Financial Inclusion Strategy. In 2011 partners agreed a new financial inclusion strategy for the city. This strategy has driven the contracting out of over £12million in financial inclusion and housing information and advice services for Glasgow between 2012 and 2015. The strategy has lead to improved access to services, with more outreach service provision and extended hours of opening for services. Access to financial advice is available directly, and through NHS and Glasgow Housing Association referral and includes proactive services such as Healthier Wealthier Children. The strategy is being lead by a City Advisory Panel, and focuses on a number of key elements: • money/debt advice, including the GAIN telephone service and development of more on- line support and resources as well as extending locally based service provision • welfare rights advice • financial capability advice, including extending financial education in secondary schools in the city, the development of the credit union movement in the city and financial capability services as part of Scotcash • housing information & advice • employment rights advice; and • legal advice, including the court based legal service for residents presenting for eviction cases The hosting of the 2014 Commonwealth Games will provide Glasgow with a unique opportunity to achieve a lasting health legacy for city residents. The city will maximise the impact of the major sporting venues and infrastructure improvements to engage and involve more local residents in sporting and physical activities. It is anticipated that some of the biggest impacts will be felt within the very communities experiencing the most significant health inequalities, including those in the East End of Glasgow. Glasgow Life and many of the local and national sports bodies are working hard to ensure that these venues are used to their full potential by residents and visitors alike. For example, the Emirates Arena in the Parkhead/Dalmarnock is the new £113m purpose built sports arena which will house cycling and badminton events for the Games. In just the first five months after opening in October 2012, there were 93,000 attendances at the venue for a host of events and activities. Over 2,500 school children from Glasgow visited the venue in the first month to participate in a miniature badminton event as part of the Scottish Championships. Over 6,000 people registered to use the Velodrome in the first 3 months including local school children and residents. Each week, a tra...
