Job Titles - Customer Service Team Leaders 

Amount Requested = £15,000.00 

The funding will provide the opportunity to fund existing volunteering posts where no funding has been in place and volunteers give of their time voluntarily. The objective will be to create new posts, ensure sustained provision of existing volunteers and more importantly provide for succession planning for future replacement of the two Directors

From one DG Home to another  

Newstart’s vision is to provide a local led solution to local problems and demonstrate financial self sustainability. The team collect donations of second hand furniture and household goods from the public and local organisations and from the many household clearances that we undertake. The social enterprise offers every conceivable household item for sale at much reduced cost, which helps fund the project and provide affordable help and support in the fight against poverty and homelessness. Approximately 30% of goods that we collect are provided free to families and individuals on referrals from their support groups.

Newstart has become a vital tool in the peoples fight against Poverty. In our experience the benchmark – the Poverty zone- are people and families in our community that are unable to meet their Basic needs in a sustainable way. We have testaments and Case studies that clearly evidence how we helped them overcome that challenge. Removing the stigma of seeking help is vital and DG Councils anti-poverty strategy polices underpins Newstart’s aims and objectives and are central to our processes and systems. 

We now have another unit to complement our free school and baby wear.  A warm winter clothing room offers free clothes, shoes, blankets for all ages! This has been a huge success. Over 22,000 items have been donated and 12,000 items given out.

A successful partnership was developed with Gretna Gateway who now collect donated goods for our free Unit. They created and provide a shop unit for the very purpose of collecting clothes, both new and used. A link exists on their Web site and Social media site. Before lockdown one post achieved 37k views! Even in the current lockdown situation we are collecting a Van full of Goods this month.

A further room at our Warehouse now provides a complete range of mobility equipment, wheelchairs, Zimmer frames, rise recline beds and chairs. These are mainly collected at house clearances. Again, these are loaned out free of charge. We currently have 39 wheelchairs loaned out! 

We currently work with partner organisations and respond to their requested referrals for disadvantaged on an almost daily basis. The groups include DG Social services, Community Link workers, Sonas, DGHP, Loreburn, British Legion, SSAFA, Women’s refuge, SW Scotland rape crisis abuse centre and most local Care homes and Shelter.

By providing every kind of essential household items either at very reasonable cost, payable free of interest, or (on referral from support groups) completely free, we help the vulnerable to become independent. It is crucial that we plan for this to continue and this will not be possible without recruiting staff to deliver this.

Job Title - Support Worker 

Amount Requested = £12,671.27 

The new post of Support Worker will focus their time recruiting and working with volunteers who require additional levels of support, so they can play a part in community life and share their skills and expertise with the Community Reus Shop, so in turn we can benefit the community.  The Support Worker will work with local organisations and agencies to recruit volunteers and work with them to maximise their experience during the time with us.

The Volunteer may work in our showroom, warehouse, office, workshop or van. Or possibly on one or more of our projects, such as Scottish Week, Active Travel, Christmas Hampers or Free School Uniforms.  So they can learn skills in specific areas that may aid them to gain employment or enter further education.  Similarly other volunteers may have a wealth of skills that they can share with us to benefit the community, just needing some encouragement and support to participate.  

Some of the benefits to our Support Worker working with volunteers may include;

•    Developing Skill sets

•    Improving access to employment and training

•    Reducing health conditions

•    Establishing new friendship groups

•    Peer mentoring

•    Having access to affordable homeware

•    Sign posting to additional services 

Collective these support our volunteers to help to alleviate the effectives of poverty, so enabling volunteers to make steps forward to combat poverty

Video: https://youtu.be/wy2UbjCi9P4 

Job Title - Community Engagement Worker 

Amount Requested = £11,009.00 

It has always been an aspiration of Kate’s Kitchen to have a Champion to spread the word about all of the good work we can do to support individuals to make their way out of poverty and improve their health and well-being.  Our aim is to empower people to “do for themselves” reach their full potential and ultimately improve their day to day quality of life.  Having the opportunity to employ a part-time Community Engagement Worker will do just that.  The worker will:-

     Engage with local organisations, schools, GP’s      Organise events to promote Kates Kitchen      Use Social Media to further Kates Kitchen objectives      Work with local media to further our objects.

Video: https://youtu.be/1gBFjNL4AxA 

Job Title - Continuation of Project Worker & Support Worker Posts 

Amount Requested - £14,951.00 

Over the past year of the lockdown the Fed Up Café has delivered 29,464 hot meals to over 200 people who were isolating from the corona virus.  The service has proved essential to many people and in particular to families who otherwise would not have managed with staying at home.  For this we have to thank the staff and volunteers, as well as those of the Community Reuse Shop who provided the transport and delivery services.  These people put their lives at risk throughout the lockdown to serve the community.   

We are now looking to continue offering a free 3 course hot meal 5 days a week as a vehicle to combat social depravation from coming out of the lockdown, as well as isolation and, more important, help improve people’s mental health. 

We aim to feed those who are most in need of it and also in need of company and a break from the monotony of day to day life. We also make deliveries of free hot lunches to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to make their own way to the café for the meal.  We will however encourage people to use the café and to interact with others in the same situation as themselves, and when there is someone in need of help we can point them in the right direction with good sign posting. 

We provide opportunities for volunteers to come and learn new skills, increase self-esteem and gain self-confidence as well as gaining a sense of being part of a team. We aim to provide them with transferable skills to assist our volunteers gain paid employment making them contributors to the state instead of recipients from to state. 

We are always looking to evolve and stay fresh whilst maintaining our core values and ensuring those who need assistance get it. Our service enables people to have the power to choose what direction their lives may go, and we try to aid them along the path they choose. We encourage the wider community to help in whatever way they can and try to involve as many as possible in everything we do. We are a service that does not discriminate. 

Video: https://youtu.be/FjPJb9MrmA0 

Job Title- Project Co-ordinator and Bike Mechanic 

Amount Requested: £8,640.00 

Wheels of Fleet is a recycling, repair bicycle project, based in the grounds of the Mill on the Fleet in Gatehouse.

We have two paid self-employed workers, with 14 regular volunteers, and a waiting list of 3 wanting to come along, learn and help out.

Our aims are to make cycling more affordable to many, to offer bike confidence lessons, basic bike repair workshops to help make individuals’ bikes more sustainable and economical to run.To increase awareness of local journeys to work or interviews, using our local printed maps. Promoting cycling as a health activity to improve personal fitness and raise mental health awareness of these benefits. To increase a cycle community to help people meet others through this healthy activity.

We have created a very friendly, approachable project, which has given many the confidence to take up cycling again or indeed for the first time. We promote widely, costs are based on ability to pay or free, depending on individual circumstances, while also encouraging many to learn new skills in a safe and positive environment. Appointments can be made so privacy can be allowed for anyone who requires this.

To sustain a positive and close relationship with the local community, producing updates on events, workshops and availability of bikes. To coordinate between customers and the bike mechanic, using useful local knowledge and judgement of character to help run a smooth operation.

Our two new posts will complete all of the following: To promote a sustainable project with its main ethos of promoting cycling and staying true to always being affordable to many, coordinate volunteers, fulfilling their needs for learning and at the correct pace and energy that fits with each individual. To create a positive atmosphere for all involved ,with regular meetings, in a group, and with individuals, assuring all have a voice and are being heard.

To produce publicity on a regular basis, encouraging a network with other bicycle projects throughout the region.  

Job Title - Finance and Admin officer and Volunteer Co-ordinator and Project Planner  

Amount Requested: £10,654.20

LIFTDG is a community driven company that currently works with other organisations to help families and individuals that are in need by providing food parcels, household goods and clothing. We have two shops based in lochside where we take donations and members of the public can also come in and purchase items for £1. Any funds raised get put back into the local community to be able to organize free events, trips and weekly workshops for all different age groups in the local area. With the current pandemic we have been unable to organize large group events due to government guidelines but we are currently doing online activites via Facebook where we have recruited local individuals and business to take part. Volunteers play a big part in our organization and they do the day to day running of the shop, help with organising events, and delivery of food parcels. We have a lot of experience in the past delivering different projects in the local area such as the Lochside Gala, Easter Funday and Christmas and Halloween parties.   We have two paid posts within the organisation and this is the Volunteer Coordinator (28 hours per week) and the Admin and Finance Officer (11.5 hours per week). The actual hours that are worked are higher but funding does not allow for the hours to be increased at this moment in time. We have seen a large increase of people in need due to people being made redundant, furloughed or unable to apply for jobs at this moment in time. Domestic abuse figures are also on the rise which has resulted in individuals/families leaving their family home with nothing and we are helping to provide them with items, clothing etc. to get them back on their feet again. With guidelines hopefully starting to ease soon we are starting to plan events again on the hope they go ahead and because of the publicity we have received we are also getting more enquiries from people offering to volunteer with us. Our workload is increasing and we would like salaries to reflect this.  

Job Title - Shop Manager Post 

Amount Requested = £15,000.00 

The Community Shop Dumfries & Galloway is a not for profit social enterprise.  Our slogan is " Supported by the community for the benefit of the community " true words spoken. It has been running for 5 years and has helped support many local organisations and hundreds of people in our town. In times of hardship the shop has helped people get through the toughest times , just that bit easier. We know it's appreciated! We have had many volunteers from all walks of life and for a variety of reasons. Working alongside people whom for whatever reason just need a lift , a bit of encouragement.  Having the chance to build up confidence as well as transferable skills and feel good about themselves in a friendly environment. These are key attributes that many people long for to get them to the next stage. Everyone is good at something, it's taking time to find it with people that matters.  The shop is simply like no other, a vital part of the community. A place that frequently guides and signposts people in many ways. A wealth of information for many a real team effort that creates a ripple effect of goodness throughout. Seeing our volunteers grow and progress is a true testament to the dedication  given by many. In addition to our loyal supporters who donate  unwanted goods. Helping us all to reduce waste and landfill and therfore also helping to save our planet. Such a lot of greatness from so many all of which says so much about our town and the people in it. None of which would be possible without the  guidance and planning provided by the dedication of the shop manager.  In such uncertain times the services at the shop are needed more now than ever before.  Like so many places without support and  Funding we will simply not be able to survive. 

YOUR VOTE IS APPRECIATED    THANK YOU.

Job Title - Support Worker 

Amount Requested = £8,154.00 

Food Train runs services to support local older people to maintain their independence and to be able to stay at home for as long as possible.  Our main core service is a grocery delivery service, this enables older people to access fresh grocery shopping on a regular basis.  This reduces food poverty for older people, we are also a very well-known and trusted partner of the HSCP enabling us to get information out to the older generation across the region.  Food Train has operated in the Dumfries and Galloway for 26 years which confirms stability and experience of delivering successful support services to older people.  These services are needed even more now than ever due to the increased threat to older people from Covid-19, we have the experience and expertise to ensure that services are delivered to the most vulnerable people efficiently and safely.  This funding would allow us to employ an additional staff member ensuring that we can continue to meet the increased demand on our services in Dumfries and Galloway.  

Video: SES Digital Showcase Food Train 2020 - YouTube 

Amount Requested = £15,000.00 

‘Grub Club has been a lifeline for my family’.

‘Without Grub Club I don’t know how we would have survived especially, during the first lockdown’. 

‘Karen and the Volunteers are kind; they really do care about us and Grub Club always provides lots of choice and good quality food. Grub Club made me feel better about myself for having to ask for help to feed my children’.  

These are real examples of comments received by LCA trustees from members of our community that have used Grub Club in the past or do so presently.  Grub Club was originally created by funding from Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Participatory Budget.  The concept was to help our community combat ‘Holiday Hunger’ by encouraging and enabling families to access free food, nutritious meals and a variety of activities. A project that is designed and delivered by the community for the community with a focus on welcoming all ages. 

But, without the driving force and commitment from our Project Coordinator/Cook, Grub Club would not be the success that it is. Yet, this is a double-edged sword as sadly the larger Grub Club becomes the greater the need for such a service. The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns has identified more households in need than ever before. We believe Grub Club remains much needed and is vital to help our community recover and thrive. Please give Grub Club your vote and show your support for us to continue to swap, share, care and feed oor weans.  

Job Title - Support Worker 

Amount Requested = £8,154.00 

Food Train runs services to support local older people to maintain their independence and to be able to stay at home for as long as possible.  Our main core service is a grocery delivery service, this enables older people to access fresh grocery shopping on a regular basis.  This reduces food poverty for older people, we are also a very well-known and trusted partner of the HSCP enabling us to get information out to the older generation across the region.  Food Train has operated in the Dumfries and Galloway for 26 years which confirms stability and experience of delivering successful support services to older people.  These services are needed even more now than ever due to the increased threat to older people from Covid-19, we have the experience and expertise to ensure that services are delivered to the most vulnerable people efficiently and safely.  This funding would allow us to employ an additional staff member ensuring that we can continue to meet the increased demand on our services in Dumfries and Galloway.  

Video: SES Digital Showcase Food Train 2020 - YouTube