Financial Inclusion Network
FIN News: 2 September 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 – Money
Having enough money to get by can be a big issue for people. This section looks at how you may be able to get more money in, either through benefits or fair work, and how you might be able to cut your bills in some ways - https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/directory/182/money_is_not_the_only_problem/category/519
Connecting People for Wellbeing: Shaping the Future of Social Prescribing
The Scottish Government team leading on the development of the National Social Prescribing Framework have just launched a consultation to understand public awareness, perceptions, and experiences of social prescribing. The feedback will help shape the National Social Prescribing Framework, ensuring future services and support are shaped by the people who use them. We would be very grateful for your help in promoting this consultation and cascading to your networks, and in responding to the consultation yourselves. The team have provided the following lines to share:
“The Scottish Government has launched a consultation to understand public awareness, perceptions and experiences of social prescribing through an online survey and conversation. The feedback will help shape the National Social Prescribing Framework, ensuring future services and support are shaped by the people who use them
Social prescribing connects people with local community support, such as activities, groups, welfare advice, volunteering opportunities, physical activity and cultural programmes. It helps people access the non-medical support they need to improve their wellbeing alongside health and social care services.
Whether you have used this type of support before or not, your views will help shape the future direction of social prescribing in Scotland.
Lick here to take part - https://comhairle.scot/conversations/0a9d60c8-526b-4cbc-9df0-cae5db87b946/invite/fb8e9a17-b1cb-4a21-8a38-416ff3dc95c9
Lanarkshire Climate Hub
Are you concerned about recent extreme weather events including storms and flooding and the impacts of infrastructure such as roads, transport and services in your community? Join Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub and South Lanarkshire Council for a day of activities, networking and workshops that will provide you with the knowledge, key contacts and tools to help prepare your community for future extreme weather events. What you can expect on the day:-
- Learn how different community groups successfully engaged their communities and delivered climate adaptation projects including tree planting, setting up a community garden and increasing the resilience of a local greenspace
- Speak with South Lanarkshire Council about concerns, priorities and needs in your community around climate impacts and resilience
- Connect with experts on subjects such as retrofitting and future-proofing buildings, nature based adaptation projects and flooding
- Chat with funders about opportunities for financial support for projects in your community
- Browse a marketplace of stalls and explore information from The Verdancy Group, Scottish Flood Forum, Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub, South Lanarkshire Council and more!
The event is on Tuesday 8 September 10am – 3pm in Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre, Hamilton, ML3 0LH . Refreshments will be available throughout the day and lunch will be provided.
Challenge Poverty Week 2026 – 5 October to 11 October
Challenge Poverty Week is an annual campaign that highlights the injustice of poverty and showcases how collective, compassionate action can build real solutions. Hundreds of charities, local councils, and community groups take part across the country. The main goal is to raise awareness of the impact that poverty has on individuals, families and communities and to show that working together we can solve the problems that poverty causes. Most of our partners, agencies, organisations and groups will be hoping to get involved by hosting a range of events, training and activities. It is our intention to create a calendar of such events for sharing with everyone to ensure that we are all able to get involved and contribute something.
Can all Financial Inclusion Network members take a few minutes of your time to provide us with the following information regarding any such events that you are hosting or organising, no matter how small the event please let us know:
Title of Event/Activity, Name of Organiserm Date/Time, Brief Description of event/activity, Link if applicable and Contact Name and Details
With the on-going cost of living situation, it is just as important now than ever before to do what we can to tackle poverty. Thanking everyone in advance for your responses. Please send any details to communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Hamilton Information Project for Youth (HIPY)
HIPY are happy to announce two new vacancies that are currently live. Both vacancies have a closing date of 7 September. Use the two links below for detail.
Development Officer – https://goodmoves.org/vacancy/a4sP1000001vlpdIAA/youth-development-worker?distance=16.09344&keywords=HIPY
Sessional Youth Worker - https://goodmoves.org/vacancy/a4sP1000001vm0vIAA/sessional-youth-worker?distance=16.09344&keywords=HIPY
Clyde Wind Farm South Lanarkshire Net Zero Community Grant Fund
Clyde Wind Farm South Lanarkshire Net Zero Community Grant Fund - Community groups across South Lanarkshire are encouraged to apply for a new grant fund that supports net zero and climate action projects.
sustainability@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Have your say on the Council Plan
Everyone in South Lanarkshire is being encouraged to have their say on the Council Plan, Connect. Consultation is now underway on the plan, which sets out the council’s vision, values and priorities for the future - https://www.southlanarkshireview.scot/news/article/3004/Have_your_say_on_Council_Plan
