Two new additions were recently added to the GROS website. These are:

• Summary Statistics for Council Areas, that provide some key statistics for each council area in Scotland, together for comparable figures for Scotland. The statistics can be obtained from the attached map, by clicking on the relevant area.
• The Statistics Glossary provides definitions of a number of statistical terms which GROS use. The glossary is very much a work in progress, and suggestions are welcome as to how it can be added and improved.

A study just published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, exploring the challenges to be addressed if government policies to promote community engagement are to be genuinely inclusive of newcomers as well as more established communities. It also identifies the ways in which new communities can be involved effectively, together with more established communities, therebly increasing cohesion and mutual solidarity. A copy of the report can be downloaded here and further information can be accessed on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website.

A summary report published in March 2008, that highlights the speeches and workshops that took place at the 'Getting it Right for Everyone' conference in Perth in November 2007. The  primary aims of the conference were: to help build the skills and expertise of people working in community planning/learning and development to better engage with people with disabilities; and help raise awareness of the issues facing people with learning disabilities, ensuring that they are fully engaged in the Community Planning process. A copy of the full summary report can be found here, and a copy of the 'easy-read' version of the report, with speeches and workshop presentations from the day can be accessed on the Ark Housing Association website.