Winter Support Service Returns to Shropshire
Shropshire Council has commissioned a Winter Support Service to assist residents across the county who are vulnerable, or at risk of becoming vulnerable during the coming months.
The Winter Support Service, which started last week, has been reconfigured for a third year, in order to support people to avoid a health and care crisis situation over the winter period.
“The help has been marvellous, I don’t know how I would have managed without this service. It has relieved my anxiety.” (Quote from a resident who accessed the service last year)
Shropshire’s Winter Support Service will be run by Shropshire Council in partnership with the British Red Cross, Shropshire Mental Health Support, Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin, Oswestry Qube, The Mayfair Centre, and The Royal Voluntary Service.
What will the service provide?
The service will connect people to a range of support that will assist residents to remain well and independent within their own home, and will also ensure safe and effective discharges home from hospital. This includes:
- Transport returning home from hospital
- Settling people in at home following discharge from hospital
- Simple aids and equipment following hospital discharge
- Collecting and delivering medications
- Shopping and delivery
- Wellbeing home visits
- Companionship for isolated or lonely people
- Cost of living advice and support
- Connectivity into the wider offer of support from across the voluntary and community sector.
Shropshire’s Winter Support Service is not placed to offer a crisis response or personal care, but it will work as part of the health and care system to ensure people get the support they need through appropriate referrals and signposting.
How do I find out more?
Residents and those who support people in the community can call the Winter Support Service helpline on 0345 678 9012 to find out more and be referred where appropriate. The phoneline will be open Mondays-Fridays, 9am to 5pm.
Read the full story in the Shropshire Council Newsroom.
Newly Launched: National VCSE Sector Survey on Cost of Living
Backed by all the major VCSE membership bodies, and carried out by the independent experts at Pro Bono Economics and Nottingham Trent University's National VCSE Data and Insights Observatory, the State of the Social Sector Survey is essential to understanding the challenges faced by organisations right now, and the scale of support that’s needed.
By completing the survey, you'll be making sure government takes account of your organisation’s situation as it reviews which sectors will keep getting help with their energy bills in the new year.
The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. It contains questions about your organisation's finances, demand, volunteering and staff, as well as questions about energy costs. You might want to have your latest accounts and energy bill (if relevant) available. If you're unsure on any answer, please do seek input from your colleagues if you have them, and if you're not the right person to fill it in at your organisation, please do ensure someone else fills it out by Monday 21st November.
The survey can be found here.
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Be Heard Locally: Cost of Living Survey of Orgs in STW
In just 3 minutes you can also contribute to a better local picture of the effects of the cost of living crisis on our VCSE sector.
The VCSA cost of living impacts survey is taking place in short waves over the next few months.
Wave 2 of the survey focuses on increases in expenses for VCS organisations. Each wave of 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)
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Charity Commission Updates Guidance on Political Activity and Campaigning
The Charity Commission has published a new 'five minute guide' summarising the rules should be considered in addition to CC9: Campaigning and political guidance for charities.
This new guidance was launched at the Charity Commission's annual public meeting on October. On 7th November, it published an update on the full guidance as well.
According to a recent article in Civil Society, the government rejects claims that its updated guidance contains any changes to its rules around campaigning, though some charities have raised concerns that new language in the guidance seems to indicate that this may not be the case.
Read more on Civil Society's website.
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STW ICS Community Mental Health Transformation Event Materials Available
In case you missed it, the Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Community Mental Health Transformation engagement event slide deck and video are available to access online.
The event, organised by the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT), briefed interested organisations in the scope of the programme for young adults, adults and older adults with SMI. It also explained how organisations can join them "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."
Download the slide deck here
Watch the video of the event here.
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Successful 'Elevate' Classes Featured in Shropshire Star
Last week, the successful 'Elevate' classes, offered through the Active Partnership and Energize STW, was featured in the Shropshire Star.
The image, published in the Shropshire Star, shows Chris Ball, left and Rob Evans, right, with fitness instructor Dan Lewis, taking part in an 'Elevate' fitness class at Shrewsbury Baptist Church.
The article tells the stories of two Elevate participants. One, Chris, says:
“I was so weak that I couldn’t get out of my chair. I couldn’t walk far at all and was in such pain with my knee I thought I would have to have a knee replacement.”
But after attending her first Elevate class earlier this summer, and many more since, Chris says, "The classes have really given me a new lease of life.”
The cost per class is normally £5 per session for Shropshire Council residents but, aware that people may be concerned about their finances with the rises in fuel costs, they are halving the cost to £2.50 between 1st October 2022 to 31st March 2023.
Participation is by referral, but it is possible for people to self-refer onto the programmes. For more information and to make a referral, please visit the Energize website or contact them on: 07852 871589.
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Current VCSE Engagement Opportunities
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Shrewsbury Design Codes Engagement: VCSE organisations' involvement is welcome at a 2 hour stakeholder workshop hosted by LDA Design, who are creating these Design Codes on behalf of the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, taking place at University Centre Shrewsbury (Room 019), Frankwell on Monday 21 November 3 – 5pm. Those organisations with particular interest in representing groups and people who are underrepresented in the use of public space are particularly welcome (e.g. groups from BAME communities, religious minority communities, women with young children, people with disabilities, etc.). Further engagement opportunities will be available online in the coming weeks as well.
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Download the introductory PowerPoint to the Design Codes project
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RSVP to attend the event on 21st November
Pontesbury Draft Neighbourhood Plan: Shropshire Council has received a draft Neighbourhood Plan from Pontesbury Parish Council. Several supporting documents are available for the public to view to provide their feedback. Closing date 5pm 9th December
Shropshire Council Revised Tenancy Strategy and Policy: Shropshire Council is inviting feedback on its revised tenancy strategy and revised tenancy policy. Both can be found on the Council's consultations page. Closing date 6th Jan 2023
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
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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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Information Sessions for Pre-Employment and Skills Initiative for Young People in Shropshire
Shropshire Council are working with national Training Provider, Qube Learning, to launch a Traineeships initiative within Shropshire. The programme, led by Upskill Shropshire, will enable targeted Traineeship opportunities within the county. To read more about Traineeships, click here.
Do you work with young people aged 16-24?
The Traineeship programme will be specifically targeted at certain young people but is essentially open to anyone who is eligible. If you work with:
- Care Leavers
- Young People with an EHCP
- NEETs
- Socially excluded young people
- Unemployed young people
The Council recommend that you attend one of the following information sessions, hosted by Qube Learning, so that you can find out more about traineeships, how they work, who is eligible and how you can refer a young person or find a traineeship opportunity.
The sessions will take place on the following dates via Ms Teams:
- Wednesday 23 November 11am - 11:30am
- Thursday 24 November 11am - 11:30am
- Tuesday 29 November 2pm - 2:30pm
To book onto a session, please email ApprenticeshipLevy with your chosen date and the Teams meeting invite will be sent out.
So you can better understand Traineeships and support the young people you work with, Upskill Shropshire would be grateful if you could attend an information session. Please can you ensure that colleagues within your team your team have booked a space.
If you have any further questions then please email Upskill Shropshire or phone: 01743 258521
Green Social Prescribing Workshops
Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin would like support you to deliver low-level, accessible, and friendly activities in green spaces.
You are invited to a workshop all about Green Social Prescribing.
They will help all those attending to have a full understanding of what Green Social Prescribing is all about. But also, they hope to learn how they can support you in delivering activities in green spaces and ensure you able to benefit from gaining social prescribing referrals to your group.
With this in mind, Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Energize are holding two events, so that you have a choice of dates to get involved:
Monday 28th November - Meeting Point House, Telford TF3 4HS or
Tuesday 29th November - The Cut, Shrewsbury SY2 6AH
Both events will be from 9:30am to 11:30am and will include a presentation followed by facilitated discussions (and tea and coffee, of course!)
To book a place, visit the Energize website.
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Citizens Advice Shropshire
Annual General Meeting
Thursday 24th November 2022
Start Time: 5.15pm Refreshments & Human Library; 6.30pm Company business
Location: Shropshire Wildlife Trust The Abbeygate Hall, The Cut, 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AH
Please RSVP to the Company Secretary.
Once registered you will be sent a link to the Agenda and Annual Trustees Report.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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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Part-Time Business Development Officer
Shropshire Community Foundation is looking for a part-time Business Development Officer to instigate, cultivate, and steward good relationships with high-net-worth individuals and businesses to generate financial support to enable grant-giving across Shropshire.
Download the full job description and person specification here.
Place of work: Primarily home-based, but travel across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin will be regularly required
Compensation: £14K for 18 hours per week
Applications should be emailed to info@shropshirecf.org.uk
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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Charities Aid Foundation Offering Unrestricted Grants Programme
The Keystone Fund is a £3 million programme which aims to support not-for-profit groups to:
- Adapt their ways of working via digital capability, staff and volunteer training and responding to operational challenges.
- Bolster their basic running capabilities via improvements to governance, strategic planning and capacity building.
Grants of £5,000 to £50,000 are on offer to UK charitable organisations addressing social injustice or working towards social equity to build a fairer society for all. These might be organisations which primarily support:
- Refugees.
- People experiencing racial inequity.
- People experiencing digital poverty.
- People at risk of homelessness.
- Deaf and disabled people.
- LGBQT+ people.
Approximately 50% of the funds will be focused on organisations supporting refugees in the UK.
Grants are intended to be unrestricted to enable applicants to adapt and strengthen, according to identified needs.
The deadline to apply is 23 November 2022. For more information and to apply, visit the Keystone Fund webpage on the CAF website.
£5m Fund from Ministry of Justice for Youth Sports Projects
The Youth Justice Support Fund is a new grants programme backed by the Sport for Development Coalition which aims to meet the following two goals:
- Support vulnerable young people, aged 10 to 17, at risk of involvement in crime, anti-social behaviour and serious violence through involvement in local sporting activities.
- Through capacity building, increase the capability of sport sector delivery organisations to work effectively with their local criminal justice partners, including Youth Justice Services, Police and Police Crime Commissioners (PCC)/Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) structures.
Grants of £20,000 are on offer, though smaller and larger amounts may also be available depending on the project.
Projects should involve sports-based activities to engage vulnerable young people at risk of offending across England and Wales. This should include:
- Sports-based mentoring.
- Personal development.
- Supporting children to manage conflict.
- Opportunities to volunteer in sport.
- Confidence and skills-building.
- Achieving qualifications.
- Supporting young people to think critically about their futures.
Constituted voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations can apply, as can educational establishments, local authorities and leisure trusts providing the project is open to local communities and free at point of access.
The deadline to apply is 9am on 5 December 2022. For more information and to apply, visit the Street Games website.
Benefact Group Invites Charity Nominations for December Draw
The specialist financial services business has launched its annual 12 Days of Giving Programme in which it will give away £120,000 over 12 days across the UK.
Now in its fifth year, the draw is open to any registered charity, not-for-profit organisation and community interest company in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
Anyone can nominate their favourite charity to be entered into the draw which will take place each weekday from Thursday 1 December until Friday 16 December 2022. Nominations will remain open until midnight the day before each draw. The 10 winners will be drawn at random so the more nominations a charity receives the greater the chance of winning.
Entry is free.
The terms and conditions, online nomination form and list of previous winners can be found on the Benefact Group website.
Nominations are now open.
‘Weston Charity Awards’ Open for Midlands Charities Seeking Specialist Support
Applications for the Weston Charity Awards 2023 are officially open thanks to a collaboration between The Garfield Weston Foundation and charity partner, Pilotlight.
Now in its ninth year, the Awards offer a unique package of support worth over £22,000 to small charities in the Midlands, the North of England, and Wales. The Awards nurture leadership talent while amplifying a charity’s potential impact. This help for charities is more vital than ever as the cost-of-living crisis escalates. Charities offering community and welfare services are seeing user numbers rocket while donations continue to decline with the threat of recession looming.
Through the Weston Charity Awards, unrestricted grants of £6,500 are available for up to 22 ambitious charities. The cash contributions are available to instigate strategic change and accelerate innovative growth despite current challenges. Winning applicants also gain free access to the Pilotlight 360 programme - a ten-month package of leadership coaching worth an estimated £16,000.
The call for applications is open to registered charities working with beneficiaries in the Midlands, the North of England, and Wales and which specialise in the fields of Community, Welfare, Youth, and, for the first time, Environment (in recognition of the growing pressures on conservation and environmental charities). Charities with at least one paid full-time member of staff in a leadership position and an income of less than £5 million per year are eligible to apply.
The application deadline is 6 January 2023.
Find out more about the Weston Charity Awards, eligibility, application process, and what charities get out of applying by joining one of the ‘Everything you need to know’ Zoom sessions:
Wednesday 9 November, 14:00 – 15:00 GMT
Wednesday 16 November, 14:00 – 15:00 GMT
Register for an online session or see full entry criteria at Weston Charity Awards website.
CLA Charitable Trust Announces Application Deadlines for 2023
Funding is available to charitable organisations working to help those who are disabled or disadvantaged to visit and participate in learning experiences about the countryside in England and Wales.
The CLA (Country & Land Association) Charitable Trust was founded by CLA members in 1980. The Trust is currently inviting applications for funding, for which there will be three application rounds in 2023. Applications will be accepted from small and medium-sized charities and not-for-profit organisations such as Community Interest Companies.
To be eligible, applicants must have a current safeguarding policy and must not have received a grant from CLACT in the previous three years. Applications are particularly welcomed for projects for children and young people, disadvantaged financially, physically, mentally, or from areas of deprivation.
Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees. The average grant awarded is in the region of £2,500.
The first 2023 deadline for applications is 6 February. Visit the CLA Charitable Trust website for more information and to apply.
Fifth Round of Youth Music Incubator Fund Opens for Applications
Funding is available to businesses, collectives and not-for-profits working in Great Britain's music industries to help create sustainable, meaningful career opportunities for young people aged 18-25, especially those who are currently underrepresented in the sector.
Youth Music's Incubator Fund is accepting applications from organisations that:
- Are based in the UK and operate in Scotland, England or Wales.
- Have a business bank account.
- Can provide a recent set of financial accounts.
- Have a legal status (ie registered with Companies House, Charity Commission, FCA or HMRC or have a constitution)
Funding is to be used for projects that offer paid opportunities for 18-25s, and provide young people with the opportunity to develop their own projects. All participants should receive support from the organisation through incubation, training, mentoring, and networking.
Grants of between £5,000 and £30,000 are available for organisations.
The deadline for applications to Round Five of the Incubator Fund is 2 December 2022 (17:00 GMT). Visit the Youth Music Incubator Fund website for more information and to apply.
New Source of Community Funding in Whitchurch
With the arrival of Freedom Fibre broadband in Whitchurch, the company have launched the Freedom Fund in and around Whitchurch, to support community groups who are working towards good and green causes.
Applications are welcome for up to £250 for community projects.
Applications to the fund close on Friday 16th December. Visit Freedom Fibre's website to read more about the fund and submit an application.
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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 here. Deadline for EOI submission 2nd December 2022
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.
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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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