Scottish Government researchers are recruiting people to help us better understand and predict the next stages of the COVID-19 epidemic in Scotland. You can register if you live in Scotland and are 18 or over. For more information and to complete the registration survey, click HERE
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We have been asked by Public Health Scotland to share the following information with you. This information may be particularly useful if you have any anxieties about the vaccine. Please click on the link to go to the NHS Scotland website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/about-the-vaccine-used-to-protect-against-coronavirus Coronavirus Vaccination Helpline For more information about the coronavirus vaccine and its delivery phone: 0800 030 8013 (available 8.00am to 8.00pm, 7 days a week). It will not be possible to book or change vaccine appointments via the helpline. You will all be aware of the latest announcement from Scottish Government, placing all of mainland Scotland into a temporary lockdown.
We want to reassure everyone that BCAG's services will continue and expand to meet the needs of our community as long as they are needed.Our Shopping and Prescription Delivery, Dog Walking, Snow Clearance and Gritting and Listening Ear services will continue as before. Please do not hesitate to use our services if you want to stay safe and do not want to leave your home due to self-isolating, shielding or concerns for your health.To read the full Scottish Government guidance on this lockdown click HERE If you would like to download a PDF version of our latest Newsletter, then click HERE As ever, we are extremely grateful to our volunteers who are the backbone of everything we do. If you would like to volunteer, then please contact our helpline on 07376 318724. Stay safe. Biggar Community Action Group Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC050562 Message from South Lanarkshire Council "Everyone in South Lanarkshire is being urged to have their say on how the council spends its budget next year – on schools, roads, care homes and many other services. Like most of the public sector, we have been facing funding challenges at a time when demand for services has been rising. We have already had to find almost £155 million in savings over the last 10 years. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the council’s need to respond to it has increased the challenge this year. The focus has always been on protecting key frontline services wherever possible, but the current estimate is that in 2021/22 another £19.2m is needed to plug the funding gap. We want local residents and businesses to help influence future decisions now, through an initial public consultation." Please click on the link to take you to the consultation survey where you can have your say. Please do not respond directly to this post, your opinions will not be counted unless you complete the survey. https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=160751679794 Please look out for elderly relatives, friends and neighbours this winter, especially during the colder weather. The elderly, people with disabilities and those living alone are particularly vulnerable at this time of year, especially if they are living with a long term condition such as chronic lung disease, heart disease or asthma. They may also be feeling lonely and isolated if they are unable to leave the house, which can carry risks for both their mental and physical health. Little things can make all the difference, like asking them if they need any shopping or taking their bin out for them if it’s snowy or icy. Severe weather can strike quickly and catch people out but by being good neighbours we can prevent others from going hungry or even getting hurt. Icy conditions are a big risk factor for falls so offering to assist elderly neighbours with gritting or clearing driveways and paths can be a great way to help. So check in on your neighbours this winter, because small moments matter. Thank you. This chart from Scottish Government clearly shows what we can and cannot do in COVID Protection Level 4. The new protective measures apply to us from 20th November.
Download a PDF HERE We are delighted that the Scottish Charity Regulator, OSCR, has awarded us Charitable Status. Our organisation takes the form of a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) with a two-tier structure. This means we are governed by charity trustees with a membership body which has certain powers or duties. We will be advising more about membership in a future newsletter. Our governing document is our Constitution, which is available to view on our website. As a charity, we will also be eligible to claim Gift Aid on personal donations. This means that we can increase the value of donations from UK tax payers by 25%. So in future, we will be inviting donors to complete a declaration in order that we can benefit from this. This is great news for us as it will also allow us to access sources of funding to develop and improve our service offering. It also demonstrates our determination to continue the work we started and introduce new services and projects where we can. BCAG is here for the long-term, not just for the pandemic. We are just sorry that we are unable to celebrate the good news with you all in person. That particular celebration will have to wait until our lives are back to normal. One other piece of news of which we are very proud. We have just reached a milestone in volunteer hours, breaching 3,500 hours since the start of our services!!! Everything we do depends on our volunteers and we want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for all they do for our community. Now that calls for another celebration!! Stay Safe and well, Biggar Community Action Group This chart from Scottish Government clearly shows what we can and cannot do in COVID Protection Level 3. The new protective measures apply to us from 2nd November.
Download a PDF HERE A comprehensive chart showing Scottish Government's 5 tiers of protection, to be introduced on 2nd November, is shown below. Annex 2 showing Hospitality Measures is at the bottom. You can download this from Scottish Government's website HERE.
We previously published information about a booklet offering help with preparing for job interviews. The booklet was out of stock for a while, but has now been reprinted.
Do you have an interview for a job coming up, or do you know someone who has? The free booklet can help you. It has been written and produced locally as part of Biggar Kirk’s programme of learning and outreach to the community, and with input from local employers. Its 12 pages guide you through preparing for interviews by video, by phone and face-to-face. It’s available free at The Biggar Gallery, the Gillespie Centre and at Atkinson-Pryce Books, both in the High Street. |
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May 2022
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