VCSA Newsletter Week of 17th July 2023

VCSA logo

Newsletter for the Week of 17th July 2023


News


resident with his dog at home

Sustainable Warmth Shropshire Scheme Now Open

Residents across Shropshire can now apply for grants to help install energy efficiency improvements at home, helping to cut energy bills and household emissions by improving insulation and installing low carbon heating. Grants are currently restricted to households who do not have mains gas central heating at home.  

The Sustainable Warmth Shropshire (SWS) programme helps to support low income and vulnerable households to install a range of measures including air source heat pumps, solid wall insulation, roof insulation, first time double glazing and much more. The value of the grants they've successfully bid for (and been given) from the Government under Home Upgrade Grant 2 for the next two years amounts to more than £11.1million. 

Grants are available to owner occupiers, private tenants/landlords and those in shared ownership. Residents are now being encouraged to register their interest for a no obligation survey.  

Please share this information with your service users and networks. For more information, eligibility criteria and to apply, visit the Sustainable Warmth Shropshire website.

Alternatively - for more information on the scheme, or if you would like a team member to come and talk with your organisation about the grants and help available to residents, email the Affordable Warmth team on AffordableWarmth@Shropshire.gov.uk 


voice logo

Free Website Builder for UK Voluntary Groups

Voice is a free website builder available to all community, not-for-profit, and voluntary groups in the UK. It is used by hundreds of organisations including charities, schools, town and parish councils, sports clubs, and special interest groups.

Voice is created for, and shaped by, the communities that use it. It is a community owned option in a commercial marketplace.

It is ideal for charities, clubs, town councils, schools, and any other non-profit organisation. For examples see their Showcase of sites designed on their server.

Voice Online Communities CIC are a non-profit Community Interest Company who host, maintain, and develop Voice.

Voice is funded through grants, and from doing bespoke development and support work for organisations who use Voice.

They Voice Online Communities are available for hire, for tech support, creating new themes, adding new functionality, and for building websites.

Voice do not monetise the websites created and hosted on Voice. Websites do not have adverts and have no user tracking, and are free to use forever. They do not make a profit from websites, and their primary aim is to provide a free platform for the benefit of the community.

Check out their website, or contact Voice if you have questions.


Wayne Flynn from INTune Radio CIC with the team from Chrisbeon Office Supplies

Furniture Donation Brings Business and Charity Sector Together in Shropshire

As production drew to an end at a plastic manufacturing site in Telford, Phil Caudle (Managing Director of Ambro Ltd) wanted to make sure that nothing was sent to landfill. Phil reached out to local firm Chrisbeon Office Supplies, a great champion of A Good Thing, CIC who pointed him in the non-profit's direction.

“It was important to me that there was little waste from the site, so we began looking at recycling firms: when Chrisbeon recommended A Good Thing, it seemed the perfect solution.”

Phil got to work busily listing the many different offers: these included desks, chairs, cupboards, storage, footrests, filing trays, shelves, reception desks and even plants. Creating separate listings within each of the platform’s different categories enabled Phil to quickly engage with four local charities once the offers went live:

“It was amazing to reach so many local charities so quickly. They were all looking for different things: one charity was looking for just one desk, while two others were looking for furnishing solutions for a whole space. Once the three charities had been to collect their items, we had several chairs leftover. On the recommendation of the team at A Good Thing, we listed these as one final, separate offer - and they were then snapped up by another fantastic local charity.”

Read the incredible full story here! 

Your charity or business can sign up to A Good Thing - take a look at their website.

Photo: Wayne Flynn from INTune Radio CIC, one of the furniture recipients, with the team from Chrisbeon Office Supplies


DSC logo

New DSC Report and Podcast Looks at Local Authority Grant Making to the VCSE Sector

Charity Questions is a podcast run by the Directory of Social Change (DSC). In this new episode, George Knight talks to the DSC Research Team, Rhiannon Doherty, Chester Howarth and Jay Kennedy, about their latest report – Grants for Good: Exploring local authority grant-making to the VCSE sector.

Just published, this new report provides the clearest picture to date of the level of local authority grant-making to the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in the UK. The team reveals new findings on just how much local authorities actually spent on their grant-making to the VCSE sector.

Listen to the podcast episode here.


Gill Jones from New Saints foundation

Football Club Charity Offers Weekly Club for Young People Needing Extra Support

Oswestry football club charity The New Saints FC Foundation (TNS) is offering weekly activity sessions to youngsters with special educational needs and disabilities.

The TNS All In sessions are held during term time at the football club’s Park Hall Stadium for children aged four to 16 who need additional support and are registered with Shropshire Council’s All In programme.

The charity is appealing for anyone who would like their children to attend the sessions to get in touch to arrange places when the sessions re-open in September.

Gill Jones of The New Saints FC Foundation (pictured) said that the All In Programme was part of Shropshire Council’s Early Help services for children living in Shropshire and with a disability preventing them from accessing universal services without additional support.

The weekly sessions take place from 4.15pm to 6.15pm every Thursday during term time. They make the most of the stadium’s activity space and all weather pitch to stage a range of different activities each week all led by multi-sports coaches and support workers.

Activities include tennis, volleyball, arts and crafts, football, table games and sports suggested by the group.

“The TNS All-In sessions are really packed with fun and games all geared to different ages and abilities depending on the needs of each individual. It’s great fun but also helps the young people develop their motor, social and communication skills,” said Gill.

Download the programme flyer here.

Anyone wanting to contact the foundation to arrange a place on the sessions can email them on info@tnsfcfoundation.org.uk 


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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Have Your Say: Current VCSE Engagement Opportunities


Audiology Services Review - Request to Meet with Groups: Last year many took part in a review of audiology, either by completing a public survey or inviting us to meet with your group. You can read the full report here. What people told the NHS engagement team has been used to help shape the future model for the Adult Hearing Service for Age Related Hearing Loss (age 55 and above).

They would like the opportunity to visit any group you are involved with, who would be interested in discussing the plans for this service. They want to get your views about how they ensure that any potential future service providers consider the views and experiences of people using their service. 

If you would like them to come to your group or wish to make suggestions please contact Jayne Morris jayne.morris15@nhs.net or Sara Buckley s.louisebuckley@nhs.net

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 - 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


Bishop's Castle Community Hospital Survey: Due to staff recruitment and retention issues, the Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust is considering withdrawing from the contract for inpatient services at Bishop's Castle Community Hospital. They are seeking views on inpatient services at Bishop's Castle to inform their future planning. Closing 17th July


Telford and Wrekin Council Healthy Weight strategy. Telford & Wrekin Council are conducting a network analysis to determine who is involved in actions and initiatives to tackle obesity across Telford and Wrekin. This will help to identify the comprehensiveness of their current networks and identify key individuals and organisations that should be involved in shaping the strategy. To achieve this, they would like residents to identify up to 15 people who you talk to about healthy weight and obesity in our borough and add these to the form below. If there are more than 15, please prioritise colleagues and organisations that you interact with most. These individuals may work within the local authority or at external organisations including voluntary and community organisations. If your organisation operates in Telford & Wrekin and should be listed on this form, you may wish to ensure that your service users fill this outClosing 21st July


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   


Shropshire Healthier Weight Strategy 2023-2028 Draft Consultation: Members of the public and other stakeholders are invited to give their views on Shropshire’s draft Healthier Weight Strategy. Reducing obesity is a priority for Shropshire Council and Shropshire’s Integrated Care System and the draft strategy describes how we will work together to promote healthier weight for people of all ages, tackling the broader factors that impact on people’s health and wellbeing. It reflects valuable feedback previously received from the public and stakeholders, alongside current evidence, national guidance and local data on the scale and impact of unhealthy weight in Shropshire. Please share with service beneficiaries. Closing 7th September


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Events and Training Opportunities


shropshire loves nature festival logo

Sign Up to Host Event for Shropshire Loves Nature Festival

The Shropshire Love Nature Festival is back for 2023 to help bring more people closer to nature. 

17th July - 6th August 2023

If you are interested in hosting an event that allows people to connect with nature between these dates Email them and they can sign you up as a part of the festival. 

You can also sign up to the mailing list to receive more information about this year's events.


New Tennis Sessions Now Available through Shropshire Healthy Lives Advisors

A new series of sessions are being launched at the Cathie Sabin Community Tennis Centre in Shrewsbury in conjunction with the Shropshire Healthy Lives Advisors. The sessions have been designed to make tennis more accessible and adapt the game, equipment & rules to enable the wider community to be able to get on court.

Walking Tennis - Mondays 11.00am - 12.00noon

A slower version of conventional tennis, played on a normal tennis court with slower balls and adapted rules to enable players to serve, rally & score without having to run. Ideal for those with restricted mobility or fitness.

Short Tennis - Thursdays 11.00am - 12.00noon

Tennis played on a smaller sized court (similar to badminton size) with smaller rackets & sponge balls. Ability to get competitive within a smaller environment which is slower and easier to grasp for beginners to the game especially. 

Movement & Balance - Fridays: 11.00am - 12.00noon

Adapted tennis based games & activity with a specific focus on agility, balance & co-ordination. Using both rackets & balls this session will focus on having fun & getting active without playing over a net or being competitive. A fantastic variation which will use our tennis equipment to get people active. 

Watch this video explaining the different sessions that are on offer.

All sessions are bookable via this link. They are happy for the first session to be free of charge as a trial and then people are able to book on a pay & play basis.


Community Connectors Meetings July/August

Are you a local group or individual delivering activities that benefit and support the communities of Shropshire? Then please come along to one of the community connector network meetings throughout the county to connect with other local community services, groups and support organisations.

South West

Bishops Castle 19th July Online 2-4pm  

Ludlow 18th July Online 10am to 12pm

Please contact Clare Kennefick to book your place CDO@handstogetherludlow.org.uk

Shrewsbury

3rd August Online 10am to 12pm Please contact Natalie Jackson to book your place Natalie.Jackson@community-resource.org.uk

South East

22nd August venue TBC. Please contact Lesley Jewell to book your place Lesley.Jewell@community-resource.org.uk


SIP logo

Free and Subsidised Training for VCS Organisations in Shropshire

The Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership offers free and heavily subsidised accredited and specialist training for voluntary and community sector organisations in Shropshire. 

Upcoming training courses for July include (click on the links to learn more):

Check out the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership Website to keep on top of all of the latest upcoming training available through this excellent service.


Shropshire mhs logo

TRiM Reconnect: Bespoke Trauma Resilience Management

Shropshire Mental Health Support (SMHS) is offering a new mental health support service. Trauma Resilience Management (TRiM) Reconnect is a bespoke service designed to provide active listening support to those whose mental health has been affected by them being involved in or witnessing a traumatic event.

TRiM Reconnect is a model used in the early identification of the symptoms of stress. It can be used in an individual/one-to-one setting or within team peer support groups. SMHS has a team of highly trained non-medical practitioners who have undergone specific training allowing them to understand the effects that traumatic events can have upon people. They are not counsellors or therapists, but understand confidentially and are able to listen and offer practical advice and assistance.

How does TRiM Reconnect benefit your organisation?

It saves money - good mental health practices in an organisation can help to reduce sickness absence and presenteeism.

Shows a legal duty of care to employees.

Helps to break the stigma of mental health – this not only supports your people but can lead to early interventions thus reducing sickness absence as above.

Building a resilient workforce through TRiM Reconnect outside the time of a crisis can help during a difficult time or when crisis hits.

How can TRiM Reconnect be accessed?

Line managers, human resources, occupational health practitioners or self-referrals can make direct contact with the TRiM Reconnect team via telephone or email;

Tel: 01746 247 149

 Email: infotrim@shropshiremhs.com

TRiM Reconnect is fully consistent with the traumatic stress management guidance issued by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).


SIC logo

Disability in the Workplace -

The Hidden Talent Pool

Online free webinar

20th July 10-11am

Register here

Why are 75% of businesses globally experiencing a talent shortage while 47% of disabled people in the UK are unemployed? That’s over 10% of the working-age population.

Disabled people are an untapped talent pool, often ignored by EDI strategies.

The disability employment gap is growing, currently at 29.8%, and businesses need to do more to support disabled colleagues present and future.

During this webinar, Alice Hargreaves, COO and Co-Founder of SIC will cover:

  • Disability in the here and now
  • The language of disability
  • Societal bias
  • How to appeal to disabled talent
  • How to retain disabled employees
  • The next steps to becoming an ally

You'll leave with some key changes you can implement now and a wider understanding of disability (covering physical disabilities, hidden disabilities, neurodiversity, mental health, and chronic illness).

SIC are a social enterprise that works to connect the dots between talent short organisations and talented disabled professionals. Founded at the beginning of 2021 by Alice Hargreaves and Rachael Mole, SIC provides training and support to both disabled professionals and businesses. Visit the SIC website to learn more.


mental health forum logo

Shropshire Mental Health Forum Meeting & Networking

Friday, 21st July 9:30-11:30am Shirehall, Shrewsbury

Register via Eventbrite

The next meeting of the VCSA's Shropshire Mental Health Forum will, as always, include an opportunity to network and learn about what others are doing. It will also have a short presentation from MPFT about their grants for significant mental illness prevention, and some forum business, including voting on leadership and the revised terms of reference.

  • Should you have feedback on the proposed refreshed terms of reference, please email this to vcsassembly@shropshire.gov.uk ahead of the next meeting so that they can be collated for discussion.
  • Should you be interested in serving as chair, secretary, or VCSA Board representative, please email vcsassembly@shropshire.gov.uk ahead of the next meeting so that the group can be ready to vote (please also feel free to get in touch with any questions about this).

If you missed the last meeting, you can download the notes here. If you want to be included on the forum's mailing list, please email vcsassembly@shropshire.gov.uk.


STW ICS logo

Menopause Meet Up

25th July 12-1:30pm

The Shropshire Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System Health and Wellbeing Team would like to invite you to join them at their next Menopause Meet up, bringing women together to share their experiences of the menopause.  Each event is held virtually via Teams and is an informal peer support group where people are free to contribute to the conversation or simply listen while others talk about their experiences. 

If you work or volunteer in Health or Social Care, whether through the NHS, Local Authority, voluntary or charity sector, or in a care home, this is for you and they would love to see you there.

You are welcome whether you’ve joined the group before or are new to all things menopause. Their topic at the July group is cold water swimming through the menopause and they are lucky enough to have Sonya Miller from the Shropshire Bluetits cold water swimming group coming to tell everyone about her experience.

Offering support and information throughout this session will be Kate Trifunovic, Specialist Occupational Health Nurse, and Dr Melanie Thompson, GP Partner and Clinical Lead for Health & Wellbeing for STW ICS. 

Menopause Meet ups are here across the ICS in order to help women open-up and feel more confident speaking about their experiences. They also help to banish any unhelpful myths, raise awareness of this important topic, and positively impact on your wellbeing.

Register here

Questions? Contact Juliet Doman, Workforce Health and Wellbeing Manager, STW ICS  - Juliet.doman@nhs.net


open day flyer

NPC logo

Theory of Change in Ten Steps

19 September 2023 10.30am—12pm Online

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) are pleased to invite you to Theory of change in ten steps on 19 September 2023. This seminar is based on the NPC's published guidance and will teach you how to develop a theory of change in just ten simple steps.

The event is part of their Leading Impact series and will be hosted by Tom Lyscom, NPC's Principal: Theorising Change. It will equip you with all you need to create a fresh theory of change.

A limited number of bursary places are available for small charities, ethnic minority charities of all sizes and ethnic minority representatives from charities of all sizes. Bursary spaces are available on a first come first-served basis. Email  to apply for bursary places.

Book here


DSC from here to diversity conference banner

From Here to Diversity 2023 Online Conference

28th September

Increased diversity can offer so many advantages to forward-looking organisations, including; improved performance and better governance,
greater creativity, a wider perspective and increased legitimacy and accountability.

This event will help you and your organisation be inclusive in language, behaviour and processes. We have curated a variety of sessions with experts that cover:

  • Keynote on leadership and diversity
  • New initiatives, the latest talking points and helpful resources in diversity
  • Making your digital content more accessible
  • Inclusive recruitment
  • Committing to EDI (equality, diversity, inclusion)
  • How not to do EDI
  • Supporting neurodiversity as a leader
  • Themed discussion groups (you can suggest topics)

You will go away with tips that will enable you to make the changes within your organisation (and your own behaviour) that will help improve society for all of us.

View full session details here.

Register here


shropshire charity network logo

Shropshire Charity Network Meeting

Thursday 21st September, 9.30-10.30am Online 

 

Register here

At the September event we will be joined by Lewis Hardy, from Start Tech. Lewis will be talking to us about Cyber Security in the Charity Sector, giving some recent attacks against charities examples. He will cover how we can protect ourselves and mitigate risk and give some helpful information on Cyber Essentials Plus Accreditation and potential Government Funding.

In this session we will also be joined by Selina Graham. Selina will be sharing an update on the new Shropshire Community Foundation, of which she is Chair. It is very likely that you will also be familiar with Selina who was High Sheriff for Shropshire for 2022 – 2023. 


picture of grieving young person

Training: Teaching Young People about Death and Loss

Gain knowledge and skills to help young people cope with loss. This is a schools-based programme in teaching Death Education to young people, but is open to VCS professionals working with young people.

To book: Teaching Young People about Death & Loss

CEDAR EDUCATION is a registered Community Interest Company that provides death and bereavement education to teachers, young people, their families and professionals. In 2020, we received the Queen's Award for Volunteer Services for our Innovative Teaching and work with young people. We are now enrolling teachers for a new course for secondary schools. These teacher-training workshops are designed to help you develop death education for PSHE, RE or general lessons across the curriculum. This course will also be open to adults and professionals who need this information.

This is a 2-day workshop that will run from 9:30-4pm on Fridays. Part 1: Understanding Death, 13 October 2023; and Part 2: Understanding Grief, 20 October 2023.

10hours CPD certificate

The course will cover the following topics:

  • The nature of death and dying
  • Understanding grief
  • Helping young people cope with loss
  • Creating a supportive environment for bereaved students and those who are not bereaved, but affected by a death.
  • Developing lesson plans on death and dying

To be eligible for the course, you must:

  • Be a qualified secondary school teacher, head teacher or mental-health lead, youth-worker, and/or,
  • Have an interest in death education and bereavement support
  • Be committed to working with young people

If you are interested in registering for these workshops, please visit  Eventbrite for more information, terms and conditions of booking. Closing date for registration is 1st October 2023.

These workshops are subsidised and places will be limited. Registration is essential. Workshop fees include:

  • Workbook & activities
  • Good Grief Leaf
  • 10hrs CPD Certificate
  • Lunch and refreshments

‘Working with the Voluntary and Community Sector and Social Enterprise Sector – The Key to Health and Wellbeing across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin’

Wednesday 4th October from 9am to 3.15pm

at Shrewsbury Town Football Club

Are you a voluntary and community sector organisation working on health and wellbeing? Want to showcase your impacts to health decision-makers? Ready to network and create partnerships with other VCSE organisations doing similar work?

If you have answered yes to these questions, then this conference is for you!

 

Join us for this chance to come together and engage in thought-provoking discussions and practical, informative workshops that will be sure to leave you feeling inspired.

Key themes for the day

  • To demonstrate, with evidence, the impact of the VCSE as a key delivery partner in the wider health and care system
  • Showcase the importance of VCSE infrastructure support for Shropshire Telford & Wrekin
  • To ensure a common understanding of the VCSE and strengthen integrated ways of working with Statutory Health Partners.
  • To bring a wide range of decision makers and experts together to gather learning to inform and influence the future plans of the ICS.

On the day there will be a range of engagement sessions and presentations from Voluntary Sector partners, ICB members and guest speakers. This conference will be an opportunity to learn more about the work happening within the Voluntary and Community Sector and how the sector is delivering on improving health, social care and wellbeing for people in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

You will have an opportunity to participate in a range of workshops focusing on Social Value and impact, measurement tools, the value of VCSE infrastructure and ways of collaborating for societal change.

Lunch and refreshments provided on the day.

We have limited spaces and would encourage you to take the opportunity to book early, to save disappointment!

Register here

This conference is supported by Shropshire Council and in partnership with Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership (SIP), Telford & Wrekin Chief Officers Group (COG) and Shropshire VCSA

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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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Job / Volunteer Opportunities


CAB shropshire logo

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 an experienced Advice Session Supervisor or a Trainee Advice Session Supervisor.

They encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will consider trainee positions.

Advice Session Supervisor / Trainee Advice Session Supervisor

Salary: £24,914 to £29,190 depending on experience

Contract: Full time 37 hours per week, permanent.

Location: The successful applicant would be based in Shrewsbury office and must be able to work flexibly across the county when required.

Start: As soon as possible

Post may be subject to a DBS check.

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

Closing date:  Midnight on Sunday 23 July 2023

Interviews:     Thursday 3 August 2023 (If date isn't convenient another may be arranged, depending on availability)


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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Grant and Funding News


NLCF Offering New Grants to Strengthen Community Connections

A brand new funding programme, the UK Fund marks one of the first significant commitments from the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF)’s new strategy, ‘It starts with community’.

The grants are intended to develop and expand community links by:

  • Strengthening relationships between people whose experiences of life have not been the same. For example, relationships between people of different ethnic backgrounds, generations, occupations or geographies.
  • Creating connections between online and offline worlds.
  • Helping to make sure people from all backgrounds can shape the future of their communities.

Funding of £500,000 to £5 million will be available for projects that can demonstrate that they:

  • Will benefit communities across the UK (or have the potential to) - this could be by sharing learning, influencing, collaborating, convening or delivering activity across and between UK countries.
  • Scale their impact - this might be by expanding into new locations, developing infrastructure, strengthening delivery or increasing reach.
  • Focus on equity – the funders are looking for projects that involve and benefit places, people and communities who experience poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.
  • Have a positive impact on the natural environment.
  • Share learning openly.

It is expected most awards will be for two to five years, though up to ten years may be considered.

Constituted voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, local authorities and partnerships can apply for this fund.

Before applying, groups must first register for and attend and information webinar. These will be held twice-weekly from 17 July 2023. Register here for the webinar.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from 4 August 2023. Visit the new UK Fund website for more information and to apply.


Radcliffe Trust Accepting Applications for Music and Heritage Projects Across UK

Radcliffe Trust is offering grants averaging between £2,500 and £7,500 for charities, not-for-profit groups, and exempt organisations for projects that fall under the following categories:

Music

Funding for classical music performance and training especially chamber music, composition, and music education. This includes:

  • Composition and contemporary music - in the case of commission applications the lead composer must be named.
  • Bursaries for courses and summer schools; limited to UK-based students.
  • Music therapy and special needs.
  • Academic research.
  • Youth orchestras.
  • Performance projects.
  • Educational projects - excluding applications from individual mainstream primary and secondary schools.
  • Miscellaneous.

Heritage & Crafts

Funding for the development of the skills, knowledge and experience that underpin the UK’s traditional cultural heritage and crafts sectors. This includes support for:

  • Emerging craftspeople.
  • Craft and conservation projects and training.
  • Projects demonstrating creative outcomes by designer-makers.
  • Projects with potential for capacity building within the sector.
  • Special needs projects focusing on the therapeutic benefits of skills development.

Other areas of cultural creativity related to heritage and crafts may also be considered, including theatre, performance, and literature, especially where projects can be shown to contribute to the promotion and development of high-level skills among early career practitioners and disadvantaged groups.

There are typically rounds per year, with trustee meetings held in June and December. Groups can apply for both a Music grant and a Heritage & Crafts grant in the same funding round.

The next deadline for applications is 31 July 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the Radcliffe Trust website.


Deadline Reminder – Big Bike Revival Grants Programme

Cycling UK is offering grants of up to £2,000 for voluntary and community cycle groups and other not-for-profit organisations across England to deliver projects and activities that achieve the following objectives:

  • Encourage people who don't cycle to cycle.
  • Encourage people to cycle more often.
  • Increase short cycling trips.
  • Improve the perception of cycling safety.
  • Improve people's confidence to cycle.

The Big Bike Revival Grants Programme will support events and activities that use the ‘fix-learn-ride’ model to provide sessions for people groups that are underrepresented in cycling, such as:

  • People on low incomes.
  • People who suffer from poor mental health.
  • People who are not meeting physical activity guidelines.
  • People who are homeless.
  • People who lack confidence.
  • Unemployed people.
  • Military veterans.
  • People who are experiencing substance abuse.
  • Ethnically diverse people.
  • Refugees and asylum seekers.
  • People experiencing transport poverty.
  • People with perceived barriers to cycling.

Funding can be used for costs including but not limited to: 

  • Staff costs.
  • Volunteer expenses, such as refreshments and travel.
  • Equipment purchases, including tools, bikes, bike parking, locks, helmets, high-vis jackets, and pumps.
  • Equipment hire, such as cones, high-vis jackets, helmets, or bikes.
  • Consumables, including brake pads, inner tubes, cables, lubricant, or small parts.
  • Venue hires or location fees.
  • Participant refreshments such as reasonable drinks and snacks.
  • Promotion costs.
  • Transport, including transportation of goods to and from the event location.
  • Personal Protection Equipment.

Proposed projects and activities must be delivered by 30 September 2023.

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the Cycling UK website.


National Lottery - Awards for All Grants

These grants are quick way to apply for smaller amounts of funding between £300 and £10,000.

They're here to support communities with the things that are important to them, including helping with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

You can apply for funding to deliver a new or existing activity or to support your organisation to change and adapt to new and future challenges.

They can fund projects that’ll do at least one of these things:

  • bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities
  • improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
  • help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage
  • support people, communities and organisations facing more demands and challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis.

In autumn 2023 they will increase the:

  • length of time they can fund projects
  • maximum funding you can get to £20,000.

See their new strategy for more details. They'll announce the exact dates of these changes soon.

Deadline: Ongoing. Apply at least 16 weeks before you want to start the activities or spend any of the money. Apply online via the Awards for All website.

National Lottery - Reaching Communities Grants

This programme offers a larger amount of funding (over £10,000) for organisations that work with their community, whether that is for people living in the same area, or people with similar interests or life experiences.

They're here to support communities with the things that are important to them, including mitigating the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and supporting them as they seek to recover, rebuild and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.

In order to support communities, they fund projects and organisations which aim to:

  • build strong relationships in and across communities
  • improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
  • help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.

You can expect them to be flexible and responsive to your community’s needs:

  • whether you need long- or shorter-term funding
  • whether your request is for a particular activity or to create more fundamental change
  • whether the funding is to support a single organisation or to bring organisations together.
  • Support for people, communities and organisations that are facing increased demands and challenges as direct result of the cost-of-living crisis
  • Support for organisations so that they can address the immediate issues that are impacting their delivery as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis during this year and future years.

In April 2024 they will change their funding in England as part of their new strategy.

Deadline: Ongoing - apply anytime via the Reaching Communities website


MPFT logo

MPFT Seeks to Sub-contract Grant Funding for Community Mental Health Transformation

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) are looking to Sub–Contract the management of its grant funding allocation and work in partnership with the Trust. 

The Provision of the service is required to support and achieve a number of key objectives, supporting community and voluntary organisations who are working with service users within the following geographical areas:

  • North Shropshire
  • South Shropshire
  • Central Shropshire
  • Telford and Wrekin

The Service is designed to: 

  • Provide funding to Grant recipients
  • Assist with application assessments and scheme management
  • Ensure grants are issued for delivery of the project aims.

Aims

The service aims to achieve the following outcomes:

  • Alliance building - To develop strong community networks and build thriving mental health eco-systems within communities
  • Co-production - To keep lived experience perspective at the heart of everything we do
  • Community Engagement - To build strong and deep links within communities and from the grass roots
  • Strengthen the local voluntary and community sector
  • Delivering a place based approach
  • Delivering funds to support community mental health transformation

Overview

The management of funding scheme(s) (Grants) to the local voluntary and community sector to support community mental health transformation. A place based approach focused on local needs, will under pin the delivery of the funding scheme(s).

The Management of the funding scheme(s) shall include the required process and administrative work needed throughout the grant life cycle this include but is not limited to;

  • Scheme set up
  • Review of applications
  • Award process
  • Dispersal of funds
  • Post award monitoring and reporting

Download the full guidance here. Submissions due 12noon 28th July 2023.

To be eligible to bid for this contract, your organisation must be registered on the MPFT Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). A complete guide to registering on this system can be downloaded here.


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