What is poverty?

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.

Mother Teresa

Job Advert: Dundee Foodbank Manager

Wanted

DUNDEE FOOD BANK MANAGER

Dundee Foodbank is looking for a Full-Time Manager

The Manager will be responsible for day-to-day management and development of the Food Bank, which includes five distribution centres across the city. Office administration, staff management, budget and funding management are requisites.

The successful applicant for this challenging post will be committed to Dundee foodbank’s values and its determination to provide compassionate, practical support to those in crisis in Dundee. S/he will be willing to work with a wide range of church and community groups, local businesses, and volunteers, and will have excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills supported by relevant previous management experience.

This is a 2 year contract. Salary scale £21,000-£24,000 dependant on experience. 

Applications should be sent to karenbennett1967@gmail.com enclosing CV and covering letter.  Closing date for applications is 5 pm Thursday 30^th July 2015.  Interviews will take place on the evening of Tuesday 11^th August 2015.

Dundee Drop In Research Launch

Welfare Cuts - Impact and Action in Our Communities

Below is a link to our film which highlights the effects of welfare cuts, particularly sanctions, and how local organisations, services and faith communities are responding to support people and make a change in Dundee and Stirling

Free DVD's are also available on request. Please contact daniel@faithincommunitydundee.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtiKZqQYnYU

Amina Employability Project

Several employability workshops and training sessions are taking place between February and March 31^st.
If you would like to refer a client, or to register please e-mail me on Lori@mwrc.org.uk, phone the office on 01382 224 687,  or text me on 07534262239.
Please note that these sessions are for women only.

There is also an event happening on the 18^th of March, the details of which are yet to be revealed, but it will give local Muslim and minority ethnic women fantastic opportunities to speak with local employers. Watch this space . . . .

Job Vacancy: Community Support Worker

As part of its outreach programme Lochee Parish Church is looking for an experienced person to provide a high level of support and care, appropriate to the needs of clients recovering from addiction issues, in the context of the community.

You will be responsible for developing this work, building a client list from referrals through our church community cafe and from other agencies working locally. You will also contribute to the development and setting up of care plans for clients, in partnership with other agencies.

Your work will be part of the overall youth and family strategy of our church working in the community. Ideal candidates will be confident, assertive, with excellent communication skills and will have experience working in a similar role. A down to earth nature and a good sense of humour is essential.

You will be required to work flexibly to suit the needs of the project. You will be able to work well both individually and within a team and will also be competent in liaising with outside agencies and family members where appropriate.

It is preferred, but not essential, that the applicant for the post will have a Christian commitment.  It is essential that he/she will uphold our Christian ethos. This requirement is a Genuine Occupational requirement in terms of the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003.

Please note that this post is considered regulated work with children and vulnerable adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scot) Act 2007 and successful applicants will be required to join the PVG scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to taking up this role.

Please email dave-lpc@hotmail.com quoting Ref No CSW001 or call 01382 612549 to request an application pack or seek further information.

Closing date for receipt of applications:  12 noon on Friday 13th March 2015.

Scottish Charity Number SC033313.

Travel Factory Bus Service

Funding has been secured from the Reshaping Care for Older People budget that will allow the Factory Skate Park and Mid-Lin Day Care to develop a service provision for community groups in Dundee.
Hire a ‘free’ bus between 11.30 am and 3 pm Monday to Friday. Other times such as evening and weekends can be accommodated with prior agreement.
If you would like to use the bus service please contact Mid-Lin Day Care on 01382 506451 and ask for Alison or Gwen.

New Beginnings at Faith in Throughcare

Faith in Throughcare (FiT) has been operating in Scotland since 2010, offering a service which aims to bridge the gap for people returning to their community after a short prison sentence.  It does this using a person-centred approach with volunteers providing mentoring support in a wide variety of ways.
Faith in Throughcare has been keen to begin work in Dundee after some initial meetings indicated an overwhelming enthusiasm to meet this need. We are now in the position to move to the next stage with the appointment of Sue Rayner as local co-ordinator. There is also a small team of well trained volunteers keen to get started.
In order to ensure the work of Faith in Throughcare keeps very locally focussed, we are now looking for people to make up a local Reference or Advisory group. You may be representing a local faith community, a partner organisation or it may be you are a concerned local person wanting to help make a difference.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact our Local Co-ordinator Sue on 07548931336 or sue@faithinthroughcare.org

Dundee Drop In Group

On the 22nd January, we held a feedback and action plan meeting with the Dundee Drop In group (DDI).Dundee Drop In is a group of church-based projects that provide crisis help to those who are struggling to make ends meet.  Some time ago the projects agreed, with support from Dundee University and the Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), to undertake research with those who use these range of services. The DDI projects continue to serve many of the most marginalised in our city through the provision of food, conversation and information.  The day was positive with people contributing valuable comments and thoughts.  We were grateful to have input from Allison Honeyman from the Connect team, as well as Brenda Fenton from Housing, Peter Allan from Dundee Partnership and Elaine Colville of the NHS.
Faith in Community Dundee hopes to continue to help the group co-ordinate what they do with each other and key partners, as well as to understand how to respond to the needs and aspirations of people who use the drop ins.

Dundee Food Network

Dundee Food Network has been established to bring together public sector organisations and voluntary agencies, no matter what their size, who work with food either as part of their bread and butter (excuse the pun) or something that they provide occasionally as part of a wider remit.  Working with food could be running weaning groups, healthy eating groups, one pot cooking, community cafes etc.
The promotion, establishment and continuation of sustainable community food and health initiatives are seen as an essential part of reducing nutrition-related health inequalities and increasing access to knowledge and skills, helping people to make small changes towards a healthier diet.

The food network meets 4 -6 times a year and the next meeting is on 2nd March 2015.
If you think your organisation would benefit from having a representative attend or if you wish to join a distribution list please contact Paula Thomson, Public Health Nutrition Adviser, paulathomson2@nhs.net 01738 473507 or Sheila Rose, DHLI administrator, sheila.rose@dundeecity.gov.uk 01382 435824

Fit for Funding Training

FOODprint Dundee Initiative

Foodprint Dundee is a community food initiative that stemmed from The Gate Church's Climate Challenge Funding. The initiative aims to boost people's confidence, knowledgeand skills to cook and eat healthily on a budget.  As well as healthy eating,  the project promotes reduction of individual's environmental 'foodprint' through managing meals smartly, storing food appropriately, using leftovers, and so on.  "We throw away over 1/3 of all food that is produced, and food waste in landfills is one of the biggest contributors of the harmful gases that cause global warming, so that's bad news for both our pockets and the environment!".
The Foodprint team are armed with helpful tips on how to make the most of available ingredients in order to reduce food waste and save money.
To date, they have partnered to run sessions in numerous settings across Dundee, from St. Ninian's Stay and Play Family Support Group, to teaming up with the Taught By Muhammad project to run sessions at the Cairn Centre, and with the Claverhouse SMART Lone Parent programme.
They are keen to share their tips and resources with others who do community food work, in order to spread these useful messages far and wide, so do get in touch!

For more information, please contact Sema at sema@the-gate.ork.uk and follow theFoodprint Dundee Facebook page here

FICD Event - Welfare Reform : Impact and Action in Our Communities

Food on Friday Update

Food On Friday continues to outreach some of the poorest families in Douglas, Whitfield, and the neighbouring communities, providing support for families to take responsibility to improve their lifestyles.
Their vital work within Claypotts Castle Primary allows relationships with children and their carers to be built. Cooking, gardening, heart health and tasting new foods are all provided by the project.
Anthea’s Cook Schools during the holidays continues the relationship with the children, and much fun is had by all over the 3 day programme. Many skills are gained, such as team work, cooking new recipes, fitness, gardening, knife skills and learning about kitchen hygiene.
Food on Friday also run other activities, such as Women’s Cooking groups, and 6th year pupils volunteering, where the pupils also receive some life coaching as well as getting experience in the work place.
Food on Friday, after hitting a tough financial blip, has driven itself forward into a place it has never been. Through social media, radio, television and networking promotion, Food on Friday has become well known across Dundee and respected for its achievements and successes in tackling childhood poverty.
Many new partnerships have been formed and they now look to a bright future. 
Anthea of Food on Friday states that she is "honoured to work within this community and will continue to strive to outreach to the people who really need it."

A heartening example of communities pulling together in support of a great cause.

For more information, contact Anthea on 07599 414062 oranthea.reidcpw@hotmail.co.uk

Stress Reduction Course

8 Week Stress Reduction Course for those on benefits or low income. 
Closing date for applications 20th January.
Applications available from The Crescent reception or library
Or contact : info@nilupul.org/01382 872020