Your Voice Matters!

The VCSA is running its first State of the Sector Survey since 2017. Just think about how much has happened in these past five years! It is so important that we hear from you.

Hearing from lots of different organisations from across the county will give us good data. Getting good data means that we can reliably communicate the value of the sector to our partners and funders and we can give you trustworthy facts that you can use in grant applications and in promoting your work. With funding opportunities becoming narrower and so many organisations struggling, it is more important than ever that we communicate the important economic and social value that the VCS sector provides to Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.

We know that your time is precious, and that it takes time to complete this survey (approximately 30min), but we hope you will find that there is a huge value to your individual organisation and to the sector as a whole in having this kind of data available.

You do not have to disclose anything you don’t want to. All data will be anonymised, and you can choose what data to report (or not), including the name and contact details of your organisation, if you wish. However, if you do wish to provide your contact information, we are offering to make any organisation that wants one a free infographic using their data that they can use for funding or promotional purposes should they wish.

The survey closes March 31st, so please don't delay. We want to hear from voluntary organisations, non-profits, charities and community interest companies all across the county, so once you take it - share it!

Here's the link in full: https://shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/2022-vcsa-state-of-the-sector-survey/

VCSA Member Feature: Open Harmony

“I was so scared, wasn’t seeing anybody, [this has] given me such confidence. I remembered I always wanted to be a writer and now I’m starting…. ”

This is Lynda, describing her experiences working with Open Harmony, a CIC that helps at-risk adults across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin through music-based programming.

Open Harmony has been a member of the VCSA since it started in 2019. But 2019 now seems a lifetime ago. Open Harmony’s Founding Director, Laura Atyeo, says that interest in their services has grown substantially since the start of the pandemic.

“We reach adults (usually 35+) who ‘fall through the cracks’ in the system – have low-level mental health or social care issues that are not yet in crisis/requiring specialist intervention but, due to their circumstances – financial insecurity, unemployment, social isolation – are at risk of doing so.  Usually, they are not eligible for any other support” says Laura.

Open Harmony works with adults who have chronic mental or physical health conditions, are unemployed, or suffer from isolation. Activities offered as part of therapy by Open Harmony are free at the point of use to members. These include jamming/singing groups, song and music composition, storytelling, improvisation and much more. Services are usually tailored to the needs and interests of the individual members and 1:1 holistic support is offered too. 

Many of the key benefits to members comes from the peer-supported community that has been  built up and nurtured since lockdown.  This gives a sense of belonging, friendship and peer-to-peer coaching and support – members see themselves as a team that wants to create a legacy.

Laura herself has twenty years of experience in the healthcare field and is a lifelong musician as well. She says that she founded Open Harmony as a means of transforming her own feelings of disempowerment, frustration, and stress by embracing her creative talents and using them to give back to others.

“Music is transcendent, and the means/vehicle for positive change.  We are experts at creating a positive, safe space enabling everyone present to express themselves and be their genuine selves” she explains.

And it works. Laura notes that since its inception 42% of Open Harmony’s members have gone into education or training, 29% have started their own independent creative projects (e.g., producing their own music), 16% have started paid or self-employment, and 16% are now giving back by volunteering with Open Harmony – either through supporting other members in sessions, or by serving on their steering committee. Two members have even gone on to start and build their own Social Enterprise.

These results make Open Harmony a valued member of Shropshire social prescribing. Tom Stickley, Shropshire Mental Health Social Work Team, said: “We’ve been looking for years, no other services do this for these groups of people.” Additionally, Katy Warren, Shropshire Social Prescribing lead notes: “There’s nothing that would fill the gap if Open Harmony disappeared.”

The VCSA is proud to count Open Harmony among its members. If you would like to learn more or to partner with Open Harmony, feel free to check out their website, or reach out to Laura Atyeo, Founding Director, via email or telephone on 07753 381908.

'Levelling Up' : A Review

By now, many of our VCSA members are well aware of the 300+ page-long 'Levelling Up' White Paper released in February of this year. In a nutshell - it's all about geography. There is a focus on the distinct inequalities faced between and among regions in the UK and how to address them. 

But what this White Paper will mean going forward for VCS organisations and for the county is still an ongoing conversation - one that will be intimately connected to funding and to the work that we all do.

To help you navigate this big topic, we have collected some key insights from major VCS organisations, as well as tools and resources here for you to explore:

• The Guardian's guide to the White Paper's key points is a helpful overall summary of what the White Paper contains.
• Civil Society also does a nice job of summarising the key points of the White Paper from the perspective of charities and social enterprises.
• Shropshire Council responded to the White Paper with disappointment that it does not contain specific plans for investment in the county.
• Telford & Wrekin Council responded with a desire for more details about the White Paper's stated plans for future governance.
• The NCVO response offers a particular analysis to the white paper's meaning for charities and volunteering.
• Social Enterprise UK Chief Executive Peter Holbrook issued a response to the  White Paper, and the Chair of its Board, Lord Adebowale, write an opinion piece in The Times last week on the importance of social enterprises in Levelling Up.
• The NHS Confederation offered a response to the White Paper as well, which includes insights on partnership working and communities.
• Pro Bono Economics offers an interesting commentary on the significance of the Levelling Up White Paper and what it means for social capital and social wellbeing.
• Don't have time to read all the things? Third Sector produced an interesting podcast episode devoted to the White Paper.
• Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) have developed a Community Needs Index tool that can help identify 'left behind' areas that the White Paper is seeking to address.

Upcoming Free and Subsidised Courses for Shropshire Community Groups

Community groups within Shropshire are being invited to take part in a wide range of training courses to help them ‘survive and thrive’.

The varied topics are open to local charitable groups and organisations and include spotting the risks in vulnerable people, governance and legal structures and mental health awareness. The courses are accredited and offered by sector experts. 

Upcoming sessions include Adult Safeguarding Awareness training on 31st March, and Governance and Legal Structures for Charities on 26th April. And many, many more!

As part of a launch offer two free places per organisation are available on the first programme of courses, held between March and May. From June onwards the same programme will run again and the cost of each session will be substantially subsided at £15.00 per delegate.  

The events are managed by the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership (SIP) Voluntary & Community Support Team and are supported by funding from Shropshire Council.

For more information and to book your place on one of the events, visit the Eventbrite page. And don't forget to check the site for updates - as more trainings will continue to be added!

South Shropshire Youth Network: Next Networking Meeting

South Shropshire Youth Network is a peer network for anyone working with young people aged 8-25 years old. Their next network meeting is on Tuesday 29 March 12.30-2.15 on Zoom.

The meeting will start with 45 minutes of networking, followed by a workshop on setting up a youth strategy in your local area.

If you’d like to join attend, for the first bit or for the whole meeting, contact Infrastructure Support Officer Marinke Fontein. 

Hope House Volunteer Needed: Shrewsbury Harlescott Shop

Do you have a passion for fashion, enjoy reading, love a wide range of music and films or have an eye for the collectable or unusual? Then Hope House could really use your help in their Harlescott shop.

There are lots of ways that you can help, to fit around your life and commitments, either on a regular basis or as and when you’re free. You don’t need any previous experience, just enthusiasm and a willingness to help.

In addition to raising vital funds to help local children and their families, their shops also demonstrate environment-friendly procedures with a commitment to recycling and re-using, helping to reduce the impact of consumerism and fast fashion. They sell ladies’, men’s and children’s clothing and accessories, books and toys, electricals, small items of furniture, jewellery and collectables.

If you have some time to spare and would like to join a friendly and supportive team doing something really worthwhile and fulfilling that makes you feel good (and gives you the opportunity to pick up some real bargains!), then please pop into the shop for a chat.

You can find them at Unit 3 Lancaster Retail Park, Brixton Way (next door to Iceland) or phone on 01743 463361.