Agenda item

(a)  Community Assistance Hub

(b)  Café Re-charge

(c)  Selkirk Resilience Team

(d)  Home Energy Scotland

(e)  Galashiels Foodbank

(f)   The Bridge (attached)

4.1       Eildon Community Assistance Hub

            In attendance to give a presentation on the Eildon Community Assistance Hub was Oonagh McGarry – Team Leader from the Council’s Community Learning & Development Service.  Ms McGarry explained that the aim of the Hub was to ensure that individuals had the support they needed during the pandemic.  The Hub co-ordinated requests for support, direct from the public and by referral; triaged through Health & Social Care teams to ensure vulnerable individuals were identified and supported; and worked with voluntary groups and public sector services to signpost to or supply services. Amongst 450 enquiries, 226 of which were from people classed as “shielding”, the Hub helped to provide food; medicines; help with social isolation; and other information and advice including on financial issues.  The Hub worked with 17 Resilient Community volunteer groups and 8 Foodbank/Fareshare outlets.  There had been over 200 calls to people who requested community help when shielding and the Hub had contributed to over 1,500 calls to people across the Borders who were self-isolating.  There were also follow-up calls to vulnerable people.  Ms McGarry went on to highlight what had worked well in the Community Assistance Hubs.  She drew particular attention to the volunteer groups which had provided amazing support in local communities; whilst Health & Social Care services continued to provide ongoing support and appreciated closer links with a wide range of community supports.  Up to 16 partners and volunteer groups were involved in weekly Hub meetings and this had resulted in a real “can do” collaborative and problem solving approach.  The Community Assistance Hubs would continue to operate as long as they were needed and could be contacted on 0300 100 1800       

Covid-19community@scotborders.gov.uk . In conclusion, Ms McGarry confirmed that the Council and partners were looking to further develop the locality model of working in the future. In the discussion that followed the presentation, the value of the Community Assistance Hubs was recognised, noting that there was a huge amount of work going on in the background, of which the public were not always aware. In response to a question about the work of the Hub during the current lockdown, compared with the first, Ms McGarry advised that there were the same number of resilience teams involved and the Hub had benefited in the way it operated from the experience gained during the first lockdown.

4.2       Café Recharge

            With reference to paragraph 3.2 of the Eildon Area Partnership minute of 12 November 2021, Amy Wight was in attendance to give an update on the Community Interest Company Café Recharge.  Ms Wight explained that the café had been due to open again 3 days before the recent lockdown so plans had to be changed once more. The café had opened for doorstep collections of frozen soups, made from a surplus of food from supermarkets, bread, fruit and vegetables when available and sanitary products.  This had been very successful with around 30 portions of soup being collected every day on an anonymous basis with people paying what they wanted. The café also had food bank tokens to give out where appropriate.  Ms Wight added that they were hoping to expand what was being offered to include ready meals and free packed lunches for children, to help ease the financial burden for families facing difficulties.  The Café was aiming to open fully again in March. Members welcomed the work of Café Recharge and thanked Ms Wight for the update.

4.3       Changeworks Affordable Warmth and Home Energy Scotland

Morag Cockburn, from Home Energy Scotland and Kat Custard, advisor with Changeworks, were in attendance to give an overview of support available through Home Energy Scotland and the Warm and Well Borders Project. It was explained that Home Energy Scotland was a free and impartial service funded by the Scottish Government to help people stay warm in their homes for less. Advisors could check eligibility and make referrals to various grants and schemes, including Warmer Homes Scotland, a scheme that helped households keep warm by fitting new energy efficiency improvements like home insulation, central heating, draught-proofing and home renewables systems. The Changeworks Affordable Warmth Services Team had a number of projects designed to support households across the Scottish Borders area, to provide support with: fuel debt support; advocacy work with energy suppliers; expert energy advice; fuel billing support; condensation and damp issues; metering issues and errors; switching support and tariff checking; Warm Home Discount applications; Ombudsman complaint cases; grants for emergency top ups and Covid-19 local fund applications; and food bank applications. Also, in partnership with Citizens Advice Bureaus, Changeworks would work to provide help to identify benefits to which entitled; help to apply for benefits; and support if refused a benefit.  When asked if there was a national definition for fuel poverty, Ms Custard explained that this was if household fuel costs were more than 10% of net income, taking into account child care costs and housing.  Extreme fuel poverty was recognised if fuel costs were over 20% of net income.  It was confirmed that Home Energy Scotland Advisors were all set up working from home and ready to help householders to make the best use of energy and save money on their bills, at a time when many had seen their energy costs rise due to the coronavirus pandemic. People in need of support could be referred via warmth@changeworks.org.uk        www.changeworks.org.uk/referral  or by calling on Freephone 0800 870 8800

4.4       Galashiels Foodbank

            John Tucker gave an update on the activities of the Galashiels Foodbank.  The foodbank had been very busy, with over 450 approaches for help since mid–March last year. Approximately 80 bags per week were given out of dry and fresh food, each to the value of about £30 and as an example of a typical day Mr Tucker said that on the previous Wednesday food had been given to 60 adults and 40 children. Some were referred from agencies and some were self-referring.  Mr Tucker expected that the foodbank, which was run by about 40 volunteers, would become even busier over the coming months.  

It was currently situated at St Peters church as a temporary measure.  Any assistance in finding new premises would be welcome. The Chairman thanked Mr Tucker for his update and for his work at the foodbank.

4.5       SBHA

Debby Gillett, from SBHA, gave an update of arrangements during the current Covid-19 restrictions.  She explained that, although all SBHA offices remained closed, contact could still be made during normal office hours.  The team was also calling tenants to check if all was well.  In line with Government guidelines only emergency repairs were being carried out. If visits were required for essential work, a full range of PPE and hygiene measures would be used. New build and external work programmes continued but were subject to change and the grounds maintenance service was operating as normal but in accordance with Covid-19 guidance. If any tenants were experiencing a drop in income and needed help with accessing benefits or rent or budgeting advice, the Financial Inclusion Team was available to help.  SBHA would continue to advertise and allocate homes as long as restrictions allowed. Ms Gillett provided the following contact information for support and enquiries: 01750 724444 enquiries@sbha.org.uk  www.sbha.org.uk

4.6       The Bridge

            The Chairman referred those present to the update from the Bridge which was included with the agenda papers.