The HIEF e-bulletin

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

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.

Human rights debates

SCVO and Glasgow Caledonian University are continuing our series of thought-provoking human rights debates in conjunction with our work-based Masters in Citizenship and Human Rights programme.

BOOK NOW!

Health inequality debate
28th May, 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness

"Is reducing health inequality about improving health services or realising our social and economic rights?"

This free event will debate the medical and social models of improving health and explore the role that realising our social and economic human rights has to play in addressing the root causes of health inequality in Scotland. Find out more and book your place


Digital participation debate
16th June, 11.00am - 12.00pm
Informatics Forum, Edinburgh

"Does today's digital society help or hinder our right to an adequate standard of living?"

This free event is part of DigiScotFest14, Scotland's first 'unconference' dedicated to digital participation. The debate will focus on the impact a digital society has on our human rights. Attend the whole Digifest or simply join us for the debate. Find out more and book your place

Latest News

Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) seeks new forum members
SAIF raises awareness and understanding of the importance of accessible information and provides a range of guidance, advice and practical support to information providers across Scotland. The advisory forum is made up of volunteers who bring a strong understanding and expertise about the information needs of a diverse range of people through personal or professional experience. Closing date for applications is 16th May. Find out more

Scottish Charity Awards finalists announced
Thirty organisations from Skye to the Borders are in the running at the Scottish Charity Awards. The annual event will also be celebrating the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year with a special one-off Sporting Chance award which recognises organisations that use sport to help people overcome social, economic or health disadvantages. Find out more

Report finds digital society excludes deprived communitites
A report by the Royal Society of Edinburgh has found that extremes of digital exclusion and inclusion are much wider than previously thought and Scotland's most marginalised communities are being denied the opportunities offered by a digital society. The report outlines where more work is needed to deliver a fair digital society and also highlights some notable digital successes. Find out more

Plans to get more Scots online
A new strategy to get more Scots online has been launched by the Scottish Government and SCVO. The National Digital Participation Framework for Local Action outlines how digital technology can be used to tackle inequality and benefit communities acrosss the country. Find out more

Results of maternity and paternity leave survey
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has published a report on employer perceptions of maternity and paternity leave and flexible working arrangements. The report presents the findings from a qualitative survey of around 40 employers. Find out more

Attitudes towards poor getting worse
Delegates at the Poverty Alliance's annual assembly in Edinburgh were told that stigma for those on benefits has become as big an issue as poverty itself, and poverty in Scotland appears worse because of the way society stigmatises those struggling to make ends meet. Find out more

Relationship counselling in Inverness
The Spark is a registered charity with 16 centres across Scotland and works with couples and individuals, parents and families, and children and young people. Their Relationships Helpline can provide instant support (0808 802 2088), whilst the centre in Inverness can offer face to face counselling. This service can be accessed via their appointments line (0845 271 2711). Find out more

Training and events

Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Rights and Responsibilities - 14th May, Glasgow
This half day course will explore the barriers faced by both refugees and asylum seekers and also look at how the asylum system operates. The course will be particularly relevant to anyone looking for a thorough understanding of the obstacles faced by these groups in accessing services. Find out more

Employment Law and Human Resources seminar - 20th May, Inverness
Harper Macleod LLP are delivering a morning seminar to bring you up to date on recent employment changes. The seminar is aimed at those with responsibility for human resources and employment law issues within third sector organisations. Find out more

Lead Scotland national conference - 5th June, Edinburgh
Lead Scotland, the voluntary organisation set up to widen access to learning for disabled young people and adults and carers, will be holding their second national conference in June. The conference themes will be around post-16 education and employability for learners with additional support needs. Find out more

Funding Opportunities

Multicultural Homecoming 2014 small grants scheme
Multicultural Homecoming 2014 is a partnership between BEMIS Scotland, Visit Scotland and the Scottish Government which celebrates the diversity of Scotland's communities in the year of Homecoming. Grants are available to develop events which will celebrate interpretations of Scotland as home. Proposals welcomed from 12th May. Find out more

Holiday Grants for Children
The Henry Smith's Charity are offering grants towards holidays or outings within the UK for children aged 13 and under who are from deprived areas or have a disability. Application deadline is 31st May. Find out more

The Ernest Cook Trust grant programme
Grants are available to schools who wish to encourage young people's interest in the countryside and environment, the arts or are aiming to raise levels of literacy and numeracy. Applications to the small grants programme (up to £4,000) can be made at any time. Closing date for the large grants programme (over £4,000) is 31st July. 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

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

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