 Local Charity Invites People to Pledge Their Free Time to Help Local Good Causes
A Shropshire charity has launched its latest appeal, but rather than requesting donations it’s asking people to pledge their free time.
The Community Resource Pledge It! Campaign is inviting people to share how many hours they could potentially give to volunteering, either for the charity or one of the local community organisations it supports.
The callout comes during Volunteers' Week, a national awareness campaign that takes place from 1st – 7th June every year.
Bev Baxter, CEO of Community Resource, said:
“Volunteering is an amazing opportunity to give back, support causes that matter to you and create lasting change within your community.
Our Pledge It! campaign is all about highlighting the flexibility of volunteering, helping people to think about what free time they may have and how much a local charity like us, or community group we support, could benefit from that time.
Whether you can spare an hour each week or a couple of days per month, your contribution will be gratefully received.”
To pledge your commitment to volunteer or for further information about the campaign, please visit the Community Resource website.
Community Resource helps people and communities facing challenges through running its own services and supporting local community groups to run theirs.
The charity’s Infrastructure Team recruits volunteers and offers free advice, guidance and support to local charitable groups and organisations.
Allison Richardson, Operations Manager for the Infrastructure Team, said:
“There is such a variety of volunteering opportunities available with local community groups we support. From regular roles like telephone befriending and helping out at a food bank, to one-off events like emergency flood response support, there are numerous ways to make a meaningful impact.
By volunteering through us you will have the chance to make friends, develop skills and become an integral part of a supportive local community network.”
Some examples of the volunteer roles available and the time needed include:
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One-hour pledge – telephone befriending
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Two-hour pledge - volunteer driver, face to face befriending
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Half day Pledge - food bank shift, ‘buddy’ to attend local activities with, social group support
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Full Day Pledge - ESOL (English as a Second Language) teaching, one off events (fundraising event, emergency flood response)
Once a volunteer submits their pledge, a member of the Community Resource team will get in touch to see if there are any opportunities that fit with your pledge time that they may be interested in.
2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week, when thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognise the contribution volunteers make across the UK.
This year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ to encourage people to get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.
Do you want to be connected with some of the volunteers coming forward during this campaign? Then check out the Shropshire Infrastructure Team's brand new website or email them: sipvcsteam@community-resource.org.uk
New Report on Accessing Cost of Living Support in Shropshire
"When the safety net fails: Experiences of navigating local support services during the cost of living crisis" is the new report from Citizens Advice Shropshire in partnership with the Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance.
The report is based on interviews with Shropshire residents on their experiences with trying to access support during the cost of living crisis. The report has five key findings:
- Navigating the social support system is not an easy task for people in Shropshire.
- Stigma is huge, but positive experiences of support can help to alleviate it.
- Not Having access to enough support has far-reaching implications for people’s lives.
- The cost of living is hitting Shropshire harder because of its rurality.
- The national safety net sets context for local support.
Despite these challenges, the report also details numerous recommendations for improvements that can make a difference to Shropshire residents. Recommendations include data sharing and partnership working, improving training and triaging capabilities for frontline staff and volunteers, and better resourcing advice services, among others.
You can download a summary of the report here or read the full report.
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Rob Jackson, volunteer consultant, has a new blog post on the Directory of Social Change - and his message may surprise you. Rob writes:
"We all know that the Covid-19 lockdowns and the current cost-of-living crisis have affected volunteering rates....
The solution to these woes is often suggested to be the two Rs: recruitment and retention. Personally, I do not believe that this focus on the two Rs is the solution, at least in a traditional sense....
The problem is, none of these approaches will work in a context where attitudes to volunteering have shifted. As many people have said for several years (including pre-pandemic), people today want more flexible volunteering that fits around their availabilities & interests, that connects them to a larger sense of purpose, and that really makes an impact....
Similarly, people want to volunteer on their terms and perhaps do things that may well not match your organisation’s traditional understanding of volunteering. No more making cups of tea and stuffing envelopes, instead we may see a growth in activism, campaigning for social justice or action to tackle the climate crisis. All volunteering, even if society rarely labels it as such.
All of this change means that, as I am fond of saying, doing what we’ve always done (or doing more of it) won’t get what we always got.
The world has changed, and so must we. Trying harder to recruit and retain volunteers just isn’t going to cut it.
Volunteer engagement requires proper resourcing, proper support and needs to be elevated to a genuine strategic priority, not just something senior leaders talk nicely about in Volunteers’ Week and then neglect for the rest of the year.
With the right support, the potential of volunteering in our current context is huge."
Read the full article here!
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DWP - Massive Boost to Childcare Payments This Month
Universal Credit’s maximum childcare payments will rise nearly 50% – up to £1,630 per month – from 28 June, according to the DWP.
As part of the Government’s biggest ever expansion to childcare provision, low-income families will be able to access increased childcare support worth a total of £900 million from 28 June.
Later this month, the Department for Work and Pensions will raise the amount that parents in Great Britain can claim back monthly for their childcare costs on Universal Credit up to £951 for one child and £1,630 for two or more children. This is a rise of 47% from the previous limits of £646 for one child or £1,108 for two or more children.
At the same time, the Government will help eligible parents cover the costs for the first month’s childcare when they enter work or significantly increase their hours, removing one of the most significant barriers to parents working and helping to grow the economy.
Those parents will also receive up to 85% of their childcare costs back before their next month’s bills are due – meaning they should have money to pay one month in advance going forward.
Read more from the government's official press release.
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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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Men with Cancer Diagnosis: SaTH are looking for men to join a task and steer group, working with the Personalised Care Team as part of the Living With and Beyond Cancer Programme, to help them create a focused session for men. They are looking for anybody to be involved as much or little as they would like: whether this be just giving comments and feedbacks or getting more involved and joining the task and steer group to help shape the session. Please help spread the word about this opportunity. Closing date TBD
Health Needs Assessment for Shrewsbury: Shropshire Councils Public Health Community Wellbeing Outreach Team is collecting the views and wishes of all Shropshire residents regarding their current and future health and wellbeing needs. They feel it’s very important to make sure community voice is heard when decisions are made about where funding is allocated across Shropshire. Right now, they are surveying Shrewsbury residents only. Please help spread the word about this research. Closing date TBD
Healthwatch Shropshire - Complaints About Health and Social Care: 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
Healthwatch Shropshire - Diabetes Service Changes: To address the rising prevalence of diabetes in our community STW Integrated Care System wants to transform diabetic care pathways with a vision of improving the lives and treatment outcomes for patients affected by diabetes or those at risk of developing it. In order to do this, they would like to hear from people with diabetes or those who have been identified as being at risk of developing diabetes (pre-diabetic) about their experiences of diabetic care and support. They will then share the responses with the NHS and Public Health to help inform the transformation programme and ensure the patient voice is at the centre of developments. Closing date TBD
The Shropshire Council Strengthening Families team want to support families in Shropshire and improve their services where needed. They are asking all parents, whether in a relationship or not, their thoughts on the language and approaches that practitioners might use to support local families. Please share this survey with your service users where appropriate. Closing 9th June
School Aged Children Stakeholder Survey: Shropshire Council public health team is seeking the views of all services and organisations that support children aged 5-16 years old, including children with SEND. Closing 13th June
The Shropshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan: (LCWIP or ‘Cycling and Walking Plan’ for short) is the council's long-term plan, aimed at dramatically improving the safety, comfort and attractiveness of walking and cycling in the county. The purpose of this plan is to set out a prioritised list of schemes for delivery over the next ten years that will improve walking and cycling infrastructure for Shropshire residents, workers and visitors alike. Closing 16th June
The Cycling and Walking plan covers the following towns (click below for the survey link):
Other ways to get involved:
- Two online webinars covering the proposals for each of the seven towns (6pm on 18 and 25 May details TBC)
- Workshops with schools to get the opinions of children and young people (w/c 19 June, details TBC)
Shropshire Council Recommissioning Digital Carer Support: Shropshire Council commissioned a Digital Carer Support service in December 2021. Mobilise online was awarded the contract and works closely with the Shropshire Carer Support team, within Shropshire Council, to ensure we provide an all-round service to identify and support more carers in Shropshire, including carers who may previously have been marginalised e.g., working carers, parent carers, young adult carers and hidden carers.
The digital carer support contract is ending in December 2023, and they are recommissioning a digital service. They are asking all carers who have used the digital support service delivered by Mobilise to tell them their thoughts on what went well, any difficulties and anything that may be missing from the digital service.
It’s important to the council that the services they provide are well-designed for the people who will be using them. The feedback we receive will help us to do this. We are hoping to hear from adult carers with a wide range of personal experiences and different circumstances; we know that everybody’s story is unique. We would particularly like to hear from young adult carers and working carers.
Please help to distribute this short questionnaire to service users describing their experience of receiving digital support and any suggestions to improve the digital service Shropshire Council are commissioning. Closing date 19th June
The Big Health and Wellbeing Conversation Survey: The aim is to understand local views on what is affecting people's health and wellbeing, and what things would make the biggest difference to improve experiences of local health and care services. The ICS is inviting anyone who lives, works, or accesses health and care services in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin to tell us their views about local health and care services and what should be done to improve them. People who register their views can also opt in to enter a free prize draw with a chance to win £100 worth of vouchers (terms and conditions apply). Please share widely with service users. Closing 22nd June
Carers Shielding Questionnaire: The Covid 19 pandemic saw many unpaid and family carers shielding to protect the person they care for and themselves. It has been 2 years since restrictions started to reduce, however, many carers still feel the need to protect their cared for person and themselves by continuing to shield. Continued shielding may have an adverse effect on a carer's health and wellbeing, causing feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Shropshire Council's Carers Support Team are interested in why people might be shielding so that they can provide support to carers to access their community, news and relevant resources. Closing 30th June
Rural Youth Survey: Rural Media have launched a follow up on their successful Point of View Youth Survey aimed at rural young people. This year for the first time it is being rolled out to Shropshire as well and organisations from Shropshire have had the opportunity to add questions. Data from the survey will be available to anyone and it will be possible to isolate data just for Shropshire. Please help spread the word with your service users. Closing 7th July
Shropshire Electoral Boundary Review: The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has published draft recommendations for new divisions, division boundaries, and division names for Shropshire. If you represent a local organisation or community group in Shropshire, please pass this message on to your members or anyone you think who might be interested in the review. Closing 10th July
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Website with information on the review and proposals
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Link to feedback form to provide views on the proposals
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Poster for sharing with communities
Shropshire’s Great Outdoors Survey 2023: Annual user survey in order to identify how and where best to use the council’s resources to maintain and improve Shropshire's rights of way network, country parks and countryside and heritage sites. The survey also provides information to support the delivery of Shropshire’s Great Outdoors Strategy 2018-2028. Closing 6th August
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VCSA Annual Assembly
5th July 9:30-12:30
Shrewsbury Town Football Club
This year's assembly theme will be promoting mental health and wellbeing for voluntary sector staff and volunteers. We will have speakers and a workshop that fit this theme. Our agenda will also cover a review of the work the VCSA has done this year to further the sector's priorities.
Full agenda will be available soon!
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served, and tables for putting out materials will be available. Time will be set aside specifically for networking with other VCSE organisations, so please feel free to bring your organisational flyers and materials. Please email Sarah Hampson at vcsassembly@shropshire.gov.uk if you plan to bring banners or other materials bigger than leaftlets for a table, just so that we can be prepared to accommodate you.
If you will need transportation from the Shrewsbury bus or train station to the football ground, please email Sarah Hampson at vcsassembly@shropshire.gov.uk as soon as possible as we are making arrangements for a shuttle.
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Next Health & Social Care Forum Meeting
6th June 9:30-11:30am at Community Resource, Shrewsbury
There has been a change to the agenda for this meeting; Maryan Davies will now be attending to discuss the community mental health transformation project in place of Marianne Grant who is now unable to attend on the 6th. Download the agenda here.
Interested in joining their next meeting? Email Sue Chalk, Head of Service (Wellbeing & Care) at Community Resource.
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Shrewsbury Health and Wellbeing Hub Pause - Follow Up
Online 8th June 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Following their recent communication regarding the pause of work on the Shrewsbury Health and Wellbeing Hub, the Programme Team wanted to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to raise any questions they may have or seek further clarification on.
The team are holding a MS Teams meeting on Thursday 8th June, 2.30pm - 3.30pm. If you would like to join the meeting, please use the link below.
Click here to join the meeting
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King’s Award for Voluntary Service Briefing Sessions
The King's Award for Voluntary Service celebrates the outstanding work of local volunteer groups across the UK. Groups do not have to be a registered charity and any voluntary
organisation with three or more volunteers can be nominated. The award is the equivalent to an MBE and the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, giving Royal recognition to the work they do.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire has been delighted to see so many voluntary groups in the county being awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and would like to support even more organisations across Shropshire win this award which following the Accession of King Charles III, has now become The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
To help and encourage voluntary organisations understand the award and the nomination process the Shropshire Lieutenancy will be holding one more briefing session:
Tuesday 13th June 2023 at 7pm - 8pm Via Zoom
For further information and/or to book a place please email: shelley.davies@shropshire.gov.uk
Information can also be found on the KAVS website.
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14th June 11:30am-1pm Online
Are you a voluntary sector organisation working with young adults with mental health issues? Maybe your organisation is not yet working with this population but is interested in finding some funding to expand into this work?
This workshop is for you!
The Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT) is seeking your support to achieve their Community Mental Health Transformation objectives as set out below in the infographic.
Via the Shropshire Telford and Wrekin DPS they are looking to commission and provide grants for new bespoke VCSE-led initiatives working with adults with complex mental Health need living within Shropshire Telford and Wrekin.
The funding rounds will include services for 18-25 year olds with further funding opportunities to address health inequalities, reach out to marginalised groups and hopefully go some way to addressing service gaps identified within local communities.
At this workshop you will:
- Help to develop grant criteria for the funding rounds aimed at supporting 18-25 year olds with complex mental health needs in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
- Learn more about the upcoming grants for the Community Mental Health Transformation and how your organisation can apply
- Meet and network with other VCSE organisations working on similar goals
This workshop is hosted by the Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA), Telford & Wrekin Chief Officers Group (COG), the Telford Unlocking Potential Alliance, and the MPFT Community Mental Health Transformation.
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AI in the Charity Sector: Getting Past the Hype
Free Online Event 14th June 4:30-5:30pm
Everyone’s talking about artificial intelligence and machine learning, and whether they’ll revolutionise every field of human activity. Do they present opportunities or threats to the charity sector and philanthropy? Should we be readying ourselves to jump in and embrace their benefits, or working out how to avoid their harms?
This event is an opportunity for participants to learn about what they should be thinking through to identify and understand potential benefits and risks, and get past the hype to practical insight.
The event will be chaired by NPC’s Director of Innovation and Development, Tris Lumley and speakers include, Tania Duarte, Co-Founder and CEO, WE and AI, and Rhodri Davies, Director, Philanthropy Matters.
Register free via Eventbrite
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June In-Person Networking Event
June 19th 5:30-7pm
Lion + Pheasant Hotel Shrewsbury
Come and join in a fun and informal networking session for those working in and with the charity sector in Shropshire!
Shropshire Charity Network are delighted that they will be joined at the session by Mandy Thorn MBE, the High Sheriff for Shropshire, who will be sharing her aspirations for her Shrieval Year.
The event will take place at the Lion and Pheasant in Shrewsbury in the large upstairs function room. Please grab a drink from the bar downstairs and make your way up to join everyone.
The event is free to attend. Numbers are limited so please do book your place using the Eventbrite link.
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Free Motivational Interviewing Training
20th June 09:15 – 16:00 Online
Free opportunity for VCSE organisations to participate in this training offered through the ICS.
If you spend your life explaining what your service users should, could, must or need to do then this is the course for you. Motivational interviewing is a style of communication that uses a guiding/reflective style to engage with people, clarify their strengths and aspirations, and utilise their own motivations for change, and promote independence of decision making.
Download the course flyer for more information, including how to book!
You can also visit the Eventbrite site to learn more and book there.
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Carers Week 5-18 June 2023
Carers Week is an annual event to raise awareness of caring. The theme this year is ‘Recognising and supporting carers in the community.’
Carers week is our opportunity to say thank you to all unpaid and family carers in Shropshire.
Shropshire Carers Support Team are excited to share this year’s programmes for both face to face and virtual activities with you. Please click HERE for face to face activities and HERE for virtual activities. Like last year, they have extended the programme over a two-week period (5 – 18 June 2023) to try and reach as many carers as possible. There is a blended mix of face to face and virtual options – whether you want to come along to the activities or join them from home they hope you will find something for you and look forward to meeting you.
The High Sherriff will be joining Carers at Shrewsbury Art Gallery and Museum on Friday 9 June for ‘Sounds Great! An introduction to 'music-care'’– see the programme for further details on this and all of the other activities. To book please email shropshire.carers@shropshire.gov.uk or Telephone 01743 341995.
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Free and Low Cost Training for Voluntary Sector Organisations Through SIP
The Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership (SIP) hosts a number of free or low-cost (£15pp) training courses for voluntary and community sector organisations in Shropshire.
Click on the links below to check them out and sign up today! Upcoming courses in May and June include:
It is also highly recommended that you follow SIP on Evenbrite to get notified when new courses are added!
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Mental Health Courses for VCS Organisations
Remember to check out the list of mental health training courses offered through the Shropshire in Partnership Mental Health Project.
Courses for VCS organisations include:
Suicide First Aid
Resilience and Stress Management
and Managing Stress and Burnout.
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First Aid and Safeguarding Adults 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 our 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 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). Safeguarding Adults Awareness training is aimed at all staff and volunteers working in social care, health, housing, charities and other areas of the independent sector.
In June 2023 they have spaces available on the following courses:
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Course Title
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Course Date
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Venue
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1 Day Emergency First Aid
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8th June
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Annscroft Office
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First Aid at Work (3 Days)
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12th June
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Annscroft Office
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First Aid at Work (3 Days)
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13th June
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Annscroft Office
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Safeguarding Adults - your role as safeguarding lead
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14th June
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Online - Zoom
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First Aid at Work (3 Days)
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14th June
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Annscroft Office
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Dementia Showcase Day
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14th June
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Shrewsbury Town Football Club
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1 Day Emergency First Aid in Ludlow, Market Drayton or Telford
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15th June
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Spiro Clinic, Ludlow
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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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Adults Up For Change Invited to Youth Conference
South Shropshire Youth Network is a peer network for anyone working with young people aged 8-25 years old – or wanting to work with young people. Each year they organise a youth conference to amplify the local youth voice.
For the second year running, young people are involved in organising the conference from scratch. The aim is for young participants to meet local decision makers, councillors and campaigners in a relaxed atmosphere. So that young people have their say in what happens where they live.
Are you interested in hearing from young people and willing to take some action, however big or small?
Then you’re invited too!
Organisations that want to present themselves can book a space at the conference, but only if it’s not just for an information stall. They have to have a little activity going on, and are expected to join in the workshops and conversations.
For more information & to book your free ticket including lunch via Eventbrite
Any questions or if you know of any young people you’d like to bring? Contact Infrastructure Support Officer Marinke Fontein, on marinke.ssyf@outlook.com and check out the SSYF website.
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Life in 2035 Apocalypse...Not?
Sunday 16th July, 2pm and 4pm at
The Hive in Shrewsbury
What kind of planet will we hand over to our children and grandchildren in 2035? Shropshire Youth Theatre Juniors take you on a journey through a series of parallel futures as they go about their work, come home, travel and shop in 2035.
An original piece of theatre created by SYT in collaboration with Save Our Shropshire, this inspiring and thoughtful play explores their own worries and wishes.
And what better way to support three community organisations?
Book tickets on the Hive website.
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SEN Family Friendly Theatre at Attingham Park
For their Family Theatre at Attingham Park this summer, Same Difference Arts will be performing Squirrel Walnutkins Saves the Planet on Friday 11 August 2023.
This is a SEN family friendly theatre performance and both shows will be BSL interpreted. The cast includes disabled actors and additional access elements thanks to ACE funding. These performances will be in the Outer Courtyard, compared to the usual Field of Play, as this is a quieter space for the shows.
Tickets are £10 an adult and £5 per child. Tickets will go on sale shortly on the Attingham Park website: Same Difference Arts: Squirrel Walnutkins Saves the Planet | National Trust
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New Date! 4th October 2023
Working with the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise Sector
The Key to Health and Care across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Join us at Shrewsbury Town Football Club for a full day conference on Wednesday, 4th October 2023 to find out more about Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin’s dynamic voluntary and community sector, its pioneering work and successes, as well as its future aspirations as a key partner within the Integrated Care System.
Meet colleagues from across sectors, hear latest research on the vital role of preventative healthcare, explore specific infrastructure support topics, and understand how we can unlock potential to support and engage our communities better. Work with us to develop a new strategic chapter that pushes the voluntary sector’s work to new and greater heights.
Who may be interested?
Please come along to learn more and share your views on future partnership working if you work within a voluntary organisation in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, are a leader within the Integrated Care System, including the local authorities and hospital trusts, as well as other organisations involved in community wellbeing.
What will be included?
The day’s agenda will include keynote speakers, a panel discussion, and a choice of workshops.
There will also be a tabletop networking opportunity for organisations in the voluntary sector to raise awareness and promote their organisations to conference delegates.
And, of course, refreshments and lunch for all.
More information to follow in a couple of weeks. Please mark your diaries.
 Supported by funding from Shropshire Council
Looking for Local Health-Related Events and Information?
Looking for health-related events and meetings local to your area? The VCSA recommends subscribing to the Community Connectors newsletter for all of the latest local event information, including classes, clubs and social groups that are related to health and wellbeing. You can subscribe by emailing l.woolcock@qube-oca.org.uk
Download the Community Connectors Leaflet for more information on what they are and how you can get involved in social prescribing in Shropshire.
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Volunteering Opportunities with LGBT+ Projects
SHROPSHIRE LGBT+ ARCHIVE Help is needed to complete the organisation of this private archive, housed within walking distance of Shrewsbury station. Broad categories of material have been established, but work needs doing to fine tune the collection, with a view to its eventual relocation to London (the Bishopsgate Institute) and/or Shropshire Archives. It’s a volunteer role, but should be a lot of fun if you like LGBT+ history and enjoy organising and documenting archival material. If you are interested please contact by text: Peter: 07790 263958
SHROPSHIRE LGBT+ HISTORY RESEARCH In preparation for presentation at the 2024 History Festival a keen researcher is needed to explore the origins of Shropshire CHE (Campaign for Homosexual Equality) in the 1970s. We can put you in touch with contacts to get you started, you then just follow your nose. Help will be available to create a display and to present the findings. If you are interested please contact Sal: sal@lgbtsand.com
LGBT+ BOOK CATALOGUING There is a great selection of LGBT+ themed books both fiction and non-fiction in the SAND Office - nobody gets to see them there so we would like to make them more available by donating them to Shropshire libraries. Reasonably enough - they need to know what we have got, so we'd like to (at last) complete the job of listing them by author/editor, title and date with a bit of blurb about each. Can you help? We have about 3 shelves worth! Please contact Sal: sal@lgbtsand.com
SAND SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT Finally, SAND is looking for a social media-savvy volunteer to help post regularly on Linked In, Twitter and Facebook. We'd ideally like someone who can commit for a minimum of three months. If you or someone you know is interested, then please contact james@lgbtsand.com
REACH Befriending by Phone: As we get older, we may find we spend more time on our own. This can sometimes feel lonely, boring or make us miss friends or family. For LGBT+ folks, it's even harder if they feel excluded from social clubs and activities they see as "not for us". If you or someone you know is missing the joy of regular conversation then give REACH a go. AgeUK's REACH service has been designed with help from SAND and is specifically there to link LGBT+ people aged 50 - 100 or more with a telephone-friend. It is a totally confidential service and they would love to hear from you. Phone AGE UK on 01743 233123.
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SaTH: Charity Communications Officer
This post will be part of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital’s Charity Team (SaTH Charity) which sits within the wider Public Participation Team. The Public Participation Team consists of 3 core areas; SaTH Charity, Volunteers and Public Engagement. The successful candidate will play a key role in implementing this charity’s communications, marketing and digital media strategies, utilising their expertise to meet agreed timelines
One year, fixed term (due to short term funding)
Part time, 25hrs/wk
£28,407 - £34,581 per annum/pro rata
Visit the SaTH website for a full job description and person specification. Deadline for applications, 9th June 11:59pm.
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Dementia Support Group Facilitator
- Location - Albrighton
- Salary - £22,129 pro rota
- 12hrs per month in total
- 2 groups facilitated per month on 1st and 3rd Friday
Community Resource’s dementia support groups (Care & Share) are a welcoming place to socialise for people with mild to moderate dementia and their family carers. The charity is looking for an enthusiastic person with great communication skills to facilitate and deliver session activities to the Albrighton group.
We are interested in someone who is good with people, organised, and can work on their own initiative. Knowledge of dementia is desirable, but not essential as training will be given. The successful candidate will be required to have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
For more information, visit the Community Resource website.
The deadline for applications is Friday 16th June.
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PALZ: Branch Secretary Needed
The Shropshire branch of PALZ UK supports people who have held challenging or demanding jobs and who are now living with Alzheimer’s or dementia from other causes. The branch aims to provide a social environment that relates to their previous working environment of peer support and mental challenge by holding a stimulating meeting at the Shropshire Conference Centre (in the grounds of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital) on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at 10am. The meetings aim to increase self-respect and confidence as well as providing mental stimulation.
They are looking for a Secretary to help the Branch Committee to facilitate the smooth running of these stimulating meetings. Could you help with managing the Branch Committee meetings by:
- scheduling the committee meetings (6 a year, alternating with the main meetings);
- producing an agenda;
- producing minutes;
- tracking actions.
Contact Details:
Email: info@palzglobal.org.uk
Find out more at www.palz.org.uk
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Shropshire Mental Health Support Vacancies:
Shropshire Mental Health Support are currently recruiting for the following roles:
- Deputy Manager – 37 hours
- Office Administrator – 35 hours
- Referral Co-ordinator – 35 hours
- Outreach Support Workers – 2 x 30 hr posts
- Sanctuary Support Workers – Various hours, night and late shifts
If you would like to join an award-winning charity and work in a fantastic team please call Heather on 01743 368647 for further details or email - manager@shropshiremhs.com
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Tender Opportunity: Scheme Based Housing Support
Housing Support services will support people whose needs are such that their ability to maintain a tenancy or remain independent in their home would be compromised without that support. The focus of housing-related support will be on ensuring that people have access to appropriate and settled accommodation according to their circumstances and have the support networks in place to help them sustain that accommodation.
This contract will have two principal areas of focus:
- Helping Service Users to access complementary services aimed at preventing, delaying or reducing the need for long-term formal care and support, including healthcare services.
- Helping to prevent tenancy failure leading to homelessness
The Council wishes to procure a single, or small number of, contracts which deliver on all aspects of the Service Specification. In doing so, the Council recognises the importance of a diverse and sustainable VCSE sector in delivering the contract outcomes and in providing choice to people who use services. The Council will therefore expect any proposals to incorporate strong formal or informal structures (such as consortium, partnership or other alliance) which will maximise the effectiveness of the Service and which retains diversity of provision.
Tenders will be accepted which propose either:
1.A single provider delivering scheme-based housing support across the whole Shropshire Council area; OR
2.A lead contractor on behalf of identified sub-contractors delivering scheme-based housing support across the whole Shropshire Council area; OR
3.A partnership or consortium proposing a contracting structure which will deliver scheme-based housing support across the whole Shropshire Council area. For clarity, scheme-based support is currently delivered through 5 geographically based contracts covering the whole Shropshire Council area and the Council would not welcome an increase in the number of individual contracts.
The total budget available is capped at £255,000 per annum and will be fixed for the duration of the contract(s). The duration of the contract(s) will be for an initial term of 3 years with an option to extend the contact by up to a further 2 years subject to contract performance and budget availability. Contract payments will be made monthly in arrears.
Deadline for submission: Midday on 3rd July 2023
Read the full contract notice here
Register interest on the Delta Portal here
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Tender Opportunity: Floating Housing Support Including Housing Advice and Prevention of Homelessness
Housing Support services will support people whose needs are such that their ability to maintain a tenancy or remain independent in their home would be compromised without that support. The focus of housing-related support will be on ensuring that people have access to appropriate and settled accommodation according to their circumstances and have the support networks in place to help them sustain that accommodation.
This contract will have two principal areas of focus:
- Helping to prevent homelessness and/or to support Service Users who have been homeless into settled accommodation
- Helping Service Users to access complementary services aimed at improving for example their wellbeing, financial situation and employability.
The Council wishes to procure a single, or small number of, contracts which deliver on all aspects of the Service Specification. In doing so, the Council recognises the importance of a diverse and sustainable VCSE sector in delivering the contract outcomes and in providing choice to people who use services. The Council will therefore expect any proposals to incorporate strong formal or informal structures (such as consortium, partnership or other alliance) which will maximise the effectiveness of the Service and which retains diversity of provision.
Tenders will be accepted which propose either:
1.A single provider delivering floating housing support for all the required client groups across the whole Shropshire Council area; OR
2.A lead contractor on behalf of identified sub-contractors delivering floating housing support for all the required client groups across the whole Shropshire Council area; OR
3.A partnership or consortium proposing a contracting structure which will deliver housing support for all the required client groups across the whole Shropshire Council area. For clarity, floating housing support is currently delivered through 5 geographically based contracts covering the whole Shropshire Council area and the Council would not welcome an increase in the number of individual contracts
The total budget available is capped at £540,000 per annum and will be fixed for the duration of the contract(s). The duration of the contract(s) will be for an initial term of 3 years with an option to extend the contact by up to a further 2 years subject to contract performance and budget availability. Contract payments will be made monthly in arrears.
Deadline for submission: Midday on 3rd July 2023
Read the full contract notice here
Register interest on the Delta Portal here
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Bupa Foundation Launches Green Community Grants
The Green Community Grants scheme is provided by the Bupa Foundation as part of its Healthy Cities campaign which aims to support one million people across the globe to improve their health each year by 2025, through restoring and regenerating nature.
The scheme is administered by Groundwork, which is a federation of charities working nationally and locally to transform lives in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.
Grants of between £500 and £2,500 are available for projects delivered between 1 October 2023 and 30 April 2024.
The funding is intended for registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, schools, local authorities and social housing providers for practical projects which help with both people and planet health.
Priority will be given to the regeneration of green spaces for community use, however other examples include:
- Improving green spaces for community activities to improve wellbeing
- Tree planting to improve air quality and biodiversity
- A school wanting to create an outdoor classroom or forest school
- A community group who would like to create an allotment
- A voluntary organisation wanting to install sustainable equipment, such as a heat pump.
This is not an exhaustive list and other project ideas are welcomed.
The deadline for applications is 30 June 2023 (12pm). For more information and to apply, visit the Groundwork website.
Veolia Environmental Trust Reopens for Applications for 2023
Veolia Environmental Trust is offering grants to constituted, not-for-profit organisations, local authorities, and environmental bodies enrolled with ENTRUST to support projects that make improvements to community facilities and the natural environment in communities located near a qualifying Veolia site in England.
For this round of funding, the Trust is looking for projects that:
- Protect and enhance biodiversity and natural habitats.
- Inspire the creation of a sustainable carbon-neutral space.
- Promote community action and well-being.
- Are inclusive and accessible to everyone and anyone to use.
The following grants are available:
- Community Grants between £10,000 and £75,000 for capital improvement/construction projects at a single site, such as community buildings and spaces, outdoor spaces, play and recreational spaces, or the installation of fixed items such as kitchen cupboards and work surfaces.
- Habitat and Biodiversity Grants between £10,000 and £75,000 for projects resulting in structural improvements for a single habitat that will conserve, restore, and enhance threatened habitats and protect/increase biodiversity.
- Environmental Improvement Grants start at £75,000 for ambitious and imaginative projects that will make a local, regional, national, and global impact on the environment by protecting and expanding threatened habitats and increasing biodiversity.
There are four funding rounds per year.
The next deadline for applications is 22 June 2023 (noon). Visit the Veolia Environmental Trust website for more information and to apply.
Power to Change’s New Discovery Fund Opens for Applications
The Discovery Fund is a new fund offered by Power to Change. Running over six months, the fund is looking to work collaboratively with 20 community businesses who have an idea they want to explore about how they could use community tech to solve a challenge either the business or their community are facing.
The programme is for feasibility and speculative work, where a community business wants time and space to scope out what they might want to do in relation to community tech.
Applicants can be experienced in making and using technology or have no experience with tech development at all.
The fund will provide 20 organisations with the following:
- £10,000 to explore a community tech solution to an existing challenge.
- An additional £2,000 to fund open working and engaging with the community tech community of practice.
- A free place on a structured design course to help move efficiently from challenge to solution.
- A free place on Third Sector Lab's Open Working and Reuse course.
- A network of experts and like-minded peers in a facilitated community of practice.
Funding is responsive and flexible and can be used to fund any eligible costs that meet the objectives of the fund.
The discovery funding of £10,000 could be used for:
- Research - reading, interviews, mapping, workshops etc as a way to ask questions, discover knowledge, refine ideas, scope out potential.
- Identifying and building partnerships to develop community tech.
- Spending time consulting with different experts.
- Undertaking learning journeys.
- Prototyping, testing and experimenting.
- Undertaking the Community Explore design process.
The open working funding of £2,000 could be used to:
- Document work in the Commons.
- Pay for staff time to attend an open working course.
- Pay for staff time to write weeknotes or blogs.
- Pay for time and travel to engage with the community tech programme’s community of practice.
- Be involved in the Discovery Fund evaluation activity.
There is particular interest in projects led by communities experiencing ethnic or racial inequity, discrimination or inequality, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and people who are seeking asylum or who are refugees.
Incorporated community businesses and organisations in England can apply. According to the Power to Change website, "community business" can include registered charities and CICs.
The deadline for applications is 21 July 2023 (midday). For more information and to apply, visit the Power to Change website.
International Tree Foundation Accepting Applications for Tree Planting Projects Across UK
International Tree Foundation has reopened the UK Tree Planting Grant Programme for the 2023 planting season and is offering grants for community-based organisations to conserve, restore and protect indigenous trees and woodlands, forests, habitats, and associated biodiversity, support community engagement in tree planting, and to increase awareness of the importance of trees and forests to environmental and human well-being.
Funding is for UK-based tree-planting projects that meet the following essential criteria:
- Plant trees in public/publicly accessible spaces.
- Plant indigenous tree species (including traditional fruit trees and ‘honorary’ natives where appropriate).
- Engage community members in tree planting and enjoying the benefits of woodlands.
- Have clear plans for maintenance and sustainability.
In addition, the project must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Engage children and young adults in tree planting and learning about trees.
- Engage vulnerable groups and groups with low access to woodlands.
- Conserve existing ancient trees and indigenous woodlands as well as new planting.
- Create biodiversity habitats.
- Conserve soil and water.
- Demonstrate new approaches such as agroforestry.
- Support rewilding and natural regeneration.
- Support work or research on tree pest and disease resistance and climate change. adaptation.
- Support urban tree planting.
Grants of up to £1,000 are available for projects of up to one year, as well as grants for large-scale projects ranging from 1000 to 10,000 trees with a maximum price equivalent to £1.50 per tree (inclusive of tree protection).
The deadline for applications is 15 December 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the International Tree Foundation website.
Poundland Foundation Reopens to Applications
Groups can now apply for the next round of Poundland Foundation’s Kits for Kids programme, which will see local children’s teams and clubs provided with new sports kit.
The funding is available for local charities, community interest companies and unregistered community organisations across the UK, providing they have an annual income of less than £10,000 and reserves of less than £5,000.
Organisations can apply for grants of up to £750. These must be spent on kit (clothing) for under 18s sports clubs.
Applicants must have a child safeguarding policy in place and have received no previous grants from Poundland Foundation.
Successful organisations must agree to display the Poundland Foundation logo on their kit.
The deadline to apply is 5pm on 13 June 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the Poundland Foundation website.
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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