 The Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership Voluntary and Community Development Team
SIP Team Publishes Annual Report and Rolls Out New Website
If you haven't heard of the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership (SIP) Team yet, now is the time to check out the free support and advice that they can offer your organisation.
A new website has just been launched for the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership (SIP). SIP is a collective group of VCSA member organisations that offer advice, support and training to voluntary sector organisations across Shropshire, and its partners of Community Resource, Qube, Energize and SYA.
SIP has taken on several collective projects over the years as a partnership, which include social prescribing, advocacy, events, volunteering projects and much more.
In 2021, the partnership secured funding to provide free infrastructure support to Shropshire voluntary organisations through the SIP Voluntary and Community Development Team (pictured above, and typically known as "the SIP Team").
The team has just finished its second year of funding, and you can now download their annual impact report. They have helped over 180 local VCSE organisations this year alone with advice and governance support. The team's work has also included offering 64 free or heavily subsidised training courses, supporting the award of over £90,000 in funding, and brokering 7,000 hours of volunteering in Shropshire.
New Art Project Commissioned to Explore Identity of Older LGBT+ Residents in Shropshire
Older Shropshire Residents are being invited to make collaborative portraits and recall memories with artist Ming de Nasty, exploring LGBT+ Identity over the next few months.
Shropshire-based Safe Aging No Discrimination (SAND) is working with arts organisation GRAIN Projects and artist Ming de Nasty to develop new contemporary portraits of residents.
Shropshire-based photographer Ming de Nasty has been commissioned to lead a project with older LGBT+ residents of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. The project launches this month and the resulting photography will be exhibited in Shrewsbury and published.
The new photographic work will focus on identity and representation providing an opportunity for individuals to tell their story and control their image.
Ming de Nasty’s photography offers a different perspective, with individuals expressing a confidence and sense of identity in their gaze and position. The portraits are acclaimed and award-winning and speak of diversity and challenging stereotypes.
Anyone interested in taking part in this project should contact Ming directly on 07980922570 or email: ming@mingdenasty.co.uk. You can also download a flyer or see the events section below for more information on the workshops that Ming will offer as part of this project.
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Small Charity Week 2023 - What's On
Supported by the NCVO and the Lloyds Bank Foundation, Small Charity Week celebrates and raises awareness of the essential work of the UK’s small charity sector who make an invaluable contribution to the lives of millions of individuals, communities and causes across the UK and the rest of the world.
What's available?
Free webinars, workshops, taster sessions, and advice sessions galore - more than 100 total! These are all available to book online through the Small Charity Week website.
Events are organised by a different theme each day:
Monday is CELEBRATION DAY. They'll be focussing on celebrating the amazing contribution small charities make to our society and holding live webinars on partnerships, radical governance, people power and centring lived experience.
Tuesday is PEOPLE DAY. They'll be focussing on kindness, wellbeing, inclusivity and avoiding burnout.
Wednesday is DISCUSSION DAY. They'll be focussing on the big issues facing the small charity sector right now and we’ll talk with funders on how the funding sector can be better for small charities.
Thursday is LEARNING DAY. They'll be focussing on motivating staff and volunteers, innovation in fundraising and communications and supporting disabled staff and volunteers.
Friday is FUTURE DAY. They'll be focussing on what the future should look like for small charities, and for SCW.
Additionally, most of these sessions are recorded and will be available to access after the events
Other things of interest related to this week include:
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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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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
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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Wellbeing Groups Invited to Host Free Stalls at Heal Festival in Shrewsbury
The Heal Festival is looking for community groups, well-being and health practitioners to participate in their music and wellbeing festival 30th June - 2nd July at the West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury.
Stands are free!
Contact dene@lostculturefestival.com if your organisation is interested in participating.
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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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Next workshop 12th July at Palmer's Cafe in Shrewsbury 1:30-4pm
Visit the SAND website for more information
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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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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 Social housing tenants across Shropshire are invited to the annual Shropshire Tenants Voice Conference 2023 on Wednesday 5 July, from 10am to 4pm. This will be at the Barnabas Centre in Shrewsbury, but can also be attended online.
Organised by Shropshire Council in partnership with social landlords across the county, Tenants Voice aims to bring tenants and their landlords together, and gives residents a chance to meet with senior leaders from social housing providers across the county.
Tenants will have the opportunity to find out how they can influence decision-making that affects them, and what support is available from both their landlord and the wider community.
Attendees will hear from a host of speakers covering key topics such as health and wellbeing, cost of living and climate change, and will also be able access advice and support from a wide range or organisations. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Sessions throughout the day include:
- Meet the landlord
- Cost of living challenge
- Putting tenants in the driving seat
- Health and wellbeing hour / food inspirations
- Living in a changing world – climate change challenge.
Residents can either attend in person – though early booking is advised as places are limited – or view the conference online. To book your place visit: Shropshire Tenants Voice Conference 2023 Tickets, Wed 5 Jul 2023 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
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
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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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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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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 2nd July 2023
Interviews: Tuesday 11th July 2023
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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
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Volunteer at Fordhall Organic Farm
Fordhall Organic Farm, near Market Drayton, has a long-standing volunteer programme, where involvement can include conservation and maintenance, to supporting the office team, to ensuring the smooth running of their exciting seasonal events! In the past, volunteers have donated their time to construct a boardwalk, a roundhouse, and even the Straw Lodge, which now provides accommodation for volunteers who live further afield.
Participants are always eager to share their own stories of getting stuck-in on the farm, with volunteering regular Nim saying:
"It is my happy place, it is the place that changed me for the better, who knew that getting covered from head to toe in mud/clay was so good for the soul? But it is!"
Fordhall Community Land Initiative Manager, Charlotte Hollins, said:
"We are very proud of our voluntary programme, and do hope it continues long into the future – with familiar faces and hopefully some new ones too. We are always excited to welcome members old and new!
Every volunteer makes a valuable contribution to keeping life here on the farm running. We simply wouldn’t be able to achieve half the projects we have going on without their help – we are endlessly grateful for their time and participation."
Their next Volunteer Weekend is on the 16th and 17th September, with some spaces available on their regular Farm Fridays as well.
To find out more about participating in Fordhall’s volunteering programme, please email project@fordhallfarm.com, call 01630 638 696, or visit their website.
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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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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
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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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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.
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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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Do you have a job or volunteer opportunity you would like us to promote? Please send your information to VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk and we will include it in our next newsletter!
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Latest VCSA Funding Roundup Published
Check out the summer edition of the VCSA funding roundup! This is a list of grant opportunities curated for Shropshire's VCSE, with deadlines between now and the 2nd of October.
Download it here
Don't forget that you can always find the latest roundup and also check out our list of funds with rolling deadlines on our website.
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£7m Fund to Drive Student Attainment in Maths
The Maths Excellence Fund supports schools in England to improve student attainment and progression in maths from ages 11 to 16 and 16 to 18, increasing the number of students who are on track to succeed in A-level maths and beyond.
The Fund is a charitable programme of Ark UK Programmes, a registered charity in England and Wales.
The Fund has two principal objectives:
- To support schools to improve student attainment and progression in maths from ages 11 to 16 and 16 to 18, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- To trial and evaluate programmes in order to better understand which activities can support student attainment and progress in maths, and to establish models to replicate these beyond the Fund.
Lead Delivery Partners can be charities, multi-academy trusts, universities, local authorities or companies.
Lead Delivery Partners can be a single contractor or the lead partner within a consortium. Please note that for each proposed programme there should be one Lead Delivery Partner that submits one expression of interest only.
The Funding Round will make available a maximum of £7m for delivery costs. This will be deployed over five academic years, from 2024/25 to 2028/29.
The Fund is expecting to award contracts to between three and six Lead Delivery Partners in the Funding Round. Each Lead Delivery Partner will receive between £1m and £3m with each programme supporting over ten schools.
Expressions of interest must be submitted by the deadline of 14 July 2023. For more information and to submit an EOI, visit the Maths Excellence Fund website.
Funding for Small Independent Museums to Tell New Stories and Attract New Audiences
The Association of Independent Museums (AiM), in partnership with the Heritage Fund, is offering grants of up to £15,000 for smaller independent museums across the UK that wish to increase and widen their audiences, enhance their sustainability, and increase participation from groups that are currently under-represented.
The New Stories New Audiences Fund will support projects that result in a wider range of people being involved in heritage, as well as at least one or more of the following objectives:
- Heritage will be better identified and better explained.
- People will have developed skills.
- People will have learnt about heritage leading to a change in ideas and actions.
- People will have greater well-being.
- The organisation will be more resilient.
- The local area will be a better place to live, work, or visit.
Funding can be used to cover direct project costs such as:
- Volunteer expenses.
- Training costs.
- Events costs (including room hire, refreshments and equipment).
- Small capital works (including purchasing equipment, digitisation, and minor building work).
- Costs to improve access.
- Professional fees.
- Interpretation and display costs.
AIM members in the small museum category (up to 20,000 visitors) that seek to work with new partners and try new ideas can apply. This includes both not-for-profit organisations and private heritage collections. Examples of new partners include schools, local history groups, universities, local charities, communities, social or volunteer groups, or individuals such as artists.
The deadline for applications is 31 October 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the AIM website.
PRS Foundation’s Annual Beyond Borders Programme Opens for Applications
Running since 2010, the PRS for Music Foundation's Beyond Borders programme supports the creation, touring and promotion of innovative and high-quality new music across all genres and encourages engagement with audiences across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland through multiple performances and digital activity.
The funding is available for projects that include repeat performances of music written in the past five years, new commissions and recordings.
Grants of up to £15,000 are available to support around eight to 10 projects per year. The funding is expected to contribute to rather than support full project costs. Budget projections should include other cash income, in addition to any in-kind support.
The funding is for projects that have a significant element of live activity and represent:
- Innovation and quality within the music, programming and performances, and potential for national/international profile.
- Strength and depth of collaboration between cross-border organisations/ensembles/bands and potential for partnership legacy.
- Potential audience reach and impact and the strength of plans for public engagement.
Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit music organisations based in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland as long as they have:
- At least three partners, each from a different UK/Ireland region.
- A lead partner for each application comprising a festival, venue, promoter or performing group with organisational capacity and infrastructure to deliver the proposed project.
- A minimum of three live performances between the decision date and the end of the following calendar year, reaching audiences in at least three UK/Ireland regions.
Larger partnerships, incorporating additional international organisations, are encouraged.
The deadline for applications is 18 September 2023 (18:00). For more information and to apply, visit the PRS Foundation website.
Grants for Shropshire Organisations Supporting those with a Learning Disability
The Basil Houghton Trust is a grant giving organisation supporting adults and children with learning disabilities in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
The Trustees are keen to receive applications from care providers of people with learning disabilities for activities and items that would benefit the people they support. Applications are welcomed on behalf of an individual or a group.
The Trust’s website includes more information should you wish to find out more before submitting an application and to see some of the things that the Trust has previously funded.
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
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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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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
Kelly Family Charitable Trust -
supporting families to tackle problems
Registered charities that work to tackle family problems or problems facing one or more of its members can apply for grants of up to £5,000. Funding is available for both capital and revenue grants as well as grants for core funding and projects-based grants. The funding is being made available through the Kelly Family Charitable Trust which actively encourages applications from relatively new organisations to help them become established. The trust prefers to support charities whose income is below £500,000. However, larger charities with pioneering pilot projects will be considered.
Deadline: 1 September 2023
For more information and to apply, visit the Kelly Family Charitable Trust website.
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