The board of Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (VASLan) are pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Sweeney as our new CEO. 

The Integrated Care Fund will re-open for fresh applications on Wednesday 6th January until Friday 12th February 2021.  During this round, applicants may request up to 2 years funding.   Collaborative applications are encouraged within these areas of delivery to maximise reach and impact.

Applications will be considered for funding to a maximum of £80,000 per year.

Throughout the last 10 months there has been unprecedented levels of support by members of the community and Third Sector/Voluntary groups working collectively alongside the Statutory Agencies to ensure support for the wider community. The scale of engagement over this extended period has been phenomenal. We would like to again take the opportunity to thank you for this.

If the pandemic has shown us anything as a nation – our neighbourhoods and communities are alive and kicking with third sector organisations and volunteers ready to respond and step up in a crisis. That is the view of the Third Sector Interface (TSI) Scotland Network who have launched their first ever Manifesto for Change as a Network ahead of the 2021 elections.

It is with regret that we announce the resignation of our Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Bennie, effective from 5th October, 2020.

Gordon has served the company faithfully for 10 years, since the establishment of the Third Sector Interface initiative across Scotland. His leadership, passion and commitment, has enabled the  development of an organisation focussed on supporting the third sector at the coal face and representing its interests in a wide range of partnerships that seek to define the optimum service delivery model for the people in South Lanarkshire.

Charismatic chef's dare takes Lanarkshire town by storm

A Nigerian chef, affectionately known as Mr T, has cooked up a storm of kindness in a Lanarkshire town - by providing thousands of free African meals to vulnerable residents. 

Mr T - real name Tuoyo Ayiku - is at the centre of a crack unit of volunteers who cook and deliver mouth watering cuisine for people in Larkhall, many of whom have been shielding. 

Mr T's menu ranges from delicious African stews, curries, rainbow fried rice, jerk chicken to Scottish staples - including mince and tatties. 

Every three months South Lanarkshire’s Third Sector Interface travels to the four localities for to facilitate Third Sector Forums. This is a chance for organisations to network, expand their knowledge and ask their burning questions.

The new 'My Life, My Money Lanarkshire' app will help to support the Lanarkshire community with welfare and money worries. 

It contains useful resources which provide information, advice and guidance. You can find out more on the NHS Lanarkshire website:
https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/financial-inclusion/?fbclid=IwAR24NyAub-gNZwepCgMlEOtTj45HTSI04ut7BU1fgnA83p1fn6jJF3Jd0rQ

Many local people have come forward to offer their help and support during the current COVID-19 crisis and we are delighted that there has been such a positive community response during these difficult times. 

VASLan are in regular contact with over 1.300 people offering their help and support and we want to ensure that local voluntary groups are aware of the rich and diverse mix of potential volunteers.

A new helpline is now available for individuals living in South Lanarkshire who are self-isolating/vulnerable and whose usual support network is no longer available.    

The helpline will help people to access food and other essential supplies.  The Community Engagement Team within the council have been working  along with VASLAN to collate activity which is happening within communities, and to make contact with new groups and networks which are developing in response to the current situation.