Author: Stirling Websites

Sign the Petition to Save Forth Valley Autism Services

Highlighting a fact, according to the National Autistic Society, around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum (Source: National Autistic Society). This decision of NHS Forth Valley will undoubtedly significantly impact a large portion of these individuals who might rely on their assessment services.

It would be a great help if you could support the Forth Valley Campaign around the Withdrawal of the Adult Autism Assessment Service in Forth Valley by signing the public petition by selecting the link here:

Made In Dagenham

Join us for this year’s production, which is Made In Dagenham, which for our society is a bit different, as it is slightly more modern than normal and also includes some choice language J, so certainly not one for the younger ones. Based on the true story of 187 female sewing machinists at the Ford Company plant in Dagenham, who went on strike for equal pay. You will certainly laugh your way through Act 1, then boo through Act 2.

So why don’t you get yourselves along to McLaren High school between the 19th and 22nd of March, for what is going to be a fantastic production.

Ticket information is on the attached on the below poster, where you can also scan the QR code to take you to our booking page. Be quick to book the best seats.

MadeInDagenham

Hopefully I’ll see some of you there.

Many thanks

Grant

Grant Webb, Analyst, Resource and Business Team  

 Online Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Online Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Annual General on-line Meeting (AGM) of the UNISON Stirling Branch of UNISON will be on Wednesday 19 February 6pm-7.30pm 2025

The meeting will be held virtually via video conference on Microsoft Teams. The link will be sent to members that have confirmed attendance (no later than Tuesday 18 February) along with the relevant papers. In order to ensure the meeting can comply with UNISON National Guidance, we request that you confirm by email that you will be attending the virtual AGM.
Please reply by email to the Branch Secretary, Lorraine Thomson, thomsonl34s@stirling.gov.uk to confirm attendance and include your; name, workplace and email.

AGM papers will be attached to the Teams video link once attendance is confirmed the day before the AGM. Should any member not attending the AGM wish a copy of the AGM papers please email the branch directly.

Please reply as early as possible, to allow us to send out the relevant papers and your link to the meeting. You will receive the papers the day before the AGM.

If you wish to attend the AGM but do not have access to a computer, or have an access requirement, then please get in touch at the email address or phone number below and we will do our upmost to facilitate your participation in one of our meetings being held on the 19 February.

If you have any motions/items for the Annual General Meeting please submit to the branch by the 5 February for inclusion within the final agenda.

Guest speaker(s) to be confirmed.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our AGM meetings.

Should you have any questions regarding the AGM please contact Lorraine Thomson on email at thomsonl34s@stirling.gov.uk or phone: 01786 233 093.

Why should you vote?

Did you know that the suffragette movement wasn’t only about women?

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

(The Representation of the People Act 1918) This act was an important law as it allowed women to vote for the very first time. Before this, women weren’t allowed to vote in general elections at all.

Women over the age of 30 who occupied a house (or were married to someone who did) could now vote. This now meant 8.5 million women had a say over who was in Parliament – about 2 in every 5 women in the UK.

Of course, some men could vote, but not all of them – a man had to have property to be able to vote, so this excluded people without wealth.

This new law also allowed all men over the age of 21 to vote regardless of whether or not they owned property, and men in the armed forces could vote from the age of 19. The number of men who could now vote went from 8 to 21 million. So you men can thank the suffragette movement for fighting for them.

But as you can see, the situation was still very unequal between men and women.

Attachment in Children Course

We have secured funding through Scottish Union Learning to run Free Courses on Attachment in Children and will be delivered by Scottish Attachment in Action .

The courses will be particularly relevant to those working with Children or Members and Activists who have children, family or friends who could be impacted by Attachment issues.

Please distribute to members and activists who should e-mail their name , Branch and preferred date of course to memberlearningscotland@unison.co.uk

The course will run online and are available on the following dates :

12th February 5pm-8pm

20th February 9am -12noon

20th March 5pm – 8pm

The course outline is below;

The development of the bond between an infant and their primary caregivers is essential for their development, especially while they are young. This bond is called “attachment”. When a child is unable to develop this bond, it may affect their wellbeing and can have long-lasting effects. Unfortunately, many children in care or care experienced suffer from attachment issues..

The objectives of the course are for you:
– To be introduced to the idea of attachment, and attachment theory.
– To understand different types of attachment styles.
– To understand why and what happens when attachment is insecure.
– To understand the different needs children have because of their attachment style.
– To understand what happens to attachment when a need is not met.
– To be able to identify attachment issues based on a child’s behaviour.
– To learn practical techniques to help a child with attachment issues.

The course will be interactive, a Certificate of Participation provided on completion and would contribute to any CPD requirements.

Kevin Duguid
Regional Learning & Development Organiser
UNISON Scotland