Financial Inclusion Network
FIN News: 19 August 2026
Welcome to this week's Financial Inclusion Network news
The Financial Inclusion Network is an informal group of over 250 members taken from the Public and Third Sectors which covers all areas of South Lanarkshire. This network is to share information from a wide range of themes. We hope to provide a new update each week that can be accessed by all members at any time to see what is going on in the area under the headings below. If you would like an item included within our weekly news, please complete our short online form here: https://forms.office.com/e/Ht5w7iAuFi. For further information, please email communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Money is not the only problem – Food and Healthy Eating
A well balanced diet is important to provide all the energy you need to keep active throughout the day and nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you stay strong, healthy and help to prevent diet-related illness. If you are worrying about food there are different organisations that are able to support you. Select this section for different options that are available.
https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/directory/182/money_is_not_the_only_problem/category/523
Money Matters Advice Service
Promotion of our ongoing project targeting families of dependents with diagnosed or undiagnosed Neurodivergence. Encouraging to seek advice regardless of household income. Our project service assists not only residents within South Lanarkshire but also employees of South Lanarkshire Council.
For more information call 0300 029 0041 or visit www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/mmas
Forth Community Resource Centre Steering Group
Thanks to funding support from South Lanarkshire Council., we are delivering drop in Work Clubs in Forth, Lanark and Carluke on various days and times, helping local people with digital job searching, CVs and Interview Skills. For more information please call us on 01555 811002 or visit our website:-
https://forthcommunityresourcecentre.yolasite.com/workclub.php
Funding available for community celebrations
Groups who help organise events that celebrate their community’s history, identity and traditions can apply for potential council funding.
The Budget for People and Place in South Lanarkshire included nearly £40 million in investments, including £200,000 in new funding for galas and festivals to take the total amount now available to £275,000.
Energy Action Scotland (EAS)
2026 Annual Fuel Poverty Awards
EAS is delighted to announce its seventh annual Fuel Poverty Awards. Each year the nomination ns inspire and move the judges in equal measure as we hear about outstanding contributions to communities, to organisations and businesses, to local authorities, to civil society and person-centred support organisations. We want to honour those organisations and individuals who are innovating, inspiring, supporting and shaping the fuel poverty landscape in Scotland against our challenging financial climate:
- Has an individual made an outstanding contribution to you or to your community?
- Does your organisation or business go above and beyond?
- Are you innovating and making change for the sector or community you serve?
- Has another organisation inspired or supported you?
- On a national level, is there an organisation that you think has made an outstanding contribution to raising awareness of or addressing fuel poverty?
Winners will be announced at our Annual Conference Dinner on Thursday 19 November 2026. Please email details of your nomination to Christine.McArthur@eas.org.uk with EAS Annual Fuel Poverty Awards in the title, by Friday 30 October 2026
The Community Energy Growth Fund
The Community Energy Growth Fund aims to support community groups across Scotland to set up renewable energy regeneration projects.
https://localenergy.scot/funding/community-energy-growth-fund/
