wider work relating to trauma. 5.25 Through the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership in Renfrewshire, local partners are currently considering their response to the recently published drug related death figures which have been published at both a national local level. Through the Alcohol and Drugs Commission, partners considered the impact of alcohol and drug use for individuals, families and communities and it is very concerning that the number of drug related deaths in Renfrewshire remain high. 5.26 The local figures confirm that in Renfrewshire, there were 44 drug-related deaths in 2023 which represents an increase of 13% from 39 in 2022. This is the fifth highest number recorded in the past decade. Drug deaths in Renfrewshire, 2014 to 2023 5.27 Renfrewshire had the seventh highest rate of deaths per 100,000 population (2019-2023) at 27.5 and above the Scottish average of 23.6. This is similar to the previous 5-year rate where we had also had the seventh highest rate of deaths at 28.9.
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5.28 A more detailed update for members on the data available, and the steps being undertaken in Renfrewshire by partners to support people at most risk of harm, will be provided at the next meeting of the Fairer Renfrewshire Sub-Committee. 6. Current priorities 6.1 The Fairer Renfrewshire Programme is now at capacity as officers have worked with partners to respond to emerging developments and to support existing programmes of work. There are several areas of activity that will be prioritised over Autumn 2024: Advancing equalities programme 6.2 Work is currently underway to scope this programme including the recruitment of an Equalities Development Officer to provide additional expertise and capacity to progress this programme of work and to specifically focus on some of the priority groups where partners are keen to explore inequalities being experienced including disabled people or those with a long-term condition, New Scots and older people. The Census data for Renfrewshire which is currently being analysed as it is released in tranches nationally will also inform this programme of work. 6.3 ROAR were awarded £40,000 in the Council's 2024/25 budget to explore the inequalities experienced by older people in Renfrewshire and pilot interventions which tackle issues such as social isolation and connection and potential barriers to accessing support. 6.4 Officers have worked with ROAR to develop a specification for this work, to be delivered throughout the 2024/25 financial year. The project will see the extension of two prevention based services, ROAR do Footcare and Stronger for Longer. As part of the delivery of these interventions, learning and insight around the inequalities and barriers experienced by older people in Renfrewshire will be captured and shared. 6.5 Officers will also continue to work with ROAR as part of the monitoring arrangements for this funding, and in particular around the development of the equalities workstream of the Fairer Renfrewshire programme. Community impact survey 6.6 It has not been possible within existing capacity to develop and deliver this survey over the summer period. Work is now however commencing and officers will aim to progress this over the Autumn period in order to inform a stocktake of the Fairer Renfrewshire programme with all stakeholders in early 2025. Fair Food Renfrewshire 6.7 The Fair Food Renfrewshire Steering Group, which met initially in September 2023, has continued to meet on a quarterly basis. In May, an application was made to become a member of the Sustainable Food Places network which will give the food partnership access to shared learning
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and resources from other food partnerships UK-wide. Confirmation was received in June that the application was successful, with Fair Food Renfrewshire joining other new members bringing the total members to 111 UK-wide and 16 in Scotland. As part of the application process, a six-month plan had been drafted, and agreed by the Steering Group, which will build upon the baselining exercise conducted earlier this year. 6.8 The three main priorities currently identified by the steering group for Fair Food Renfrewshire are: • Working to reduce, then eradicate food poverty, by promoting a collaborative approach across all communities, ensuring a dignified and fair access to health and affordable food for all. • Increased access and availability of growing grounds in every town and village within Renfrewshire. • Widen access and availability to educational opportunities regarding nutrition and cooking skills, and wider use of “home economics” type classes within education, health and community settings. 6.9 The focus of the plan will be on communications and marketing, re-establishing a Food Support network forum, and investigating the possibility of increasing the access to local food producers to procurement frameworks. 6.10 The Scottish Government’s National Good Food Nation Plan consultation findings are due shortly, with potential revisions and amendments made as result of the feedback provided by those who responded. It is envisaged, that once the National Good Food Nation Plan has been finalised, a Council food strategy can be drafted to reflect the new statutory duties, and the requirements of the Renfrewshire communities. Winter Connections 6.11 Recognising the success of the Winter Connections programme over 2022/23 and 2023/24, £75,000 of Fairer Renfrewshire funding was allocated as part of the Council’s budget to support the delivery of a Winter Connections programme for 24/25. Winter Connections provides a network of local places and spaces where people can connect to others in their community over the winter. 6.12 Originally established as a response to the cost of living crisis, the Winter Connections programme is now in its third year and has proven to be much valued within communities over the winter months. An evaluation of the 2023/24 programme was carried out and reported to Leadership Board in June 2024. 6.13 As with previous years, it is recommended that authority is delegated to the Head of Policy and Partnerships to approve award funding in consultation with the Council Leader and in line with the guidance, to enable timely awards. All awards will be reported back to Leadership Board. 6.14 Guidance has been drafted as detailed at Appendix 1, and if approved by Leadership Board, it is intended that the funding will go live for applications from 23 September, with awards being made from October 2023.
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6.15 A panel consisting of officers from Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire HSCP and Engage Renfrewshire will scrutinise applications and make recommendations on funding awards. 6.16 As with previous years, officers will work to communicate the Winter Connections programme widely alongside Winter Connections hosts, and to develop a programme which covers a wide range of geographical communities and communities of interest. 6.17 Where possible, organisations involved should offer warm drinks, snacks or food along with activities and support the principles of the Winter Connections programme. Pension Credit campaign 6.18 The UK Government has announced that older adults of state pensionable age in England and Wales not in receipt of Pension Credit or other means tested benefits will no longer be entitled to Winter Fuel Payment. This benefit has been devolved to Scotland, and the Scottish Government had previously announced it would replace Winter Fuel Payments with its own scheme called the 'Pension Age Winter Heating Payment' (PAWHP) this coming winter. These payments would be paid to everyone over State Pension age. 6.19 On 14th August, the Scottish Government announced that the payment in Scotland will also be restricted to those on eligible benefits. PAWHP will also be deferred until 2025, to allow more time to plan in light of the change. Because Winter Fuel payment has already been devolved, Scottish Government are in discussion with the Department for Work and Pensions which has committed to administer a payment equivalent to Winter Fuel Payment to older people in Scotland this year. 6.20 While awaiting further detail on this payment, Advice Works and Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau (RCAB), along with Corporate Communications, have planned a Pension Credit take up campaign to ensure as many of those eligible in Renfrewshire who have not yet claimed this benefit do so. 6.21 The campaign commenced in early September, and should the Scottish Government or Department for Work and Pensions announce a similar campaign, will be tied to that to amplify the message. 7 Support for people with a brain injury and their families in Renfrewshire 7.1 At the Leadership Board in June 2024, elected members agreed to allocate £300,000 from the Fairer Renfrewshire programme to fund the development of a support service for people with a brain injury and their families for a three year period. This followed the closure of the Renfrewshire Head Injuries service in June 2024. 7.2 At that time it was noted that the Council had received a judicial review petition from the Court of Session in relation to the service closure. Elected members are asked to note that following an initial legal process, the petition was withdrawn. 7.3 Work has therefore now commenced on the process by which the service will be commissioned. Further market testing was undertaken over the summer period through the publication of a PIN
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notice, and work has been undertaken to commission an independent organisation to undertake further consultation with potential users of the service and their families. This is a vital part of the process as it will ensure that their views guide the specification of any new contract specification which is tendered. It is anticipated that this consultation process will be completed by the end of September 2024/early October 2024, subject to the availability of the organisation identified. 7.4 A tender process will then commence, with recommendations for award being brought before the Finance, Resources and Customer Service policy board. Officers had initially targeted the November 2024 policy board cycle, however this is dependent on the timing and completion of the consultation process and wider procurement processes. 7.5 Work has been undertaken to identify a range of existing supports across Renfrewshire which provide support to people with a brain injury and their families. These supports would be additional to any targeted support which would be offered through any new service model, but in the interim period may provide much needed advocacy, advice and social connections. 7.6 For example, we are seeking opportunities to explore how we can support the provision of accessible activities through the Winter Connections programme for people with a brain injury and their families and proactively sharing information about relevant support and social connection opportunities across Renfrewshire more widely. There may also be opportunities to deliver training to existing Council staff across services to ensure that the needs of people with a brain injury are better understood. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – the paper asks for approval to allocate £121,000 from the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme funding, as per the recommendations of the officer programme board. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – This report provides a summary of current partnership activities being progressed through the Fairer Renfrewshire programme, with a key focus on tackling the inequalities that exist in Renfrewshire. 4. Legal - none 5. Property/Assets - none 6. Information Technology - none 7. Equality and Human Rights – The report provides an overview of key activities undertaken as part of the Fairer Renfrewshire programme, and as such there continues to be a high level of equalities and human rights consideration across this programme – the activities detailed in this report are targeted specifically at advancing equality of opportunity for a number of groups across the Renfrewshire area. 8. Health and Safety - none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none
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11. Privacy Impact – none 12. Climate risk – none 13. Children’s rights - the articles within UNCRC underpin the work that is being progressed in Renfrewshire through the Fairer Renfrewshire programme, particularly in relation to rights in relation to aspects such as life, survival and development, food, clothing and a safe home and supporting the best interests of the child and their families. Child poverty and family wellbeing are key local partnership priorities. 14. COSLA Policy Position – none Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Partnerships
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WINTER CONNECTIONS PROGRAMME FUND Winter Connections is a network of local places and spaces where people can connect to others in their community this winter. We know that people are facing a difficult winter ahead, and Winter Connections will co-ordinate and promote a programme of events and activities across Renfrewshire that everyone can access. Winter Connections are always free, open to all, in every neighbourhood and can guarantee a warm welcome. We want to work with local groups and organisations who can host Winter Connections in their community. The Winter Connections Fund can provide small grants of up to £2,000 to organisations to help with the additional costs of making venues, activities and sessions open as part of the Winter Connections Programme. Who can apply? The fund is open to voluntary and community organisations that are constituted and have a bank account. The Fund is not open to applications to support individuals. What we will fund The Fund can cover a range of project costs, such as equipment, food, energy costs, costs to rent a space for the activity, cleaning, and staffing costs to cover increased activity. Examples of projects that can be funded include: • A new cooking project where ingredients are provided • Projects that bring people from different backgrounds together through a shared activity, such as different cultures or age groups • Tablet or device classes for older people • Projects providing social connection and supporting recovery for people affected by drugs and alcohol • Projects supporting people living with mental illness • Projects supporting people with a head injury • Lunch clubs with an activity • Crafting or ‘making’ activities • Classes with a focus on physical activity • Classes which provide and show how to install simple energy efficiency measures A guide to Winter Connections funding and how to apply
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We welcome applications from community venues as well as groups who run activities. We can help to connect venues with groups who can offer activities and vice-versa, if this would be helpful. Grant funding must be spent by the end of March 2025. What your application should cover Applications should describe the activity the organisation wants to host, how it meets the needs of the local community and how it meets the Winter Connections principles to make sure the programme is inclusive, safe, and stigma-free. Projects and activities should be: • Open, free and easy to access • Inclusive, welcoming, respectful, and safe • Able or willing to provide connections to other services and supports • Able to offer warm drinks/snacks/food along with activities, where possible We want Winter Connections activities to be available in every neighbourhood in Renfrewshire, as well as available at different times and for residents of all ages. This may affect the funding decisions that we make. While we recognise that many organisations will be closed over the Christmas period, we would welcome applications that will deliver activities during the festive period. What cannot be funded? Winter Connections will not fund: • One-off activities, like an open or fun day • Activities that are not free • Events to raise funds for other charities • Costs for activities that have already taken place • Projects where no activities are available/will take place How to apply Applications will be open from 23rd September 2024 using an online application process. If you need a paper copy or any support to make an application, please get in touch. Awards will be made from the beginning of October, and the fund will remain open until the available funding has been used. We don’t know what the demand for this fund will be, so advise that you apply as early as possible. The online application form can be found here Winter Connections 2024 Application Form We will be in touch for a copy of your constitution, a recent bank statement and a copy of your accounts (or income/expenditure statement) if we don’t have a recent copy of these already on file. Please have these ready so applications can be processed promptly. How much funding is available from the Winter Connections Fund?
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Grants of up to a maximum of £2,000 are available, however as funding is limited, please do not apply for more than you will need for your project. If you are co-ordinating a number of events in partnership with a range of local groups (for example as a bigger community venue), we can use some discretion to make larger awards. Please get in touch to discuss this. How we will make decisions Applications will be reviewed by a panel of staff from Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Engage Renfrewshire before a decision is made. We will assess and award applications on a ‘rolling’ basis until the funding has been spent. We will get in touch with you to let you know if your application has been successful as soon as possible, and we may also get in touch for further information about your project before making a decision. Conditions of grant If you are successful in your application, you must accept and comply with Renfrewshire Council’s standard grant terms and conditions. You will be asked to report back on the impact the project has had once the funds are spent. Projects which receive funding from Renfrewshire Council will be promoted as part of the Renfrewshire Winter Connections programme. You will also be asked to make clear your project is part of the programme when promoting your project. In addition to complying with the Council’s grant terms and conditions, organisations should consider the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First Guidance. The current guidance stipulates that from 01/07/2023 all organisation receiving Public Sector Grants should be paying staff at least the Real Living Wage and providing effective channels for employee voice. Contact us If you would like to discuss the priorities, application process or alternative funding opportunities please contact Andrena Faulkner at andrena.faulkner@renfrewshire.gov.uk.