Coping with the economic downturn
Sources of advice and support for individuals and families on a
range of issues including money matters, employment and training
and free or low cost activities and days out.
Support for individuals and families
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Advocacy for social
services clients
- Providing access to someone who can advocate on behalf of a
social services client to ensure that they receive equal rights by
writing letters, making phone calls, liaising with relevant
agencies etc. on the clients behalf.
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Community
strategy
- Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2000 placed a duty on each
council in England and Wales to prepare a community strategy to
promote and improve the economic, social and environmental
well-being of their areas and to contribute to the achievement of
sustainable development in the UK. In Scotland the Local Government
in Scotland Act 2003 places duties on local authorities - to
initiate, facilitate and maintain Community Planning. Local
authorities have a duty to develop a comprehensive Community Plan
along with relevant stakeholders to promote or improve the social,
economic and environmental well-being of their areas and contribute
to the achievement of sustainable development in
Scotland.
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Co-operative
development
- A co-operative is a way for two or more people to go into
business together and reducing personal financial risk. The council
can help set up a new co-operative in any sector or help existing
co-operatives by providing advice and information on issues such as
business planning, finding premises, legal advice, business
information, suppliers etc.
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Credit unions
- A credit union is a profit sharing, democratically run
financial co-operative which offers convenient savings and low
interest loans to its members. The council may offer support to
local credit unions by providing advice and information to help
them get started and manage their affairs in a legal and efficient
way.
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Housing focus
groups
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Voluntary
organisations - funding
- Provision of grants to local voluntary organisations. Grants
are usually available for projects/organisations that meet the
councils criteria and comply with the terms and conditions imposed
on the issue of funding.
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Volunteering -
information and advice
- Provision of information on volunteering opportunities
available in the community.