Monthly social housing reports map support
Scotland’s Housing Regulator is asking all social landlords to complete a monthly return to map where support is needed most. It will ask for a small amount of information on core areas including rent arrears, empty homes, lettings, staff absence (for RSLs) and homeless applications and offers (for local authorities). The regulator will ask landlords to submit the first information return by 7 May. The move is part of the SHR’s partnership with the Scottish Government and the newly formed Social Housing Resilience Group (SHRG).
Website shines a light through the dark
A new website which includes a personalised digital experience for cancer patients and families called ‘My Light’ has been launched by Beatson Cancer Charity. It has been developed in memory of Eilidh McHugh, who passed away following a short battle with a rare and aggressive cancer aged 22. My Light was developed through market research that identified the need for helping website users who may be suffering from cancer to easily find the more relevant content based on their personal experience. Martin Cawley, Beatson Cancer Charity CEO said: ‘Everyone at Beatson Cancer Charity is immensely proud of this new digital experience that is now available to cancer patients throughout Scotland.”
Run the London Marathon – at home!
The organisers of the London Marathon have launched a fundraiser in an attempt to recoup some of the billions charities face losing due to coronavirus.The UK sector is facing a £4 billion loss in income as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.Now people across the country are being asked to donate and take part in the 2.6 Challenge in a nod to the famous London race which will be held for the 40th time this year. Organiser Nick Rusling said: “You can run or walk 2.6 miles, 2.6km or for 26 minutes.You could do the same in your home or garden, go up and down the stairs 26 times, juggle for 2.6 minutes, do a 26-minute exercise class or get 26 people on a video call and do a 26-minute workout.” The 2.6 Challenge has been put together by the Mass Participation Sports Organisers group (MSO) which includes London Marathon Events, as well as parkrun and the London Landmarks races. This year’s Virgin Money London Marathon is now scheduled to take place on 4 October.
Cash boost for MND Scotland
Doddie Weir has donated £30,000 to support MND Scotland during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic through charity foundation. The money is on top of the £250,000 the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has already contributed to MND Scotland’s grants programme. Doddie, who revealed his MND diagnosis in June 2017, set up the Foundation to help others with the rapidly progressing terminal illness and fund research towards a cure. The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has now stepped up its support during the current crisis by pledging a further £30,000 to MND Scotland for Coronavirus response work. The Foundation has also donated £70,000 to the MND Association of England, Wales and Northern Ireland to help support families across the UK during the pandemic.
More support for hard up families
Funding usually reserved for providing meals to children over the Easter break is being used to deliver meals by a local housing association. Queens Cross Housing in Glasgow is providing over 300 healthy meals, prepared by the Flourish House team in the Courtyard Community Centre. The meals will be delivered for three weeks in April. Familes will receive the meals on Mondays and the packages should have enough food to last them the week. Nicola McGrath, Queens Cross’ youth work coordinator said: "With restrictions on children and families leaving home, we organised one big delivery of meals that should last all week. That way, the families can plan their meals and limit the amount of time our staff and volunteers are out in the community. Most families booked this service digitally, so there has been no physical contact with parents and we have more bookings coming in for next week."
Fife charity fights for survival
An emergency fundraising appeal has been launched by Fife charity Over The Wall in a bid to enable its camps for children with serious illness to continue after the pandemic. Following the coronavirus outbreak, all of the charity’s camps based at Tulliallan Castle, Kincardine, were cancelled. And this has already had a severe impact on the charity’s income. Since 1999 Over The Wall has provided free residential camps for children with over 130 different illnesses, helping over 8000 seriously ill children and their families, to engage in life-changing memorable experiences. The charity is also engaging its larger audience through Activity Blitz, a project which offers activities for all children and families in lockdown to participate in at home. It appears on Over The Wall’s social media platforms three times a week.
