Making Health and Social Care Better, Together

2023 marks a significant anniversary for Healthwatch, it is 10 years since the network was set up across England. At the beginning of 2023 Healthwatch Shropshire was awarded the contract to continue to act as the health and social care champion in the county for another 3-5 years.

They have just published their annual report detailing how they have championed the voices of the thousands of Shropshire patients and service users they have heard from over the last year. Including

• Raising the struggles people face when seeking urgent help and calling for an ambulance
• Bringing experiences of Psychological Therapies to life to help the NHS improve services
• Highlighting the communication needs of people with disabilities and cognitive impairment

Vanessa Barratt, Chair of Healthwatch Shropshire, said:

“It is really important that we hear from all communities is Shropshire. Over the past year we have worked hard to make sure we hear from everyone within our local area including the  people we hear from less frequently, to gather their feedback and make sure their voice is heard and services meet their needs.”

Sir Neil McKay, Chair of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board, said:

“Healthwatch plays a vital role in connecting the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board with the communities we serve. Healthwatch Shropshire’s excellent Annual Report describes the breadth of work they do to examine health service  issues which  concern people. The Report is a credit to them. We greatly appreciate their work and look forward to continuing our strong relationship with them.”

Read the full report here.

Healthwatch Shropshire is the independent health and social care champion in Shropshire. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services. It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements. Visit their website to learn more.

Shrewsbury Primary Care Network Looking for Groups to Host Free NHS App Sessions.

Shrewsbury Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group made up of 15 GP practices in and around Shrewsbury.  They work together to provide a wider range of services to our patients.

They are looking for opportunities to work with voluntary and community groups in Shrewsbury to promote and demonstrate the NHS app, to show what it’s for and how it can be used to do things such as order repeat prescriptions. 

They know the NHS app is not for everyone, and they are not suggesting everyone needs to use it. But for those who are interested it is a very useful tool.

To find out more or register your organisation's interest please contact Nina Grix, Digital Transformation Lead at Shrewsbury PCN at nina.grix@nhs.net

Shropshire Community Foundation Launches Newsletter

The Shropshire Community Foundation is looking forward to sharing news of upcoming grants, events and appeals in the Autumn.

Make sure you don’t miss out by registering for their quarterly newsletter and special bulletins.

Sign up here!

You can also follow them on:

LinkedIn

Facebook

DSC Urges Funders to Support Sector Infrastructure

A new blog post by Jay Kennedy, Director of Policy and Research at the Directory of Social Change (DSC), urges funders to support sector infrastructure or risk losing out on front line support from smaller charities.

Kennedy says:

"Have you ever heard of someone providing a donation for ‘good financial management’? How about for ‘compliance with regulation?’ Probably not. But if those things go wrong, so does the ‘front line’. Where does that capacity come from, then? For smaller organisations in particular, keeping it in-house just isn’t possible or doesn’t make economic sense. So they need to get it from somewhere else."

Kennedy cites the recent loss of the Small Charities Coalition and then the Foundation for Social Improvement, as well as recent research from 360 Giving as evidence that infrastructure support is on the decline, despite is necessity to keep the sector going.

So what can funders do? Kennedy offers four suggestions:

"1. Fund infrastructure organisations to provide support in key areas. Across the areas discussed above – financial management, governance, fundraising, advocacy etc – there’s substantial need but often low capacity or finances to pay for help. Funders should develop programmes that second-tier organisations could apply for, especially to support smaller organisations.  

2. Fund infrastructure organisations to support underserved groups. There’s an emerging crisis of equity and access for foundations and their funding. The loss of infrastructure organisations supporting minoritised communities described in the 360 Giving research should be a wake-up call. Funders could develop programmes for communities or types of organisations that are under-served and the infrastructure organisations that support them. 

3. Think about adding a development premium on top of your grant. Organisations will always struggle to invest in themselves. If grant-makers allocate an extra 5 or 10% on top of the grant award and mandate that it be for training staff or trustees, that opens up development possibilities and also potentially helps secure the impact of the whole grant. 

4. Keep commissioned work in the sector. For god’s sake, funders: stop using private sector companies for grants evaluation, strategic planning and research. There are loads of infrastructure charities that can do this for you in a high-quality, cost-efficient way (including DSC!). They understand the issues you are dealing with and speak your language. Keep your funding in the sector, don’t buy the spin that the private sector can do it better!"

Is your small charity or community group in need of infrastructure support? Fortunately, Shropshire Council have provided funding for the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership Community Development Team to help small organisations with this kind of vital support. Check out their website!

SaTH AGM

30th August, 2:30pm at the Shropshire Education and Conference Centre, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust would like to invite local organisations to attend their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 30 August, 2.30pm, in Room 5, Shropshire Education and Conference Centre, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 8XQ.

The purpose of the meeting is to share information with you about the work of the Trust during 2022/23. They will also highlight their plans for the future.

At the meeting, we will present the Trust’s 2022/23 Annual Report and Accounts. 

If you would like to attend, please send an email to sath.trustboardsecretary@nhs.net with your name, organisation (if applicable) and any questions that you would like to ask the Trust Board.

Free Yoga and Wellbeing Sessions Available for Community Groups

Jenna Blair Yoga in Shrewsbury is delighted to have been awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver a range of community yoga and wellbeing sessions facilitated by their team of fully qualified teachers at zero financial cost to participants.

Jenna's mission has always been to offer the benefits of yoga to as many people as possible, so this opportunity has been received with huge gratitude.

If you know of any groups or individuals who may benefit from accessing yoga and wellbeing sessions without financial implication, either in Shrewsbury or other locations locally, get in touch! Phone 07812 596609 or email jennablair@hotmail.com

BeeU Open Day 

30th August 10am - 2pm 

Wellington Cricket Club TF1 2BW

BeeU (Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin’s Children, Young People and Families’ Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service) are hosting an open day event for Children, Young People and Families in the region.

A number of BeeU staff will be present throughout the day, providing information, advice and guidance on a range of topics relating to Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health, and give opportunities to learn more about the services we provide.   

Please share as appropriate and display the attached flyer to ensure as many of our Children and Families know about the event.

Children and Young People not already known to BeeU, will be asked to register, and the registration form is also attached (these will be available on the day and people supported to complete them).

Community Radio Station Offering Free Training For VCSE Orgs Who Want to Share Their Stories

INTune Radio CIC, your local Shropshire Community Radio station, wish to feature your charity or community organisation each month to help your organisation communicate your services to a wider audience.

To take advantage of this offer, that can reach pockets of communities throughout our county, and the world, is simple.

The next training session is being held at Shropshire Chamber offices in Telford on Wednesday 6th September 11:00am till 2:00pm - they're delighted that the county’s chamber is supporting INTune Radio and assisting in enabling local charity and community organisations to produce monthly audio telling the community about their updates for free.

All you need is your laptop and a smile ready to learn. 

You will learn how to create an audio update schedule, how to record a 3 to 5 minute update, and how to send that to INTune Radio to master.

INTune Radio will take your monthly audio, master it and roll it into their schedules on their show called ’The Mag’ which airs 10 till noon each day. 

You will know the day it’s to go out giving you ample time to communicate this to your contacts and on social media.

Starting in September, the VCSA will have a regular feature on The Mag - be sure to tune in!

If we all contribute to telling our contacts, more people will learn about what you do, and why, and this can have positive implications for grants, funding, volunteers and their retention, service take up, etc

You don’t have to be a seasoned presenter, this is community radio, what your organisation will need is positive commitment to continue your audio each month to air.

Please email your name, organisation name, preferred contact email and telephone number to  info@intune-radio.co.uk to confirm you and your organisation wish to undertake training. 

To listen, click the play button on the INTune Radio website or download the app from your app store, search for ’Shropshire Community Radio’. 

VCSE Workshop: NHS England Research Engagement Network (REN) Funding Call

Thursday 7^th September 2023

You are invited to take part in a workshop where a group of partners are looking to co-develop a funding application to NHS England's Research Engagement Network (REN) funding call.  The deadline for applications is 20th September, and given its holiday time they are sending out a 'hold the date' invite for the afternoon of Thursday 7th September.

Many partners will recognise the phrase REND funding others will not have had a chance yet to engage - late last year (November 2022) VCSA organisations in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin developed a joint application with Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care system via the Staffordshire and Shropshire Health and Care Research Partnership (SSHERPa).  SSHERPa brings together NHS, LA, Higher education institutions in our region to work collaboratively in health and care research.   SSHERPa aligns to Shropshire Telford and Wrekin ICS and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS and was successful in securing REND funding for these regions which they used to hold World Cafes, undertake a survey around research engagement, and to develop the concept of a research connectors database (all in a very short period of time!). 

The good news: 

The group been invited to apply for more REN funding!!  TWICE - one bid has gone in via Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent ICB (via SSHERPa & including STW partners) and this next bid will go in on behalf of SSHERPa partners via Shropshire Telford and Wrekin!

The challenge:

How do we make best use of these funds to engage with diverse communities?

At the workshop on the 7th September SSHERPa would like to share where they got to with previous funding opportunities and develop the ideas for this next funding opportunity.  For the bid, all ideas are welcome - it’s about testing approaches to engagement in health and care research, they are looking for your advice and guidance.  How do we engage with different community groups that may feel marginalised and unable to engage in health and care research?

They know capacity is a challenge, but they also know that establishing 'new networks' that tail off is not useful, so they are keen to work with partners who have community connections, and who would be interested in ensuring that local health and care research opportunities are shaped, developed and offered to a wider, diverse, more inclusive population.

This is short term funding from NHS England, to date SSHERPa have had success in securing funding that has supported our partnerships with different communities, and we're keen to continue to build upon this.  They hope you are able to join them on the 7^th September - please find below a link to book your place!

Booking link here

Funding to Support Projects Involving Young People & Climate Change  

7th September 11-12am Online webinar

Join this FREE online Meet the Funder event organised by the Energy Saving Trust Foundation on Thursday 7th September 11am-12am.  Meet the Funder Events Get Grants holds regular Meet the Funder events which give attendees the opportunity to speak directly to funders, take part in discussions, get unique insights, and ask questions specific to their project or organisation. 

Click here for more information on this and other Meet the Funder events coming up from Get Grants.

Book your place via Eventbrite. 

Hospitals Transformation Events

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

• 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.

Carry on Canoeing

Sept 16th 6:30pm, The Quarry, Shrewsbury

A fun-filled summer’s evening on the River Severn is set to make quite a splash for a local charity.

Carry on Canoeing ­– with prizes for the best decorated canoe and best dressed canoeist – has been organised by Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.

It’s a chance to get dressed up, theme your canoe and paddle along the river as the sun sets.

Taking place in Shrewsbury on Saturday, September 16, it’s a two-hour event with participants setting off from the Porthill Bridge pontoon in The Quarry at 6.30pm.

Catherine McCloy, Head of Income Generation at Age UK, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin said:

“Each canoe holds up to three people so why not tell your friends and make up a team?” says the charity’s Head of Income Generation, Catherine McCloy. “This really does promise to be a fun-packed event – and every participant will get a treat-filled goody bag.

“So get yourself a ticket, think of a theme for your canoe and think about your attire for the evening.

“Then, on the night, you can grab yourself a paddle… because it promises to be oar-some!

Canoes will be provided by “Hire A Canoe” Ltd. “And, yes, life jackets will of course be supplied and must be worn at all times.”

Catherine added:

“And of course the whole thing is to raise money for a good cause. Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin raises funds to support older people in your community. You can help keep local older people feeling healthy, happy and independent by supporting this event.

If you have any questions, email fundraising@ageukstw.org.uk or speak to the team on 01743 233 123.”

Tickets are priced £25 and are available through Eventbrite: Carry On Canoeing Tickets, Sat 16 Sep 2023 at 18:30 | Eventbrite

People, Planet, Pint

Sustainability Meet Up

20th September, 5:30pm The Loopy Shrew, Shrewsbury

Whether you're a sustainability professional, small business owner, community group or charity, local council/government worker, student, consultant, looking to switch careers, or anything else besides, come down and meet others interested in sustainability.

No agenda, workshops or webinars. Just chat over some nibbles and beers.

Started in Glasgow during COP26, this relaxed event brings together those with a shared passion for sustainability in all its forms.

They meet monthly to chat about what's going on in the Net Zero / Sustainability space, "network" and meet others who are interested in the industry.

They see where the conversation, and night, takes them!

Chat with other industry experts and talk directly to business owners facing the challenges you're trying to solve.

Find others who can collaborate and help you on your journey and have fun doing so.

Register free here

Next Shropshire Carers Partnership Board Roadshow

20th September 2pm - 4pm Bridgnorth Library

• Free to attend
• Run by Shropshire Carers Support Team & The Board
• Carers from all areas of the county can come along to the venue and join virtually
• Includes guest speakers
• Partner organisation updates (Health, Vol Orgs, ASC, SATH, MPFT)
• Refreshments included

The roadshow is being held to offer carers across the county an opportunity to come along and observe the Board meeting and participate as necessary.  

Download the flyer to share the invite!

Shropshire Partners in Care Annual Conference and AGM 2023

Thursday 21 September 2023 Shrewsbury Town Football Club 9am-2pm Free to attend

There will be an opportunity to meet Shropshire Partners in Care staff and Board members, and to network with other care providers.

The event will celebrate Shropshire Partners in Care’s 20th Anniversary this year, and there will be a keynote speaker from the Care Quality Commission speaking on the new Single Assessment Framework and how it will assess Local Authorities.

There will also be an opportunity for you to help shape their next 20 years and how they can better engage with their members and to tell them what services and support you need/want.

Click here to book.

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. 

Free DBS Workshop for VCSE Orgs Delivering Sporting Activities for Children and Young People

2nd October 13:30-15:00

The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) are delivering a free workshop for clubs and organisations who provide sporting activities for children & young people in the West Midlands.

The workshop will explore how DBS can help in the safer recruitment of staff and volunteers working with children in sports and will be of value to those who take part in recruitment or who are responsible for dealing with any concerns.

The workshop is open to all clubs & organisations, big or small and from any sector.

The workshop will cover:

• The role of DBS checks in safer recruitment
• The types of DBS check available and the criteria for accessing these
• What ‘Regulated Activity’ is with children and its definition
• The DBS Update Service
• Reporting concerns to DBS that someone may be unfit to work or volunteer with children

The workshop is interactive, with a 'questions & answers' segment included.

Click here to book your place  

DSC Engage Conference

Online Thursday, 19th October

• Keynote speech - You'll hear from an influential figure in the sector, providing insights into the current state of policies, trends, and challenges affecting the sector
• Panel discussion - With the General Election coming in 2024, it is a key moment for the voluntary sector and policy world. You’ll hear key insights and predictions from leading figures.
• Session on communications and media strategy - Crafting compelling policy messages, media engagement, and leveraging social media are all vital for effective advocacy. This session will help you do all those more effectively.
• Session on campaigning and the law
• Case study session - showcasing successful policy advocacy efforts and the impact of those efforts on their respective causes, showing campaigning and lobbying at a local and national level.

Read more from CEO Debra Allcock Tyler, about why engaging with politicians is vital. 

Find out more and book your space on the DSC website

Shropshire Information, Advice and Support Service Officer

Contract: Fixed term contract until 30 September 2024 22.5 hours per week (over 3, 4 or 5 days)

Salary:       £25,920 to £26,438 per annum pro rata, depending on experience

Location: Remote / Home working with opportunity to work from Shrewsbury office

Start:         As soon as possible

You will provide information, advice and support in a range of subjects including Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), social care and health through a number of different channels. You will also work with support groups and schools and in partnership with other stakeholders.  The post holder will be subject to a DBS check.

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

Further details and application form (no CVs) are available from the Citizens Advice Shropshire website

Closing date:   Midnight on Thursday 31^st August 2023

Interviews:      Friday 8^th September 2023 (if date isn't convenient another may be arranged, depending on availability)

Vacancies with Shropshire MHS

Would you like to work for an award-winning charity?

Shropshire Mental Health Support have the following vacancies:

Outreach Support Workers –  Various hours

Sanctuary Support Workers – Various hours, night and late shifts

Relief Support Workers – To cover various services

For further details please contact Heather on 01743 368647 or email manager@shropshiremhs.com

Early Market Engagement: Advice, Advocacy & Welfare Benefits (AAWB) services

Shropshire Council would like to take the opportunity to engage with potential providers and/or partners in the future commissioning of Advice, Advocacy & Welfare Benefits (AAWB) services.

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 October 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 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.

Please find full information on the engagement, including the questionnaire here or on the Shropshire Council website's tenders page.

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

If you have any questions about this early market engagement, email Lisa Middleton lisa.middleton@shropshire.gov.uk