National Business Response Network Reactivates to Provide Items and Skills to Community Organisations
Business in the Community (BITC), in partnership with AXA, has reactivated its National Business Response Network (NBRN) to enable businesses to provide vital items and skills support to community organisations in need.
The NBRN was launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to connect businesses with people and community organisations in need. They have reactivated this important network to provide much-needed assistance during the cost-of-living crisis.
Through business support, the NBRN will focus on providing five much-needed items and five vital skills. Businesses are asked to register to donate items or time/skills to community organisations that need them.
FIVE ITEMS:
Laptops and smartphones
Warm clothing and bedding
Food packaging
Energy-efficient products
Kitchen equipment
FIVE TIME/SKILLS
Job Coaching
Wellbeing mentorship
Marketing advice
Sales/fundraising advice
Operational/scale-up advice
Community organisations are asked to register their requests for support through the NBRN website.
The Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance (SFPA) has been actively tackling food poverty since 2018. This report details the impacts of the organisation since its move to Shropshire Citizens' Advice in 2022, and maps out the future work for the project in the next year.
In addition to quantitative statistics evidencing the impact of the SFPA on the county, the report also highlights a number of impact statements from local food banks and other partners.
Shropshire Council's public health team said:
"Public Health are grateful for the ongoing support the SFPA provide to our local communities and hope to continue to work in partnership to improve health outcomes for families in Shropshire."
Ludlow Food Bank said:
"The SFPA has been invaluable for many reasons: Alerting us to funding opportunities, providing a platform for independent food banks to come together to share issues, having an expert group to advise us on Shropshire wide issues, just being there for support. Many thanks for all the work that you do!"
Marches Energy Agency Lead on Fully-Funded Retrofit Plans
People across Shropshire are recognising the importance of making their homes as energy efficient as possible, but knowing where to start can be a challenge. That’s where a retrofit plan comes in.
Retrofitting means adding or changing things in your home to make it more energy efficient. This could include upgrading windows and doors, adding insulation to lofts, walls and floors, or installing technology such as an air source heat pump or solar panels.
These changes are designed to make your home warmer, healthier, and potentially cheaper to run. Retrofitting can be complex and costly, so to get the impact you want for your home, it’s worth taking the time to get it right.
The Future Ready Homes scheme is currently offering fully-funded retrofitting plans to homeowners across Shropshire, that would usually cost hundreds of pounds. The plan considers your house as a whole and suggests improvements tailored to your home and lifestyle. They outline the expected costs and potential savings, helping you make informed decisions whether you plan to retrofit gradually or in one go.
Tony Baker, Project Manager at Marches Energy Agency, commented:-
“Future Ready Homes is a fantastic project which recognises the part energy efficiency has to play in tackling the energy crisis and the climate emergency. Many people want to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes, but simply don’t know where to start, so we’re hopeful that Future Ready Homes will give homeowners the tools they need to get stuck in.”
The scheme is currently open for applications, with a limited number of surveys available between now and June 2023. Those interested should not delay in applying. Find out more via the Marches Energy Agency website.
The countryside is battling a ‘hidden homelessness’ crisis driven by soaring housing costs and a gaping shortfall in local authority funding, a new report shows.
The true scale of the crisis is likely to be far higher than the official statistics. The year-long study, which included a survey of 157 frontline support workers, service providers, NGOs, and shelters, found an overwhelming majority thought rural homelessness was a serious problem that was getting worse. Key findings include:
91% of respondents in rural areas have seen homelessness increase in the past five years;
83% of respondents in rural areas said their job had become harder in the past five years;
81% of respondents believe that rough sleeping is experienced differently in rural areas compared to urban areas.
The study, by academics at the University of Kent and the University of Southampton, on behalf of a coalition of rural charities, rural organisations (including the RSN) and housing associations, shows rural areas being paid a fraction of what they need to tackle homelessness in their communities.
The coalition funding the study is calling for local and national leaders to make a clear commitment that ‘rural homelessness counts’. They are recommending:
All future homelessness and rough sleeping strategies consider the needs of rural communities and ‘at risk’ residents living in them.
Improved processes for better counting and identifying instances of rural homelessness.
Delivering new homelessness support services in rural communities that address mental health and social and physical isolation.
Dedicated investment to fund much needed rural social housing and increasing funding through the welfare system to cover the cost of rent
This story is excerpted from a full news release by the Rural Services Network. Read the full story here.
Recycling Not-for-Profit 'A Good Thing' Featured in the Shropshire Star
VCSA member A Good Thing was featured in a Shropshire Star articlethis month for its continued good work in the county connecting businesses and VCSE organisations to help save money and the planet.
Self-described as "a matchmaking business" A Good Thing is a Community Interest Company that has recently been expanding in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
The VCSA featured A Good Thing in our newsletter in October of last year, and recently the company has been growing in leaps and bounds in its good work in Shropshire.
The Shropshire Star article highlights a recent "match" between Telford business Chrisbeon and the Shrewsbury Ark which brought much needed office supplies to the homelessness charity.
According to the Star, another Shropshire organisation, the Crossbar Foundation, which is opening a new education centre at Battlefield in Shrewsbury, also received desks, carpet tiles, filing cabinets and more for the new space via A Good Thing.
If you are a local charity, voluntary group or non-profit organisation interested in finding out how A Good Thing might help you, check out their website and sign up for free.
New Posters to Raise Awareness of Child Neglect
Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership have launched a series of child neglect posters.
Work commissioned by Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership and undertaken by the Children’s Society, identified that there needs to be better understanding of child neglect and how to recognise it by professionals in particular.
Three posters have been created with children, parents and professionals.The Partnership would like to thank everyone that gave their time to get involved in the project.
The posters are available in both hard copy and electronic version and will be available to all agencies to display in venues across Shropshire. VCSE organisations are encouraged to pick up copies of the posters for display in community spaces.
The Partnership hopes that by raising awareness, children and their families can access the right support at the right time and professionals and our communities are able to help this happen.
Take part in the biggest survey of charities, voluntary and community organisations in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin!
This annual survey by the VCSA provides an up-to-date picture of the local VCSE sector and build up a valuable evidence base of information.
By taking part in the survey, you will be helping to inform funders, partners and other key stakeholders of the current state and needs of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) in Shropshire.
Survey questions are categorised into four themes; information on organisations, partnership working, challenges/achievements over the past 12 months and looking ahead to the next 12 months. The survey can be completed in less than 20 minutes.
Complete the survey and ensure that your voice is heard! Thank you for helping to present a powerful and robust message for the sector in the county by completing the survey and encouraging other VCSE contacts to do so.
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
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
Supporting Small Charities with Tax: HMRC want to understand how they can support small charities to navigate their tax obligations in an easier and more effective way, to improve their guidance and processes. Closing 30th March
If you require a Word version or would prefer to speak directly to a member of the HMRC team please email or phone 03000 531608
VCSE Research Engagement Survey: Staffordshire and Shropshire Health and Care Economy Research Partnership (SSHERPa) are working to find out about how voluntary and community groups across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are engaging with research opportunities. The overall aim of this project is to develop more diverse and inclusive relationships for health and care research and ensure that a wider range of people have the chance to be involved in research. They want to know if your organisation has ever been involved with research. They'd also like to know if you haven’t, what has stopped you and if you might like to be involved in the future. Closing 31st 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
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 7th April
Shropshire Council Customer Services Consultation: Shropshire Council is consulting on proposed changes to its Customer Service Centre (CSC) opening times. The Customer Service Centre handles some complex issues for Shropshire’s residents in relation to Adult Social Care, concerns for children, risk of homelessness or financial crisis affecting families. These types of contact from people will always need a skilled adviser and will not be affected by the proposed changes. However many other calls are for the more “generalist” side of Shropshire Council’s CSC and are for relatively simple requests that can be made another way, particularly using online requests. It is the opening hours for these services that form the proposal for change. Closing 23rd April
Please help encourage clients and service users to participate. Here are ways to give feedback:
If you can’t go online, copies of the consultation are available at the following Shropshire Council libraries; Bayston Hill, Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Gobowen, Library at the Lantern, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Much Wenlock, Oswestry, Pontesbury, Shrewsbury, Wem and Whitchurch
At Shropshire Council’s Shropshire Local sites in Ludlow and Shrewsbury
If you would like the survey in an alternative format, please email TellUs@shropshire.gov.uk to request a copy or call 0345 678 9077 and explain any support you need to allow you to respond.
Please also help spread the word about this consultation! Here are some social media assets for you to use:
Prepayment Meter Experiences Survey: Ofgem and Citizens Advice are launching a national evidence-call to ask energy customers to share their experiences of moving to a prepayment meter (PPM). The eight-week partnership is a key part of Ofgem’s comprehensive market review of prepayment meters and remote switching, to ensure suppliers are meeting their legal obligations in protecting customers. It is calling for the experiences of customers who either have had PPMs installed to recover unpaid bills or those actively choose to use pay-as-you-go to manage their budgets. Closing 4th May
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!
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.
Shropshire Social Enterprise Network Meeting
Friday 31st March 10.30am- 12.00 noon | Online via MS Teams
The Shropshire Social Enterprise Network is a county-wide get together for social enterprise and those interested in Social Impact in the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin area, as well as anyone interested in connecting to the sector and doing more business for the good of the community.
This meeting, we will be joined by Joy Holland, Technical Officer for the UKSPF Business Support funding that will be administered through Shropshire Council. Joy will be able to provide some updates and answer questions about the fund and its relevance for social enterprises. A call for this funding will be issued very soon.
Though originally scheduled to be in-person, we are making this meeting online this time around to be able to get as many people there as possible. There will still be plenty of opportunity for conversation, networking, and connection.
We hope you can join us!
Mental Health Forum Relaunch and Networking
Friday, April 21st 9:30-11:30am, Shirehall, Shrewsbury
All VCS organisations who have mental health and wellbeing as their focus are welcome and encouraged to attend this meeting, even if you are not yet a member of the forum or the VCSA. Come and network and see what it’s all about!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the networking event in January. We hope to continue the conversation and relaunch the mental health forum.
Time: Arrive and chat from 9:15 . Event runs from 9:30-11:30am
Good for the Planet, Good for the Pocket Workshops Being Presented Across the County
Save Our Shropshire presented their workshop “Good for the Planet – Good for the Pocket” at Dawley House last week. The workshop explained how, in the midst of this cost-of-living crisis, the attendees could save hundreds of pounds at the same time as reduce their impact on climate, and that residents could even save up to 80 % of their energy bills.
Delegate questions at the event included when to change their cars to electric, how to insulate their timber-framed houses, and how to change their habits to become more vegetarian. Attendees also enjoyed games that got them to think about their energy use.
The workshop focused on the urgency of changing behaviours, and attendees pledged to encourage friends, families and colleagues at work to do so as well. Moreover, event attendees learned that these climate-saving measures are also a good way to save them money.
The workshop was one of a series of events planned for the next few months, and are sponsored by the Telford Climate Change Fund.
If your organisation's clients might benefit from these free workshops, please help to spread the word about the upcoming events:
Leegomery Community Centre, Wed Mar 22, 2:30 PM
Burton Borough School, Newport Thu Mar 30, 7:00 PM
Do you work with any young people aged roughly 14-22 years old? Or, maybe you’ve got some in your family? Check with them if they’re interested in this residential:
Upskilling young people in setting up their own youth / climate project through creating a game
The Big Health and Wellbeing Conversation Public Events in March
The Big Health and Wellbeing Conversation aims to understand local views on what is affecting their health and wellbeing, what is working well and what things would make the biggest difference to improve experiences of local health and care services. The feedback gathered at these events will help NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin develop its future plans and shape our local NHS.
Local residents can give their feedback by attending one of the events taking place across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin during March and May 2023. You can find out more on the campaign website.
Shropshire Partners in Care (SPIC) 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 and community groups. All First Aid Training is nationally accredited by The First Aid Industry Body (FAIB).
In April 2023 SPIC have spaces available on the following courses: -
Course Title
Date
Venue
Cost Per Person
1 Day Emergency First Aid
3rd April
SPiC Office
£70
1 Day Emergency First Aid in Ludlow, Market Drayton or Telford
13th April
Spiro Clinic, Ludlow
£80
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.
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 Aidwill 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 websiteor download the flyers below for information on individual upcoming workshops.
Read about more opportunities and apply on the SYA website.
Job Opportunity: Hands Together Ludlow
Hands together Ludlow are looking for a Food Projects Coordinator.
28hrs a week over 4 days £24,000pa pro rata
The role is responsible for all their food related activity including the community fridge, community lunch and healthy eating courses, as well as building our community partnerships and developing new activity. .
Help A Good Thing to grow their brand-new online charity platform in your local area! Come on board as a community champion: use your communications skills to drive more businesses and charities to sign up.
A Good Thing is a not-for-profit set up with one mission: to send less to landfill, and more to a good cause. They are rolling out fast across the UK, momentum is building, and they are growing a network of passionate local volunteer champions right across the country to drive their growth.
You’ll be using your connections (friends, family, colleagues, neighbours...), as well as your insights into the local area, to help them to build the numbers of businesses and charities signing up in your part of the UK. You might do this through making connections with businesses in your area, taking A Good Thing to the doorstep. Or you could approach businesses virtually, using your expert written communication skills to create communications that will engage and inspire them. You’ll definitely be using social media and your brilliant online networking skills to build links and relationships where you live.
Come on a journey towards reducing waste and boosting wonderful local charities at the same time.
The RBL is the nation's biggest Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces, past and present, and their families. It is the national custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is well known for the annual Poppy Appeal, and its emblem the red poppy. Currently the RBL is looking to recruit for the following volunteer roles:
Broseley Poppy Appeal Organiser – Arranging the volunteers who take out the boxes of poppies and collecting tins across Broseley, either to static shop locations or House to House - ensuring their paperwork is up to date, ordering the stock required, arranging for the volunteers to collect and distribute the poppies, arranging for it to be returned, thanking volunteers, and informing them and the community on the funds raised.
Telford Central Poppy Appeal Organiser - Arranging the volunteers who take out the boxes of poppies and collecting tins across Telford Central - ensuring their paperwork is up to date, ordering the stock required, arranging for the volunteers to collect and distribute the poppies, arranging for it to be returned, thanking volunteers, and informing them and the community on the funds raised.
Bridgnorth Poppy Appeal volunteers – during Remembrance the RBL has a fundraising stall in Aldi Bridgnorth, the current volunteers who man this stall are looking for help filling in the rota.
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!
Our latest edition of the quarterly funding roundup is here, with deadlines through to the end of June 2023.
These funding opportunities are collected using GrantFinder and are curated to be relevant to Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin charities, community organisations and social enterprises.
Don't forget to take a look at the list of opportunities with rolling deadlines as well on our website's funding page.
Shropshire Council to Release Details of Calls for UK Shared Prosperity Funding by End of March
Shropshire Council anticipates launching the first main call for UKSPF proposals for the main strands of UKSPF funding by the end of this month.
VCSE organisations in Shropshire are encouraged to apply for these funds and should start thinking about how their bids might fit within the investment priorities of Communities and Place; People and Skills; and Business Support.
Below, you will find a list of the interventions that have been prioritised for Shropshire within each strand of the funding.
You can click hereto see a spreadsheet with the full descriptions of these priorities, as well as example projects, objects and indicative outputs and outcomes, which should help you start planning your bid.
Communities and Place priorities:
E1: Funding for improvements to town centres and high streets, including better accessibility for disabled people, including capital spend and running costs.
E4:Enhanced support for existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions that make up the local cultural heritage offer.
E6:Support for local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities
E11: Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups.
People and Skills priorities:
E33: Supporting economically inactive people to overcome barriers to work by providing cohesive, locally tailored support including access to basic skills.
E36: Intervention to increase levels of digital inclusion, with a focus on essential digital skills, communicating the benefits of getting (safely) online, and in community support to provide users with the confidence and trust to stay online.
E37: Tailored support to help people in employment, who are not supported by mainstream provision to address barriers to accessing education and training courses.
E38: Support for local areas to fund local skills needs. This includes technical and vocational qualifications and courses up to level 2.
Business Support priorities:
E16: E16: Investment in open markets and improvements to town centre retail and service sector infrastructure, with wrap around support for small businesses.
E17: Funding for the development and promotion (both trade and consumer) of the visitor economy, such as local attractions, trails, tours and tourism products more generally.
E20:Research and development grants supporting the development of innovative products and services.
E23:Strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystems, and supporting businesses at all stages of their development to start, sustain, grow and innovate, including through local networks.
E26: Support for growing the local social economy, including community businesses, cooperatives and social enterprises.
E29: Supporting decarbonisation and improving the natural environment whilst growing the local economy. Taking a whole systems approach to invest in infrastructure to deliver effective decarbonisation across energy, buildings and transport and beyond, in line with our legally binding climate target. Maximising existing or emerging local strengths in low carbon technologies, goods and services to take advantage of the growing global opportunity.
E30:Business support measures to drive employment growth, particularly in areas of higher unemployment.
More information about this funding will be posted through this newsletter mailing list and our our social media as soon as it becomes available.
Support for Youth-Focused Climate Events Across the UK for Great Big Green Week 2023
Save the Children is offering grants of between £300 and £800 for not-for-profit organisations across the UK to support activities and events taking place as part of the Great Big Green Week 2023 (10 to 18 June) that engage young people and children to raise awareness of the impacts of the climate crisis and its effects on children and young people.
Projects and events that engage a diverse range of young people and families are strongly encouraged, particularly from groups that work with or support children and young people who:
Are from families on low incomes.
Have migrated to the UK.
Are from racialised communities.
Have experience in the care system.
Are LGBT+ or from an LGBT+ family.
Are disabled or live with someone who is disabled.
Priority will be given to activities that support local groups to create new connections that support people, organisations, and MPs to take climate action locally, ideally taking place in the week leading up to, during, and/or the week after Green Big Green Week 2023 (10 to 18 June).
Funding can be used for project and event delivery costs, such as equipment, venue hire, refreshments, attendance or license fees, transport, utilities, volunteer expenses, and publicity costs.
Provision of Information, Advice & Support Services (IASS) for Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Shropshire Council would like to take the opportunity to undertake Soft Market Testing in relation to innovative, efficient and cost-effective approaches to the provision of Information Advice and Support Services (IASS) for Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND)
Please note that the purpose of this process is for the council to discuss with the market and affirm their current understanding of what the market has to offer to assist the Council to deliver the service from 1st September 2023.
This process is intended as soft market testing only and is an exercise designed to test commercial market capabilities of meeting a set of requirements which would include enough interested suppliers to maintain competitive pressures.
Completed questionnaires (see Appendix 1 of the downloadable form) should be returned to Yvonne Oliver – Children & Young People Commissioning Lead: Yvonne.m.oliver@shropshire.gov.uk by 5.00pm on Tuesday 11th April 2023.
If Suppliers have any questions about this soft market test, such questions should be submitted to the Council through an email to The Children & Young People Commissioning Lead at Yvonne.m.oliver@shropshire.gov.uk
Update: Digital Skills Programme Funding Information
Shropshire Council will shortly be releasing details of 3 years’ funding for the Digital Skills Programme 2023 to 2026. The funding intends to provide 3 aspects of digital support for residents living within the local authority’s area:
To enable digitally-excluded people to access a programme of free one-to-one digital support in a community setting.
To provide Digital Drop-Ins where people can access free one-off digital support. Only providers offering one-to-one digital support can provide a Digital Drop-In.
To make available a limited number of Free Equipment Grants for people in greatest need.
Providers in receipt of funding are expected to be members of the Good Things Foundation. Membership is free and more information can be found here
Eligibility for the Digital Skills Programme 2023 to 2026 has broadened. To be eligible to receive support, participants must meet one or more of the following criteria:
Be aged 65 and over
Live alone Provide unpaid care for a friend or family member or receive formal or informal care
Have a disability or health condition
Be in receipt of Pension Credit or other means-tested benefit
Digital Drop-In and/or one-to-one digital support can be delivered by trained Digital Volunteers or suitably experienced paid members of staff. This is an outcomes-based model of delivery and regular reporting/monitoring/data sharing is an essential element.
This is the final call for organisations who are interested in learning more about this opportunity to get in touch. If your organisation would like to discuss this opportunity further, contact Andrea Miller at Shropshire Council andrea.miller@shropshire.gov.uk
To be included in the e-list to receive updates about how to apply for this funding, please send Andrea your email address.
Pictured: Digital Volunteer Allan Read with learner Helen Whiteley from Ludlow.
Shropshire Community Fund Grants:
Warm Welcome Grant Fund
Shropshire Council has made a total of £10,000 available to distribute in grant funding to community / VCS organisations opening to the community as a Warm Welcome this winter.
The Warm Welcome Grants Programme is aimed at supporting very local initiatives.
The maximum grant available through the Small Grants Programme will be £500 per grant (based on the number of days your venue is open as a Warm Welcome).
Warm welcome venues will look different depending on the organisation, but minimum requirements are:
Free of charge, accessible spaces that are known and open regularly within the community
Inclusive, supportive and non-judgmental spaces where everyone can go if needed
A warm and comfortable area with tables and chairs and toilet facilities on site or nearby
Warm welcome places can offer more such as newspapers, a place to charge mobile devices and free wifi, hot drinks and refreshments and activities depending on the venue's facilities and resources
Opening times will be what organisations can offer
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 listof grants with rolling deadlines as well!
Don't see something on this list that should be here? Please contact us and let us know.
