 Pictured is the old fire exit door, complete with letterbox, and corner of the unsafe rotten decking, alongside a photo of the newly installed fire door and exit stairway.
Easthope Shipton and Stanton Long Memorial Hall Benefits from Community Asset Pilot Grant Scheme
Easthope Shipton and Stanton Long Memorial Hall has been one of the recent beneficiaries of grant funding through Shropshire Council’s Community Asset Fund.
The Community Asset Fund is a pilot grant scheme launched in December 2021 and is Government funded through the the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). This grant has been set up with the purpose of providing support as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The £8,000 awarded to the Easthope Shipton and Stanton Long Memorial Hall will ensure that this hall is made health and safety compliant through the addition of a rear fire door, non-slip flooring, updated cooking facilities and insulation to the entire roof.
The completion of this essential work has meant that the whole community can enjoy using this restored facility for a range of activities such as WI, local council, band practice, sewing clubs, keep fit, parties, fund raising, sports events and cultural evenings. Ensuring that the hall is a safer place for regular use by over 500 residents of the three main surrounding villages: Stanton Long, Shipton and Easthope.
Anne Belshaw, Treasurer, commented that “we can't thank Shropshire Council enough for giving us this grant. We love our village hall and the whole community will be thrilled to have it looking so smart”.
Grants totalling more than £140,000 were awarded to community groups across Shropshire to boost their recovery from the pandemic as part of the council’s government-funded ARG programme.
The design of the pilot grant scheme to benefit community assets is thanks in large part to a VCSA-led discussion with voluntary and community partners to make recommendations about the best ways to target the ARG funds.
Keep Shropshire Warm Share Update for Autumn/Winter
Many Shropshire residents are already feeling the pinch due to rising energy costs. Before the cooler autumn/winter months when these may be exacerbated, Keep Shropshire Warm, a partnership between Shropshire Council and Marches Energy Agency, would like to highlight the help and support that this initiative can provide to residents across the county.
Keep Shropshire Warm can assist with access to grants to improve the energy efficiency of homes, advice regarding energy suppliers and bills or simple low cost measures such as draught excluders and low energy bulbs.
If you come across people who may benefit from their help, please ask them to give Keep Shropshire Warm a call, or alternatively refer them directly (with their permission).
You can also download and share the Autumn/Winter update from Keep Shropshire Warm showing the support and offers available at present.
Their friendly team can help with:
- Keeping warm at home
- Financial support and discounts
- Energy bills, tariffs & suppliers
- Support during power cuts
- Heating & insulation grants
Visit the Keep Shropshire Warm website to learn more. Alternatively, you can email them, follow them on Facebook, or phone them on0800 112 3743.
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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.
Workforce Development Fund Impact Evaluation: The Workforce Development Fund is a fund to support learning and development in social care that Skills for Care disburses on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). The evaluation is intended to assess the positive outcomes that the funding has generated for social care providers and their staff, together with any aspects that could be improved. Closing 15th July
Lingen Davies Cancer Support: Lingen Davies Cancer Fund is surveying stakeholders to assess the needs of those affected by cancer. Closing 16th July
Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Canal and River Trust and Energize Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are coming together to empower people to make use of their local green spaces, (the canal networks) for their health and wellbeing in the Whitchurch area. They want to understand your thoughts and barriers to being active in green spaces and understand more about the challenges people might face in your area. Closing 19th July
APPG call for evidence on cost-of-living crisis and school meals. The All Party Parliamentary Group for School Food is undertaking a short survey to gain a snapshot of the impact of the cost of living crisis on school food. The survey should take a no more than 10 minutes to complete. All Responses to the survey will be anonymised in the report. Closing 22nd July
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. Closing 3rd August
Shropshire Economic Growth Strategy: The Economic Growth Strategy for Shropshire (EGS) for 2022-2027 has now been published as a draft for formal consultation. The strategy has been refreshed to consider the council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the impacts of Brexit and also how these national changes impact on partners and the economy. The draft strategy has been developed through ongoing collaboration between Shropshire Council, the local economic taskforce, Shropshire’s business community, and other partners and key stakeholders. Closing 15th August
Charities Commission Annual Return Consultation: A consultation on its proposed new approach to the annual return, and a new set of up to 16 questions it plans to include. These changes would come into effect from 1 January 2023. Closing 1st September
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
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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
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Landau to Host Jobs Fair 20th July
The Dana, Shrewsbury
Landau and its partners in Shropshire will be hosting a jobs fair at The Dana, Shrewsbury on 20th July. Local employers confirmed to attend so far such as Shropshire Fire and Rescue; The Wrekin Housing Group; Culina logistics; Midlands Partnership NHS foundation; Radfield Home Care Shrewsbury & Oswestry; Paveaways; ABP will be there - to name a few - with many more expected!
Please feel free to download and circulate this flyer among your service users.
If you are a local employer and would like more information on how to take part (stands are free!) please contact the Landau Employer Engagement Officers, Ben Deacon or Karina Cullen.
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Shropshire Council Arts Café Event in partnership with Creative Lives
26th July online 6.30pm
The session will look at:
- Partnership working with other arts professionals, the community and other sectors
- Researching and applying for funding
- How art and culture can be a catalyst for positive change within a place or community
The Arts Council's new strategy 'Let's Create' emphasises the importance of creativity in everyday life, and challenges artists to think about how they can open up their practices to allow more people to embrace creativity. In this session, Nicola Winstanley- Creative Lives Development Officer (West Midlands)- shares some guidance on co-creation, creative placemaking and approaches to funding. The session will include case studies from across the UK, and there will be time to discuss ideas and approaches specific to Shropshire.
For a zoom link to attend this event, please email Barry Trench, Arts Development Officer at Shropshire Council.
The session aims to address:
- Partnership working with other arts professionals, the community and other sectors
- Researching and applying for funding
- How art and culture can be a catalyst for positive change within a place or community
Creative Lives is a registered charity that was established in 1991. They champion community and volunteer-led creative activity, and work to improve opportunities for everyone to be creative. In particular, they celebrate and promote people expressing themselves creatively with others, recognising the benefits this can bring.
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Beat the Street Game Coming to Shrewsbury
29th June to 10th August
Beat the Street is a free, fun initiative that will see Shrewsbury transformed into a giant game!
See how far you can walk, cycle, run, scoot and roll in just 6 weeks. There are great challenges to enjoy and prizes up for grabs.
The game will start on Wednesday 29th June 2022 and end on Wednesday 10th August 2022.
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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.
FREE: Autism Champion Training
20th July 9:30-12, Hazeldine House, Telford
This training is organised by the Telford Autism Hub which is part of Telford & Wrekin CVS; Wednesday 20th July; 9:30 until 12:00 at Hazeldine House, Telford, TF3 4J
AIM : To reduce the barriers faced by autistic people in Telford when in the wider community. Telford Autism Hub has arranged this half day training to offer guidance on how to enable autistic people more effectively. We want autistic people to have the best opportunity to engage fully in your business, service, or activity
Who is it for? This training is for people within Telford’s work settings and community facing organisations who are interested in better understanding what autism is, and how it presents itself for the people you may be in contact with who are on the autistic spectrum.
Context : Autistic individuals often face barriers when it comes to how their autistic traits are perceived and understood. Many capable neuro diverse people can become excluded when accessing services, advice, and support. We are looking to build a network of autism champions to address this with a network of individuals better able to meet the needs of Telford’s Autistic residents.
What to expect: Facilitated by Sophie Meredith from Autism West Midlands. The ‘Autism Champion’ training is an advisory session delivered in the context of a face-to-face workshop delivered via PowerPoint presentation. This will provide an overview of autism, detail on the challenges experienced by autistic people of all ages and their families. Grounded in practical experience, including delivery and feedback from autistic individuals, the course provides a good base knowledge for those looking to improve their overall knowledge in autism and topics related to the autistic experience in various environments.
To book a place please ring 01952 916109 (if out of office please leave voicemail message) or email asd.telford@nhs.net
In The Café Get-Togethers with a Theme for LGBT+ People Over 50
In Palmer's Café, Shrewsbury 2-4pm
Next topic: July 27th: Day trips & Fundraising - Doing it for Ourselves
Are you interested in being involved in organising LGBT+ day trips? What about running a fundraising activity for SAND? At In The Café this month your ideas and involvement are welcome.
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The King's Fund Virtual Conference:
Time for Action on Poverty
19-22 September 2022
The case for addressing poverty, its root causes and associated health inequalities is urgent and overwhelming. The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare the harm caused by deprivation, and the cost-of-living crisis is likely to hit the poorest the hardest – leading to poorer health and lower social mobility.
At this event, leaders across the NHS, local government, the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, and those with lived experience will share learning on the role of the health and care sector in tackling the root causes of poverty.
The event will provide practical examples on how the health and care sector can effectively engage with partners across local government, the VCSE sector and business, to achieve meaningful progress on poverty and deliver services to the most excluded in society. You will hear about the role of NHS organisations as ‘anchor institutions’ and discuss how health and care organisations should use their influence and resources to poverty-proof services, address inequalities, and benefit the communities they serve.
To learn more and to book your place, please visit the event web page.
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Paid and Volunteer Opportunities:
Girls Friendly Society Market Drayton
The Girls Friendly Society (GFS) Market Drayton is recruiting for general volunteers, as well as a group coordinator part-time position.
Volunteers: GFS are looking for women who would like to volunteer and would be happy to share their skills and interests with the girls through a range of activities including arts and crafts, skills for life, sports and community participation. GFS offers weekly group sessions that offer support, fun and friendship for girls and young women in the local community. The sessions offer girls a safe, female-only space to develop their confidence, self-esteem, wellbeing and resilience.
Interested in volunteering? Learn more on their website!
Group Coordinator Market Drayton: Group coordinators will run a local GFS group and gain experience in managing a team of volunteers and supporting the growth of GFS in the local area.
You will be responsible for: promoting GFS in schools and local networks to recruit girls/young women; training and leading a team of volunteers to plan and deliver weekly GFS sessions.
You will need experience of youth work or a related field in particular developing and delivering activities for children/young people.
You should be able to: apply equality, diversity, and inclusive practices across your work, operate within GFS’s feminist values, and put girls and young women at the heart of decision making.
Part time 5 hours per week during term time.
This post is eligible for criminal records check with the DBS.
Interested in applying? Visit the GFS website! Closing date Wednesday 13th July at 12:00 hours.
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Citizens' Advice Shropshire:
Help to Claim Welfare Rights Adviser/Trainee
Do you like to work as part of a team but also like being independent and resourceful? Are you passionate about working for an organisation that is committed to making a difference and making society fairer?
Citizens' Advice Shropshire are looking to employ a Help to Claim Welfare Rights Adviser/Trainee
Location: Remote/Homeworking
Salary: £20,852 pro rata. Increasing to £21,166 pro rata + Pension Contribution
Hours: 35 hours per week
Holidays: 28 days + Bank Holidays
End date of contract: 31 March 2023 with possible extension
In this role, you will be responsible to our Specialist Services Manager.
- As a Welfare Rights Adviser/Trainee you will join an established Help to Claim team helping people to make claims for Universal Credit through to their first payment.
- You will play a key role in ensuring clients receive good quality advice via telephone and digital channels, including carrying out benefits checks, assisting with applications, and contributing to team rotas and targets.
- Good attention to detail, strong IT skills and a focus on good customer service are some of the key attributes needed for this role.
Closing Date: midnight Sunday 24th July 2022. For more information and to apply, visit the Citizens' Advice Shropshire website.
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Energize: Head of Operations (Maternity Cover)
Do you want to make a difference and think you have the experience to contribute at a senior level to help system transformation? Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin have a maternity cover opportunity to join our Active Partnership Senior Leadership Team as Head of Operations to help reduce inactivity and champion the life changing impact of an active lifestyle.
Location: Hybrid, working within the office in Shrewsbury (1 to 2 days per week) and from home.
Hours: Full time (37 hours per week). Part time options will be considered. 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: £35,374 – £40,179 depending on experience
Contract: Fixed Term from mid-September 2022 for 9 months with potential to be extended to 12 months
N.B. Secondments will also be considered as well as external consultant fulfilling the role. Please email Chris Child or phone 07960 855016 if interested or would like a discussion about this option
Benefits: Access to a pension scheme, flexible working, team away days. Annual leave: starts at 25 days for a full year.
Closing Date: 5.00pm on 14th July
Interviews: In person interviews will be held on 20th July
Download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification
For more information and to apply, visit the Energize website.
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Shropshire Mental Health Support:
Paid and Volunteer Roles Available
Dual Diagnosis Outreach Support Worker:
30 hours per week
£10.30 per hour
Download full role description here.
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.
For further information/discussion, to find out more, and to obtain an application form, please email Heather or email Katie or 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
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Lingen Davies: Health Engagement Coordinator
Are you a confident, friendly person with excellent communication skills and a passion for improving people’s health?
Lingen Davies are recruiting a health engagement coordinator to work with the Health Engagement Team, delivering on the ground cancer awareness within communities – they’ll be able to support cancer champions with opportunities to get out into communities should they so wish.
This is a public-facing role, getting out into the community at events and on high streets to raise awareness of cancer (early diagnosis, cancer screening and prevention), looking for new opportunities to engage with people from all walks of life, across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Mid Wales.
This role will focus on developing programmes of work throughout the region, using a range of activities and settings to effectively engage with the public, making maximum use of the Lingen Davies Health Promotion Van to take engagement activities out into the community.
Full details and application form can be found on the Lingen Davies website
Closes 21st July 9am.
For an informal conversation about this role please email Miranda Ashwell, Health Engagement Officer, or phone 01743 492396
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Lingen Davies: Chair of Trustees Needed
An opportunity has arisen for a new Chair of Trustees to join the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund at a really exciting time for the charity as their current Chair steps down at the end of her very successful term of six years. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, and other global issues, they have had a record-breaking fundraising year, and are looking forward to implementing some exciting new plans to enhance cancer services and improve lives in local communities.
Lingen Davies have been through some major strategic and operational changes, and are looking for a new Chair of Trustees to lead the board, and to support and contribute to this work as they launch a new ambitious five-year strategic plan.
Lingen Davies Cancer Fund is strongly rooted in the community, here in Shropshire, Telford and Mid Wales.
They aim to ensure that people in the region have the best possible services and support during their treatment and beyond. The charity was founded in 1979 by Bernard Lingen, then Mayor of Shrewsbury, and local accountant Frank Davies, in response to the lack of local cancer services. Since then, they estimate over 100,000 people have had their cancer treatment and care improved by their work.
Throughout their appeal they have been building upon an existing base of highly successful community fundraising; growing their profile and links with local businesses and the wider health and charity sectors. They have big ambitions for the future, including developing their own non-clinical support services and growing their income to £1m+ annually.
They are looking for an exceptional individual to take on the leadership of our board of trustees, and complement the skills of the existing and highly valued board members. The trustees provide strategic direction and leadership, act as advocates for the organisation and support the CEO and staff team. They formulate and review strategy and progress made in its implementation, ensure that policy and practices are in keeping with their objectives, and that Lingen Davies strives to achieve best practice in meeting legal and financial obligations.
The most important quality they are looking for is a genuine interest in supporting the objectives of the charity. They also need the Chair to be an advocate for them, willing and able to form effective relationships both within and outside of the charity, ensuring that all opportunities to develop Lingen Davies Cancer Fund are fully realised.
For further information about the role and to receive an application pack please email Naomi Atkin, Chief Executive Officer.
Deadline for expressions of interest: 9am 12th July 2022
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet with the HR Committee in the week beginning 18th July 2022
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Volunteer Opportunity: Shrewsbury Ark
The Shrewsbury Ark is a day centre supporting homeless and vulnerable people throughout Shropshire from its headquarters in the heart of Shrewsbury. They are actively recruiting volunteers to work across a range of roles. From supporting clients and cooking and cleaning in the day centre to office administration and helping out in the shop, whatever time or skills you have, they would like to hear from you!
Please visit their website or call them on 01743 363 305. You can also email if you are interested, or for more information.
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Volunteer Opportunity: Roy Fletcher Centre
Digital Tutors
The Roy Fletcher Centre in Shrewsbury is looking for volunteer Digital Tutors to provide digital skills support to a 65+ age group who have little or no experience of the digital world.
Volunteers would help at their IT tuition service and IT support groups on Mondays and/or Wednesday mornings 10:30-12:30 or Thursday mornings 10:30-1pm.
Download the full role description here.
Interested? Contact Pauline Briand at the Roy Fletcher Centre on 01743 341300
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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!
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Telford and Wrekin Climate Change Fund Open for Second Round
Telford & Wrekin Council is urging local community groups facing difficulty or even closure due to soaring energy bills to apply for a grant from its Climate Change Fund, which groups can use to make their premises more energy efficient, helping them reduce fuel bills.
Launched last week, the second round of the council’s Climate Change Fund offers grants of up to £10,000 to a wide range of local organisations – such as community centres and faith groups, schools, charities, Town and Parish Councils and local small businesses – to help them reduce their carbon impact.
Applications for projects can include upgrading of heating systems to renewable alternatives, secondary or double glazing, installing solar panels and battery storage systems, introducing electric bike share schemes, cycle storage and more.
This year’s funding round sees the total available amount double from £100,000 to £200,000 which the council hopes will enable organisations to carry out even more impactful work.
Applications can be made on the Telford and Wrekin Council website before noon on Friday 9 September 2022.
For any Climate Change Fund enquiries please email: sustainability@telford.gov.uk
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Mutual Aid Funding Available
Are you part of a mutual aid group facing a transition as we emerge from COVID? Are you looking to make changes to adapt to new roles and challenges? Do you have an idea that could help your group move into the next stage?
Changing Ideas has partnered with the Social Change Nest to create a Mutual Aid Fund to support mutual aid groups with grants of £1,500 - £5,000.
For more information and to apply, visit the Mutual Aid Fund website.
Closing date: 22nd July 2022.
Launch of GambleAware’s Community Resilience Fund
Not-for-profit groups in England, Scotland and Wales can now apply for grants to address inequalities experienced by disadvantaged communities, particularly those who may be struggling with gambling harms in light of the current economic crisis.
There is a £1 million funding pot, with grants of up to £100,000 available.
Constituted organisations may apply as long as they are not currently funded by GambleAware, and have experience or knowledge of gambling harms or an adjacent field such as health inequalities, addictions or mental health.
Grants can be used to:
- Develop or create an existing service/project.
- Work with a new community.
- Support innovation.
- Develop or strengthen a new partnership within the community/local area.
Register here for a Q&A webinar on 13 July 2022, 1pm to 2pm. For more information and to apply, visit the GambleAware website.
The deadline to apply is 12 noon on 28 July 2022
Commissioning Opportunity:
Artwork for Bishop's Castle Business Park
Shropshire Council is seeking a piece of artwork to grace its newest Business Park in Bishop’s Castle.
The council has secured funding, and is looking to commission an artist to create a permanent fixed sculpture that will have pride of place on the site and celebrate both Bishop’s Castle and its beautiful surroundings.
Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader, and Cabinet member for economic growth, regeneration and planning, said:-
“This is a fantastic opportunity for an artist to create something that will leave a lasting mark in Bishop’s Castle, and Shropshire.
“We are happy to give artists free rein when it comes to the design; all we ask is that it includes something that is connected to Bishop’s Castle and the values it embodies.
“Because it is a public art installation, there are some additional considerations that need to be taken into account: the material it is produced from must be durable and cleanable, and the design itself shouldn’t have sharp edges; but, apart from a few restrictions, we are looking forward to this being a major feature of the business park.
“We can’t wait to see people’s suggestions.”
Ruth Houghton, local Shropshire Councillor for Bishop’s Castle, added:-
“I welcome this commission for a piece of public art at the new Business Park in Bishop’s Castle. There are many talented local artists and creatives living in and around Bishop’s Castle, and this is an ideal opportunity for a local artist to capture and illustrate the characteristics of the area where they live and work. I urge them to bid for this commission.”
The council-owned park secured £1.27 million European Regional Development funding last year and is located on Brampton Road in Bishop’s Castle. Construction began at the end of June 2021 and is currently on schedule to be completed by mid-September 2022.
The business site has eight new state-of-the art commercial units built to BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards and the available units range from 2,000 sq ft to 13,300 sq ft.
Any artists looking to apply can find the briefing document on the Bishop's Castle Town Council website.
The deadline for proposed applications is Monday 1 August 2022, and the winning design will be announced in September, with an installation date set for January 2023.
Don't forget to check out the VCSA's latest funding roundup, which is now available to view on our website, or you can click here to download a copy now.
Don't forget to check out our list of grants with rolling deadlines as well!
Don't see something on this list that should be here? Please contact us and let us know.
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To share your news with Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly members and our partners email: VCSAssembly@shrophire.gov.uk
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