NEW Early Help Front Door Service

Shropshire Council is introducing a new integrated Early Help Front Door Service as a single point of contact for partner agencies, families and young people. The Early Help and Support Team (E-HAST) advice line went live on Wednesday 6th September, with a focus on ensuring the right support is put in place at the right time.

The Early Help front door will ensure that all enquiries and contacts are directed to a dedicated team of Early Help professionals, providing a seamless process so children and families will receive the right level of support in a timely way to help them achieve the best possible outcomes.

Read more about how E-HAST can help children, young people and their families on the Early Help page of Shropshire Council's website: Early help | Shropshire Council or you can phone the Early Help and Support Team on 0345 678 9021.

Download the poster here to help promote this new service.

Cross-Party Commission Report Promotes 'New Framework' for Tackling UK Poverty

The Poverty Strategy Commission, which seeks to forge a new national political consensus on reducing poverty, and which includes former ministers from the three main parties, says poverty levels are "stubbornly high" and calls for "a new social contract" for tackling poverty in the UK.

The commission released its Interim Report last week, summarising the work it has done since it began in 2022. The report estimates that there is a £36bn per year "resource gap" that would need to be filled to ensure that no UK households are in poverty.

The report also argues that this gap is not a funding request, but a target towards which all of society must help contribute.

Read the full report here or read news coverage of this report by The Guardian.

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TNS Foundation Reopens Youth Clubs

Inspiring youth clubs across the Oswestry area run by football charity, The New Saints FC Foundation, are due to reopen after the school summer holidays.

The clubs at Gobowen, Weston Rhyn, Ellesmere and Whittington are all set to swing back into action next week as youngsters head back to school.

The fun sessions for children aged from 10-16 years take place on Monday evening at Gobowen from 4.30pm to 6pm at The Pavilion in Gobowen. The Weston Rhyn Youth Club and cafe is also held on Mondays from 6.30pm to 8pm at St John’s Church.

The Ellesmere youth club takes place on Wednesdays at Ellesmere Town Hall from 7pm to 8.30pm while Whittington youth club is held at the village’s senior citizens building from 7pm to 8.30pm on Thursday evenings.

The New Saints FC Foundation also helps to support the Oswestry Youth Club in association with Shropshire Youth Association. This is held on Wednesday at The Centre in Oak Street with a junior section from 4.30pm and a senior club from 6.30pm.

Gill Jones of the New Saints FC Foundation said that the charity had had a very busy summer supporting and organising holiday activities for young people in Oswestry and the surrounding villages.

“But it’s back to school time now and we are delighted to be running and supporting these regular youth clubs across the area offering fun activities and inspiration to our young people,” she said.

Details on all The New Saints FC Foundation’s activities including the youth clubs is available on their website or by emailing info@tnsfcfoundation.org.uk

DSC Publishes Report on Local Authority Grantmaking

UK local authorities award in the region of £600 million in grant funding to the VCSE sector annually, meaning that they are an important source of income for the sector.

Grants for Good: Exploring local authority grant-making to the VCSE sector by the Directory of Social Change (DSC) 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. It includes: 

• an overview of public services reform policy and effects on statutory grant-making; 
• the total value and number of local authority grants; 
• trend analysis between 2019/20 and 2021/22; 
• breakdowns by local authority area type and regions of the UK; 
• original data on legal challenges to local authority grant-making; 
• recommendations to improve practice. 

Download the full report here.

Bringing Equity to Evaluation - a Helpful Introduction

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) has just released a new paper entitled "Equitable Evaluation: An Introduction". Aimed at funders in the social sector, the paper breaks down some of the key ways in which evaluation can be tool that reinforces stereotypes and power norms, or helps to break them down.

The authors explain:

"Equitable evaluation is about using evaluation as a tool for advancing equity, aligning evaluation practices with an equity approach. It does this by exploring who is making decisions about evaluation, whose knowledge and voice is valued in the process, and what purpose the evaluation serves."

This 19-page paper can be used as a guide for funders or a useful way of educating voluntary organisations themselves on how evaluation methods can have an impact on equity in their everyday practices. 

Learn more and download the paper here.

Free Railway Event for Oswestry Area Carers

Carers in the Oswestry area are invited to The Cambrian Heritage Railway, Oswestry on Saturday 16 September, to listen to a speaker about the Heritage Railway followed by a return journey on the line – free of charge.

Programme for the event

• 10.30 – 11.00 am - Arrival at The Old Railway Station, Oswald Rd, Oswestry. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
• 11.00 am - Hear a talk about the railway with the opportunity for Q&A
• 12 noon - Comfort break and people to get organised for the 12.15pm train

Carers can then decide for themselves whether they wish to come back immediately on the return train or whether you choose to buy refreshments/snack/meal at Weston Wharf.

Please book your place as soon as possible as places are limited. Please share this with anyone you know who is a carer who may be interested in coming along.

To book please contact the team via Shropshire Carers Support Line 01743 341995 (Monday to Friday 9am -5pm) or Email shropshire.carers@shropshire.gov.uk

This is for all unpaid/family adult carers in the Oswestry area, including carers not yet in touch with the Shropshire Carer Support Team.

This event is being made possible because of funding by the Equality Oswestry Group and funding from Oswestry Town Council to be spent in support of unpaid/family adult carers.

Free Training Opportunities for VCS Organisations in September

Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, with funding from Sport England, are offering a range of FREE training courses during September.

These courses are available for individuals working in or supporting not for profit voluntary and community organisations delivering sport and physical activity across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

Attendance will be booked on a first come, first serve basis, so don't miss out!

The courses have been selected based on feedback from local voluntary and community physical activity providers when asked what further support and courses they would find useful.

The easiest way to apply is online, groups can find out more information and APPLY HERE.

Courses include:

• Bid Writing for Charities & Community Groups, Online – 14^th September, 18:00-20:00
• 1 Day First Aid, Hub on the Hill, Telford – 11^th September 2023, 09:30-16:30 with registration from 09:15
• Inclusive Activity Programme Workshop, Donnington Community Hub, Telford – 13^th September, 18:00-21:00 
• Multi-Sport Activator Course, Shrewsbury – 20^th September, 09:00-12:00
• Empowering Change through Conversation, Park Lane Centre, Telford – 21^st September, 18:00-20:00
• 1 Day First Aid, Annscroft, Shrewsbury – 22^nd September, 09:30-16:30 with registration from 09:15
• Inclusivity and Engagement for Ethnically Diverse Communities within Sport & Physical Activity, Shrewsbury – 27^th September, 18:00-20:00
• Mental Health First Aid Awareness, Online – 28^th September, 09:00-13:00

If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with amy.griffiths@energizestw.org.uk

First Aid 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 September 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.

FREE DSC Insight Talk: The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund

Online Thursday, 14th September 4-5pm

In partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, this insight talk will focus on the new funding initiative: The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund.

This talk will take a look at the fund, with Ruth Bamford, Funding and Relationships Manager at the National Lottery Community Fund, talking through the guidance and eligibility for the new Cost of Living fund.

After the presentation you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have.

More details on the funding initiative can be found here.

Register for this free online event here.

Menopause Awareness Event

6pm - 8pm 19th September

at the Community Resource Training Suite in Shrewsbury

The session includes:

• A gentle, 30-minute yoga session
• Thought provoking information on the topic of menopause provided by Angela Loughlin, a menopause holistic coach from Mbrace, including:
  • acknowledging the variety of symptoms (not just hot flushes!)
  • HRT
  • how stress and hormones impact our experience
  • myth busting
  • the importance of self-care
  • An opportunity to ask questions

Download the flyer now to help publicise this event!

To book a free place for this event Call 01743 360641 or email enquiries@community-resource.org.uk

VCS Breakfast Networking Meeting

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. 

Mental Health Forum Networking & Meeting

Wednesday, 27th September 9:30-11:30am

The Lantern, Shrewsbury

The next meeting 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.

Register here

Please note that the venue has changed from previous meetings. This time we will be at The Lantern in Shrewsbury.

Doors open at 9:00am for tea, coffee, biscuits and chat!

Small Steps Big Difference Conference

3^rd October 2023, 9.15am – 4.15pm, Shrewsbury Town Football Ground

EMBRACE A Culture of Inclusion is a unique local campaign – and you can hear why people have joined in by clicking this link (4 mins).

Small Steps Big Difference takes this all a step further to practical action. It is a conference which will consider some of the issues specifically facing LGBT+ people as they age and then showcase some of the amazing work being done in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin to make this a safer and more inclusive place to age well.

Come to the conference to find out more. You will hear from local organisations which have made a commitment to EMBRACE A Culture of Inclusion, with contributions from: Residential care providers * GP Practice * Social Housing providers * Domiciliary Care Providers * Social Prescribing * Information & Advice services * Counselling services * and more ..

There will be opportunities for discussion around: 

• how to get started with implementing change 
• the development of a new resource which helps community and social groups to more easily understand why inclusion matters
• how to make Equality, Diversity and Inclusion a golden thread throughout organisational practice

Plus films, stalls and lunch! For more information and to book - click here: Small Steps Big Difference

The conference is organised by locally-based organisation, SAND (Safe Ageing No Discrimination CIC) and is sponsored by Coverage Care, Cruse Bereavement Support and Wrekin Housing Group

FREE Radio Audio Workshop for Community and Charity groups in Shropshire

Wednesday, 4th October 11am - 1pm

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Shrewsbury

Book your free place here!

InTune Radio have already trained local organisations to use audio in their marketing mix to reach more diverse people across Shropshire in a dynamic way, they include:

• Open Harmony
• Citizens Advice Shropshire
• Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance
• Sight Loss Shropshire
• Telford Crisis Support
• SYA

This audio workshop is FREE, friendly, and is all about COOLaborating with each other - because working together we are stronger!

They're supplying light refreshments. Places are limited - please book early.

This is a pro-active opportunity to use radio, one of the most trusted marketing platforms - now available to you to use within your marketing mix.

All they ask is that you commit to creating 3 to 5 minutes of audio each month, within a predefined schedule, that they will master and roll into a regular show spot.

To learn more about InTune Radio, check out their website, or follow them on social media with hashtags #ListenLocal #GetInvolved

Thanks to Shropshire Chamber of Commerce for supporting this event.

Free Disability Services Benefits Awareness Sessions

The Disability Services Advocacy Team are here to support with raising awareness of the different Disability Services benefits and grants. These are Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).

Please use the links below to download details of their upskilling sessions for external stakeholders in the months of October, November and December.

To book a place please use each of the individual links for the relevant events.

October Sessions

November Sessions

December Sessions

Could your organisation use other DWP benefits training?

Rosie Cassidy is the Partnership Support Manager for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and she is able to deliver tailored sessions to your organisation’s needs, either face-to-face or virtually.

Information sessions can include, but are not limited to:

• Overview of Universal Credit
• Brief overview of other benefits e.g. Personal Independence Payment, Employment Support Allowance etc.
• Employment services for benefit claimants
• Training and upskilling opportunities for benefit claimants
• Jobcentre Plus offer to benefit claimants
• Latest GOV.UK updates
• Escalation channels for benefits issues

If you would be interested in organising a session with Rosie, please email: rosie.cassidy@dwp.gov.uk to discuss further.

Lingen Davies Hiring for Two Positions

Health Engagement Coordinator:

Lingen Davies Cancer Fund are looking for a Health Engagement Coordinator that will work closely with their Live Life lead, to deliver their health engagement work, with a primary focus on raising cancer awareness for early diagnosis, cancer screening and prevention.

You will be responsible for developing programmes of work throughout the region, using a range of activities and settings to effectively engage with the public. This will include making maximum use of the Lingen Davies Health Promotion Van to take engagement activities out into the community.

The role will be three or four days per week, and hours will usually be worked between 8am and 6pm to meet the needs of the organisation. However, some evening and weekend work will be required. Flexibility is expected to ensure relevant public events are attended.

To be successful, you will need exceptional organisational skills and have the initiative to manage your workload.

They welcome applications from people with lived experience and those from minority communities.

Read the full job description and apply on the Lingen Davies website. Applications close 5pm Friday, 15th September.

Please direct any queries about this role to miranda.ashwell@lingendavies.co.uk

Cancer Champion Coordinator - Telford & Wrekin:

Local charities, Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and Qube have joined with Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB), to deliver the Shropshire and Telford Cancer Champions project as part of the nation-wide NHS CORE 20Plus 5, designed to address health inequalities.

They are looking for Cancer Champion Project Officer to cover the Telford & Wrekin area (0.6 WTE, (22.5 hours) employed by Lingen Davies Cancer Fund), until the end of March 2024.

You will be responsible for managing and growing a cohort of enthusiastic volunteer Cancer Champions who will work within their own community targeting population groups, and supporting them in raising cancer awareness within their communities.

To be successful, you will need to be committed, able to engage with people and have the initiative to respond to needs of the project.

Read the full job description and apply on the Lingen Davies website. Applications close 5pm Friday, 15th September.

Please direct any queries about this role to miranda.ashwell@lingendavies.co.uk

Shropshire Council Seeks Executive Support Officer

Salary: £30,151 

Location: The Shirehall, Shrewsbury (with some remote working)

Closing date: 21st September

About the role:

To provide a complete and comprehensive executive support and business management service to the Executive Director of People, ensuring that the Executive Director is as informed, briefed and prepared as necessary to undertake their duties effectively. This provision will include research, drafting, work progression, schedule  management, coordinating meetings, responding to correspondence, responding to telephone enquiries and email management in order to assist with the effective management and operation of Shropshire Council.  In addition, the postholder will line manage a team of Personal Assistants.

Find full details including job description, person specification and application on the Shropshire Council website.

Severn Hospice Hiring for Two Nursing Positions

If you are a caring, compassionate individual looking for a new challenge then Severn Hospice want to hear from you.

Working at Severn Hospice you are given time to care.

Caring is what they do best, and this includes caring for people in a supportive, fulfilling and friendly environment. As a Hospice at Home Nurse Practitioner you’ll be working in a highly rewarding area of nursing supporting patients in their own homes with dignity and in peace.

If you would like to be part of something special please send your CV to HR@severnhospice.org.uk

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Nurse Practitioner – Hospice at Home

£33,706 – £40,588 per annum depending on experience

37.5 hours per week

Community Based

Registered Nurse – Hospice at Home

£27,055 – £32,934 per annum depending on experience

Full time and Part Time Considered

Community Based

Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership (SIP) Issue Tender Brief for Impact Report

Energize STW, on behalf of the wider Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership (SIP), requires a consultant with an understanding of the voluntary and community sector (VCSE) in Shropshire, and how the organisations within the sector contribute to people’s health and wellbeing, and play an important role in the cultural, economic and civic life of the county.

The purpose of the contract is to complete an Impact Report on the infrastructure support activity of the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership (SIP) and will include both the impact of individual organisations and a critique of the perceived difference the Partnership creates.

A short written expression of interest is requested from interested contractors with a proposed methodology for the work including how the outputs described will be met, a break-down of costs including day rate and number of days proposed, and evidence of relevant skills and experience. The pricing specified should include all costs required to fulfil the brief.

All aspects of the project need to be completed by 31^st March 2024, excluding delivery of the briefing sessions which will be held as soon as possible after this date.

Download the full brief with all necessary information here. Submission of Expression of Interest should be sent by email to Pete Ezard pete.ezard@energizestw.org.uk by 30^th September 2023

The success of the EOI will be notified by email or phone as soon as possible after this.

Should any further background information be required please feel free to contact Pete Ezard, Chief Executive Officer, Energize STW via email: pete.ezard@energizestw.org.uk