Promoting equality and human rights across the Highlands & Islands of Scotland

Promoting equality and human rights across the Highlands & Islands of Scotland   Everyone at HIEF would like to take this opportunity to wish you well over the winter break. If you celebrate Christmas, then we hope you have a happy one! See you in 2014.   The HIEF e-bulletin is a great way to share your news, information, resources, and upcoming events with organisations and community groups across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland involved in equality and human rights issues. Just get in touch with us at hief@scvo.org.uk and we will do our best to include your news in our future e-bulletins. Latest News                                                                                                     Most people classed as being in poverty are in workThe Joseph Rowntree Foundation has reported that more working households were living in poverty in the UK last year than non-working ones. The report states that just over half of the 13 million people in poverty (surviving on less than 60% of the national middle income) were from working families. Find out more   Scottish Accessible Information Forum SAIF launched their new website in November. The Forum produces good practise guides and offers training, consultancy and advice to help everyone, from individuals to large organisations across all sectors, improve the accessibility of their information.Find out more   Scottish National Action Plan launched Human Rights Day (10th December) saw the launch of SNAP. Led by the Scottish Human Rights Commission, but in partnership with a range of stakeholders from across public life and civil society, SNAP's vision is that Scotland should be a country where everyone is able to live with dignity. HIEF's Matt Tyrer was involved in the drafting group and has written a blog around the SNAP launch and Human Rights Day. Read his blog here      Highland Health Inequality Forum Following the Health Inequality Forum exploratory meeting in September the HIEF team have been working on how to take this forward and will be in touch with those who attended or expressed an interest in the new year.   Events                                                                                                               ACOSVO: Highlands and Islands Regional Network with OSCR - 21st January 2014, Inverness The Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO) regional networks meet with the aim of increasing leadership, developmental and peer support for Chief Officers and Senior Managers of Scottish third sector organisations. The CEO of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) will be attending their next meeting in Inverness. This meeting is open to non ACOSVO members. Find out more   Human Rights in Scotland Annual Conference - 4th March 2014, Glasgow Mackay Hannah are running a conference which aims to promote greater respect for human rights by ensuring a better understanding of the extent of the obligations and freedoms deriving from domestic and international human rights law. Find out more    Funding Opportunities                                                                                    Community Transport Vehicle Fund This Scottish Government initiative has grants of up to £50,000 available to help comunity transport operators buy new vehicles to either replace older vehicles or expand services. The Scottish Government wishes to provide this support to those organisations whose transport services are likely to have the biggest impact on their communities. Deadline for applications is 31st January 2014. Find out more   Seafarers UK Grants Programme Funding is currently available to organisations for projects involving seafarers, ex-seafarers, their spouses or dependents, or maritime youth organisations. The Small Grants Programme will provide funding of up to £5,000 and the Main Grants Programme will provide funding of over £5,000. Deadline is 21st February 2014. Find out more   HIEF Representation                                                                                       Highland Public Services Partnership Equality and Diversity Strategy Group HIEF, along with the Highland Third Sector Partnership, is represented on this group to provide a voice for third sector organisations and community groups as part of the partnership's work to promote equality and diversity in Highland and eliminate unlawful discrimination. Find out more   Inclusive Cairngorms  HIEF is represented alongside other third sector organisations, community groups and individuals as part of Inclusive Cairngorms, the advisory group to the Cairngorm's National Park Authority, to support the group's aims to promote social inclusion and involvement in the Park. Find out more   Make sure your voice is heard! Please help us to ensure that your voice is included in HIEF's representation work by getting in contact with us at hief@scvo.org.uk, or calling 01463 251 727, to share your views and experiences and tell us what the key issues are for you and the people you work with.   HIEF on Twitter and LinkedIn                                                                        Join HIEF's new LinkedIn online discussion group The 'Highlands and Islands Equality Forum (HIEF)' discussion group on LinkedIn is another great way to keep up to date with HIEF news, stay connected with the HIEF network and share your news and views. Visit our HIEF Online Discussion Group.   Follow HIEF on Twitter HIEF has joined the world of Twitter! So, if you're a fan of the tweet then please follow us @SCVO_HIEF and discover how the Highlands and Islands is changing the world, 140 characters at a time! Visit our HIEF Twitter page.   Contact HIEF                                                                                                   HIEF continues to provide information, support and signposting to organisations and community groups. If you think HIEF can help you then please feel free to get in touch with us through our SCVO Information Service and your enquiry will be passed to the HIEF team: Freephone number: 0800 169 0022 Email: enquiries@scvo.org.uk   Or, you can get in touch with the HIEF Team directly: Matt Tyrer, Programme Coordinator - Human Rights and Equality Telephone: 01463 251 727 Email: matt.tyrer@scvo.org.uk   Sasha Devine, Equality Development Officer Telephone: 01463 258 801 Email: sasha.devine@scvo.org.uk   Barbara Love, Development Officer Telephone: 01463 251 725 Email: barbara.love@scvo.org.uk