VCSA Cost of Living Impacts Survey

Wave 3 Open Now!

In just 3 minutes you can 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 3 of the survey focuses on increases in service demands 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 3 whether or not you took part in Waves 1 or 2.

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 3 NOW OPEN! (through 16th November)

Community Art Group Awarded Grant to Refurbish Studio Space

The Rural Art Hub, a community interest company based in North Shropshire newly established in 2022, has just been awarded funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund to improve their studio. Located on the border of England and Wales, the Rural Art Hub serves rural communities near Ellesmere and Wrexham, with a variety of activities and programmes for all ages.

Currently offering many of their programmes through their Mother Shippon studio, the organisation’s new funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund will allow them to build an internal, insulated structure in this studio, allowing for heated, year-round activities.

Additionally, the Rural Art Hub have also received funding from Frith Resource Management, as well as donations of hand tools and fixings from Wickes Community Programme and a discount from Clear Amber Shop.

The Rural Art Hub is founded and co-directed by Joseph Schneider, a local artist, artist educator and creative play specialist. It is co-directed by Ruth Mills, another local artist and art educator. Other important partners in the hub’s creation include dairy farmers Lin and Rog Edwards who own and run Willenhall Way Touring Caravan and Camping Park where the Rural Art Hub is based.

While these incredible funding opportunities have just arrived, the hub is looking to recruit volunteers to help with completing the work!

If you would like to get involved, either with the design or the building work itself email mothershippon@gmail.com or phone 07957 456426

To find out more about the Rural Art Hub, visit their website. 

Image from the Rural Art Hub website depicting their "Cool Beans" experimental art sessions for children.

SaTH Awarded Grant to Support Young Volunteers

There will be more volunteering opportunities for young people at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) which runs Shropshire’s two acute hospitals thanks to a recent funding boost.

SaTH has been awarded a grant worth over £86,000 from the new Volunteering Futures Fund - part of NHS Charities Together, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The Fund has been announced to help people from under-represented groups, including those facing socio-economic disadvantages, people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities, to overcome barriers and get involved in volunteering. 

SaTH will use the funds to extend its young volunteer scheme for 16-18 year olds; this includes a 15-month programme which will focus on, although not entirely, recruiting younger volunteers from underrepresented communities across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Powys.

As part of this, SaTH wants to engage with schools, colleges, charities, community groups and individuals for suggestions on how it can create a range of accessible volunteering opportunities for young people, which will support them in their aspirations, whilst also improving patient experience.

Nimisha Venkatesh, a volunteer with SaTH, pictured above, says:

"I feel that this experience, so far, has been a good insight into the "behind the scenes" of the NHS and has, in fact, furthered my desire to help people. I feel that I have developed several skills here, including my communication skills and time management, which will no doubt help me to help people in the future."

For more information about the project, or the volunteering opportunities available at SaTH, please email sath.volunteers@nhs.net or visit their website.

Winter HAF Programme Now Open for Bookings

It's that time again! The HAF programme is now taking bookings for the Winter break from 19-23 December. 

Please help spread the word among your service users and partners!

Materials for distributing on your website, social media and newsletters:

• Flyer
• Short promotional video
• What's On programme
• Full timetable
• Referral form

Full information can be found on Shropshire Council's HAF website.

VCSE Sector Leaders Respond to the Chancellor's Autumn Statement

Several leading organisations that support the voluntary and community sector have issued responses to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement, delivered last Thursday.

While most recognised some important gains for the sector, there were also words of criticism and warning.

Pro Bono Economics (PBE) issued its response, discussing the implications of the statement on service demands, charity resources and volunteering, noting that it did not go far enough to deal with the pressures of these three factors of the sector. On volunteering, for example, PBE noted: "Many charities have not yet had the chance to recover from this blow to their volunteering pool, and it is one of the factors affecting their ability to meet demand."

In the ACEVO response, CEO Sir Stephen Bubb noted that while the statement contained "a few small gifts for charities and social enterprises" it did not go far enough to recognise the real contributions of the sector. "It’s depressing that politicians don’t seem to realise that we are the answer to many of the challenges our public services and finances face."

Meanwhile, the NCVO response from CEO Sarah Vibert argued that the Autumn Statement will "widen inequalities in communities." 

"Further government support will be needed for those most in need and the organisations that are supporting them. Cutting funding for public services will only exacerbate these challenges. Charities are vital partners in the design and delivery of public services, but charitable income cannot replace government funding."

Follow the links above to read the full statements of these organisations, or you can read more summarised responses from charity and social enterprise leaders in this Civil Society article. 

Are You a "Good Neighbour"?

In these challenging times these schemes are being relied on more and more. In Shropshire, the majority of people over 65 live at home, with no help or social care. Many older people live in social isolation. When help is not available, even simple tasks can become increasingly difficult, and this can lead to deterioration of health, independence and well-being.

Good Neighbours Schemes really help to bring communities together and help to maintain people’s independence.

Help offered by a Good Neighbours Scheme may include:

• Visiting and befriending
• Help in the garden
• Writing letters.
• Accompanying people to the doctors or hospital etc.
• Local Transport
• Changing light bulbs 
• Sitting for carers
• Collecting prescriptions, shopping
• Changing library books
• Giving someone a ‘Good Morning’ call
• Dog walking

Everyone involved benefits from Good Neighbours Schemes, from the people who use the service, to the volunteers themselves. They allow new people moving into an area to get involved with their community and meet new people. They connect communities and generations together. All volunteers' skills are really valued and strong friendships are formed.

Community Resource supports the Association of Shropshire Good Neighbours Schemes. Right now, they are reaching out to all schemes that are operating as Good Neighbours Schemes (even if they aren't called that!) to see what they can do to help.

If you are involved in running a Good Neighbours Scheme, or are thinking of setting one up in your area, please contact Sara Edwards, Development Officer at Community Resource to see how she can support you today!

Current VCSE Engagement Opportunities

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State of the Social Sector Survey: 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, this survey is essential to understanding the challenges faced by organisations right now, and the scale of support that’s needed. Closing 21st November

• Survey link

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.

• Download the introductory PowerPoint to the Design Codes project
• 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

• Read supporting documents
• Email feedback to: Planningpolicy@Shropshire.gov.uk

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

• Download the draft strategy
• Download the draft policy
• Email feedback to: HousingStrategy@shropshire.gov.uk

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

• Survey link

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

• Questionnaire link
• Email for questions

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:

Download the event flyer here!

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 28^th 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.

ICS Voluntary Sector Engagement and Partnership Lead

Background

As set out in a Memorandum of Understanding, signed in October 2021 by respective VCSE and Integrated Care System (ICS) leads, the following opportunity will help to embed the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector within the Integrated Care System for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

In brief, this new role has been created to help elevate the voice and influence of the VCSE within key strategic and decision-making forums within the ICS. The role is hosted within the VCSE but will be embedded in the ICS communications and engagement team, therefore benefiting from support within the ICS as well as key VCSE leads.

Scale and Scope of the VCSE

The VCSE sector for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is large and diverse with excellent links to the people we serve. At a time when change is in motion for the Integrated Care System, the VCSE sector brings innovation, flexibility and reach that will help our system establish a ‘new normal’ and work to achieve shared ambitions to best meet the needs of our population. A new, equal partnership between the VCSE and the ICS has been widely welcomed by system leads and it is acknowledged that this new way of working could hold opportunities to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities for the people of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

The Memorandum of Understanding was the beginning of this integration process. The next step will be to develop a VCSE Alliance which will provide strategic representation from the VCSE sector and will be embedded into the governance of the new Integrated Care Board (ICB). This will be one of the main objectives for the postholder – to facilitate this process and look to effectively co-ordinate the two sectors to widen representation of the VCSE, to what is currently seen within governance structures.

Current Landscape

In Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, we are fortunate to have two well-established, active and diverse VCSE networks bringing considerable resource as well as influence. There are over 2,000 registered VCSE organisations in the county and over 1,800 small, unregistered community groups and organisations. The sector is a significant part of the local economy, employing approximately 3% of the workforce, with between 21% and 30% of the VCSE already providing health and wellbeing services.

In the development of this closer working relationship, facilitated by this dedicated role, our health and social care system has the potential through the VCSE to connect more closely with its populations, especially those facing inequalities and those which are harder to reach. An effective partnership will improve this crucial representation and provide us with a better breadth of view for the county in order to make a real difference to those most in need. 

To find out more about this exciting opportunity, please email Rachael Jones, Senior Communications and Engagement Manager at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

Please also read the Job Description and Personal Specification for more details.  

The closing date for this position is 2nd December, and interviews will take place w/c 12th December 2022.

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 

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 25^th November and may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found prior to this date.

New: Severn Trent Community Fund Core Costs Funding 

Severn Trent have some exciting news to share with you - through a new separate funding stream, their Community Fund is now offering support with core costs.  

They have committed to allocating £150,000 from the Community Fund to cover core costs for groups finding it hard to maintain their activities, to help them to continue delivering their vital services to our communities. 

Charities and organisations can apply to be considered for a restricted grant of between £5,000 - £20,000 (depending on the size of the organisation) for 1 year to help them and our communities get through this very challenging time. 

This support will be available to not-for-profit organisations that: 

• Support communities within the Severn Trent region; 
• Have been operating since 2017 or before; 
• Have an annual income of £250,000 or less (averaged over the past 5 years); 
• Deliver a service that links to one of our three key elements of community wellbeing (people, place and environment)  

Severn Trent Community Fund: Core Funding will be open on a rolling basis until the budget has been awarded and they anticipate demand for our support to be high, so whilst they'd love to, unfortunately they won’t be able to fund every application received.   

Full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply can be found on their website.

This core funding stream will run alongside their main Community Fund, so they will still be accepting applications for new projects through that separate channel.  

New: Citizen's Good Food Challenge

Shropshire Good Food Partnership (SGFP) has secured funding from the Co-op Foundation Carbon Innovation Fund which includes a Citizen's Good Food Challenge. The overall objective is to support local-level innovation, empowering communities to take action toward a climate-friendly and more resilient local food system.

A fund of £5k total is available, and proposals can be up to £1k to work on a food issue in your town/parish. Awards can go to informal groups or individuals as well as organisations. This can cover a wide range of activities including environmental, social and economic aspects of local food and farming. Projects should offer the potential to serve as models to inspire other communities.

This is a seed fund to help you get ideas off the ground, to show proof of concept and demonstrate that you can deliver. The intention is to work with successful initiatives to find ways to scale up and access additional resources.

Proposals should be succinct and cover the following areas: Introduction (background info/current situation/your interest), Purpose (goal, objective), Activities (what you will do, activity plan, timeframe) Results (anticipated impact, outcomes and outputs), Budget (costing and justification of resources). Maximum 2 pages. 

Duration of the funding is up to 1 year, start before April 2023. Please submit applications to jenny@shropshiregoodfood.org by November 30th.

NPC Launches Funds for Charities Tackling Financial Hardship in the UK

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) is providing two separate funds in the financial hardship sector, aiming to relieve and reduce financial hardship in the UK.

Organisations can apply to only one of the following funds:

• Panel A’s Fund offers grants of up to £15,000 to charities and community groups with a turnover of less than £100,000. The funding has a specific focus on supporting:
• Asylum seekers
• Young people
• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities
• Those with experience of domestic violence
• Single parent households
• Women and girls
• Panel B’s Fund offer grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 to charities and community groups with a turnover of less than £200,000. The funding has a specific focus on supporting:
• Young people
• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities
• Single parent households
• People with disabilities
• Asylum seekers and those with NRPF

There are no restrictions on how the funding can be used as long as the grants focus on financial hardship and are in response to the current cost of living crisis. Organisations can propose what they would like to do with the funding.

Only Panel A funding can be used to make cash grant to individuals, provided there is a robust system in place.

The deadline for all applications is 16 December.  Visit the NPC website for more information and to apply.

New Unrestricted Grants from Co-op Foundation

As part of its ‘Building Communities of the Future Together’ Strategy 2022-27, Co-op Foundation is preparing to launch the Future Communities Fund to support charitable organisations building communities that:

• Are diverse, equitable and inclusive.
• Prioritise youth activism, shared power and transparent governance.

Unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to five years will be available to groups with an annual turnover of less than £250,000, providing they can demonstrate:

• Young people’s voices from all backgrounds and abilities at the core of their delivery.
• Advocacy for diversity and inclusion in all areas of society.
• Active engagement with young people from diverse communities in a meaningful and inclusive way.
• Experience of removing barriers and providing opportunities to young people.
• Experience of delivering meaningful youth social action that supports young people into leadership roles.
• Experience of co-operation/collaboration.

Groups are invited to sign up for an information webinar from 10am on 23 November 2022 to hear more about the application process.

The scheme will open on 25 November 2022 and close at midday on 23 December 2022. Visit the Co-op Foundation website for more information and to apply.

Free Banner for Charities and Non-profits

Banner Buzz, a UK custom print company, offers free customized vinyl banners for charities, non-profits, schools and colleges.

To apply, simply complete their online form.

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 16^th December. Visit Freedom Fibre's website to read more about the fund and submit an application.

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.