National Lottery Announces It Will Double Its Small Grants

In what is being characterised as ’the biggest change in National Lottery funding for a generation’, the UK’s largest community funder has announced that it will double the amount of funding available to grassroots projects.

With the aim of strengthening society by creating resilient communities that are more inclusive and sustainable, National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has released its seven-year strategy, “It starts with community”. During this period, it is expected that at least £4 billion of lottery funding will be distributed across the UK.

The strategy was formed over a year-long process comprising 18,000 interactions with people and organisations and focuses on four key missions. These are to support communities to:

• Connect. Support communities to come together.
• Be environmentally sustainable.
• Help children and young people to access resources and experiences that help them thrive.
• Enable people to live healthier lives.

At the core of the strategy are the following principles, which will guide funding decisions and ways of working:

• An equity-based approach to tackle inequality.
• Supporting communities to build from their strengths.
• Supporting what matters most to different communities.

The new strategy will see an increase in funding:

• Awards for All – the maximum grant is being raised from £10,000 to £20,000 covering two years (currently one year).
• A new £15 million programme is expected to open for applications ‘around August’ that will connect communities.
• An additional £9 million will go to support the Climate Action Fund.

According to the NLCF, ‘there will be more announcements to come about new funding opportunities and programmes as [it] starts to work through the detailed delivery’.

There will also be an increased focus on strategic, long-term change and investment. Typically, funding will be for between one and five years, with flexibility to support some projects and approaches targeting longer-term or transformational change up to 10 years.

NLCF will remain flexible and receptive to funding project, capital, organisational, partnership and developmental costs depending on the needs of the organisation.

The full strategy can be found on the NLCF website.

Shropshire Partnership Wins Health Promotion of the Year Award

Shropshire Council’s health checks for the farming community have been awarded Health Promotion of The Year at the West Midlands Public Health Ball awards ceremony. 

The Public Health Ball awards were held on Saturday 20th May, organised by West Midlands Public Health Registrars to recognise the work that has taken place in the sector in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began.   

Shropshire Council’s health checks for farmers took the award for Health Promotion of The Year thanks to the successful partnership between Shropshire Council and local charity, Shropshire Rural Support. 

The service began in January at Halls livestock auctions in Shrewsbury and has since grown to include McCartney’s livestock market in Ludlow.  Shropshire Council’s community wellbeing outreach team visit each of the markets, usually once every fortnight, and can provide blood pressure readings as well as listening to other wellbeing concerns and signposting services and support. 

Since the service began, agencies such as West Midlands Police, NHS diabetes practitioners and Severn Trent Water have also joined the team, to offer advice on wider issues that affect the farming community.  The project is now being expanded to include Market Drayton livestock market, run by Barber’s auctions, so that it can reach even more people in the community. 

Shropshire's Social Task Force Responds to New VCS Report on the Cost of Living Crisis

Shropshire's Social Task Force has released a response to the new report from Shropshire's Citizens Advice and the Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance, titled, "When the safety net fails: Experiences of navigating local support services during the cost of living crisis."

The report is based on interviews with Shropshire residents on their experiences with trying to access support during the cost of living crisis.

The Social Task Force released a statement last week, saying:

As a Social taskforce we welcome this detailed and powerful examination of the difficulties experienced by some residents in accessing support in Shropshire. We thank the participants for sharing their stories and hope that we can work towards improving the safety net for our residents.

Our partnership includes a wide range of organisations, including the voluntary and community sector, health and social care and Shropshire council.

Together, we have been working to deliver targeted actions to support households throughout the Pandemic and the Cost-of-living crisis. This includes communications to residents, training for frontline staff and a cost of living helpline.

Our multi agency approach brings the knowledge and expertise of local organisations together so that we can focus on the key challenges faced by our most vulnerable residents.

We have been able to do a great deal of positive work but recognise that there is still a lot more that we must continue to do, as highlighted in this report. 

As a partnership we support the recommendations in the report and remain committed to continue supporting our most vulnerable households.  We have agreed to the continuation of the Social Taskforce and will take steps to update our actions in line with the recommendations and available resources."

Chaired by Rachel Robinson, Executive Director of Public Health, the Social Task Force is made up of councillors, council employees, and voluntary and community sector representation from across the county who come together regularly to work on key issues pertaining to the cost of living. Read this story about the Task Force in the Shropshire Star.

You can download a summary of the report here or read the full report.

Free Warm Hubs Toolkit Launched

A toolkit to help set up Warm Hubs across the country has been launched, with support agencies encouraged to build on this winter’s Warm Spaces initiatives and convert them to Warm Hubs.

Warm Hubs were originally created by Community Action Northumberland (CAN) in 2015 as places within the local community where people can be assured of finding a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy refreshments, social activity, advice and the company of other people. Funding for the scheme was provided by Northern Gas Networks (NGN).

However Warm Hubs are much more than a warm space. They are warm, resilient, sustainable, energy efficient buildings/emergency centres often using renewable technology. The Warm Hub volunteers are fully trained in skills such as first aid, food safety, energy advice and dementia awareness. Finally, every Warm Hub is tailored to meet the needs of its local community, including identifying any gaps in support.

During the last year, CAN was inundated with enquiries from charities and local authorities wanting to set up a Warm Hubs scheme in their own areas as the energy crisis hit. Warm Hubs is trademarked, so to help address the need and to share good practice, CAN created the Warm Hubs toolkit at www.warmhubs.com thanks to support from Northern Gas Networks.

The website describes how to set up and run a Warm Hub scheme, aimed at support agencies across the UK such as local authorities and rural charities. It provides training via a free toolkit of guidance to ensure the Warm Hubs they’ll be supporting are meeting the Warm Hub principles.

This story was excerpted from the Rural Services Network website. Read the full story here.

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.

Register free here

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.

Young Adult Mental Health Grant Scheme Workshop

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.

Register via Eventbrite

Free Domestic Abuse Training Spaces Available for This Week

There are currently spaces available for FREE training sessions running this week, and next week:

DASH Focus:  Tuesday 13^th June 11.00am-1.00pm

HBA/FM:  Wednesday 14^th June 2.00pm-4.30pm

To find out more about the specific courses and trainers, visit the Stay website.

To book staff on, or if you are interested yourself, then please email Nina Gee ninagee@staytelford.co.uk or training@staytelford.co.uk

ALL training is held online (Microsoft Teams) and participants will receive a certificate and session materials. Sessions are interactive, informal, and sensitive. The training is open to organisations across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.

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.

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.

Celebrate Midsummer the Traditional Way at Fordhall Organic Farm

21st June may seem like just another summer day, but since Neolithic times it has been a reason for celebration. Summer Solstice, or Midsummer, sees the longest daylight hours of the year – this simple fact has given rise to some very old traditions and folklore associated with this day. Some may observe the day in their own way, keeping a candle burning all night, watching the sunrise or sunset, or creating solstice flower crowns. Other’s may join larger celebrations, with music, feasting and storytelling – very much like the celebrations would have been carried out in the past.

Last year, Fordhall Farm hosted their first seasonal celebration of this nature, with event producer Suzanne Antoney-Byrnes describing it as ‘an evening of fun, food and folklore’. Following the success of this event, Fordhall Community Land Initiative manager, Charlotte Hollins, has once again been working closely with Suzanne and funding from the Shropshire Good Food Partnership to bring further seasonal merriment to the farm!

Professional storyteller Jake Evans will be revisiting, to thrill with tales of the mystical around the firepits, while folk band Litha will accompany the celebrations with their live traditional music…and of course there will be a midsummer themed feast of Fordhall fayre! Guests will be able to dig into a delightful array of dishes, from slow roast pork, beetroot and goat’s cheese quiche, locally made sunshine bread, chocolate beehive cupcakes…and that’s just naming a few!

Fordhall Community Land Initiative Manager, Charlotte Hollins, said:

"I am very excited to be working with Suzanne and other local musicians and artists again, bringing people together for an event which celebrates connection with each other and the landscape.

‘It will be a joy to welcome back both Jake and Litha, who never fail to entertain with their wonderful stories and music. We do hope guests will also enjoy the traditional Fordhall Grazing Table buffet, with its special solstice twist. All the dishes are freshly prepared, and made with local and organic ingredients – we can of course cater for an array of dietary requirements too, so no-one misses out on any part of the celebration."

Fordhall’s Summer Solstice event is taking place on 21st June, 7pm-10pm. Tickets are £20pp,
and must be pre-booked by visiting the Fordhall Farm Shop website or calling 01630 638 696.
A cash bar will be available on the night.

Get Grants Offering Free Introduction Workshops in 2023

Get Grants are offering free taster sessions of their fundraising workshops during the remainder of 2023. Click on the links below to sign up via Eventbrite.

Thursday 22^nd June, 10am – 11am
Introduction to Trusts & Foundations Fundraising Workshop

Thursday 6th July, 12pm – 1pm
Introduction to Developing your Individual Giving Workshop

Tuesday 25^th July, 10am – 11am
Introduction to Corporate Fundraising Workshop

Friday 29^th September, 10am – 11am
Introduction to Using Data to Increase Fundraising Success Workshop

Tuesday 10^th October, 10am – 11am
Introduction to Storytelling for Fundraising Workshop

Friday 10^th November, 10am – 11am
Introduction to Developing a Fundraising Strategy Workshop

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:

• Unconscious Bias
• Volunteer Befriending Skills
• Adult Safeguarding Awareness
• Mental Health Awareness
• Professional Conduct and Boundaries
• Equality and Diversity

It is also highly recommended that you follow SIP on Evenbrite to get notified when new courses are added!

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.

Sign up here

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: 

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.

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.

About Health – In conversation with Our Windrush Nurses

Date: Thursday, 6 July 2023

Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Online

In celebration of Windrush day, Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation for Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust is joined by retired nurses from One Voice Windrush Caribbean Community, to talk about what it was like to arrive in Shropshire and work in the newly established NHS.  

It promises to be an excellent evening and the ladies have a lot of stories of living in Shropshire in the 20th century which will tie into the work EDI teams are looking into now!

Register free via Eventbrite 

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.

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

Citizens Advice Shropshire is Recruiting!

Are you passionate about making a difference, making society fairer and working for an organisation that values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination?  

Citizens Advice Shropshire is recruiting for 2 assessor/adviser roles.

They encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will consider a trainee position if you don’t have advice experience.  They will consider part time working (min 3 days or across 5 days).

2 x Assessor /Adviser or Trainee Assessor /Adviser

Salary £23,946 - £25,412 FTE depending on experience.

Contract: Fixed term contract until September 2024.

Full time 37 hours per week.

Location: Shrewsbury Office and some homeworking

Start:  As soon as possible.

Post may be subject to a DBS check.

In this role, you will be part of a paid and volunteer team answering calls from their Shropshire telephone advice line and national Citizens Advice Universal Credit: Help to Claim line and interviewing clients in the Shrewsbury office

Further details and application form (no CVs) are available from their website.

Closing date:           Midnight Sunday 2^nd July 2023

Interviews:             Tuesday 11^th July 2023

Chief Officer / Commercial Manager £40K pa

Meeting Point Trust Ltd is a well-established charity based at Meeting Point House in Southwater Square, Telford Town Centre, the commercial hub of Telford.

Meeting Point House comprises 10 meeting/conference rooms, the on-site Hummingbird Café, serviced office space to 10 local charities and a home to the new Telford Minster.

They are a forward-thinking charity, with a vision:

‘To be the enduring Meeting Point in the heart of Telford that increasingly inspires, connects and enables Statutory, Faith and Voluntary organisations; and through this partnership improves the lives of others.’

The successful candidate will be dynamic and have managed at strategic and operational levels, generating strategies for growth, and meeting financial targets. Experience of managing a large public space and setting and managing budgets is essential. Experience of working to a board of Trustee would be beneficial.

You will be able to demonstrate strong leadership and change management skills as the Trust operates in a commercially competitive environment, whilst striving to deliver its charitable objectives.

Hours: 37 hrs per week (negotiable) Monday to Friday

Actual salary: £40K for FT hours

benefits include: 5% employer contribution to pension, 25days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced sick pay.

Flexible working and some home working, as required.

Closing date: 18/06/2023

If interested, please email a covering letter and CV to: manager@meetingpointhouse.co.uk

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. 

Dementia Support Group Facilitator

• Location - Albrighton
• Salary - £22,129 pro rota
• 12hrs per month in total
• 2 groups facilitated per month on 1^st and 3^rd 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 16^th June.

PALZ: Branch Administrator 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.

PALZ are looking for an Administrator 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

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

Ludlow Concert Band Seeking Members

Do you play a woodwind or brass musical instrument? Do you enjoy playing with a group of musicians?

If so, the Ludlow Concert Band would be very pleased to hear from you. They are a Concert Wind Band who meet weekly on Thursday evenings in Ludlow and perform occasional concerts in South Shropshire and North Herefordshire. Their repertoire is very varied ranging from classical music to film and musical numbers.

There are no auditions and no membership fees – just arrange to come along to a rehearsal and see how you get on! They are particularly keen to hear from Bass, Euphonium, Bassoon and Trombone players but all instruments are welcome!
Please visit their website to make contact.

Grant Funding Open for New Shropshire HAF  Programme in Bridgnorth

Shropshire Council invite organisations to apply for funding to deliver a new face-to-face HAF programme for primary aged eligible children, during Summer and Winter/Christmas school holidays 2023 at St Mary’s Bluecoat C of E Primary School, Bridgnorth.

Bridgnorth currently has limited HAF provision for eligible children living in or near the vicinity.

Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), HAF offers enriching activities and nutritious meals to children and young people, aged 4 to 16, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals (FSM).

There are currently 7,333 children and young people in the county eligible for FSMs, a figure which is continually increasing. Shropshire Council aim to reach as many of these children and young people in the county as possible, whilst also ensuring holiday programmes are easily accessible, safe and welcoming.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, said:

“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with St Mary’s Bluecoat C of E Primary School in Bridgnorth to offer a new HAF holiday club in the town. We welcome applications from organisations interested in running this programme. This new club will be in addition to the successful established holiday club being run by Trusted Sports Partnership at Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth”.

All potential HAF providers will need to offer a programme of enrichment and physical activities a nutritious meal and food education.

Alongside the new HAF programme in Bridgnorth, Shropshire Council are continuing to work in partnership with a core group of over 20 local organisations to run the existing successful HAF programme.

The summer HAF programme will be launched on 19th June.

Deadline for Applications for New HAF programme in Bridgnorth to be submitted – 5:00pm Wednesday 28th June 2023.

Download application form

Download HAF guidance and criteria

For more information about Shropshire HAF and how to apply contact HAF.programme@shropshire.gov.uk

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

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