 Thank you to our wonderful members, who do so much for their communities. We wish you a restful and happy holiday season.
The regular VCSA newsletter will resume week commencing Monday, 9th January. If you have any items to be included, or if you have news that needs to be shared before then, please email VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk
Family Learning Awards Now Open
The Family Learning Awards from Campaign for Learning celebrate creative, innovative and inclusive learning. This year there are four categories in which you can enter your family learning activity, event or initiative. These are:
- Family Learning in the Early Years Award
- Award for Family Learning to Support Financial Resilience
- Award for Family Learning to Support Health and Wellbeing
- Award for Family Learning to Support STEM
Applications are open to any UK organisation working with families, this includes , 3rd sector organisations, libraries, museums, community education, schools and tech companies. The awards are free to enter and close on 30 January 2023. You can find out more on the Family Learning Awards website.
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Urgent and Emergency Care -
NHS Winter Pressures Research
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin wants to support people to access the right services and understand how to make the right choice.
A survey has been launched to help the NHS gain a better understanding of public awareness of the range of urgent and emergency services available to them, and how they choose to access care.
With Accident and Emergency (A&E) and urgent care services under significant pressure this winter, it is more important than ever that patients seek treatment in the right place. This year, the number of people visiting A&E at either the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford is significantly higher than previous years. Around half of people who visit A&E could have been treated at another service, such as a Minor Injury Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre, where they would be seen more quickly than at A&E.
The findings from the survey will be used to help health and care professionals in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin better understand why people access health services in the way that they do. This insight will enable the NHS to support people to make the best choices about how and where to access the help they need.
Edna Boampong, Director of Communications and Engagement at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said:
“We recognise that our services are under a lot of pressure at the moment, and we are trying to understand what people know about the range of services that are available for them to access in an urgent or emergency situation. The survey will enable us to explore these issues in more detail and to gather valuable insight from local communities.
“By completing our short survey, you will be helping us shape how we inform people about the services available to them. As we head into the colder months, knowing which local health service to use and when, will make sure everyone in our local community gets the right help at the right time”.
Individuals and organisations can participate in the survey here
The survey will remain open until midnight on Tuesday 27 December 2022. Paper copies of the survey can be obtained by emailing stw.communications@nhs.net or telephoning them on 01952 580300.
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Current VCSE Engagement Opportunities
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Telford & Wrekin Draft Autism Strategy: Telford and Wrekin Council and Autism West Midlands are running a consultation to get people’s feedback on a borough-wide five-year autism strategy, focusing on the services and support available for autistic people in the borough. Closing 2nd January
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
Shrewsbury Design Codes: Participate in a consultation about the design of Shrewsbury as part of the Big Town Plan. The organisers are particularly encouraging those from often underheard groups and communities such as those with disabilities, those from diverse ethnic and religious communities and mothers of young children, to take part. Closing 14th January
Shropshire Political Boundaries Review: The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and organisations think about their local area as part of its electoral divisions review. The Commission is reviewing Shropshire to make sure councillors represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements help the council work effectively. It wants to be sure that its proposals reflect community ties and identities. The Commission is interested in views on which communities should be part of the same division. What facilities do people share, such as parks, leisure centres or schools and shopping areas? What issues do neighbouring communities face that they have in common, such as high numbers of visitors or heavy traffic? Have there been new housing or commercial developments that have changed the focus of communities? And are there roads, rivers, railways or other features that people believe form strong boundaries between neighbourhoods? Closing 30th January
Veterans' Survey (Office for National Statistics): Over the next 12 weeks, veterans across the country are able to complete the survey to shape the future of veteran services. Funded and commissioned by the Office of Veterans’ Affairs, this is the first ever exercise to collect feedback from the entire veterans community across the UK. Please share the link with your service beneficiaries and encourage them to complete the survey. Closing date 2nd February
Outpatient Services Survey: As part of their Outpatient Transformation Programme, the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS want to hear from people about their experiences with outpatient services. 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
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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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Telford Unlocking Potential Alliance
Upcoming Events
Collaboration: Young People
Young people are the future but they are also the present
Join them on the 10th January 1.30-3pm online to discuss the next steps to undertaking research in understanding how they can work together with young people to do more to improve and raise aspiration in the borough.
The research is planned to take a collaborative approach across interested Alliance members and for the research not simply to be one of consultation with young people but to have young people joining, being centre to designing the approach, the delivery and analysis.
To read more or to register onto this online event click here.
Involvement: How can local people shape the Alliance work?
Thank you to those that attended the first meet up focused on How can local people shape the Alliance work? It provided a good opportunity to remind people of the context of the work and to give space to stop and think about what could be achieved by asking the community to have a conversation about what unlocking potential might look like in the borough.
It provided space for a valued conversation about how this integrates with other strategic objectives and findings; the value of plans being set that were shaped by the needs of the community and acknowledging that it's not going to be an easy process - an example given of how hard it can be to imagine when faced with a blank sheet of paper.
You are invited to join the next meeting on the 16th January 1-2.30pm to register click here; note you do not have to attended the first session to be part of this valued work.
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New Resources for Trustees
NPC has released some helpful new resources for trustees in the wake of Trustees Week at the end of November.
A series of new webinars for trustees from the NPC are now available to book, and you can also stream the previous session, entitled 'The role of a trustee in times of uncertainty' for free on YouTube.
The next event takes place 9th February online from 1-2pm, and is entitled "Combining lived and professional experience on boards." You can book onto this event here.
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Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership Upcoming Trainings for 2023
Don't forget to check out the upcoming slate of trainings being offered in the new year by the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership Team.
These trainings are offered free or at a heavily reduced rate of £15pp and cover a wide variety of topics vital to voluntary and community groups, including:
- Volunteer management and peer support
- Writing good policies and procedures in the voluntary sector
- Start-up funding for charities and social enterprises
- Cyber security
- and more!
Visit their Eventbrite page, and be sure to check back, as new trainings are added all the time,
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Mentoring Courses Available
WEA are enrolling for a short Introduction to Mentoring course (non-accredited and online) starting on 5th January and finishing on the 9th January (2 sessions a week Monday 10am – 12.30pm and Thursday 10am -12.30pm). From this course, students can look to enrolling onto the NCFE Award in Mentoring L1 course.
Students can also directly enrol onto the NCFE Award in Mentoring Skills L1 course. Students will need to register for an Initial Assessment to check eligibility and suitability for the accredited course, which we are planning to run from the 16th January 2023 (Monday and Thursday 10am – 12.30pm each day for 24 sessions until the 27th April 2023).
The L1 Award in Mentoring is designed to provide a more in-depth understanding of the role of a mentor; developing the skills and competences needed to become an effective mentor, and its application in different settings and circumstances. The accredited course is particularly beneficial to those with either no or limited experience of mentoring.
Download a flyer with more details on both the non-accredited and accredited course.
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LGBT+ Awareness Course
SAND's public training
Tuesday 7th February 2023 - Face-to-Face, Central Shrewsbury
£40 per person
Get tickets here via Eventbrite
Targeting staff and volunteers:
- working in health and social care, voluntary sector, housing and other associated services.
- working in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
This half-day LGBT+ awareness raising course has a specific focus on issues impacting on LGBT+ people accessing services as we age. It provides a safe space for people to explore and discuss issues relating to creating safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people, in particular focusing on older and old LGBT people.
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SYA Recruiting for Multiple Positions
SYA are looking for Enthusiastic, skilled and motivated staff to fill several vacancies, could you join their team and help make a difference to the lives of Young People in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin?
Community Fundraising and Engagement Officer- Full Time (They would be happy to explore 4 days a week for the right candidate)
- Annualised hours contract to accommodate evening and weekend working
- £24 to £28K PA depending on experience
- Based at The New Lodge, Upton Lane, Shrewsbury SY2 5RR
- Mentoring and support will be given by internal and external experts to ensure the success
- Reporting into the Senior Team
Office Manager – 20 to 25hrs PW
- Based at The New Lodge, Upton Lane, Shrewsbury SY2 5RR
- Managing an enthusiastic and capable team of 7 part-time staff (Admin and building staff)
- Reporting into the Senior Team
- Some home working is possible, indeed encouraged!
- £13.65 per hour
Part-Time Youth Workers (Particularly for Telford)
- Evenings (term time only)
- Leader in Charge (JNC Qualified Level 3 Youth Worker) - £15.29 Per hour
- Youth support worker (JNC Qualified Level 3 Youth Worker) – £13.65 per hour
- Youth support worker In Training (NO Qualification required) – £10.37 per hour
o JNC Level 2 & 3 training offered
- Contracts vary between 2 and 3.5 Hours per night
- A package of ongoing relevant training is offered
To apply for any of these positions please click here. Or email Richard Parkes for more details and a job description.
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Energize: Project Administrator
Energize are currently looking for a Project Administrator.
This will be a key role in their team aimed at supporting Schools and Empowering Communities teams and the Elevate programme. This role will be involved in the administration concerning these areas and provide vital support to enable the efficient and effective management of these projects and programmes.
Salary: Will be between £13,141 and £19,664 per annum depending on experience. The post will also be eligible for winter cost of living payments of £175 (gross) per month to end of March 2023.
Hours: Full time (37 hours per week). The post has flexible working, with very occasional evening and weekend work, but it is intended for the role to be mainly delivered during weekdays, office hours.
Location: They currently work a hybrid system working from home on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with Tuesdays and Thursdays allocated as office days. Their office is in University Centre Shrewsbury in Shrewsbury Town Centre
Contract: This is a fixed term contract until 31 March 2025.
Click here to read the full job description and to learn more about the organisation.
To apply, please read the job description and if you are interested in applying please send you CV and a covering letter explaining why you believe you have the right qualities for this role to: recruitment@energizestw.org.uk
Closing date: 6th January 2023
Interview date: In person interviews will be held on 17th January 2023, at our offices in Shrewsbury
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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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VCSA Publishes Latest Funding Roundup
Our latest edition of the funding roundup is here with deadlines through the end of March 2023.
Don't forget to check out our list of opportunities with rolling deadlines as well on our funding page.
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New Grants from Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
The Grassroots Movement Fund is a pilot programme which will see £1 million awarded to small third sector organisations throughout 2023 to support the sustainability of grassroots social justice work.
To be eligible to apply, groups must:
- Be based in the UK with work primarily focused on the UK.
- Be not-for-profit (this can include informal groups and collectives).
- Have systems for making decisions and managing money.
- Be able to demonstrate they are part of a grassroots movement.
- Be able to demonstrate they are working towards transformative change.
Grants of £10,000 to £70,000 are available for up to two years.
There is also a Care and Accessibility Pot, which offers an additional sum of up to £400 per applicant in order to remove some of the barriers that may hinder groups from applying such as translation costs, childcare and the labour of writing an application for those on a low-income.
The type of work that can be funded includes (but is not limited to):
- Providing resources that help grassroots groups to run smoothly and support members to keep involved (eg equipment, access to places to meet).
- Increasing awareness and understanding of injustice through events that recognise that everyone has something to share and that gives people the chance to tell their stories.
- Radically reimagining and developing new systems and solutions that address injustice and inequality.
Although the funders are unable to fund core costs (eg salaries, office rent) for most organisations which are not registered charities, they will include an appropriate amount to cover day-to-day running costs.
The deadline to apply is 19 February 2023. Information and application pack are available at the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust website.
Community Action Fund Now Open to Applications
The Civic Power Fund is the first donor fund dedicated to community organising, which aims to provide targeted long-term funding across the UK.
Its new grants programme is open to non-profit organisations with a turnover of less than £250,000 that are:
- Rooted in and accountable to their community.
- Hoping to achieve long-term change on the issues affecting their communities.
- Addressing injustice by the power of their community. For example, through community organising, campaigning, or democratic engagement.
- Lacking the resources to take their vision to the next level.
Grants of £2,500 to £20,000 are on offer, with funding to be used to build community resources to take action on issues that matter to them.
Priority will be given to organisations led by people with lived experience of the injustice they are trying to overcome.
All successful applicants will be offered support beyond funding. This will include the Civic Power Fund Governance Hub and optional, bespoke cohort and capacity building opportunities.
To apply, groups must complete a short eligibility questionnaire by 26 February 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the Civic Power Fund website.
BME Youth Together Fund Accepting Applications
Formerly known as the Tackling Inequalities Fund, The Together Fund is a Sport England initiative which supports non-profit community organisations to recover and emerge from the long-term impacts of COVID-19.
BME Youth is administering this programme, which sees grants of £10,000 on offer to groups who are engaging the following communities in movement and physical activity:
- People with long-term health conditions.
- Disabled people.
- Lower socio-economic groups.
- Culturally diverse communities.
The fund is primarily aimed at voluntary and community sector organisations. However, applications from NHS/Local Authority or Leisure Trusts will be considered if it can be demonstrated that this is the best way to engage the relevant communities.
Grants can be used for costs associated with project delivery including equipment, hire of facilities, coach fees and transport and travel.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 31 March 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the BME Youth website.
New Grants for Digital Projects to Tackle Problems in Vocational Learning
The VocTech Activate scheme has been launched to support the development of new ideas that use digital tools and approaches to transform how people in the UK gain skills for work. The scheme is described as a ‘test bed’ where the first spark of an idea which could solve a vocational learning problem can be scoped and tested in a supportive environment.
The design, development and early stage testing of novel approaches to digital vocational learning will be funded. The aim is to help take those ideas through basic prototyping to the next stage of 'seeding the market' by delivering a first proof of concept prototype and planning a route to market.
There is an overall budget of £900,000 available. Individual grants of between £30,000 and £60,000 will be awarded for projects lasting up to 12 months.
Applications are chiefly invited from UK-based early-stage businesses, smaller digital innovators and other organisations looking to test new digital approaches on a small scale. Charities, trade bodies, existing learning providers, and employers who would like to test new approaches to using digital technology for vocational learning, may also apply.
Applicants are encouraged to attend a grant workshop before applying to the fund. These workshops begin on 10th January. Visit the VocTech Activate website for more information and to register.
The fund will open for stage 1 applications on 11 January 2023. The deadline to apply is 8 February 2023.
Don't forget to check out the VCSA's latest funding roundup, which is now available to view on our website, or you can click here to download a copy now.
Don't forget to check out our list of grants with rolling deadlines as well!
Don't see something on this list that should be here? Please contact us and let us know.
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To share your news with Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly members and our partners email: VCSAssembly@shrophire.gov.uk
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