Latest News
Highland Interface Feb 2010 Update
11th March 2010
Please see the attached PDF for the latest Highland Interface Update.
More Details >>Next Community Chest Deadline 31 March 2010
11th March 2010
The next deadline for the Community Chest grant is 31 March 2010.Groups wishing to apply for a Community Chest grant can download an application form and guidance notes from the Grants section of the VAF website. Alternatively contact Patricia or Chris...
More Details >>Investing In Ideas
11th March 2010
Summary of the programmeDo you have an idea that could help benefit your local community but do not know if it would work? The Big Lottery Fund has money to invest and we want to use it to turn your ideas into reality. We want to invest in Scotland...
More Details >>Senscot ponders separate social enterprise mark for Scotland
11th March 2010
By David Ainsworth, Third Sector Online, 5 March 2010 Social entrepreneurs group to consult members after administrators refuse to apply different criteria north of borderSenscot, the umbrella body for social entrepreneurs in Scotland, is considering...
More Details >>Scottish accruals accounts threshold raised
11th March 2010
By David Ainsworth, Third Sector Online, 8 March 2010 Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator announces changes to reporting requirementsThe annual income threshold at which charities in Scotland must prepare accruals accounts, instead of simpler receipts...
More Details >>Land Use Strategy discussion workshops
24th February 2010
The development of Scotland's first Land Use Strategy offers a landmark opportunity for you to have your say on the way Scotland's land is used for generations to come. How can Scotland produce enough food, develop its renewable energy capacity...
More Details >>Inspiring Scotland announces investment to play charities
24th February 2010
Inspiring Scotland is today, 3rd February, announcing the 24 charities that have been successful in gaining investment from the £4m Go Play programme. These charities are receiving investment. Go Play is targeted at 5 to 13 year olds to increase the...
More Details >>LLOYDS BANKING GROUP HAS "DISOWNED ITS HERITAGE" SAYS CHARITY CHIEF AS GROUP CUTS TIES TO SCOTTISH FOUNDATION
24th February 2010
Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland has announced that Lloyds Banking Group in London has served notice to terminate its Covenant with the Foundation, thus ending the relationship that has existed between the two since 1985. The Foundation, an independent...
More Details >>Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator urges sector to report all fraud
24th February 2010
By Paul Jump, Third Sector Online, 19 February 2010 Regulator says notification of cases provides 'valuable intelligence', even if they have been dealt withCharities should report fraud to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator even if...
More Details >>NHS HEAT Targets
17th February 2010
NHS HEAT Targets In our last article we looked at local delivery plans for the NHS and briefly touched on the NHS HEAT targets. Here we will expand on them a bit further. HEAT targets are short to medium term, specific targets that contribute directly...
More Details >>More Scots get active with latest 2014 Communities grants
16th February 2010
Exercise and fitness classes for parents and nursery children in Ayr, sport leadership training for high school pupils in Dalbeattie and weekly dancing sessions for primary school pupils in Baillieston are just some ways people across Scotland will be...
More Details >>SCVO accuses councils of cutting budgets without consultation
16th February 2010
By John Plummer, Third Sector Online, 9 February 2010 Umbrella body voices concern about 'astonishing' cuts at City of Edinburgh CouncilCouncils are cutting voluntary sector budgets for 2009/10 without proper consultation, according to the Scottish...
More Details >>Dimensions of diversity: Population differences and health improvement opportunities
16th February 2010
This report provides a concise overview of basic information about 13 characteristics or groups of the population of Scotland, linking users to sources of further information. It covers: age, asylum seekers and refugees, carers, disability, ethnicity...
More Details >>Self Management for Men Project
16th February 2010
MHFS have recently secured funding from The Self Management Fund for Scotland administered by the Long Term Conditions Alliance (LTCAS) to develop a project that will help a range of agencies to support men in effective self management. There are over...
More Details >>Highland Council Cuts Funding to Voluntary Sector
12th February 2010
The leader of Highland Council has told fellow councillors that having to cut £350,000 from funding for voluntary organisations was "bloody painful". Dr Michael Foxley's comment came as councillors debated a package of savings worth £12m. They agreed...
More Details >>Chairman of National Trust for Scotland stands down with immediate effect
4th February 2010
By Paul Jump, Third Sector Online, 29 January 2010 Shonaig Macpherson will be replaced on an interim basis by Dick BalharryShonaig Macpherson has stepped down as chairman of the National Trust for Scotland, with a permanent successor yet to be found....
More Details >>Scots feel charity begins at home, according to research
4th February 2010
By Kaye Wiggins, Third Sector Online, 29 January 2010 NfpSynergy report says 60 per cent would prefer their donations to be spent in ScotlandNearly 60 per cent of Scottish people think the money they give to charity should be spent in Scotland, according...
More Details >>Mental Health Foudation Be Mindful Website Launched
4th February 2010
How people handle the way they feel plays a big part in mental health. In difficult times, it is not unusual to focus solely on negative thoughts and feelings and become consumed by them.Mindfulness helps people change the way they think, feel and act...
More Details >>E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund
4th February 2010
E. ON developed the E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund launched ain April 2009 as part of a further commitment to community, E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund supports the development of efficient and sustainable energy measures for community organisations.E.ON...
More Details >>Energy Saving Scotland home renewables grants
4th February 2010
If you have the drive to generate your own renewable energy, then the cost may not have to hold you back. Grants are available to cover 30% of the cost of installing a renewable energy system at home, up to a maximum of £4,000. Application pack and guidance...
More Details >>Comic Relief Grants Now Open
4th February 2010
The Comic Relief UK grants programme is inviting applications fromUK wide voluntary and community sectors for funding towards capital and revenue projects. Go to the following link to see the full application details:http://www.comicrelief.com/apply_for_a_grant...
More Details >>Story Sharing Guidance
4th February 2010
A guide to inform the process of sharing personal experiences related to mental health and recovery has been produced by the Scotish Recovery Network. Most people agree that personal stories can be a great source of information, ideas and inspiration...
More Details >>Voluntary Action Fund -Community Chest
4th February 2010
Community Chest is a small grant programme providing grants of up to £1,000 and free training to help small community groups in Scotland sustain and develop their activities. Groups can apply for funding for a wide range of activities or operational...
More Details >>Skills for the future Heritage Lottery Funding
4th February 2010
Programme budget : £100,000 to £1million Skills for the Future will fund projects which provide paid training placements to meet a skills gap in the heritage sector, and fully support trainees to learn practical skills.It will fund traditional conservation...
More Details >>Scottishpower Energy People Trust
4th February 2010
Applications are accepted for projects from not-for-profit organisations and groups (such as children's charities, local community groups, support organisations, housing associations, local authorities and others).Organisations and groups can apply...
More Details >>Haiti earthquake
25th January 2010
Key Messages· More than 400 Red Cross aid workers have been sent to Haiti, working alongside thousands of Haitian Red Cross staff and volunteers. · There are many more in need than those we are currently reaching – we are scaling up our...
More Details >>Morag Alexander to retire as Scotland Commissioner of Equality and Human Rights Commission.
18th January 2010
Morag Alexander is to retire as Scotland Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission when her term of office comes to an end in 2010. Speaking today, Morag said: ' I have greatly enjoyed my time at the Equality and Human Rights Commission...
More Details >>Rural Priorities Assessment Round Dates Spring 2010
15th January 2010
Due to the continuing adverse weather conditions, a decision has been made to extend the dates for the forthcoming Spring assessment round.As announced in a press release on 8 January, the deadline for submitted cases has been extended.Applicants now...
More Details >>Funding for rural communities
15th January 2010
Funding of £96.6 million has been awarded to more than 1,000 projects across rural Scotland.The cash investment comes from the Rural Priorities scheme within the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Projects approved from this round alone will...
More Details >>Planning for health in 2010-2011, the time for third sector action
15th January 2010
At the end of 2009 the updated Menu of Local Outcome Indicators for Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) was released, along with a Good Practice note for their use. Guidance was also released which outlined the priorities and format for Local Delivery Plans...
More Details >>LLOYDS TSB FOUNDATION FOR SCOTLAND CONGRATULATES CHIEF EXECUTIVE HONOURED BY HM THE QUEEN
13th January 2010
Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland has congratulated its Chief Executive Mary Craig on being awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List. Chairman Christine Lenihan, speaking on behalf of the Board and colleagues, said: "Mary's commitment...
More Details >>Trustee payments in Scotland 'should all be reported'
12th January 2010
By Paul Jump, Third Sector, 12 January 2010 Proposal by Charity Law Association in response to consultation by Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator Scottish charities of all sizes should be required to report on any financial interactions they have...
More Details >>£400 million Lottery investment in Scotland's communities
12th January 2010
The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, has announced that £400 million, £100 million more than previously was anticipated, will be invested in Scotland's communities between 2010 and 2015, this...
More Details >>UnLtd Sports Relief Awards (UK)
12th January 2010
UnLtd Sports Relief Awards, a UK wide funding programme funded by Comic Relief, provides opportunities for young people between 11 and 21 years of age to bring communities together, to help promote understanding and solve problems through sport, arts...
More Details >>Jan 14 2010 Highland Third Sector Forum meeting postponed until further notice
5th January 2010
The Highland Third Sector Forum meeting due to take place on January 14th 2010 (11:00 am-13:00 pm followed by lunch)has been postponed due to weather conditions. VAH will work with the HTSF Vice Chair to find a suitable future date. The meetings area...
More Details >>Children in Need launches new grants programme
4th January 2010
Children in Need launches new grants programmeBy Andy Ricketts, Third Sector Online, 23 December 2009 Funding of up to £10,000 a year for three years available to organisations working with young peopleChildren in Need is offering small grants of up...
More Details >>