Charity and Voluntary Sector
ScotGov: First Minister, Alex Salmond, has lent his support to a charity in its mission to provide emergency service vehicles to Moldova. Blythswood Care is transporting 4 refurbished fire engines and 2 ambulances to the Eastern European country.
A team of 16 skilled volunteers will drive the vehicles and stay for a week to train the local people in the use & maintenance of the equipment. All of the vehicles, which are second-hand and no longer in use in Scotland, are checked over & fully kitted out. Blythswood has already transported vehicles to Serbia in 2007 and 2008.
Founded in 1966, Blythswood Care is a Christian charity involved in international relief & social care projects in Europe, Africa and Asia. In 2008, the charity sent 85 consignments of aid valued at £5.8m to 17 countries.
Cabinet Office: The Communitybuilders fund will provide a mix of loans, grants & mentoring support to a range of community anchor-type organisations across England. It is designed to help empower citizens & communities by strengthening the resilience of multi-purpose community-led organisations across England through a mixture of financial and advisory support.
The Fund will be organised into 3 investment packages:
* A development package consisting of bespoke business support based on an initial needs assessment and leadership grants of £2,000 for staff development and training
* A feasibility package consisting of further business support of up to 5 days & grants of up to £20,000 to use towards project development of a growth plan.
* Investment packages tailored for investees who are ready to develop, grow & expand their role within the community.
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