Forth Valley Migrant Support Network

Welcome to Falkirk

On Saturday 2nd July 2022, Forth Valley Migrant Support Network joined other third sector organisations and groups and took part in “Welcome to Falkirk” event hosted by CVS Falkirk at the Callendar Square Shopping Centre, Falkirk. The event welcomed people new to Falkirk including refugees and asylum seekers and show them what support, services and activities are available from the third sector in the local area.

Scotland’s Census 2022

In 2022, Scotland will run its once-a-decade count of the population. The census is the official count of every person in the country. It collects information about where you stay and the people who stay there. The information you give helps make decisions about how public money will be spent on schools, roads, healthcare and other important services in your local community.

The census will open at the end of February 2022. Every household in Scotland will be sent a letter with instructions for taking part. Census day will be Sunday, 20 March but you will be able to complete your questionnaire as soon as you receive your letter. You will be able to do this online using instructions we will include in the letter.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness Sessions

We know that winter can be a difficult time for many people and that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected mental health and wellbeing. At the moment you may be feeling down, worried or lonely. Because of this we invite you to join our online Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness Session which will be delivered by a facilitator via Zoom. You will have the opportunity to share you personal experience and to learn from your peers how to cope with challenging situations in the future.

Monday, 24th January 2022 at 6pm via Zoom

Wednesday, 26th January 2022 at 11am via Zoom

To receive the Zoom link, please, contact us on 07512025100 or info@fvmigrantsupport.com

This project is funded by NHS Forth Valley Covid-19 Response Grant.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

We are pleased to invite you to our AGM which will be held online via Zoom on Wednesday, 13th October 2021 at 6-7pm. We do hope as many of you as possible are able to attend.

Please call us on 07512025 or email info@fvmigrantsupport.com to express your interest in attending. The Zoom meeting link, a copy of our Annual Report and Annual Accounts will be sent out the day before the AGM.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Forth Valley Migrant Support Network and we will continue our work to provide support to the local migrant communities.

Travelling between the UK and the EU

From 1 October EU citizens who do not hold Settled/ Pre-settled status will not be able to use their national ID cards to travel to the UK. They will need a valid passport when entering the UK. The passport should be valid for the whole time they are in the UK.
EU citizens with Settled/ Pre-settled status/ pending applications to the EU Settlement Scheme can continue to use their national ID cards to travel to the UK after 1 October 2021 until at least the end of 2025.

Support services in Denny

We are delighted to announce that Forth Valley Migrant Support Network was awarded a grant to expand our services in Denny area with a weekly surgery. This is a pilot project is funded by Kingsburn Wind Energy Ltd Community Fund (Denny), administered by Foundation Scotland. As part of the project we will provide free support service for migrant workers and people whose first language is not English in Denny:

Information and advocacy support
Settled Status application
Forms (paper or online) filling
Welfare benefit entitlement checks
Consumer rights
Digital Inclusion

Postal vote

Do not forget that you need to return your completed ballot papers to the election team before 10pm on Thursday 6th May 2021.

Right to vote

In February 2020, the Scottish Parliament passed a new law which extends the right to vote in Scottish elections to people who are over 16 and live in Scotland. No matter where you were born, if you are a resident in Scotland you can now vote in all Scottish elections.

To vote in the Scottish Parliament elections in May, you must register by Monday 19 April 2021 here: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Why should you vote?

The Scottish Parliament has powers to make laws for Scotland in a range of areas including health, education, housing, justice and the environment. When you vote, you make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect your day-to-day.

Registering to vote improves your credit score. If you want to rent, get a mortgage, credit card or a mobile telephone contract, it really helps if you are on the electoral roll.

In person

You can vote in person at a polling station. You’ll be sent a poll card just before an election telling you when to vote and at which polling station.

By post

A postal vote lets you vote from your own home. You need to apply for a postal vote by completing an application form by 6th April.

By proxy

If you’re unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote. You need to apply for a proxy vote by completing a form by 27th April.