NEWS
 |
 |
|
|
National recognition for Council support to people seeking sanctuary
Work locally to support refugees and people seeking asylum has been formally recognised. The UK City of Sanctuary organisation has granted Council of Sanctuary status to Perth and Kinross Council, and this was celebrated on Wednesday 30 October 2024 following the Council meeting.
The formal recognition of the Council's support for the sanctuary-seeking population follows a comprehensive evaluation by UK City of Sanctuary.
Perth and Kinross has been a place of sanctuary for people for many years, and since at least the outbreak of World War I in 1914 when a group of Belgian refugees came to Perth. In more recent times, people of all ages from countries around the world, including the Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan, have received vital help and multi-agency support for positive integration and resettlement within the community.
Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, Councillor Grant Laing said: "Our vision is for Perth and Kinross as a place where 'everyone can live well free from poverty and inequalities'. For refugees and people seeking asylum this can be a challenge, however we will continue to work creatively across our services and with our public sector and community partners to make the area as safe and welcoming as possible."
Equalities Lead, Councillor Peter Barrett said: "Our sanctuary seeking population have come from wide-ranging and difficult circumstances in their own countries from war to persecution. This national recognition of what we have done to make a difference to their lives, from families to unaccompanied children and young people, is something we all warmly welcome at the Council and the link with the UK City of Sanctuary organisation also opens up new avenues of support, advice and good practice we can access for the benefit of those most in need."
-------------------------------------------------------------
High interest in minibus transfer scheme
The Council’s project to transfer decommissioned minibuses to community and sports groups has attracted significant interest, with 44 expressions of interest received to date. This initiative will see 17 minibuses, which are due to be retired from operational service in 2024/25, repurposed to benefit local organizations. The first transfers are expected to commence in February 2025, reflecting the strong community engagement and demand for these vehicles. Read more.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Community Cookit Coach Training
If you are interested in becoming a Community Cookit Coach, please see poster attached for new dates starting in January 2025. Please share widely to anyone of interest.
Rachel MacFarlane, Health Improvement
Practitioner Nutrition, Email - Rachel.MacFarlane@nhs.scot
-------------------------------------------------------------
Host carer information drop-in sessions
We’re reaching out to ask for your support in sharing upcoming host carer information drop-in sessions in November 2024. These drop-in sessions are a fantastic opportunity for individuals to learn more about becoming a Host carer and making a positive impact on the lives of children and young people in Perth and Kinross.
The first session will be on 7 November from 12 midday until 1.30pm on Microsoft Teams. Alternatively, you are welcome to attend an in-person drop-in session on 21 November from 11.30 am to 1:30 pm at Youth Services, 68-86 Scott Street, Perth.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this information and encourage those who might be interested to attend. A poster is attached with more info.
If this is of interest or you need more information about the drop-in sessions, please email us at supportedlodgings@pkc.gov.uk.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Residents encouraged to give their views on the future development of Perth
Perth and Kinross residents are being urged to have their say on a new framework that sets out ambitions for the city’s future development.
The draft Perth City Centre Development and Design Framework sets out the long-term aspirations for the development of Perth.
Feeding into this are two other consultations asking residents for their views on future developments in Perth – the future of Bell’s Sports Centre and the city’s Secondary School Estate.
Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “We want to create a vibrant, thriving Perth where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality.
“How we use our buildings – whether for business, education or leisure – is key to achieving that aim as while our physical surroundings may change over time, our ambitions will not.
“Our Perth City Centre Development and Design Framework sets out how Perth can be transformed over time to suit the future needs of residents.
“But the city doesn’t belong to councillors. We want to hear what residents think on the Framework and other proposals that will reshape our Perth – whether that’s in the near future as with Bell's Sports Centre, or longer terms projects, such as the secondary school estate in the city.”
Councillor Laing added: “Perth is a fantastic city and it is our responsibility to ensure it meets the needs of the people who live, work and visit here today, tomorrow and for generations to come.”
All three consultations are now open on the Perth and Kinross Council consultation hub.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Pitlochry and Moulin Community Food Growing Consultation
We currently have a consultation out for the Pitlochry and Moulin community and I was wondering if you would be able to share it to your network within Pitlochry and Moulin.
The consultation is responding to our Food Growing Strategy 2021, which identified areas with a high demand for allotments in Perth and Kinross.
The aims of the consultation are to 1) assess the current demand for allotments and whether existing community food growing provision can meet the demand, 2) to assess the current demand for a new community food growing area, the type of community food growing area and 3) if there are any sites that are of interest to be used as a community food growing area. We are running it in response to the Food Growing Strategy 2021, which identified areas within Perth and Kinross that had a high demand for allotments. Would it be possible to share the consultation to your network within Pitlochry and Moulin to ensure for a successful consultation.
Sarah Auld, Community Food Growing Officer, Community Greenspace, Perth and Kinross Council, SAuld@pkc.gov.uk
-------------------------------------------------------------
HELP & SUPPORT
Community-Led Guide to Local Services – Third Sector Interface
Service Navigator is an accessible and collaborative guide to the wide range of services available in Perth and Kinross.
As your Third Sector Interface, we understand it’s essential for you to have knowledge and evidence to be able to serve your communities.
Here to help is the Service Navigator, an interactive map of services provided by local charities, social enterprises and community groups.
The Service Navigator allows you to search for services by category and region, and you can learn more about each service by clicking its point on the map.
You can also add your organisation’s services to the map – find out how.
-------------------------------------------------------------
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2024
We would like to invite you to join us later this month to mark Trans Day of Remembrance.
Each year, November 20th marks Transgender Day of Remembrance: a day when we remember those lives lost to anti transgender violence and hate.
Across the UK and the world, transgender people continue to face discrimination on a daily basis which, in many cases, has led to tragic circumstances: hate crimes against the transgender population world-wide have increased hugely in recent years.
Please join us and Perth & Kinross Council, together with our partners, for a candlelight vigil at 6pm in St. Pauls Square, Perth, where we can demonstrate that organisations across Perthshire are working towards a safer and welcoming environment for the trans community.
Afterwards, the Rainbow Rooms will open its doors to the community to gather, talk and add memories and wishes to a tree of remembrance.
We have attached the imagery for this event if you would wish to share this out within your networks, it would be greatly appreciated in helping spread the word.
We will also have some time for community members to say some words during the service, and if you would consider this, please contact us in a reply to let us know, or approach one of the team on the day.
W e extend our thanks to Perth & Kinross Council, Rainbow Rooms, Perthshire Pride and Perth Parrots Floorball Club for all their support in bringing this occasion together.
Rainbow Heartlands LGBTQ+
Supporting the LGBTQ+ community across Perth & Kinross
-------------------------------------------------------------
PKAVS Carers
November activities newsletter can be found here
-------------------------------------------------------------
LGBTQ+ Activities Calendar
November activities calendar is attached
-------------------------------------------------------------
Community Ownership Fund
The £150m Community Ownership Fund (COF) exists to help communities across the UK to take ownership of assets at risk of closure. It will run until March 2025.
For further information go to the MyCommunity website: https://mycommunity.org.uk/community-ownership-fund
This has all the information available about the fund as well as the support programme and resources to help people apply. There is also an enquiry service.
.............................................................................................................
RugbyTots
My name is Sama’an Akel, and I hope this message finds you and your family well. We’re excited to introduce you to Rugbytots, the world’s favourite rugby play programme, designed for children aged 2-7. We’re thrilled to offer your child the chance to join our classes in Perthshire and experience the joy of Rugbytots.
Special Offer: To celebrate the start of our new term, we are offering a 10% discount on enrolment fees for all families who register before Saturday 14th September. This is a fantastic opportunity for your child to engage in a fun, active experience while enjoying some savings. Where Is My Closest Class? You can find out more about our classes and find your nearest location by visiting our website: https://www.rugbytots.co.uk/Class/Find Free Taster Class: We’d love to invite your child to a FREE taster session, where they can experience the excitement of Rugbytots first-hand. It’s the perfect way to see if our programme is the right fit for your child.
To book a free taster class, please use the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/L958hW47mT About Rugbytots: With over 40,000 children attending weekly sessions across 16 countries, Rugbytots focuses on enhancing physical literacy, fitness, and social skills through playful learning. Our programme has already had a positive impact on thousands of children across the UK, and we’re confident it can do the same for your child. We look forward to welcoming your little one to the Rugbytots family and helping them grow through fun and engaging rugby play sessions.
Kind regards, Sama’an Akel Franchise Owner – Perth & Kinross Rugbytots – The world’s favourite rugby play programme 0345 313 0288 07921437438 www.rugbytots.co.uk
 |
 |
|
Suicide Prevention is Everybody’s Business
|
|
For the Atholl Medical Centre please click on the link below:
www.theathollmedicalcentre.co.uk
|
|
Tourists and local businesses benefit from A9 dualling programme
|
