Date: February 15Th 2016 Venue: Benbecula UCVO Office

National Update – Network Meeting

Date: February 15th 2016 Venue: Benbecula UCVO office

In attendance: Sheena Stewart – UCVO, Robert Taylor – Uist Coastal Rowing Club, Sonja Kenter Ross – Caraidean Uibbist, Cheryl Taylor - Uist Coastal Rowing Club, Pauline Thompson – Liniclate Library, Lesley Hellon – GWT Local Network Development Officer for Highland and Islands.

Apologies: Ronald MacKinnon- Councillor, Neil Beaton - Angus McCormack Councillor

GWT national update:

• The GWT Conference will take place on Wednesday 2nd March 2016 in the University of Strathclyde, Technology & Innovation Centre, 99 George St, Glasgow G1 1RD – Registration is now closed and fully booked.

We are looking at a Highland and Islands conference Friday 29th April, in Iron Works in Inverness, from 10:30 – 3:00 to allow for travel etc Alison is working on the programme and asked for any suggestions that you would like to see. Also if anyone wished to showcase any of their IG work. Projects could be showcased in a workshop or at a stall in the information village.

GWT Charitable Status

We need two voting members from each network (cannot be a member of staff however one come place could be the volunteer coordinator). The normal term of office for a voting member will be 2 years however people may stand for re- election at the end of each term of office. If you would like to be a voting member please contact Lesley Hellon

Constitution – copies available on request

• GWT were invited to attend a European Conference on Intergenerational Practice aimed at bringing together people with a demonstrated interest in intergenerational issues (e.g. learning, relationships, policies, practices) in order to exchange ideas and develop collaboration so that a group of ‘critical friends’ could be initiated.

Academics and professionals from seven countries were involved including UK, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Belgium & Australia. Alison reported that it was a great experience being able to learn and share ideas with a wide range of people who were interested in IG work. There is some exceptional IG training, research and projects taking place across Europe especially in Spain, Germany, Poland and Belgium.

• European Certificate of Intergenerational Learning (ECIL) - Alison will be working closely with Mariano from the University of Granada in Spain to develop an English version of ECIL an online intergenerational training course that we hope will be ready late summer of 2016. The course will take 30 hours to complete and Alison is now looking for six tutors who might be interested in getting involved. Mariano is also about to pilot an intergenerational primary school taking learning from a school in America. Mariano would like to hear from anyone who is currently running intergenerational projects within primary schools.

For further info on any of the above please email

• Accelerating Ideas Project - Big Lottery

Alison has been working closely with colleagues from Linking Generations Northern Ireland to share good practice between Scotland and Northern Ireland (NI) with a 4-year project bid being submitted in November to the Big Lottery. If successful NI would be using our network model to create 11 local networks across NI and we would be looking to set up age friendly school projects and adapt existing NI intergenerational toolkits for Scottish cities & communities who are working towards the age friendly agenda.

• GWT Recognition Awards 2016

The awards celebrate and recognise the outstanding talent, commitment and inspirational involvement of workers, volunteers and groups who promote Intergenerational activities.

This year categories are:

1. New intergenerational project (Less than 12months)
2. Established intergenerational project (Greater than 1 year)
3. Young person contributing to intergenerational work
4. Older person contributing to intergenerational work
5. Building successful partnerships through intergenerational work

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING nominations was 5pm on FRIDAY 5th February 2016.

Please submit your completed forms to Cheryl Ewing or post to Generations Working Together, 3rd Floor Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1UZ.

Hopefully, people have been nominated from Highland & Islands.

• Copies of all our publications can be found on the GWT website at

Intergenerational training Course for Practitioners and trainers

The training is split into three sections:

1. An introduction to Intergenerational Practice

2. Bringing generations together

3. Planning and evaluating Intergenerational Practice

Over the past four years training has been provided free of charge however unfortunately due to funding cutbacks this year we have had to introduce a modest fee of £30 per person to cover our costs.

1. Tuesday 22nd March 2016, 10:00am - 4:00pm at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service HQ Building, 16 Harbour Road, Inverness, IV1 1UF (£30)

Funding

The R S Macdonald Charitable Trust aims to distribute up to £2million annually to charities in Scotland through their grants programmes. They are also able to assist beneficiary charities with non-financial support.

The Trust’s charitable objects enable them to make awards in four general themes:

• Neurological conditions

• Sight loss and visual impairment

• Child welfare

• Animal welfare

Applications can be made for research as well as for direct delivery of services.

For further details on the Trust’s funding themes, and how to apply, please visit

• The Scottish Walking Football Network

Part of the remit to look at Walking Football across Scotland they are planning to hold a series of events for those currently involved in walking football, in whatever capacity that may be, and for those interested in finding out some more and perhaps trying the game for the first time.

The purpose of these events is to:

 Introduce The Scottish Walking Football Network

 Consult with stakeholders on the benefits of walking football

 Consult with stakeholders on how they think the game should be developed across Scotland

 Consult with stakeholders on barriers to participation

 Consult with stakeholders on what they think the role of The Scottish Walking Football Network should be

 Consult with stakeholders on the format and rules for Scottish Walking Football National Tournament/Festival in 2016

A great opportunity to listen to your thoughts and ideas from which I can write up a vision for walking football across Scotland and collectively we can lobby for support from the public and private sector.

At the first event there will also be an opportunity to play or watch walking football with the session run by Hibernian FC Community Foundation. This will be on an indoor pitch from 3.30 onwards.

The second event will take place in early March at Hampden Park in Glasgow which will allow for greater numbers. Also planning an event in Inverness/Aberdeen in late March.

I sincerely hope you will be able to attend and if you have any questions in the meantime please drop me an email or give me a call.

Billy Singh, Walking Football Development Officer, m: 07772 557 147

Round the table/presentations

Unfortunately a delay in Ferry crossings, and a wrong turning, has had a knock on effect of the meeting.

A very quick briefing was given and because of the ferry timings, we have decided to do catch up and email everyone over the GWT update

• Robert & Cheryl are looking at a Intergenerational rowing project, they already have various ages interested. They were given publications for perusal.
• Sonia from Befriending Scotland, was given publications and will receive further updates from Lesley & Sheena.
• Pauline, is based in the school library and has a IG photo swap sessions being developed. Pauline is keen to find out more about Young Start funding, connection stream. And is going to go to a funding Roadshow in Stornoway.
• Sheena, is a strong link between lots of agencies and groups. Has just run a IG dementia workshop and was keen to explore the Robertson fund

Next meeting:

TBC