25 new projects to support people living with long term conditions receive funding

Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland is delighted to announce 25 new self management projects for Scotland. The 25 successful projects are varied in location and theme, and diverse in approach as well as in the conditions they support.

81 organisations across Scotland now share the £4million made available by the Scottish Government.

The Self Management Fund for Scotland is administered by the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government. It supports work that encourages people living with long term conditions to learn more about the management of their condition and become active partners in their own care.
Among the 25 new projects to be supported are those which focus on conditions that are often overlooked or misdiagnosed.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
“The Scottish Government is committed to helping people with long term conditions to manage their conditions effectively.
This is the third round of grants and it will benefit a wide range of organisations in all parts of Scotland. These grants mean there will be plenty to celebrate during Self Management Week, which LTCAS is organising for 4-8 October.”

For more information read, the full press release and read more about the fund.

Call for Information to Support LTCAS Campaign Work

We recently published a new Manifesto for People Living with Long Term Conditions in Scotland. A key focus for LTCAS between now and next year's Scottish Parliament elections will be to engage with all the political parties, as well as decision makers across NHS and local government.

Of immediate concern are cuts to public spending and the impact on people living with long term conditions, unpaid carers and the voluntary organisations that provide vital support and services.

To help LTCAS campaign as effectively as possible we would like to gather a body of evidence from our members. We would like to know:

1. How have your organisation and the people you support/represent been affected by the worsening financial climate? What are your biggest concerns?

2. Have you collected any evidence about the value for money of services/supports that focus on keeping people well (e.g. self management, community-based support, peer support etc) that you would be willing to share with us?

3. Is there any aspect of your work (e.g. a particular project) that you feel showcases the distinct impact that voluntary organisations can have on the lives of people living with long term conditions?

4. Do you have any other information, reports, case studies or personal stories which you think could help support the LTCAS Manifesto and which you would be willing to share?

The information we gather (along with desk-based research) will be used to compile a report which draws together a range of evidence that we hope will support the campaigns work of LTCAS and our members. It will include facts and figures about long term conditions and the long term conditions voluntary sector, as well as case studies and personal stories that capture the true reality for people living with different types of long term conditions. We will of course credit all information that comes from our members.

Participation by our members and supporters is fundamental to the achievement of our goal of a fairer Scotland, where long term conditions are not a barrier to a happy and fulfilled life.

Please send any information you have as soon as possible to Victoria Eastwood at victoria.eastwood@ltcas.org.uk

A message from Audrey Birt, LTCAS Chair
"I am delighted to announce we have a new Chief Executive in the LTCAS. His name is Ian Welsh and I have attached a short biography below to give you some background. I am confident Ian's experience and understanding of the issues will help us build on a strong legacy but also embrace the future. This quote expresses his own thoughts. Please welcome him when he takes up post on May 18th".

“People with long term conditions want to enjoy full and positive lives, to be in control of their lives, to manage their own conditions and to be free from discrimination. I am delighted to be joining LTCAS and to be working with colleagues, members and the Scottish Government to give voice, practical support , access to high quality services and information to people with long term conditions.”

Mr Ian Welsh
MA (Hons) MA DPSE FRSA

Ian Welsh has extensive experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors, in executive and non-executive roles. He was most recently Director of UK Services for the international not-for-profit Rehab Group and was previously Chief Executive of Scottish charity, Momentum Scotland and Chief Executive of Kilmarnock Football Club. Prior to that, Ian was a senior manager in education. A former leader of South Ayrshire Council and MSP for Ayr, Ian continues to be involved in a voluntary capacity as Chair of Ayr United Football Academy and Prestwick Sports and Leisure and as a board member of Borderline Theatre Company Limited, Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, and Ayr Gaiety Partnership Limited. He also serves on the court of the University of the West of Scotland.

Raising Public Awareness of Self Management

LTCAS has received funding from the Scottish Government to lead, develop and deliver a national self management awareness raising campaign – a key recommendation of the Long Term Conditions Action Plan. We will be working with the Social Marketing Gateway, involving our members and stakeholders, to address attitudes and expectations among those receiving, and delivering self management support. The campaign will aim to increase awareness of self management and acceptance of the view that people should be active partners in their own care and support.

For more information please contact Kevin Geddes, Director of Self Management kevin.geddes@ltcas.org.uk or Shelley Gray, Director of Policy & Campaigns shelley.gray@ltcas.org.uk

LTCAS Online Library

At LTCAS we plan to develop an online library incorporating all member publications. The idea is to pull together everyone’s expertise and allow a single point of access from which visitors to the LTCAS website can gain access to the collective knowledge of our members.

We will soon be sending an e-mail to all members and associates and would very much appreciate it if you would consider our request and grant us permission to link our website to your list of publications/ catalogue.

Should you have any queries regarding the above please contact Susan Young at susan.young@ltcas.org.uk or on 0141 404 0231.