News on how Scotland's voluntary sector is responding to the pandemic
Free electric bikes for NHS workers
Charity Forth Environment Link is offering NHS key workers free use of an electric bike during the Covid-19 crisis, allowing them to get to and from work and between hospital sites without using public transport.
The charity’s active travel coordinator, Ray Burr said: “As the coronavirus situation continues, we’re looking to support the NHS in any way that we can. If you’re an NHS key worker in Forth Valley and feel that you would benefit from the use of an electric bike to help you get to work, or to help you with any aspect of your role locally, then please get in touch. We have a limited number of electric bikes in our e-bike lending library, but we’re more than happy to make them available to NHS staff during this challenging time free of charge.”
The free loan process will involve staff filling out a quick online request form using their NHS I.D. An electric bike will then be delivered to their home address, subject to availability.
The charity will be taking special care to protect the health of NHS and Forth Environment Link staff, as Ray explained: “We’ll clean the bike’s contact points (grips, saddle, gear shifter and brake levers) thoroughly prior to delivery and will use disposable gloves when handling the bike. We’ll arrange to deliver at a time when you are home and will ring you when we’ve unloaded the bike. We’ll be observing rules on social distancing so there won’t be any face to face contact, just a friendly wave from the van, and so you know how to use the bike, we’ll email you a short video on how it works and how to care for it.”
If you are an NHS key worker contact Ray on Ray@forthenvironmentlink.org for Falkirk enquiries or Emily on EmilyC@forthenvironmentlink.org for Stirling enquiries.
Call for blind shoppers to be prioritised
Sight loss charity RNIB Scotland has written to Fergus Ewing, cabinet secretary for rural economy and tourism, urging him to include blind and partially sighted people among the priority group able to access online shopping.
In his letter, RNIB director James Adams said: “Blind and partially sighted people often rely on a combination of touch and guiding from another person to navigate. But the current unprecedented demand on supermarkets make this much more challenging. Moreover, for the visually impaired who can shop, the social distancing markers on floors and the introduction of one-way routes around supermarkets cannot easily be navigated by either long cane or guide-dog users. The additional touching of goods in supermarkets increases the possibilities of transmitting Covid-19."
Online shopping is the best available alternative for them, emphasised Mr Adams. RNIB along with Guide Dogs, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Visionary have written to leading supermarkets to ensure people with sight loss are considered through this difficult time.
Charity understands fox hunting bill suspension
Animal rights campaigners have said they understand why a bill which aims to strengthen the ban on fox hunting has been sidelined.
The Scottish Government has announced the planned legislation is one of several bills which need to be dropped as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports, Scotland, said: “We are obviously disappointed there will be no legislation forthcoming in this session to strengthen the current law on fox hunting but fully support the reasoning behind this during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is an unprecedented and unique situation and it makes absolute sense for the Scottish Government to direct all available resources into dealing with the threat we face from coronavirus. We will welcome a commitment in their manifesto to address the issues with the current law in the next session and we look forward to working with them at the appropriate time in bringing forward legislation to really ban fox hunting.”
CAS welcomes debt measures
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has backed proposals by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for creditors to offer payment holidays and other relief to people in debt.
The FCA has proposed a range of proposals to help struggling Britons through the Covid pandemic, including a temporary payment freeze on loans and credit cards, interest free overdrafts of up to £500 and ensuring consumers using any temporary measures should not have their credit rating affected because of this.
CAS Financial Health spokesperson Myles Fitt said: “These are extraordinarily difficult times and people need every bit of help they can get.
“Everyone at this time should be focusing on their health and on preventing the spread of the virus, yet the evidence from calls to the CAB network suggests that many people are struggling financially.
“The package of measures outlined by the FCA today will help people through this crisis, so we support it. We would also urge that even further measures be considered, including the freezing of interest for people who qualify for a payment holiday.”
The Citizens Advice network in Scotland is the biggest provider of free debt advice in the country, and people can get advice online through www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland or by contacting their local CAB by phone or email.
If you are a third sector organisation or you want to help others in the community, check out SCVO's Coronavirus Community Assistance Directory
