The Third Community Partnerships Project (CPP3)
The third and final phase of the Community Partnerships Project (CPP3) was marked on 27th March with a successful Outcomes Conference, held at Holyrood. The five community groups who participated in CPP3 took the opportunity to showcase to MSPs and other peer organisations the issues they have been campaigning on over the past year. These ranged from transport for elderly people in remote and rural areas, to mental health in the workplace.
CPP3 was particularly successful in that it saw a wide variety of formal engagement with MSPs and the Parliament. Numerous parliamentary questions were tabled by Members on behalf of the partner organisations, as well as Member’s debates being held. In addition, several parliamentary motions were lodged to raise awareness of the campaign issues, and three petitions have been submitted to the Public Petitions Committee.
Over three separate phases since summer 2008, the Community Partnerships Project can be seen to have been a great success in aiding under-represented groups to have their voices heard and to help them get their issues onto the parliamentary radar.
Grampian Family Support Forum
Grampian Family Support Forum (GFSF) was established in 2010 by Scottish Families Affected by Drugs and family members. GFSF is part of the Achieving Community Empowerment Programme and s funding is provided by Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership. GFSF believes our negative life experiences can be used to make positive changes.
Action in Mind, Stirling
Action in Mind is a charitable mental health organisation based in Stirling. Formed in 1985, AiM's work is concerned with the rights and welfare of people who experience mental ill-health and their recovery, and the promotion of positive mental health. AiM has 20 staff and more than 70 volunteers actively engaged in supporting our services.
Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire
Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire, based in Kirkintilloch, is the central point for volunteering throughout the area. Founded in 1997 the centre aims to encourage local people to become engaged in and enthused by volunteering. In recent years a range of projects and services have been developed to support young people, assist socially isolated groups and improve community engagement.
Dumfries & Galloway Third Sector Forum
Dumfries & Galloway Third Sector Forum is a partnership of regional and national voluntary organisations who provide services across our region. 3SF meets regularly to address policy issues and respond as a collective voice; build on existing partnerships with existing agencies; and contribute more effectively to local Community Planning.
Multi-Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd
Multi Ethnic Aberdeen is a user-led organisation committed to promoting tolerance, cultural diversity, and raising awareness of the value of the ethnic individuals, business owners and organisations within Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and North-East Scotland. For more information visit the MEAL website.
During 2011-12, the groups themselves will determine what issues they would like to see addressed and will work with Parliament staff and MSPs to determine how to bring this issue to the Scottish Parliament. This could be a public petition, an event, an art project – any method that the group believe can effectively communicate their issue to parliamentarians. As each project develops, information will be placed into the public domain.