VCSA Newsletter Week of 7th November 2022

VCSA logo

Newsletter for the Week of 7th November 2022


News


The Shrewsbury Ark has relocated to former Rock and Fountain pub, Shrewsbury.

The Shrewsbury Ark has relocated to former Rock and Fountain pub, Shrewsbury.

New Premises Enables Shrewsbury Ark to Thrive

Following years of saving and a successful Shropshire Council grant application, The Shrewsbury Ark has been able to relocate to new premises to continue their support services for vulnerable and homeless people in Shropshire.

The Shrewsbury Ark, a charity which relies on grants and donations to provide free of charge services, was one of fourteen successful applicants to the Community Asset Grant Scheme – a funding pot set up to support local community organisations recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Together with generous donations, the grant funding allowed the charity to purchase The Rock and Fountain pub in Castle Foregate, just a few doors up the road from their old premises. The Shrewsbury Ark had wanted to relocate for several years, primarily due to outgrowing its former property.

The move has enabled the Ark to provide a new, warm, and welcoming refuge for people in need or distress and due to its bigger size, the new space will be able to deliver more of their essential services and continue the great work they do.

The larger premises also means the Shrewsbury Ark can extend their offering of services for clients. This includes plans to design and fit a teaching kitchen, where people can learn to cook for themselves and to create an outdoor courtyard area, where people can focus on improving their physical and mental wellbeing.

The relocation has increased the dining area, where volunteers serve up hot meals, teas and coffees for over fifty people at one time. There is also now a dedicated quiet area, a small library, and a creative space for those who wish to get involved in arts and craft activities.

Additional facilities in the new premises also include a GP treatment room, therapy rooms, private meeting spaces, a laundry room and shower facilities.

Emily Bell, Chair of The Shrewsbury Ark said: –

“We offer support to a wide range of vulnerable people living in our community.  This funding, together with many other generous donations, has enabled the Ark to provide a welcoming, safe place, where our staff and volunteers, along with partner organisations, can offer our clients the support that they need not only to survive, but also to move on with their lives.”

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 with the Community Assets Pilot Grant Scheme.

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. 

Read the full story in the Shropshire Council newsroom. Shrewsbury Ark's services were also recently featured in a story for BBC Radio Shropshire and BBC West Midlands. The full story can be read on the BBC West Midlands website.


stack of 20 pound notes

How Is the Cost of Living Impacting Your VCSE Organisation? 

Thank you so much to those organisations that participated in the first wave of questions from the VCSA Cost of Living Survey about cost of living impact on staff and volunteers.

A full report from Wave 1 of our survey on the impact of the cost of living crisis on volunteers and staff will be released soon in this newsletter and on the VCSA website. Just some top-level highlights:

  • 65% of survey respondents reported a decrease in the number of volunteers, volunteer hours or volunteer applications 
  • 95% of respondents reported feeling "somewhat" or "very" concerned about staff stress, burnout and wellbeing
  • 68% of respondents have concerns about staff leaving their organisations because of low pay
  • 80% of respondents have struggled to recruit in recent months

 

Wave 2 of the survey focuses on increases in expenses for VCS organisations. Again, this survey takes an average of just 3 minutes to complete, so please take a moment to do so, and then pass it on and get other organisations to take it as well!

You can participate in Wave 2 whether or not you took part in Wave 1.

Please take just a moment to respond to these few questions and help inform the sector decision-makers in the council and the sector about the impacts of the crisis on organisations like yours.

WAVE 2 NOW OPEN! (through 16th November)


men's health week

Get Involved with Men's Health Week This 'Movember'

“Don’t be embarrassed” is the message from GPs, pharmacists and healthcare professionals across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

From Monday 7 to Saturday 12 November, the local NHS, alongside partner organisations, is hosting its own ‘Men’s Health Week’ to tie in with national ‘Movember’ charity work.

The local campaign aims to raise awareness of key health issues such as prostate cancer symptoms, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening and the prevalence of hidden mental health concerns.

Local GP and Clinical Lead for South-East Shropshire, Dr Jess Harvey, said:

“We decided to hold a campaign across the county to highlight the importance of men’s health. We are holding four pop-up events throughout the week, and will be visiting local shopping centres and football matches. We’re  really looking forward to chatting with passers-by and giving advice where needed.

GPs will be joined by pharmacists, mental health therapists, screening specialists and local cancer charity Lingen Davies. You can pop along to get your Covid autumn booster too.”

The events will run on:

  • Wednesday 9 November at Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury, SY1 1PL 10am-4pm
  • Thursday 10 November at Telford Shopping Centre, Telford TF3 4BX 10am-4pm
  • Saturday 12 November at AFC Telford match Wellington, TF1 2TU 12-3pm
  • Saturday 12 November at Shrewsbury Town FC match SY2 6ST 12-3pm

Download materials below to help promote Men's Health Week:


warm welcome graphic

'Warm Welcome' Spaces Offered Across Shropshire   

More than 50 community spaces and council buildings will be offering a Warm Welcome to Shropshire residents this autumn and winter.   

The colder months can be a lonely and challenging time for many people, especially those who may be worried about the cost of energy bills.   

The Warm Welcome project is a collaboration between Shropshire Council and partners which highlights community venues where people can go for free to socialise, meet friends and take part in activities while also keeping warm.   

A webpage highlighting each Warm Welcome location, its opening times and what is now available on the Shropshire Council website.

Each location will soon bear the Shropshire Warm Welcome logo, and is free to enter, warm, safe and inclusive.    

Those unable to access the list of Warm Welcome spaces online can phone: 0345 678 9012 – select option 1.  

Cost of living advice and support provided on the Council web pages and found at Warm Welcome locations is a partnership between Shropshire Council, Citizens Advice Shropshire, Marches Energy Agency, Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance, Age UK, Community Resource, The Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly and Shropshire Mental Health Support.   


image of a person taking a survey

Current VCSE Engagement Opportunities

***

Small Grants Survey: The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the Directory of Social Change are running a survey to find out more about small grants and small grants programmes. They want to gain a better understanding of small grants and small grants programmes. The purpose of this research is to help improve small grants programmes. Closing date TBD

Shropshire Healthwatch - Getting a GP referral for tests or support: Healthwatch Shropshire wants to hear from people about their experiences with GP referrals. Please share the link below with your service beneficiaries who might be interested. Closing date TBD

Shropshire Council Warm Hubs Questionnaire: Is your organisation planning to run a "warm hub" this winter, or are you thinking about doing so? Shropshire Council would like to help you get the word out about your hub. Closing date TBD

Open consultation Down Syndrome Act 2022 guidance:  This call for evidence will inform the development of the Down Syndrome Act statutory guidance. The Department of Health and Social Care are seeking your views on what should be included within the guidance. They will consider those views when producing draft guidance which we intend to publish for full public consultation. Closing 8th November


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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Events and Training Opportunities


NCVO logo

NCVO Trustees' Week Events and Resources

7 - 11 November is Trustees' Week, and NCVO members can take advantage of several events and resources to support their organisations' trustees during this week:

You can access a number of resources related to trustees and governance on the NCVO website.

Members can also participate in a number of Trustees' Week events that NCVO has scheduled. Follow the links below to find out more and book your place.

Events (free for NCVO members):

Monday 7 November Being a charity trustee in the current climate

Tuesday 8 November Setting direction in changing times

Wednesday 9 November Leading tough conversations

Thursday 10 November Specialist skills and how to find them

Friday 11 November Panel discussion – Trustees and continuous learning

 


ICS logo

ST&W Community Mental Health Transformation VCSE Engagement

8th November 2:30-4pm

Online Event

The purpose of this workshop is to brief interested organisations in the scope of the programme for young adults, adults and older adults with SMI, and how you can join the NHS in meeting the community mental health needs of the population in new and innovative ways that supports the recovery of people within the communities in which they live.

The NHS Long Term Plan requires Mental Health Trusts to transform their community mental health services in partnership with primary care; local authorities; the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector; and service users, families and carers, to create a new proactive model of community-based mental health care, in line with the new community mental health framework.

The ambition is an integrated approach to service delivery; working together, and with local communities, to improve the mental and physical health of populations. They want the wider voluntary sector not just to be involved in their plans, but to be a central feature. They would like to hear from community, charity, voluntary and social enterprise organisations across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, about the best ways for them to mobilise this approach.

Register here via Eventbrite


Age UK logo

Age UK AGM

10th November 2 - 4.30pm

Hadley & Leegomery Community Centre

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, which takes place on Thursday 10th November 2 - 4.30pm at Hadley & Leegomery Community Centre, 30 High Street, Hadley, Telford, TF1 5NL

There is limited car parking at the community centre but they have overflow parking at the Hadley United Services Club, High St, TF1 5FB and is a 5-minute walk to the community centre.

This year the meeting will start with a performance from members of their line dancing classes, their newest wellbeing activity. They hope to see you there and after two years of virtual meetings, they look forward to having their AGM in person and updating you on the work of the previous year and future plans. 

Please RSVP by emailing Angela Goodman or phoning (01743) 233123.  


community resource logo

Dementia Awareness Events In November

Community Resource is holding Dementia Awareness events in St Martins, Gobowen and Weston Rhyn in early November. 

Download the event flyer here!

The Dementia Awareness sessions are aimed mainly at families and carers of people with, or at risk of developing, dementia so they have offered different times in the three locations.  The events are free of charge but they do ask people to book in advance.

10.00 am on Wednesday, 2nd November in St Martins 

7.00 pm on Tuesday, 8th November in Gobowen

2.00 pm on Wednesday, 9th November in Weston Rhyn.

The free, 90-minute session includes:

  • Useful tips and practical support on how to best support
    a person with dementia –featured speaker: Jacquie Pomeroy, Alzheimer’s Society
  • A short, chair-based exercise taster
  • Attendees will also be provided with a directory of local services to support people living with dementia and their carers.

Book now: Call 01743 360641 or email enquiries@community-resource.org.uk


outpatient services event information

van launch invite

young person with sheep

Opening the Gate: New Programme Helps Young People Enter, And Succeed In, the Agricultural Industry

The Prince's Countryside Fund and Aldi have co-created a new support initiative, Opening the Gate.

Through a series of virtual workshops, Opening the Gate seeks to provide young people and new entrants with the skills, knowledge and confidence to enter, and succeed, in the agricultural industry.

The first workshop topic will look at work experience, employment opportunities and networking. This topic will be broken down into three separate sessions for different audiences. The first – aimed at college and school leavers – will take place on Monday 21st November, at 7pm.

Register on Eventbrite


community resource logo

Community Resource AGM

 23 November 2022 3.30pm
 Bayston Hill Memorial Hall

New CEO Bev Baxter will share future plans, they will reflect on our past achievements and highlight the stories of their volunteers, who play such a key role in their work supporting communities.

Community Resrouce will also be welcoming Chief Officer at Cheshire Association of Local Councils and viral sensation Jackie Weaver, who will be talking about her unusual rise to fame after the now-infamous Handforth Parish Council recording, and how she supports the idea of communities supporting communities.

Jackie will also be joined by Community Resource Board member Simon Broad who will host an audience Q&A session.

To attend, please RSVP to enquiries@community-resource.org.uk by Wednesday 16 November.

If you would like to submit a question to Jackie beforehand, please also include it in your RSVP.


Social enterprise network meeting flyer

safeguarding adults week

Safeguarding Adults Week 21 – 27 November 2022, will focus on the theme ‘Responding to Contemporary Safeguarding Challenges’  

Safeguarding Adults Week is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues.

Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Partnership, Shropshire Safeguarding Partnership and Shropshire Partners in Care are delivering a week of events to support organisations and individuals to explore different elements of adult safeguarding including exploitation, predatory marriage, the abuse of older people, self-neglect and creating Safer organisational cultures.

The events are available to the workforce and interested individuals in Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin.

Download the full timetable of events here.


carers rights day banner

Carers' Rights Day Events in Shropshire

Carers Rights Day aims to make sure carers are aware of their rights, where they can get help and support and to raise awareness of the needs of carers, generally.  Shropshire Carers Support Team are holding events across Shropshire.  

Follow the links below for flyers with more information on events:

Thursday 24 November - 10.00 am to 12.30 pm at the Mayfair Community Centre

Thursday 24 November - 10.15am – 1.00pm at Oswestry Library

Thursday 24 November - 10.30am – 1.00pm at Bridgnorth Library

Friday 25th November - 10.30am – 1.30pm at Shrewsbury Market Hall

 

Those interested should book a place for the Thursday sessions by emailing Shropshire Carers or telephoning on 01743 341995. No need to book for Friday, just come along 😊

Mobilise also offer great resources on carers' rights on their website. Check it out!


shropshire charity network logo

Shropshire Charity Network Meeting

Shropshire Charity Network are pleased to announce their final event for 2022 will be an in-person networking event which will be held at the Peach Tree on Monday 28th November 2022.

Please join them between 5pm and 7pm for some informal networking, festive activities and a much welcomed chance to meet in person once again.

They will be using the upstairs meeting area, which unfortunately is not accessible for anyone not able to use stairs. They will endeavour to ensure all in-person meetings are fully accessible in future.

Numbers are limited so please do book your place using the Eventbrite link.


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Job / Volunteer Opportunities


Evaluator for SAND advert

lingen davies logo

Lingen Davies Seeks Acting CEO

Lingen Davies CEO Naomi Atkin is going on maternity leave in early 2023, and the charity is looking for an Acting CEO to cover her absence for around 12 months.

Lingen Davies Cancer Fund exists to enhance cancer services and improve lives in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Mid Wales. Founded in 1979, with the aim of bringing cancer services to Shropshire for the first time, their work is now focussed in three key areas: cancer prevention and early diagnosis, excellent treatment delivered locally, and living well with and beyond cancer.

Following a very challenging time during the Covid pandemic, they have recently reported their first ever £1m+ year, and they are about to publicly launch a new five-year strategy. Alongside their traditional grant making work, they have developed a service delivery team within the charity and are currently working with NHS partners to deliver cancer screening awareness work in the community. They expect this area of work to grow and be a particular focus for the coming year.

Full details of the role and how to apply can be found on the Lingen Davies website.

For an informal conversation about this opportunity please email Naomi Atkin or phone her on 07921 369981. Applications close 25th November and may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found prior to this date.


RBL logo poppy

Poppy Appeal Volunteers Needed for  Shrewsbury Town Football Match

Could you help the Royal British Legion raise funds at the Shrewsbury Town FC Remembrance match on the 12th of November?

They are looking for football fans to don a Poppy Appeal t-shirt and take donations for poppies before the match. All participants get a free ticket to the match afterwards!

Children are welcome to collect with a parent or guardian. Please email Jenny Komatis to register.


volunteer

Volunteer with the NSPCC

Be a ‘Speak out. Stay safe.’ volunteer

NSPCC ‘Speak out. Stay safe.’ volunteers are returning to primary schools.  They are looking for new volunteers to join them and help us protect a generation of children from abuse and neglect. As a ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ volunteer, you will visit primary schools to deliver ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ workshops that teach children about the different typed of abuse and how they can speak out to stay safe.

Their ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ workshops are age-appropriate and memorable and need energetic and enthusiastic people to deliver them.  You’ll work alongside other ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ volunteers to make sure at the end of each session, children feel empowered and know who to speak out to if they are worried.

If you are interested in volunteering as a ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ volunteer and want to find out more about the role, the next step is to attend a Volunteer Information Meeting which is a fantastic opportunity to:

  • Meet with staff as well as volunteers to ask any questions you may have
  • Learn more about the application process and your volunteer journey

Their meetings are designed to help you decide whether you want to apply -there’s no obligation that you will apply if you attend one.  At the meeting you’ll also receive information on other ways you can become a supporter of the NSPCC.

Download the role profile

If you have any questions or experience any issues, please email the Volunteer Recruitment Team.


mhs

planet earth

Save Our Shropshire Seeking Community Engagement Volunteer and Multiple Trustees

Save Our Shropshire (SOS) is a dynamic charity delivering training to Parish and Town councils to help them tackle the climate emergency.

The training – approved by the Carbon Literacy Project – is directed at clerks and councillors of Parish and Town councillors to support their work in putting together a practical plan of how to both make their own property “carbon-neutral” and get involved in engaging their communities in changing their lifestyles.

SOS focus on the fact that the Shropshire community (and everywhere) will only tackle climate change by changing behaviour in its daily life. People need to change the way that they travel, eat, buy, and power their homes. Behaviour change is very difficult with humans!

SOS would like people to help them follow through with their training for councillors and clerks in order to support them in their work of developing their plans and their community engagement.

They want to hear from people who have the following skills:

  • Experience in developing relationships with “clients/partners” 
  • Skills in managing projects and making them happen 
  • Mentoring and consulting with “clients” to become a dependable resource
  • An excellent understanding of how local government works. 
  • Use of systems like “Customer Relationship Management”

They want enthusiasm to achieve net zero by 2030, and a commitment to bringing about the required behaviour change.

Visit Save Our Shropshire website for details on the open community engagement and trustee opportunities.


Remap logo

Shropshire Remap Looking for Volunteers: Especially in Shrewsbury and Telford

Remap is a charity which produces aids and equipment for people with disabilities/difficulties where there are no suitable alternatives. This service is provided free of charge and is delivered entirely by volunteers.

Remap volunteers are experienced engineers, crafts people or competent DIYers with access to a wide variety of skills and expertise. Remap Shropshire is one of 70+ local groups spread across the UK.

Each piece of equipment is tailor-made to suit the specific needs of one individual and is for their personal use only. 

Remap usually work with health professionals like occupational therapists to make sure that the equipment they provide meets the needs of each person.  It is best for those they are helping to involve their occupational therapist, or other health professional, from an early stage, but they do take self-referrals for simpler items.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like more information, please email John or phone 07807 113285.


yss volunteer

YSS Seeking Volunteers

YSS is a charity operating across Shropshire and Telford for over 30 years now. Their aim has been to support people in the local community to overcome obstacles, feel safe and be part of their local community. Volunteers have always been an important part of their operation, as they recognise the difference volunteers can make in supporting people alongside local practitioners.

YSS Volunteers can do a variety of tasks depending on their preferences and availability. The only certainty is that by volunteering, they can make a real difference in a person’s life while gaining valuable experience and knowledge.

For people who enjoy learning more about the criminal justice system and supporting young people navigate through it, you could act as an Appropriate Adult for YSS. All you have to do is support the young person while in custody and make sure all procedures are followed.

On the other hand, for people who enjoy supporting individuals on a one to one basis, they have volunteer mentors opportunities. Their volunteer mentors work with service users in their local area who could come from any of the services.

If you are interested in finding out more of what they do, their services and their volunteering opportunities contact YSS, talk to them and get to know them! Know someone who might be interested? You can also download their volunteer flyer here.

The YSS Volunteer Coordinator for Shropshire and Telford is always happy to have a chat! Simply email Pam Fenkli or call at 07815 961188


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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Grant and Funding News


Shropshire and Telford Councils are Commissioning for Healthwatch

Shropshire Council wishes to commission a local Healthwatch and a local Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Service (IHCAS). Healthwatch and IHCAS will be offered as an integrated service. Bidders may submit a tender which proposes a sub-contracting arrangement for IHCAS. Shropshire Council is looking for proposals which recognise the benefits of an integrated Healthwatch and IHCAS or close operational links between Healthwatch and IHCAS which make the most efficient use of resources. Total maximum funding available for Healthwatch and IHCAS will be £162,000 per annum.

The duration of the contract will be for 3 years commencing on 1st April 2023 with an option to extend for a further 2 years. Full tender information can be found on Shropshire Council's tenders web page. Deadline for EOI submission 2nd December 2022.

Telford and Wrekin Council are commissioning their Healthwatch services at the same time. Full information can be found hereDeadline for EOI submission 2nd December 2022


New SC logo banner

Shropshire Council Commissioning for Specialist Domestic Abuse Victim Services

Health and social work service are procuring a Specialist Domestic Abuse Victim service which will be expected to supply a service that works flexibly and collaboratively with other partners to address the risks and needs of all the members of affected families.

There will be 5 elements to the service:

  • A.Single Point of Entry
  • B.Safe Accommodation
  • C.Outreach
  • D.Children and Young People
  • E.Peer Support

It is anticipated that the service will be managed by one single Provider delivering all aspects of the contract or as the lead for a partnership or consortium, which will deliver the service through a series of sub-contracts or partnership arrangements. The Provider will engage, collaborate, and work with other organisations to deliver a broad range of interventions and support options that meet the needs of service users and their families. The Provider may need to seek specialist information and advice from partners or sub-contracted relationships where they do not have the knowledge or experience to do so. T

he value of the contract will be in the region of £625-650K per annum, subject to continued funding, and will run for an initial term of 3 years with an option to extend by up to a further 2 years.

Full tender information can be found on Shropshire Council's tenders web page.

Deadline for submission 2nd December 2022.


Comic Relief Community Fund Reopens to Applications

Administered by Groundwork UK, the Comic Relief Community Fund exists to support work that aligns with four strategic themes:

  • A Safe Place to Be: Supporting people to rebuild their lives because of homelessness or forced migration.
  • Children Survive and Thrive: Supporting children up to the age of 11 to grow, play and learn.
  • Gender Justice: Championing those who identify as women and girls, including initiatives tackling domestic violence, abuse or exploitation.
  • Mental Health Matters: Supporting good mental health in communities and tackling stigma and discrimination.

Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations across England with a turnover of less than £250,000 can apply for two levels of grants:

  • Capacity Building grants of up to £1,000 to be spent on activities to strengthen operations and governance. (All applications must include this grant).
  • Project Delivery grants of up to £9,000 to deliver projects that fit with the programme’s strategic themes.

Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant.

The deadline to apply is 30 November 2022. For more information and to apply, visit the Groundwork UK website.


Lloyd’s of London Foundation Seeking Charity Partnerships

Registered charities in the UK can now apply to the latest grants programme from Lloyd’s of London Foundation, an independent charity founded and funded by Lloyd’s.

The scheme offers grants of £25,000 to £50,000 to organisations which can meet some or all of the following criteria:

  • An annual income of below £50 million.
  • Supporting people and communities directly.
  • Supporting groups that are at risk or hard to reach.
  • Demonstrating good governance and due diligence.
  • Collaborating with other organisations in the sector.
  • Evidence-based proposals.
  • Demonstrative long-term stability.
  • Offering employee engagement opportunities to the Lloyd’s market including business collaboration, fundraising, volunteering, pro-bono support and awareness raising.

Grants can be spent on costs associated with project delivery, with activities expected to fall into at least one of the programme’s themes:

  • Employability.
  • Disaster avoidance and relief.
  • Social mobility.
  • Mental health.
  • Climate.

The deadline to apply is 23.59 on 11 December 2022. Visit the Lloyds Foundation website for more information and to apply.


BBC Children in Need Offering Grants for Core Costs

As part of its new grant-making Strategy 2022-25, BBC Children in Need has launched a grants stream for core costs, now accepting applications.

Registered not-for-profit organisations who work with disadvantaged children and young people of 18 years and under living in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands are eligible to apply.

The funders will prioritise applications from smaller, local organisations and are unlikely to fund groups with a turnover of more than £1 million.

In recognition of the fact that there are some organisations with a higher income delivering vital work for children and young people, the following types of organisations can apply regardless of their turnover:

  • Hospices (including Children's Hospices).
  • Housing Associations.
  • Groups delivering nationwide or UK-wide work.

Applicants must be:

  • Working with children aged 18 years and under.
  • Working in the heart of their communities, particularly in times of crisis.
  • Putting children and young people at the heart of everything they do, from design to delivery.
  • Addressing challenges faced by children and young people, and extending their choices in life.
  • Keen to keep learning about and developing their work with children and young people.
  • Committed to making a difference in the lives of children and young people.

This stream supports essential organisational and administrative spending.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Visit the BBC Children in Need's web page on Core Costs Grants for more information and to apply.


community resource logo

Grow and Thrive Grant Fund

VCS groups and organisations provide a wide range of community support to people in communities and they want to ensure that these groups can continue to develop, grow and remain active for as long as they are needed. The aim of the Grow and Thrive Grant is to give a modest amount of funding to help this process. They also want to encourage groups to look at new ways of working so they they can be more efficient, more effective, engage more with local people and offer local people more opportunities to volunteer.

Funding available:

Grants between £500 and £5,000 maximum

Eligibility:

For funded schemes in Shropshire that predominantly serve Shropshire residents and are:

  • Working with individuals or groups of people to reduce loneliness, isolation and prevent the deterioration of health and wellbeing OR
  • Working with groups or children/adults at risk in their community who have additional support needs AND
  • Are, or will be, offering opportunities that will boost public participation, help stimulate the local economy and provide social value including opportunities to volunteer.

How to apply:

Application form - Apply here
Further information - Download here

Deadline:

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The grants scheme will be closed once all available funds have been allocated.


community resource logo

Spark Up Grant Fund

The Covid 19 pandemic has shown that when one or two individuals recognise there is a need for a service or additional support in their community, a solution can be found but to make that happen some initial seed funding is required. Funded by Shropshire Council through the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF), Community Resource is making available small grants to help start up new initiatives, or new community support groups which can/ or will be delivering practical help and support to help people in their community. 

Funding available:

Grants between £50 and £300 maximum

Eligibility:

For funded schemes in Shropshire that predominantly serve Shropshire residents and from applicants that demonstrate:

  • They are/will be working with individuals or groups of people who require some additional support or have an additional needs
  • They are, or will be, providing practical help or support to people in their community e.g adult/children at risk, the elderly, children and young people, young families

How to apply:

Application form - Apply here
Further information - Download here

Deadline:

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The grants scheme will be closed once all available funds have been allocated.


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