 Janet Guice from Age UK with Monica Cooke
Shropshire's Digital Skills Programme:
Connecting Hundreds of Residents Over 65
Ordering medications quickly and easily, feeling safe online, getting food shopping delivered to your door, and enjoying video calls with friends and family – these are just some of the everyday online activities that many of us take for granted, but are denied to those without digital skills.
Launched in 2020, Shropshire’s Digital Skills Programme helps residents achieve these skills. The initial pilot was funded by Shropshire Council and the Local Government Association (LGA). Since 2022 it has since become solely Council-funded, benefitting hundreds of learners aged 65+ by helping them gain vital digital skills. At present, the programme has 76 Digital Volunteers delivering a programme of one-to-one support - but is always looking for more.
Compared to other areas, Shropshire has a higher number of older people who do not know how to use the internet. Like most other organisations worldwide, Shropshire Council has put many of their essential services online, making confidence in using the internet an important everyday life skill.
The Digital Skills Programme is delivered through 16 Shropshire Library locations and 3 local voluntary and community organisations (all VCSA members!): The Roy Fletcher Centre in Shrewsbury, the Mayfair Centre in Church Stretton, and Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, which provides learn-at-home support for those unable to access a community setting.
Andrea Miller, Shropshire Council digital skills programme lead, said:
“People can learn on their own tablet, mobile phone or laptop, and we have free devices and connectivity for participants in greatest need.”
The learners involved in the programme report huge life impacts beyond the convenience of going online, including less loneliness and isolation, and improved mental health. The latest feedback data reports that 65% of learners have an overall improvement in their health and wellbeing as a result of being digitally enabled.
One 74-year-old customer says:
“I could just about use my iPad to call my son in Australia and nothing else. Now, after just a few sessions, I can look things up on Google, send messages and emails and watch Netflix. I look forward to the IT Club all week. It’s brilliant. I was a builder by trade and knew nothing about technology. Now, my son keeps saying ‘Welcome to the 21st century Dad!’”
Shropshire Council has recently extended the funding for this programme to March 2026.
Any resident over the age of 65 can simply refer themselves for free digital support at their local library or through their nearest community learning provider. A direct referral can be made from any Shropshire Local point.
Know someone who can benefit from this programme or might like to volunteer? The Digital Skills Programme is looking for more volunteers to help with weekly one-to-one support. Good digital skills, lots of patience and a friendly outlook are the main attributes required. Please contact Andrea Miller to connect learners with their local learning provider or to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
VCSA Publishes Cost of Living Impacts Survey Report
Thank you to all of those organisations that participated in one or more of the waves of the Cost of Living Impacts Survey, which ran between October 2022 and January 2023.
The full report is now available to download from the VCSA website.
The report incorporates national data with analysis of the data collected from this survey, as well as some other data sources to paint a picture of the impacts of the cost of living crisis on VCSE sector organisations in Shropshire.
Some key findings from the research include:
- Immediate action should be taken on mental health concerns around staff and volunteer wellbeing in the sector.
- Energy bills are the number one financial pressure for Shropshire’s VCSE organisations, and these increases are hard to cover with current sources available to the sector.
- Shropshire organisations are seeing increased service demands alongside increased costs, which don’t necessarily correspond with increased income.
Download the full report now
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Shropshire Council and VCSE Partners Deliver Cost of Living Q&A to Frontline Staff and Volunteers
In February, Shropshire Council, in partnership with VCSE organisations including Citizens Advice Shropshire, the Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance, Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin, the Shropshire Larder, Keep Shropshire Warm, Marches Energy Agency and Community Resource, delivered another round of cost of living training and Q&A for frontline staff and volunteers.
Over 80 people attended the one hour session which included:
-A brief update on what partners currently know about the cost-of-living crisis
-A quick overview of the support available from key organisations
-A chance for frontline works to share what they are seeing on the frontline
-A Q&A session with a panel of Shropshire- based organisations
Feedback from the session was extremely positive.
Did you miss the session? Don't worry! You can watch a recording of it on YouTube.
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New Report: Infrastructure Support for VCSE Sector Falling in Recent Years
A new report from 360 Giving highlights the falling number of infrastructure support organisations in the voluntary and community sector between 2011 and 2022.
The chart on the right taken from the report illustrates that while the number of registered charities and CICs has grown, the number of local infrastructure organisations has fallen over the same period.
On its website, the charity highlights key takeaways from the report:
The report highlights a number of challenges around funding for these organisations over time:
- The sector infrastructure has not grown in real terms over the last decade, following large falls in the size of the sector before that. This is despite growth in the voluntary and community sector as a whole over the same period. This means that, compared to the picture in 2009-10, voluntary sector infrastructure in 2020-21 was much smaller, but supporting a larger voluntary sector. The level of capacity building support available for charities has been further masked by increased diversity in the kinds of work delivered and income generating activities included in the turnover.
- Although funding from non government grantmakers is only a small percentage of the total funding for infrastructure, these grants are an important part of the funding mix for some organisations, particularly for specialist organisations supporting marginalised groups who are least able to pay for services, and where the capacity building support might not be available without this grant funding.
- Very few trusts and foundations fund the sector infrastructure organisations and it is a very fragile ecosystem. Changes to funder strategies expose this vulnerability with some infrastructure bodies reporting that they have few funders that they are even eligible to apply to. This means change in the strategies of one funder are likely to have an impact on the applications received by others.
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Covid-19 had a significant impact on voluntary sector infrastructure funding, including large one-off grants to help infrastructure bodies support their members, as well as help them survive as organisations themselves. While this impact has manifested in a rise in the total incoming resources of the sector in 2020-21, it is unlikely that these increased resources will be sustained over time. In addition there is a risk that through their work during the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, some of these organisations are trying to support an increased number of charities and community groups needing support when their own funding position is precarious.
Visit the 360 Giving website to read the full report.
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VCSA 2023 Membership Refresh
This year, the VCSA is changing the way it handles membership.
- Do you want to be contacted with opportunities and news that is specific to your organisation's area of work?
- Do you want to easily find data on the sector in Shropshire that is up to date and helpful for funding or reporting?
- Have you ever wondered who else is a VCSA member?
- Do you wish that the annual State of the Sector survey took a little bit less time to complete?
Then these are all great reasons to renew your membership today!
The new membership form is now available online, and can be completed by visiting the VCSA website. Each organisation only needs to fill out the form once, and additional contact names can be added whenever you want. Please note, that if you are currently a member and want to continue your VCSA membership, you will need to complete this new form.
Updating your information will also be easy. Each year, you will receive a reminder to check your membership information is up to date, and you will only need to correct any information that has changed. There will be an "update your membership" link on the website very soon, and you can do it at your leisure. It's that simple!
Not a member yet? Then join us! Any voluntary and community sector group or organisation working for the benefit of Shropshire can join free of charge. Your group or organisation can be as active as you choose.
The Assembly allows VCS groups and organisations to:
- Meet and exchange information, ideas and good practice
- Discuss common issues and support each other in delivering services
- Develop shared plans
- Work more closely with public sector bodies such as Shropshire Council and the Integrated Care System
VCSA members can benefit in many ways, at any level of involvement
- Hear of networking and funding opportunities
- Have the opportunity to have a say through local consultations
- Voice issues and concerns
- Access helpful reports, analysis and information on the sector
- Network with other VCS groups and organisations
- Express an interest in getting involved in local projects or bids
- Join in at the annual event and attend other VCSA events and workshops
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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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Shropshire Disability Network: Shropshire Disability Network is seeking views on experiences with the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as they understand there has been a recent surge with individuals suffering from bad experiences (including the loss of a PIP claim) in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Closing date TBD
Healthwatch Shropshire: Healthwatch Shropshire wants to know about people’s experience of making complaints about their NHS or social care services, not only if people achieved the outcome they sought through the complaint but also their experience of making the complaint, did they feel supported, did they have the information they needed, how they were treated and if they felt listened to. Closing date TBD
Sustainable Affordable Warmth Strategy: Shropshire Council has produced a draft Sustainable Affordable Warmth Strategy. This sets out the importance of tackling fuel poverty, improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions from domestic dwellings. The Homes and Communities team is inviting your feedback. Closing 5th March
The draft Shropshire All-Age Carer strategy 2022-2027 review: Unpaid and family carers of all ages are invited to take part in this consultation of the Shropshire All Age Carer strategy 2022-2027. An unpaid and family carer is someone who, without pay, provides support to an individual who lives in Shropshire and may be ill, frail, with disabilities, have poor mental health or drug and alcohol problems, meaning they're unable to manage without this care and support. Please share this information with unpaid and family carers known to your service and with staff members, who may also be a carer. Closing 6th March
Digital Exclusion and the Cost of Living Inquiry: This inquiry will examine how to tackle digital exclusion in the context of the cost of living crisis. The committee wants to hear your views. They welcome submissions from anyone with answers to the questions in the call for evidence. Closing 7th March
Cleobury Mortimer Neighbourhood Development Plan: Shropshire Council is seeking feedback on the draft Cleobury Mortimer Neighbourhood Development plan which has been submitted by the Cleobury Mortimer town council. Closing 10th March
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital EDS Review: RJAH are currently working through their assessment of the Equality Delivery System (EDS) to allow them to review and improve the services they provide, to ensure they are free from discrimination. Healthwatch Shropshire are supporting them with this. As part of this assessment, they are holding two focus groups which are taking in place in March, and they are looking for patients, service users and members of the public to come along to these sessions. Click on the links below to register. Closing 11th March
Product Safety Research for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities: Closha Associates and Bolton Deaf Society have recently been awarded a small grant to undertake research into the accessibility of information on Product Safety for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. Their research will help their funder to understand how they can design their services in a more inclusive way, which is particularly important as they release urgent safety warnings about products that could cause serious injuries. We are looking to run some focus groups with local Deaf Centres as part of this work and will also be producing some product safety messages in BSL. Closing 15th March
Shrewsbury Health and Wellbeing Hub Targeted Engagement: NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin wants to hear resident's views on a proposal to create a state-of-the-art hub to benefit the health and wellbeing of patients and the community in the South of Shrewsbury. This phase of community engagement is targeted to those who they have heard less from in previous engagement activity. They are seeking the support of community organisations in Shropshire to help them connect with key groups within your networks and to share details of how seldom heard people can get involved in this important piece of work. Especially: Young people (16-24); Elderly people and in particular those 80+; Males; People identifying as LGBT+; People from diverse ethnic minority groups; People with disabilities; Expectant and new parents. Closing 31st March
Rural Cost of Living Household Survey: The Rural Services Network has launched this survey in partnership with the Citizens Advice Rural Issues Group. Independent research commissioned by the RSN in summer last year shows rural areas are suffering more acutely from the cost of living crisis compared to urban areas. To lend more weight to the argument for more funding for rural areas the RSN is calling on as many rural residents as possible to complete a Rural Cost of Living Household Survey. The purpose of the survey is to understand more about rural household budgets at, what is, a very difficult time for many. Closing 31st March
National Youth Sector Census: The National Youth Sector Census is a survey of all youth sector provision across England. It aims to capture an accurate picture of youth services and out of school activities. If you’re delivering support to young people, places where they can have fun, with the support of a youth worker and volunteers who advise, guide and create opportunities for young people then you should be included. Closing 31st March
Aging Well Strategy Telford & Wrekin: Telford & Wrekin Council are collecting views and comments on the draft Aging Well Strategy through a public consultation. They want people's feedback to make sure the needs and aspirations for people to live well for longer in Telford and Wrekin are met. Closing 6th April
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First Aid Training
Shropshire Partners in Care is a not-for-profit organisation supporting over 250 independent adult social care providers across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
Established in 2003, they exist to represent, upskill and champion local adult social care providers and their staff. They offer quality and reasonably priced First Aid training at their offices in Annscroft, Shrewsbury, primarily to their Members, but also to non-Members such as schools, volunteers and community groups.
All First Aid Training is nationally accredited by The First Aid Industry Body (FAIB). In March and April 2023 they have spaces available on the following courses, all courses start at 09.30 and end at 16.30:
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Course Name
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Course Date
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Venue
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Cost
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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9th March
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Spiro Clinic, Ludlow
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£70.00
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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13th March
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Annscroft, Shrewsbury
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£70.00
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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20th March
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Annscroft, Shrewsbury
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£70.00
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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21st March
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Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton
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£70.00
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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13th April
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Spiro Clinic, Ludlow
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£70.00
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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24th April
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Annscroft, Shrewsbury
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£70.00
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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25th April
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Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton
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£70.00
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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26th April
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Hub on the Hill, Telford
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£70.00
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Should you be interested in booking a place on any of these courses, please contact Non-Member Bookings on 01743 860011 or email info@spic.co.uk.
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Targeting Green Social Prescribing to address Health Inequalities and improve Physical and Mental Health
Date: 8th March
Time: 1-2:30pm
Register here
Please note the joining link will be emailed to you on the morning of this event by 10am.
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 Mental Health Training for VCS Organisations
A full complement of mental health training to support VCS organisations is now being offered through the Shropshire in Partnership Mental Health Project based at Qube, Oswestry.
The first course, Mental Health First Aid will be offered on Monday, 20th March 9am - 5pm Mayfair Community Centre, Church Stretton.
Interested organisations can sign up for the remaining courses via the Qube website or download the flyers below for information on individual upcoming workshops.
Managing Stress & Burnout
17th April
5th May
25th May
5th October
Resilience & Stress
22nd May
24th October
Suicide First Aid Lite
28th April
21st September
20th November
 You are invited to Shropshire's World Café!
Register Here for the Shirehall event for Shropshire: 9th March
There will also be a world café at Meeting Point House event for Telford & Wrekin: 23rd March download the flyer here.
Email Sarah Page with questions or to let them know about accommodations.
Upcoming Functional Fitness MOTs
Community Resource is continuing the programme of Functional Fitness MOT Falls Prevention events around the county. These events are for 0ver-60s and include a one-to-one fitness test, film about reducing the risk of falling, demo of how to get up from the floor after a fall and talk on creating a Falls Plan. There is also a short taster exercise class. The most effective way to reduce the risk of falling is by doing regular strength and balance exercises. Evidence has shown that these events are enjoyable and motivate participants to be more active. Community Resource is grateful to Shropshire Council, NHS Together and SaTH for funding these events.
The next events will be in Madely (8 March), Ludlow (3 May). Little Wenlock and Lawley.
Download the flyer for Ludlow
To find out more or to request a Functional Fitness MOT Falls Prevention event in your area, please contact Community Resource on 01743 360641 or enquiries@community-resource.org.uk.
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Shropshire Charity Network
March Virtual Meeting
Shropshire Charity Network are holding their next virtual session on Thursday 16th March from 9.30am – 10.30am on Zoom.
The speaker at this session will be George Collins. George will give a state of the nation for charity weekly lotteries and will uncover unlikely partnerships in digital supporter acquisition. Digital has fast become a mature channel but changes every 6 months in social appetite and platform algorithms are likely to leave us behind. George will share 5 actionable takeaways to overcome the digital landscape and will touch on recent campaign examples of blended digital/traditional channel approaches that have seen predictable performance.
George is Commercial Director at CFP Lottery & Raffles and CEO of Navigator.
Book your free place here
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Meet the SIP Voluntary and Community Support Team
Shawbury Village Hall: 8th March 10am - 2pm
Wem Village Hall: 30th March 9:30am - 12:30pm
The SIP Voluntary & Community Support Team offers free advice, guidance and support to local charitable groups and organisations.
Whether you are thinking of setting up a community group, a fairly new group or organisation, or have been established for many years, they can support you with advice and guidance, training, volunteer brokerage, and grant and funding support.
Come and meet the team and learn more about what they can offer your organisation!
Download the SIP Team informational flyer.
Photo: High Sheriff of Shropshire Selina Graham meets with the SIP Voluntary and Community Support Team and some community organisations at their last event in Bishop's Castle.
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Become a Cancer Champion
Make a difference in your community - become a cancer champion!
- Help improve the health of others in your community
- Raise awareness of cancer signs and symptoms
- Encourage others to attend breast, bowel and cervical
screening
- Be actively engaged in your community
- Happily chat to your family and friends and share relevant information
- Share the concerns and challenges of your community
Want to learn more? Read the Cancer Champions newsletter for February or Download the flyer.
You can also find out more by emailing one of the Cancer Champion coordinators:
In Shropshire: Holly Corrigan
In Telford: Michelle Moore
In the photo: Holly, Cancer Champion Coordinator for Shropshire, has been busy promoting the Cancer Champions project with the help of Shrewsbury Town footballers Matthew Pennington and Elliott Bennett
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Job Opportunity: Project Co-ordinator
Little Stars have an exciting opportunity with a new role available and are looking for a high-calibre candidate to take up a part-time position for 12 months as a Project Coordinator to assist the CEO in expanding the charity’s services, in particular, to develop their school uniform provision.
If you would love to play a pivotal role in the development and delivery of a new project, helping Little Stars to grow their impact and support more families in Shropshire, this could be the role for you.
You can find further details about the role on the following link Project Co-ordinator. If you would like further information or to apply please send a covering letter and CV to Leanne@littlestarscharity.org
Closing date is the 17th March.
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Volunteer with GFS Smethwick
GFS is looking for women from the local community who are passionate about helping girls reach their potential by offering new experiences and supporting them to make new friends. They are looking for women who would like to volunteer and would be happy to share their skills and interests with the girls through a range of activities including arts and crafts, skills for life, sports and community participation.
GFS offers weekly group sessions that offer support, fun and friendship for girls and young women in the local community.
Watch this video on what it's like to volunteer with GFS!
Click here for more information and to register to volunteer!
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Volunteers come and go for a number of reasons so gaps need to be filled, so that they can continue our work plus they need to continue to meet the vision of SDN.
They know they have members with many skills and they have no doubt if you could just offer one or two hours a week or half or a day a month they can find you a rewarding opportunity to work with them and help your fellow members.
Opportunities Available:
- Newsletter Editor
- Secretary
- Fundraising Lead
- Fundraisers
- Bloggers
- Photographers
Please note: SDN can reimburse their volunteers with any out-of-pocket expenses which relates to their volunteering work only (i.e. travel). Additionally, they give training to all their volunteers.
Interested? Email volunteering@shropshire-disability.net, and a member of the team will contact you.
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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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£1.9M Partnership Between National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Churches Trust
Cherish is a new three-year programme which will support places of worship in Scotland, Wales and the North-West of England (Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria).
Alongside grants ranging from £500 to £10,000, the programme will offer wide-ranging support in the form of:
- Maintenance advice.
- Crisis support for communities facing the potential loss of local historic buildings.
- Resourcing for local issues.
- A digital toolkit including buildings care and income generating advice.
- Training to improve local capacity to look after buildings in need.
- Visitor and tourism support.
Speaking on the announcement, Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“This grant will direct funding to where it's most needed, protecting and caring for some of our most precious and fragile heritage, at the heart of communities.”
Applications for grant funding are set to open in May 2023.
More information on the Cherish programme can be found on the National Churches Trust website and updates will also be published here in due course.
Subak Accelerator Programme for Climate Not-for-Profits
Subak finds, funds and scales not-for-profit organisations that are tackling climate change through a data-driven approach.
The three-month Accelerator programme, running from 15 May to 28 July 2023, is designed to help early-stage climate not-for-profit organisations develop and scale.
Subak is offering the following benefits to participants:
- Up to £10,000 non-equity grant funding
- Expert mentoring
- 1-to-1s with Subak team
- Unique four pillar curriculum building core skills in business, tech, data and impact.
- Access to Subak’s network of senior leaders in tech, data, climate and policy
- Hot desk space in Subak's London office
- Benefits package including credits and discounts for tech and data software
- Invitations to Subak events
- Lifelong membership to Subak's community and exclusive Slack workspace
Applications are accepted from not-for-profits which includes private organisations that are either charities or private companies limited by guarantee without share capital. This can include social enterprises/CIC’s, charities, and Ltd companies limited by guarantee without share capital, as well as other incorporations where being a ‘not-for-profit’ is explicitly defined in the articles of incorporation.
The deadline for applications is 17 March 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the Subak website for more information.
National Grid Providing 2023 Energy Affordability Fund
Administered by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, the Energy Affordability Fund supports organisations that work with people struggling to pay their heating bills and living in a cold home.
This year, grants of up to £40,000 are available for not-for-profit organisations that:
- Are legally incorporated, though unincorporated organisations may apply if they team up with a larger organisation. Statutory bodies and private entities will be eligible if they can demonstrate a significant need for the funding and why their proposed activities cannot be funded from existing sources.
- Have a bank account.
- Are based in the National Grid network area (Midlands, South West England and South & West Wales).
Projects should involve at least one of the following essential activities:
- In-depth 1:1 energy advice and support to vulnerable households.
- Outreach activities to promote services such as workshops, community talks, road-shows, training and other community events.
- Extend existing referral networks to work with other support organisations and community partners (eg food banks, mutual aid, health care providers, faith groups, benefit and debt advice providers).
- Extend the geographical reach of an existing advice service into an area where similar services do not currently exist. Making use of the social indicator map and the data it presents will be encouraged.
Grants can be spent on costs associated with project development and delivery.
The deadline to apply is 27 March 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the Centre for Sustainable Energy website.
Twemlows Fund
Is your group/organisation is within 15 miles of Prees in North Shropshire, and running projects focussed on environmental improvements or community participation?
You can apply for a grant up to £1,000 to support your work. The fund is being managed by Community Resource, and applications are being accepted for the next six months.
Find out more and apply by visiting the Community Resource website or phone 01743 360641.
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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@shropshire.gov.uk
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