Ludlow Quaker Meeting House, part of the Ludlow Refugee Hub
New Hub for Ukrainian Refugees and Hosts opens in Ludlow.
Ludlow has opened a new hub supporting Ukrainian Refugee families and their hosts. This hub is the newest addition to the series of hubs for refugees opening across Shropshire, including two already established in Shrewsbury.
The Ludlow hub operates between two locations at the Quaker Meeting House (pictured) and the Methodist Church in Ludlow, and also involves other local businesses, public sector partners, and voluntary groups in the local community.
The hub offers a range of support and activities, including drop-in help sessions at Wesley's Café, health queries offered by Station Drive Surgery, activities at the Ludlow library, boat trips and other outings, as well as regular meetings and English language support at the Quaker Meeting House. The Ludlow hub is also partnering with Shropshire Libraries and Storymine to hold an event for Refugee families in honour of Refugee Week on 25th June (see Events section below).
Amanda Jones, CEO of Shropshire Supports Refugees, has overseen the development of Ukrainian Refugee hubs that are developing across Shropshire, such as the new one in Ludlow. She says of these hubs:
“Having somewhere to go and something to do out of the house is going to be an essential part of the placements being successful. We have met many brave and resilient Ukrainians who are very grateful for their sanctuary in Shropshire and many of them keen to get stuck into local life.”
The Ludlow hub is particularly in need of volunteers (see call below under Volunteer Opportunities) and would be glad for anyone interested in connecting with them to email Erica Garner for more information.
The British Council and Social Enterprise UK Publish 'More in Common: the Global State of Social Enterprise'
'More in Common' draws on data, insights and case studies in 27 countries to provide what is believed to be the first estimate of the total size of social enterprise around the world. It is the result of more than five years of research.
This research was commissioned through the British Council’s work on inclusive economies, and is based on methodology developed by and research conducted with Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) and working with local research partners in every country.
Carbon Trust Releases Energy Saving Advice for Organisations
With energy prices rising, many organisations are looking to see how they can cut their energy bills. While many VCSE organisations are primarily concerned about the energy cost increases to their service users, the cost of energy rises will also impact organisations directly.
So what can VCSE organisations do to tackle the impact of energy price increases in their own workplaces?
The Carbon Trust has released a Better Business Guide to Energy Saving. As the name indicates, the guide is targeted at businesses. But the advice contained within it is largely relevant to VCSE organisations as well.
For instance, the guide suggests carrying out an "energy walk round" to determine where energy is being wasted in a building, and contains a checklist to help organisations do this effectively.
Applications Now Openfor the 2022 UK Social Enterprise Awards
The Awards are the biggest celebration of the year in the social enterprise calendar, recognising the best in the sector - both organisations for their business excellence and contribution to society, as well as the incredible individuals who work at the heart of the social enterprise movement.
There are a total of 15 categories at this year’s Awards which capture the breadth, diversity and impact of the social enterprise community. As well as the award for overall Social Enterprise of the Year and the ‘One-to-Watch Award’ recognising a pioneering start-up business there are also more specific categories for social enterprises working in particular areas such as healthcare or in providing education, training and jobs. There are also awards for social enterprises tackling the climate crisis and those leading the way in promoting diversity, inclusion, equity and justice across their work.
Organisations which support the growth and development of the social enterprise sector can apply for the ‘Buy Social Market Builder’ Award and there is also a category recognising the Social Investment Deal of the Year. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony taking place on 8 December at the iconic Roundhouse in Camden.
The Cost of Living Crisis: Can Charities be the Only Safety Net?
Last week New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) held an online event on the cost of living crisis to discuss what wider changes are needed for charities to be able to continue to serve their communities, and what role charities have in bringing those changes about.
Speakers included Sumi Rabindrakumar, Head of Policy and Research at The Trussell Trust, Molly Broome, Economist at the Resolution Foundation and Dan Corry, NPC's Chief Executive and former Head of the Number 10 Policy Unit and Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister on the Economy from 2007 to 2010.
If you were not able to attend the event live, you can catch up on what happened! Click here to read coverage of the event by Civil Society News. You can also watch a video of the event which has just been released on YouTube.
Current VCSE Engagement Opportunities
The VCSA newsletter will now contain a regular feature highlighting current open surveys and engagement opportunities that are relevant for VCSE organisations and their beneficiaries.
Flyers/materials for distribution will be made available for download as well as any relevant links. If you have engagement opportunities to share/list here please email Sarah Hampson, VCS Insight and Engagement Officer at Shropshire Council to have it included in an upcoming newsletter.
SaTH Breast Screening Mobile Unit Temporary Service Change: The Trust is proposing a temporary service change to the Breast Screen mobile service to Market Drayton and Bridgnorth to help them catch up screening appointments following the pandemic. It is proposed that temporarily their breast screening service is centralised to the main hospital sites. This will allow them to make the most efficient use of all available capacity in terms of staffing and resources. The proposed change in service is temporary and they plan to return with the mobile screening unit to Market Drayton and Bridgnorth in Spring 2025. Closing 24th June
Email for link to attend public/patient consultation 14th June 2pm
Cambrian Heritage Railways Survey: Cambrian Heritage Railways are inviting local organisations and residents to complete the following survey, which includes asking for support for the reopening of the railway between Gobowen and Oswestry. Closing 24th June
Family Information Needs Survey: The Family Information Service is keen to make sure that the information it provides, and the way in which it's provided, meets the ever-changing needs of families in Shropshire. Closing 24th June
Need alternative format, email or phone 0345 678 9000
Post feedback to: Feedback and Insight team, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shropshire. SY2 6ND
Victim Support: LGBT+ Support Services: Victim Support West Mercia want to gain a greater understanding of the visibility of victim / survivor support services in the LGBTQI+ communities in the region. They are also very interested in understanding any additional barriers/challenges to accessing such services; and/or reporting to the police. They would appreciate sharing of the survey with your beneficiaries as well as any feedback from the VCSE. Closing date 30th June
Coton Hill House service reconfiguration: consultation is designed to obtain the views of local residents and all stakeholders prior to making the planning application in summer 2022 for change of use of Coton Hill House, from a residential home to a supported housing scheme. Closes 30th June
'Drop-in week' in-person consultation at Coton Hill House from Monday 6th June through Friday 10th June between 10:30am and 6:30pm.
Libraries strategy 2022-2027: Provide your feedback on the draft strategy, which describes the changes the Library Service will make to be at the forefront of the council’s future relationship with its residents, and how the service will work in partnership with others to deliver the county’s priorities. Closes 3rd August
Healthwatch: 999 and ambulance services feedback. Healthwatch want to understand how the current strains on the ambulance service are impacting people’s health and lives. No closing date
Interested in having your organisation's stories of success featured in our newsletter, website or social media? We want to hear from you! Contact: VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk
July 6th 9:30am - 2:30pm at Meeting Point House in Telford
Come join the Telford and Wrekin Unlocking Potential Alliance for an event that they hope will inspire you, encourage you and help build on the strength of your knowledge and work within the borough.
A full-day event to talk and share progress from the work of the Unlocking Potential Alliance and Lloyds Bank Foundation People and Communities; the opportunity to help shape and influence the next steps of the work; and to ascertain the role we all play in enabling the unlocking of potential for those living and working in the borough by sharing successes, work being undertaken and further opportunities.
The event will include a light network breakfast and lunch followed by opportunities to understand other ways to engage, benefit and be involved in areas of Lloyds Bank Foundation work within the borough.
This event is open to all: those familiar to the work of the alliance; those new to the work and want to learn more or those who want to be engaged in its development.
Free Online Discussion: How To Keep Your Charity Cyber Safe
Join this Third Sector Insight webinar, produced in partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre, to learn about:
Emerging threats facing not-for-profit organisations right now and how to spot them
How to educate and affect change around the cyber security culture in your organisation, including the role of effective training and getting buy-in from the board
How to get started on your cyber security journey with practical advice from cyber security experts and best practice examples from charities
The next Shropshire Charity Network meeting will take place on Monday 27th June at 5:00pm at The Peach Tree Pub, Shrewsbury.
This will be the first face to face meeting of the Shropshire Charity Network of 2022! This will be a networking meeting, enabling all who attend to meet in person, to catch up with familiar faces and make new connections.
The session is free to attend but the organisers ask if your situation changes, and you can’t make it, that you please cancel your booking so that they are aware of final numbers on the day.
Free Online Event: Reducing Women's Health Inequalities in the Most-Deprived Areas
29 June 12-1pm BST
Join the King's Fund at this free online event to explore the challenges to improving women’s health in the most-deprived areas of England and what needs to happen on the ground to narrow the health inequalities gap and treatment for women.
All voluntary and community sector groups are encouraged to attend this workshop to hear more about the Draft Health Inequalities Plan for Shropshire.
The workshop will be an opportunity to hear about the draft plan and to provide feedback.
If you are interested in attending, please email Sarah Hampson, Insight and VCS Engagement Officer with Shropshire Council to receive a link for the meeting.
Shropshire Mental Health Support is a multi-award winning charity based in Abbey Foregate. They support people living in Shropshire with their mental health needs. Due to demand and increase in the services they deliver, Shropshire Mental Health Support has some exciting opportunities for experienced staff who are committed, reliable and passionate about supporting people with their mental health.
If you have experience of working and supporting people within the mental health sector, if you have an insight into service provision and are passionate and dedicated to supporting people with a truly person-centred approach, then they would like to hear from you.
They have several vacancies for permanent and relief support staff to cover various hours throughout the week, both in existing services and new services they are starting soon.
For further information/discussion, to find out more, and to obtain an application form, please email Heatheror email Katieor phone 01743 368647
Volunteer Opportunities:
Shropshire Mental Health Support is also looking for volunteers! Do you have some experience of working with people who live with poor mental health? Volunteering with Shropshire Mental Health Support can help you gain more understanding, to widen your experience and to find out about their person-centred approach.
Volunteer posts in Shrewsbury include:
Telephone support service
Various support groups
Walking groups
Calmer Café
If you are interested, please contact Shropshire Mental Health Support on 01743 368647
Trustee/Treasurer Needed: Tennis Shropshire
Tennis Shropshire would like to recruit an accountant to join the Committee of Trustees of Tennis Shropshire, acting as Treasurer for the organisation and providing financial and commercial leadership to the Trustees and to the organisation generally. If you have an accountancy qualification, an interest in community sport and a wish to contribute to the health and wellbeing of your community then this could be the role for you.
Tennis Shropshire is a registered charity, affiliated to the LTA and is run by the Committee of Trustees made up of volunteers from across Shropshire who share a common goal of supporting and promoting participation in tennis across the county.
Tennis Shropshire is opening a community tennis centre, funded through a combination of grant and loan funding, and has also recently registered for VAT. The County has also become a registered charity and is required to comply with the governance requirements of both the Charities Commission and the LTA. Accordingly the County would like to appoint an experienced accountant to replace our long-serving treasurer who has decided to step down after a number of years of service.
The treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that the organisation fully complies with charity accounting and the financial aspects of the wider governance requirements. They will also be responsible for liaising with the LTA, other funders and sponsors, for filing annual accounts, for drafting an annual budget which supports the delivery of the County’s strategic plan and for providing reports to the Trustees on expenditure against budget and other financial matters. They will also be responsible for raising and paying invoices and will provide financial leadership to the Trustees generally, as well as acting as a member of the Committee of Trustees.
In addition to an accountancy qualification an interest in tennis would be an advantage but is not essential. Nor is it essential to live in Shropshire although some in person attendance at Trustee and other ad hoc meetings will be required. Time commitment to the role is anticipated as being around 24 days per annum, and an honorarium of £1,300 will be paid to the successful candidate who will also have the opportunity to attend major national tennis events.
For an informal chat please email Fiona Jones, Tennis Shropshire Chair or phone 07549 045885.
Download a Trustee Recruitment Pack here. To apply for the position please email Fiona Jones with your CV and a covering letter explaining why you are interested in the post. Closing date for applications is 30th June 2022.
Would You Like to Volunteer for Newport’s Emerging Community Theatre Company?
Moonstruck Astronaut community theatre company is seeking volunteers to join their team and help them succeed in filling the gap in supporting local children’s creative development.
There are multiple volunteering roles available, including:
Moonstruck Astronaut is based in Newport, Shropshire. Their mission is to bring the local community of Newport, Shropshire together through theatre projects and foster friendship, self-expression, belonging and confidence, first with primary-school age children, then extending to young people and adults in time. They run a Youth Theatre in Newport and outdoor Drama in the Forest workshops at Wrekin Forest School.
You are also welcome to email Hannah de Quincey, Artistic Director, or phone her on 07961 050961.
Volunteers Needed to Assist with Ludlow Hub for Ukrainian Refugees
Ludlow has set up a new hub to support Ukrainian refugee families and hosts (see story under News above). Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
Meet and greet, organise, and help with refreshments at the Meeting House
Teachers who are ESOL TEFL qualified, also trained language teachers.
Support for English conversation with refugees, no qualifications required just an enthusiasm to engage in conversation to support and reinforce the structured English classes.
Transport is needed for refugees who live out of Ludlow, to enable them to access English language support.
Help with organising social events, activities etc
Help with finding employment opportunities, many refugees are of working age and keen to start work
Any other areas of help you may be able to offer would be gratefully received. Please email Erica Garner or phone her on 07974001310
Several Roles: Mental Health Peer Support Workers in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is hiring for several new Peer Support Worker roles across the county, as well as a senior peer support worker.
Click on the job advertisements below for more information and to find out how to apply:
Mayfair Community Centre in Church Stretton is looking for an experienced IT Officer to take a lead on the development of IT services for Mayfair activities as well as programmes to support digital inclusion in the community. The post holder will be responsible for providing efficient IT support for the organisation and will coordinate a team of volunteers. We are looking for someone who has enthusiasm for the digital agenda, with excellent IT, organisational and people skills.
Between 22.5 & 37.5 hours, salary £25,000 FTE.
For more information and to apply, visit their website or call Mayfair on 01694 722022 and ask for Nicola or Cathy.
Closing date 13th June. Interviews 15th /22nd
Energize: Empowering Communities Manager
Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Active Partnership has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Empowering Communities Manager to join the team.
Location: Hybrid, working within the office in Shrewsbury and from home.
Hours: Full time (37 hours per week). The post has flexible working, with some evenings and occasional weekend work, but it is intended for the role to be mainly delivered during weekdays, office hours.
Salary: £29,651 to £33,709 depending on experience
Please emailyour CV and covering letter by 12:00pm on Monday 13th June.
If you would like to have an informal discussion around the role. Please call Jessica Bradbury – Head of Operations - on 07958 318915
Do you have a job or volunteer opportunity you would like us to promote? Please send your information to VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk and we will include it in our next newsletter!
The VCSA has published its latest funding roundup, and it is now available to view on our website, or you can click here to download a copy now.
Check out the list of grants available, listed by upcoming deadlines through to mid-September.
Don't forget to check out our listof grants with rolling deadlines as well!
Don't see something on this list that should be here? Please contact us and let us know.
Funding to Combat Loneliness Among Older People and Adults with Disabilities Across Great Britain
Barchester Healthcare Foundation is offering grants of up to £5,000 for small community groups and local charities across England, Scotland, and Wales for projects that help reduce isolation and loneliness, promote group activities and generally improve mobility and quality of life for older people and adults with physical, learning, or mental disabilities. The Foundation will support practical solutions that enable people to connect or re-connect to others in their local community and lead to increased personal independence, self-sufficiency, and dignity.
Funding is intended to help small community groups and local charities with the following:
Activity projects.
Equipment and materials for use by members.
Member transport.
Day trips, outings, and group holidays in the UK.
Priority will be given to innovative projects that help older people and those with a disability to get active, meet people, and reduce isolation. Funding is for small and local groups, and groups with financial reserves in the hundreds of thousands or millions are unlikely to receive support.
Central England Cooperative Community Dividend Fund Relaunched
The Central England Cooperative have relaunched their Community Dividend Fund in an effort to offer vital support to good causes, groups and charities.
Groups can now apply for between £100 to £5,000 every two months to help projects that aim to support access to food, health and wellbeing, inclusion and the environment.
To apply, members will need: name, address, membership number, organisation type, organisation bank account or constitution and to explain what the group does, how the grant will be spent and the specific impact it will have in relation to the following areas: food, health and wellbeing, inclusion and the environment. Groups have to be members of the Central England Cooperative to apply, but membership is fairly straightforward.
Please click here to find out more about their criteria and here to submit an application. Closes 31st July.
Funding for Community Facilities and Environmental Improvements in Communities Near Veolia Sites in England
Veolia Environmental Trust is offering grants to constituted, not-for-profit organisations, local authorities, and environmental bodies enrolled with ENTRUST to support projects that make improvements to community facilities and the natural environment in communities located near a qualifying Veolia site in England.
The following grants are available:
Community Grants between £10,000 and £75,000 for capital improvement/construction projects at a single site, such as community buildings and spaces, outdoor spaces, play and recreational spaces, or the installation of fixed items such as kitchen cupboards and work surfaces.
Habitat and Biodiversity Grants between £10,000 and £75,000 for projects resulting in structural improvements for a single habitat that will conserve, restore, and enhance threatened habitats and protect/increase biodiversity.
Environmental Improvement Grants start at £75,000 for ambitious and imaginative projects that will make a local, regional, national, and global impact on the environment by protecting and expanding threatened habitats and increasing biodiversity.
Funding can cover capital costs for projects such as the development and maintenance of community sites or facilities, the restoration or conservation of natural habitats, longer, more substantial environmental projects, and staff costs that directly relate to completing physical improvements at a project site.
There are four funding rounds per year. Only one application per project site will be considered per year.
The current round is for projects starting in Autumn 2022. The deadline for applications is 7 July 2022 (noon). Visit their websitefor more information and to apply.
Woodward Charitable Trust’s General Fund Opens for Summer Applications
The Woodward Charitable Trust, a grant-making trust, is one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. Twice a year it awards grants to UK registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £200,000.
The funding is for charitable organisations in the UK, working in the following areas:
Children and young people who are isolated, at risk of exclusion or involved in antisocial behaviour. This covers gang violence and knife crime, education and mentoring, as well as projects that work to raise self-esteem and employment opportunities and encourage an active involvement in and contribution towards the local community.
Disadvantaged families. This covers parenting support and guidance, mental health, food poverty, refuges and domestic violence projects and would also include projects that benefit travellers, ethnic minorities and refugee families.
Prisoners and ex-offenders and specifically projects that maintain and develop contact with prisoners' families and help with the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners and/or ex-offenders after their release.
Although grants of up to £3,000 are available, most grants are for £1,000 or less. The Trustees favour small-scale, locally based initiatives and most grants are only for one year.
The funding can support a range of core costs including:
Staff salaries.
Rent.
Utilities.
General office costs.
Accountancy and audit costs.
Fundraising.
Governance and compliance.
Costs supporting the core programmes of the organisation.
Applications will be considered from registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies and exempt charities.
Round 2 of the Asda Foundation U18 Better Starts Grant is now open for applications.
Not-for-profit organisations working to benefit children and young people under 18 years of age can apply for funding for a range of activities that address the following:
Provision of essential items eg, food, hygiene products.
Encourage physical activity.
Improve mental health.
Celebrations within communities eg, summer holiday events.
Application support and guidance are available from Asda Community Champions based in local Asda superstores. Completed forms should be passed to the Community Champion who will then submit the application to the Asda Foundation. The Foundation does not accept applications directly from organisations.
Groups may apply for grants of between £500 to £1,500.
The deadline for applications is 19 August 2022. Further information is available on the Foundation website.
Funding to Support British Veterans and Their Dependents Who Are in Need
With funding from the Veterans’ Lottery, the Veterans’ Foundation aims to help charities and other not-for-profit organisations in Great Britain to support serving and former members of the British Armed Forces who may be facing challenging circumstances. This year, the Foundation expects to award grants totalling more than £4.5 million.
The Foundation offers standard grants of up to £30,000 and specific salary grants of up to £40,000 over two years.
The funding can be used for projects covering a range of aspects of social care for the Armed Forces community, including:
