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Scottish Government ‘Fund to Leave’ open
Dumbarton District Women’s Aid, the specialist delivery service, has been allocated the local fund allocation to support women experiencing domestic abuse. Each woman applying can receive up to £1,000 for essentials to support the costs of leaving, planning to leave or staying left from an abusive relationship, including costs related to moving home or increasing safety to enable a woman to remain in her own home. The fund is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To refer to the programme, please email group@ddwa.org.uk or call 01389 751 036.  See more information about the fund

Tackling stigma around social security
People may be missing out on social security support they are entitled to due to stigma around social security, new research shows. Independent research commissioned by Social Security Scotland found that while nine in ten (91%) people agree anyone could need financial support when their circumstances change. The survey also shows how negative portrayals could be fuelling this. Three quarters (75%) of people believe those who receive social security support are portrayed negatively by politicians and/or the media. Almost four in ten (39%) of people surveyed agreed people who receive social security are judged negatively by their family and friends. More information here 

10 Years Post-Paris: A decade that defied predictions
We’re ten years on from the Paris Agreement – where global governments signed a legally binding international treaty on climate change. John Lang from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit compares what was expected then with what’s been achieved now, tracking progress across clean energy, policy, emissions, jobs and more. Full Story Here

IACD Conference – June 2026
The International Association for Community Development (IACD) World Community Development Conference (WCDC) hosted by the University of Glasgow, is a unique global event bringing together all concerned with Community Development, its challenges and contributions. To find out more and register go to https://www.wcdc2026.org/register 

Big Clyde Clean-Up
The Big Clyde Clean Up is a Clyde-wide effort to tackle litter and pollution, improve the river corridor and build lasting pride in Scotland’s waterways, as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Spring Clean Scotland 2026 Campaign and the Upstream Battle project. Led locally by West Dunbartonshire Council’s Greenspace team, the programme brings together community groups, schools, businesses and volunteers. Community groups are invited to get involved in the Clyde-Wide Flagship Event on Saturday 14 March, with a follow-up clean-up on Saturday 18 April, featuring coordinated action along key points of the Clyde. To take part or find out more, groups can get involved by emailing Andy Devine (andy.devine@west-dunbarton.gov.uk) in the council’s Greenspace Team. Read More Here

Voluntary sector leaders oppose ‘earned settlement’ proposals
Leaders from across the UK have expressed deep concern over UK Government’s proposed migration policy, linking volunteering to the right to live permanently in the UK. The proposals, which would extend the qualifying period for settlement from five to ten years and allow reductions based on contributions such as volunteering, have been published without prior consultation with the voluntary sector. This lack of engagement directly contradicts the principles set out in the recently launched Civil Society Covenant, which emphasises collaboration between government and civil society. The joint statement signed by leaders of the UK Volunteering Forum (UKVF): The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Volunteer Scotland, Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), and Volunteer Now, can be found here