Item 9d - Empowered DIG Update
West Dunbartonshire Council · 17 November 2022
Back to Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board — 17 November 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Report by Chair of the Empowered DIG Management Group: 17 November 2022 _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Empowered DIG Update 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to update members on the progress of the Empowered DIG, outlining the core outcome areas of the 2022-24 workplan. 2. Recommendations 2.1 The CPP Management Group is asked to • Note the contents of the report and the work undertaken and planned. 3. Background 3.1 The Empowered DIG action plan spans three local outcomes: We live in engaged and cohesive communities; Citizens are confident, resilient and responsible and Carers are supported to address their needs. 3.2 Following recent discussions within the Management Board the group have adopted the agreed strategic themes - Empowerment, Sustainability and Wellbeing - to guide the development of the refreshed action plan. 4. Main Issues 4.1 Work continues to progress well across the 8 focussed areas of DIG activity. Given the meeting proximity, the ability to update substantively is limited and a snapshot of some of the key developments are instead provided. A fuller update will be available for the February meeting. Increased Rate of Volunteering (Empowerment) 4.2 The local consultation on the Volunteering Action Plan for Scotland and its complementary local plan is underway. A series of facilitated sessions are planned through November and early December, supplemented by a general consultation survey. The resulting plan will go out for volunteering sector consultation during early January 2023. ITEM 9d
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4.3 Work remains ongoing to link volunteer involving organisations with sources of additional income to help support ongoing engagement through this difficult time for many volunteers and agencies. Support to improve community mental health and wellbeing (Wellbeing) 4.4 The year 2 Community Mental Health and Wellbeing fund launched on 15th October 2022. The Fund, distributed by West Dunbartonshire CVS as the Third Sector Interface (TSI’s), reflects the importance placed on community support as part of the overall mental health infrastructure. 4.5 In 2022-23, the fund will again have a focus on: • Tackling priority issues within the Transition and Recovery Plan such as suicide prevention, social isolation and loneliness, prevention and early intervention • Addressing the mental health inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and the needs of a range of ‘at risk’ groups locally • Supporting small ‘grass roots’ community groups and organisations to deliver such activities • Providing opportunities for people to connect with each other, build trusted relationships and revitalise communities • Supporting recovery and creativity locally by building on what is already in place. 4.6 Engagement sessions were well attended and there is already significant interest being shown in the fund, The closing date for applications is 22 December 2022. Cost of Living Communication 4.7 Much DIG energy is committed to mitigate the serious implications of the ongoing cost of living challenges facing our communities. In order to ensure maximum communication and uptake of the range of opportunities available, work is ongoing to create a centralised information resource of local and national support. 4.8 This is being hosted on the West Dunbartonshire CVS website and being updated weekly. Communication of the information is being driven through positive linkages with a number of community focussed services including community mental health teams and tenants services. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no personnel issues at this time 6. Financial Implications
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6.1 There are no funding issues at this time. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 There are no specific unassessed risks relating to this report 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 There are no specific EIA requirements relating to this report 9. Consultation 9.1 Ongoing consultation activity is taking place across both the DIG membership and the Chairs Group to ensure plans are complementary and offer added value. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 The contents of this report could impact on all community planning strategic priority areas. Person to Contact: Selina Ross selina@wdcvs.com Background Papers: Wards Affected: All