Minister for Community Empowerment visits 20 More
Nice to see he has an eye for a bargain
Minister for Empowering Communities Marco Biagi popped into the 20More Dumbiedykes Express shop this morning, to announce the project has been awarded a People & Communities grant to help us train community members to lead the project.
Which is indeed giving Scottish Government a bargain - the opportunities we create for community . . .
Destitute household had their meter capped by the Council!
Yet another prepaid meter penalty for poor people
Team members did a home visit today and the whole team is amazed at what we found.
A resident looking after a 2-year old child ran out of money to top up her gas meter. At the same time, the Council came round to do the annual service of the meter. Because gas wasn't flowing, and the resident didn't have enough money to top . . .
We're in business!
Community shop on the way
At last we have negotiated a lease on a shop at the heart of Dumbiedykes, which will be our 20 More base and a community shop.
Local women have been meeting these last few weeks to plan a bulk-buying initiative by which we get cheap wholesale goods and split them for community members to buy that at cost. A survey has gone . . .
Why cash flow matters
A little in has to mean a little out
We all know that buying in bulk gets us a better deal - the price per unit is cheaper when we buy more. But this helps the middle classes far more than it helps poorer people - you have to pay more initially and get the benefit of the savings over a long period of time.
This doesn't work when you are on benefits. The bulk purchase . . .
Project reactions: wow or how
But not "why?"
Since the Clore prize funding was announced, I have steadily worked my way around as many 'stakeholders' as possible to share the news that 20 More is on its way.
I start by stating the goal: working in one neighbourhood, making every household 20 a week better off. Then pause.
The responses so far are falling into to . . .
