This website uses cookies for anonymised analytics and for account authentication. See our privacy and cookies policies for more information.





The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Daily coronavirus roundup for third sector Tuesday 14 July

This feature is over 3 years old
 

Daily gathering of coronovirus-related stories #NeverMoreNeeded

Theatre becomes kitchen to help during crisis

Leith Theatre has begun a partnership with new community interest company, ‘Empty Kitchens Full Hearts,’ to feed those in need during the Covid crisis and beyond. The Thomas Morton Hall has been transformed into a bustling food storage, drop-off and packing centre and the attached kitchens, which are generally not in use, have once again found their calling, as a team of professional chefs work round the clock to prepare a selection of healthy foods for free delivery and takeaway. Empty Kitchens Full Hearts started out in April as a response to Covid-19 directly affecting vulnerable people who already had limited access to food. Using food donated by supermarkets, charities and individuals, and utensils and catering equipment given by closed kitchens and restaurants, the team have already sent out 86,456 free meals. Leith Theatre, which has recently closed the doors in a bid to protect itself against the financial impact of Covid-19, sought out a collaboration with Empty Kitchens Full Hearts in order to continue doing the only thing possible in the current situation; steadfastly support the community it is at the heart of. To date, Empty Kitchens Full Hearts have distributed 10,158 nutritious meals completely free of charge from Leith Theatre. A hot food takeaway offering is now available between 11:30-12:30 and 16:30-17:30 every day, seven days a week for those unfortunately unable to reheat food themselves. This will now be served from the main entrance porch at Leith Theatre with access at the main gates clearly marked.

Cyclists get on their bike to help homeless

Glasgow’s homeless population has been supported during lockdown by kind-hearted staff from Scotland's cycling charity. Food and essential supplies have been delivered to people on the city's streets and asylum seekers housed in hotels by workers from Cycling Scotland. Every weekday for the past three months, two members of the charity's team have cycled around Glasgow dropping off food, personal protective equipment (PPE), clothing, soap and hand sanitiser at hotels and B+Bs. Using standard and e-cargo bikes, staff have made drops at locations in Blythswood, Garnethill, Govan, Hillhead and Dennistoun. The wheels got turning when Clare Skelton-Morris, who works for Cycling Scotland, spotted an opportunity to use the team’s skills to volunteer during lockdown. They quickly reached out to homeless support network Simon Community Scotland and offered to do their bit. She said: “Cycling Scotland has been supportive of us helping others right from the start of lockdown and I knew the Simon Community was looking for volunteers. “The team at Simon Community could only make deliveries in their van, which wasn’t ideal during lockdown. Driving and parking in Glasgow city centre is time-consuming, costly and bad for the environment, and, due to physical distancing requirements, only one member of the team could do the deliveries.”

Daunting challenge bids to raise cash for Erskine

Three intrepid fundraisers are taking on the West Highland Way to raise cash for Erskine veterans homes. Aptly named by the trio “The West Highland Way 100” is in aid of ex-service personnel and their spouses cared for, by the charity, in four care homes across Scotland. On 7 August, Stephen Dunn (46), Dillon Thomson (18) and Michael Downey (18) will begin their daunting adventure. A loaded march of 100 miles following the route of the famous West Highland Way, ascending a total of 15,000 feet, whilst carrying 35lb in weight. Finishing 30 hours later in Fort William, the team will have been pushed not only physically but mentally too. They are, however steadfast in their determination to succeed. All three have strong connections to the armed forces. Michael is serving with 2 Paras, student Dillon has aspirations of joining the armed services on graduating and is under the watchful eye of the training wing staff at 4 Para (Reserves) in Glasgow. And, long-time Erskine supporter Stephen, as well as serving in the TA, has witnessed the exceptionally high standard of care given to his uncle by devoted and professional staff in the charity’s Anniesland home.

Stormzy inspires others to dig deep

BBC Children in Need has pledged to match the £10m funding offered by the grime artist Stormzy to tackle racial injustice in the UK. Like Stormzy, the charity will offer £10m over 10 years towards developing a new funding programme dedicated to supporting young black people to achieve their full potential. The project will be developed in partnership with BBC Radio 1Xtra. Young black people will be involved in the design and delivery of the programme, the charity said, from naming it to reviewing grant applications and deciding how funding should be allocated. A spokeswoman for BBC Children in Need said this meant that it was not yet clear whether charities would be invited to apply for a share of the funding, but that these details would be announced in due course. The charity hopes the funding will support young social entrepreneurs in making a difference in their local communities, to develop young leaders and youth leadership, to enable access to education and learning, and to develop young people’s skills and confidence for work.