Arran CVS - LINKS Project

We regret that the Local Information Networks & Support project, established in March 2004, was wound up at the end of June 2007 following the Big Lottery's decision to refuse further funding.

Sheridan Waldon, former LINKS Co-Ordinator, is now the Manager of the Citizens' Advice Service in Lamlash. Her final report to ACVS Executive Committee is as follows:

LINKS Final Report to ACVS Executive Committee

27th June 2007

1. Befriending Service: There are currently three service users matched with befrienders. These will continue and be supervised by ACVS. Additional funding may be sought to cover the volunteers' expenses.

2. Art in Mind: Currently 12 participants. Have managed to recruit additional volunteers, taking the total to five + one support worker who works one-to-one with one of the service users.

ACVS has agreed to provide some organisational support. Helen Ross will be the contact point for the service users and volunteers, and will organise the staffing and transport for the group. All service users and volunteers have been given cards with the new contact details on. When Helen is on leave, this will need to be managed by someone else (e.g. someone from AVA?)

3. Arran Disability Forum: I have spoken to AccessAbility about providing ongoing support to the Disability Forum. As they are quite pushed for resources, this request will have to go to their management committee. The ADF will email AccessAbility details of the sort of help they will require for this to be considered by their management committee. Perhaps Community Development Team may be able to offer some support.

4. Arran Parents Support Group: As reported previously, this group has a new committee and officers. I have had a few meetings with the officers and the rest of the group who seem enthusiastic about taking their ideas forward. I have recently carried out a training session with them on publicity and production of a short monthly newsletter to keep all the members informed. I have also held a session with one of the committee members advising on funding for them to carry out their activities. She is to come back when she has more detail on the costings. Jim will look over drafts for them and provide further advice.

5. Community Partnership Group: Is to meet again in September. Feeling of the group was that it was valuable in terms of bringing together the voluntary and the statutory sectors as well as being a useful forum for discussion. Decisions will be taken at the next meeting as to the future format and membership of the group. Also decisiion still to be made as to who will organise/provide secretarial support.

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