£11m Available to Help Lift Shropshire Homes Out of Fuel Poverty

Energy experts at Shropshire Council have secured over £11 million in funding for its Sustainable Warmth Programme to assist local people to improve their homes and reduce harm caused by fuel poverty.

The total funding award of £11,073,500 from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero forms part of the Government’s Phase 2 of its ‘Home Upgrade Grant’ scheme.

The council’s affordable warmth and energy efficiency team will use the funding to help retrofit the homes of residents living off-gas. Fully funded works will include insulation, heat pumps, first-time double glazing, and solar panels.

As well as keeping homes cosy and warm, energy efficiency improvements can reduce heating costs and carbon emissions. They can also boost comfort levels at home, and protect against the health risks associated with damp and cold homes.

The affordable warmth and energy efficiency team are now inviting expressions of interest from residents and landlords to the Sustainable Warmth Programme. Qualifying residents will receive a free assessment to identify the types of measures that will be most effective for their home. All works will be delivered by accredited and council-approved contractors.

This new funding will allow the council to support more than 500 households over the next two years, and the affordable warmth and energy efficiency team is currently negotiating additional funding to increase the number of households who will benefit from the scheme.

There are a number of ways residents can qualify: for more information and to check their eligibility, they can visit Shropshire Council's Sustainable Warmth website where they can also apply.

If residents require support with their application, they can contact the free and impartial energy advice service, Keep Shropshire Warm, on 0800 112 3743.

Fundraisers are an Average of £3,000 Worse Off Than 2019 According to New Report

A new report by Charity Job in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising out this month reveals that inequalities between charity sector fundraising jobs and similar positions in the private or statutory sectors are increasing.

The report finds that overall, average salaries in the sector were down 3% compared to 2019, while the number of jobs posted were up 35% in the same period.

Fundraisers in the sector fared slightly better than the average, but were still seeing real-terms salaries drop, with rises well under inflation. In 2019, a charity fundraiser could expect to make an average of £36,300, but in 2022, this had only risen by 4% to £37, 700 - an inflation-adjusted decrease of around £3,000.

The report opens by saying:

"2022 was a difficult year for charities recruiting. This was due to a highly competitive recruitment market where there were more job vacancies in the UK than candidates available to fill them. Offering fair pay is crucial, not only to attract candidates, but also to promote diversity in the workforce."

Read the full report on fundraiser salaries here. If you want to check out the full Charity Job Salary Report for 2023, you can read that here.

Shropshire HomePoint to Implement New Housing Allocations Policy 

Shropshire Council will be implementing its new Housing Allocations Policy from Thursday 27 July 2023.

In March 2023 Cabinet approved and adopted a revised housing allocations policy and scheme. The revised policy follows a public consultation where the council sought the views from local organisations and residents on the proposed changes to the criteria used to allocate social and affordable housing to people who live and work in Shropshire.

Tackling inequality is a key outcome of the Healthy People priority of The Shropshire Plan: ensuring affordable housing is allocated to those in the greatest housing need is fundamental to tackling housing inequality.

The revised Housing Allocations Policy (HomePoint) will ensure that applicants in the greatest need are allocated social and affordable housing.

Key changes to the housing policy include:-

• Increasing the number of bands contained in the policy from four to seven, to ensure people’s housing needs are better managed within the policy.
• Introducing a local connection criterion, where, subject to statutory exceptions, those who qualify must have been living in Shropshire for the last year or more, have close family living in Shropshire, or be employed in Shropshire.

New applicants who have sufficient income to purchase or rent market-priced housing within Shropshire which is suitable for their needs would not qualify to be on the housing register.

Therefore, the new policy introduces a threshold household income of £50,000 gross per annum, or savings and assets (including equity in a property) of more than £200,000, or both. Those new applicants on and above this threshold would not qualify to be on the housing register.

Those who may no longer qualify to be on the housing register, on the basis of not having a local connection, will be notified and advised on their right to appeal. There are transitional arrangements in the short term, so this will not take place immediately.

The policy also introduces formal nominations agreements with housing associations operating in Shropshire. This will ensure that applicants in the greatest housing need are allocated social and affordable housing.

The new policy moves the Shropshire HomePoint banding system from four bands (Priority, Gold, Silver and Bronze) to seven bands.  A copy of the new allocation policy can be downloaded here.

Hospitals Transformation and Planning Events

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust (SaTH) are holding some important public engagement events around the planning at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Hospital Transformation Programme.

Download this flyer with the upcoming dates, which include:

Planning Application Information and Engagement - Royal Shrewsbury Hospital:

• Monday 24 July 2023 – 3pm-7pm at Gains Park Hall, Gains Park Way, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, SY3 5HF
• Tuesday 1 August 2023 – online webinar at 6pm. Registration can be completed by visiting www.rshplanningapplication.co.uk

Hospital Transformation Plan Information and Involvement Sessions:

• Tuesday 05 September 10:00 – 12:00  Women & Children’s Services Focus Group
• Thursday 07 September 10:00 – 12:00 Medicine and Emergency Care / Surgery, Anaesthetics and Cancer Focus Group
• Thursday 21 September Clinical Support Services Focus Group
  

Members of the project team will take members of the public through the proposals and answer any questions you may have.

If you have any queries about the planning application, please contact team@rshplanningapplication.co.uk.

Talks, Demonstrations and Music Part of Open Day for Those Affected by Cancer

The Personalised Care Team who support those living with and beyond cancer at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH LWBC), is encouraging anybody who is affected by cancer to go along to the open day on Tuesday August 8.

The event will be held between 10am and 4pm at Palmer’s, Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1QG.

Jessica Greenwood, Head of Cancer Services & Lead Cancer Nurse at SaTH, said:

“This is a chance to talk about the amazing opportunities for people affected by cancer to get involved in. You are welcome to come along, ask questions, take away information and hopefully reach out to any services that could be of a benefit to you.”

The Personalised Care Team at SaTH has worked alongside services within the Trust, Primary Care and wider voluntary sector to bring everyone together in one room to talk about all the help available for people affected by cancer throughout Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and mid-Wales.

Open Harmony, a community music group, will be there on the day, providing music and talking about the chance for people to get involved with their group, and there will also be the opportunity to have a hand massage.

Members of the team will be talking about personalised care, what the different aspects are within that area and how they could benefit those living with and beyond cancer, including health needs assessments, personalised care and support plans, Living Well Sessions, the award-winning Cancer Information and Support App and treatment summaries.

For more information, contact the Personalised Care Team on sath.lwbc@nhs.net or 01743 492424.

Pictured: Katey Evans, Personalised Care Navigator and Leah Morgan, Personalised Care and Cancer Improvement Facilitator, who will be at the event.

First Aid and Safeguarding 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 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 July and August 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.

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

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

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. 

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

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 1^st 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

Green Doors Scheme October 2023

Energy-efficient households are being asked to lead by example and throw open their doors to people wanting to learn more this October (2023).

The Marches Energy Agency is asking for people who have already started making their homes more energy efficient to volunteer as ambassadors through the Green Doors scheme, which takes place over three weekends in October.

Households who have already carried out works are being asked to open their doors so that people can find out first-hand all the information they need about making their own homes more energy efficient and eco-friendly.

The event is being co-ordinated by the Marches Energy Agency, and participating homes are being mapped on the national network for low carbon open homes.

Tony Baker, project manager at MEA, said:-

“The need for energy efficiency improvements to homes is now greater than ever, with huge energy bills biting, inflation and interest rates hitting people’s pockets, and climate change breathing down our necks.

“Looking around a home which has already been retrofitted and talking to householders who have been on that journey, is absolutely invaluable in giving others the confidence and understanding they need, and that in a nutshell is what Green Doors is about.”

Green Doors takes place on Saturday 14 October, Sunday 15 October, Saturday 21 October, Sunday 22 October, Saturday 28 October and Sunday 29 October 2023, and homes will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Volunteers are not expected to take part on all six days. For information on how to volunteer email Tony Baker at tony.baker@mea.org.uk or call 07942 370529.

More information on Green Doors can be found here

Vacancies With Together Active

Together Active is a local charity whose vision is to design out inactivity across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The charity has ambitious plans for growing and is making a significant investment in expanding their workforce over the next 12 months.

They are seeking individuals to fill the following roles (click on the links to find out more):

• Finance Lead
• Communications Lead 
• Development Lead – Powerful Communities 
• Development Lead – Health & Wellbeing 

Seeking Volunteers: The League of Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

The League of Friends (LoF) have over 200 helping in the shops and on the ward trolleys, of all ages from retirees looking to “put something back” whilst socialising to younger people gaining useful experience whilst helping their community. They are looking for more people to help support their important work.

All of the money the volunteers help raise contributes directly to the hospital, but just as important to them and to the patients is being able to offer a touch of kindness or a friendly smile at what may be a difficult time. If you would like to know more, contact the shops manager: 01743 261008.

Early Market Engagement: Wellbeing and Independence Services for Adults

Shropshire Council would like to take the opportunity to engage with potential providers and/or partners in the future commissioning of Wellbeing & Independence services for adults.

Please note that the purpose of this process is for the council to discuss with the market and inform their current understanding of key issues and themes relating to the provision of these services and also to discuss what the market has to offer to assist the Council to deliver the services from 1^st April 2024.

Please note that this is not the commencement of any formal procurement process and the Council is not committed to carrying out such a process.

For the avoidance of doubt no information provided in response to this process will be used by the Council in assessing providers during any subsequent procurement process.

This early market engagement exercise is intended to allow potential providers to outline their views and to provide information to the Council decision making process.

The Council will consider the information received as a result of this exercise to help inform the Council’s options appraisal and subsequent Council decision making process.

Background

The Council currently commissions Wellbeing and Independence services for adults with the overarching aim of helping people to remain independent and active in their own home and their community in order to reduce the likelihood of them becoming unwell, using health services or long-term formal care and support. The current scope of the services consists of the 4 following key elements:

• Practical help in the home
• Friendship support (befriending)
• Day opportunities
• Keeping well, keeping active incorporating the development and support of groups aimed at keeping people active

The Council is keen to engage with the market to understand the opportunities available to meet the overarching aim set out above.

Please read this announcement and questionnaire in full for details on how to participate in this market engagement process.

Completed questionnaires (see Appendix 1 of document linked above) should be returned to Lisa Middleton lisa.middleton@shropshire.gov.uk by 5.00pm on 4^th August 2023.

If you have any questions about this early market engagement, such questions should be submitted to the Council through an email to Lisa Middleton lisa.middleton@shropshire.gov.uk

They intend to invite all potential providers who express an interest in getting involved in this early market engagement exercise to meet with them to discuss their response.  This could either be in person or via Teams and it is anticipated to take about an hour. A provisional date of 15^th August has been set for meetings.

Cash for Kids Sports Challenge

Free Radio's Cash for Kids has got £10,00 in funding for local sports groups to win! They want to help YOU enable more local children to get active and get involved in sport.

The Cash for Kids sports challenge is back for 2023, entries for the sports challenge open online on Monday 24^th July, with the challenge taking place from Saturday 16^th September until Monday 16^th October.

This is a unique opportunity to get your group or club together behind one goal, working together to help more local children get involved in your sport.

All the money you raise you get to keep, on top of that they have grant prizes to be won with 1^st place receiving £5,000 2^nd place receiving £2,500 and 3^rd place receiving £1,500 plus two prizes of £500 for best use of social media and most creative fundraising idea.

Download a flyer here.

To find out more or to register please visit the Planet Radio website.

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.