Partnership values volunteers
17 May, 2005
To ensure that local communities are at the heart of all aspects
of community regeneration and community planning, community engagement
is of central importance in all the processes and activities of
Greater Easterhouse Partnership and partner agencies.
So, the Partnership is committed to involving more local people
in its work and to further developing the role of the voluntary
sector in Greater Easterhouse. A range of services which provide
support to the community and local voluntary sector organisations
are now in place. These include the important Community Support
Service.
Now in its fourth year of funding from the Partnership, the Community
Support Service continues to support, promote and develop the
Partnership’s community involvement structures. Community
participation has increased substantially over the past year,
with representatives from all 15 neighbourhoods attending both
Suburb and Planning Group meetings. In 2004/05, the Service facilitated
18 Suburb Group and 64 Planning Group meetings along with 42 related
Sub Group meetings.
The Service has, on behalf of the Partnership, continued to coordinate
spend of the Empowering Communities monies allocated by Communities
Scotland. The total allocation of £60,000 is distributed
to Community Employers Training and Support Unit and to continue
to support the IT Link Up Project. As well as supporting personal
internet ready computers to 34 reps the Service continues to issue
travel cards to 19 reps.
In December 2004, CSS held the first Valuing Volunteers event
for local volunteers linked to the community involvement structures
within Greater Easterhouse. The Service assisted a small group
of volunteers - Maureen Morris, Tricia Henry, Anne Curran, Rachael
McCann MBE - in organising the event to thank all volunteers (over
250 were invited) and celebrate their hard work and commitment
over the year(s).
Councillor Jim Coleman, Chair of Greater Easterhouse Partnership,
said: "There are a large number of very successful voluntary
groups and projects providing essential services in Greater Easterhouse.
It is our responsibility to help them build on the positive impact
they are having in our community. The Partnership is committed
to ensuring that funding reflects the requirements of local people
and long-term priorities for Greater Easterhouse."
Commenting on how the Support Service assists, Wellhouse resident
Maureen Morris, who this year celebrates 30 years volunteering
across Greater Easterhouse, explained: "The Support Service
enables volunteers to make a difference. It helps volunteers reach
their potential by helping them explore the skills they have and
looking at ways for people to gain new skills. This can be done
by providing training opportunities but can often be done by listening
to volunteers and helping them gain confidence and self esteem.”
Tracy Deane of the Community Support Service added: “Volunteers
work extremely hard at ensuring they provide a voice for all local
people. Their contribution ensures decisions taken locally about
their area are meaningful. The local community can only benefit
from more people getting involved - young people too - and we
at the Support Service are only too happy to provide any support
people may need to do so.”
Greater Easterhouse is home to scores of volunteers who work
tirelessly and are contributing to the transformation of Greater
Easterhouse into a vibrant suburb of Glasgow. Greater Easterhouse
Partnership values everyone’s vital contribution.
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