Financial Inclusion Network
FIN News: 6 August 2025
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 – Online Access
There are many things which you may need to be able to access online, such as shopping, job applications and benefits help. If you need either equipment, skills or an internet connection to be able to do this, the following section lists places that may be able to help you.
https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/directory/182/money_is_not_the_only_problem/category/517
Participatory Budgeting – Voting Goes Live
We are pleased to let you know that the public voting for this year’s Participatory Budgeting is now open in all areas. The links are now open for voting:- www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/cp/PB2526. Voting postcards are also available should this be required and be preferred for your group. Please get in touch if you would like some for your area, and a member of the team will arrange this with you – communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Community Networking Event – Friday 10 October
Save the Date - Community Networking Event Friday 10 October 2025 Council HQ, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA from 12pm to 4pm.
The event will take a familiar shape with FIN members hosting stalls/tables to promote their services to community groups and members of the public. In addition to this there will be an element of workshops and learning opportunities which will be hosted throughout the afternoon.
Please use the following two links to register for a stand and provide ideas for any workshops:-
- Registering for a stand - https://forms.office.com/e/NA3v327ui6
- What you want to learn - https://forms.office.com/e/MhRKrJ26Xp
For more information contact us at – communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Seniors Together – Public Toilet Maps for Age Friendly South Lanarkshire.
We are looking to develop maps, for the four main localities of South Lanarkshire, that will enable older people to travel independently and participate in local activities knowing that they can access toilet facilities while they are away from their own home. The toilets we are looking to capture in the map will essentially be provided by the statutory and voluntary sector but not traditional public toilets. Therefore, we are looking at places such as community centres, community hubs, council offices/buildings, leisure centres as well as supermarkets.
Can you please initially provide a list of any such buildings or facilities that have toilets that we can contact to see if they want to participate in this idea. It is important to note that we are not developing a Community Toilet Scheme, this is a completely different type of project.
Send any comments or suggestions to - SeniorsTogether@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Hamilton CAB – Job Vacancy
Do you want to improve access to justice by providing free, high-quality advice and representation? Due to an internal promotion, we are recruiting for a Lay Representative based in our In-Court Advice Lay Representation Service. This is a frontline role, supporting people at a critical point in their lives- helping them to understand their rights, navigate complex legal processes and stay in their homes. If you would like to be part of a passionate and supportive team whilst making a difference, apply now. You can access the application pack on our website. Closing date is the 20 August - https://www.hamiltoncab.org.uk/careers
Biggar Community Market Garden
We sell vegetables which have grown without the use of toxic chemicals, which will help to maintain a healthy body. They are sold at very reasonable prices and some are also provided Free of Charge to the Clydesdale Food Bank and Biggar Youth Project, for them to help those who cannot afford to buy them -
https://www.biggarmarketgarden.org/
