September 2022
Welcome to our Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) monthly newsletter, packed full of the latest news and information about Tower Hamlets' diverse and thriving voluntary and community sector. The commitments made about the VCS by partners in Tower Hamlets (including the VCS themselves) can be found in the partnership VCS Strategy.
Keep reading to avoid missing out on the latest funding and training opportunities as well as links to surveys and consultations.
Mayor announces Energy Fund to help vulnerable people with fuel bill hikes
The Energy Fund will help vulnerable residents with the increase in fuel bills
An emergency Energy Fund will be set up by Tower Hamlets Council to help with fuel hikes as part of the council’s ongoing support to residents during the cost-of-living crisis.
The Energy Fund will complement the recently introduced £2.7m cost of living package which was announced by the Mayor last month.
Many households face a winter of discontent as gas prices are set to soar by a staggering 78 per cent on 1 October. Figures nationally suggest some families could end up paying more than 100 per cent of what their bill was last year.
It is likely everyone will see a spike in their energy bill.
To tackle the impact this will have on families already being squeezed by the cost of living, Mayor Rahman has set up a £1 million emergency Energy Fund.
The fund will hand out grants of up to £100 to our most vulnerable residents, who are shown through council data to be at the most severe risk of being unable to pay their fuel bills. Around £200,000 has already been earmarked for pensioners. Eligible residents will receive further details by the end of September.
Training for Volunteer Managers:
The Cost of Living Crisis: Minimising the Impact on your Volunteer Programme
Wednesday 14 September 2022 (on Zoom)
10:30am -1pm
The cost of living crisis is getting worse, with the prices of many essentials increasing faster than household incomes. This has impacted volunteers, staff and service users. This practical, interactive training will allow Volunteer Managers to share experience and ideas for minimising the impact of the crisis on their volunteers and volunteer programme. The session will cover how to address issues such as expenses, adapting volunteer roles and volunteer recruitment and retention.
This session is suitable for experienced Volunteer Managers as well as those who are new to managing volunteers.
The session is FREE to voluntary sector and public sector organisations with a base/ office in Tower Hamlets, or that have services aimed at Tower Hamlets residents. For any organisations without a base or services in Tower Hamlets, the session costs £50 per person. The fee is non-refundable, unless you give 48 hours' notice of cancellation.
Please get in touch with Evelyn if you have any questions: evelyn@vcth.org.uk
 Healthwatch Tower Hamlets survey
Healthwatch Tower Hamlets want to hear from residents about their experiences of the NHS and Social Care services. The information provided in the survey will be used to identify areas for improvement. The survey takes no more than five minutes to complete.
 Community Engagement Volunteers wanted
Healthwatch Tower Hamlets recruiting for Volunteers!
Volunteers play a crucial role in helping to ensure Healthwatch Tower Hamlets can raise the profile of issues that matter when it comes to improving health and social care services. Everone is unique and has something valuable to contribute, from sharing life experiences, skills and knowledge to untapped talent and the willingness to make a real difference within Tower Hamlets.
What is required?
A minimum commitment of 2 hours per week for a minimum of 3 months. This is to ensure that volunteers can fully benefit from the training and learning experience provided.
Please contact the Healthwatch: VIP@YVHSC.org.uk or call: 07944 931 223
 Befriending Week
#Befriending Week (1-7 November 2022)- Creating Connections: Celebrating 10 Years
Befriending Week is a chance to celebrate and raise awareness about everything #Befriending and how befriending can help to create connections among communities!
2022 is a special year as Befriending Networks is celebrating 10 years of Befriending Week. The Befriending service is seeking any story with a hint of 10. It could be a befriender with 10 years of befriending experience, or a new service that just completed its 10th year anniversary.
Please share a picture or video to admin@befriending.co.uk by 1 October 2022 with consent from the people involved so their names and photos can be shared.
New mobile unit makes reporting crime and ASB easier than ever
Safer Communities Surgery unit
A new Safer Communities Surgery unit has launched in Tower Hamlets, making it easier than ever for residents to report crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
The unit, which was launched on Monday 25 July, will act as a base for patrolling officers from both local police and Tower Hamlets Council, including Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs).
The mobile space will provide an easily identifiable and accessible place for residents to meet officers, report issues and access information and advice. The vehicle can be driven to different locations across the borough so the whole community can access this support.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said:
“We want to make Tower Hamlets a great place to live, visit and work. Tackling ASB is a priority of ours and we will be working hard with you to stamp it out".
“This new unit is a great way for us to engage with our communities and hear what matters to them. Please do talk to the officers when you see the unit out and about – any local information you can provide can help us prevent ASB in our borough.”
Updates on the Covid-19 pandemic September 2022
This autumn, booster vaccinations for Covid-19 and flu are being offered to all people aged over 50, as well as the usual high risk groups, to make sure that people can top up their immunity for the winter season. Book a Covid-19 Vaccine appointment.
Your local Public Health team in Tower Hamlets are currently making plans for the winter and are being supported by the voluntary and community organisations across the borough to help us protect the most vulnerable in the borough
Office for National Statistics survey tests a sample of two million people every week across the country. More information about COVID-19 infection rates is available online from the Office for National Statistics.
Please check here for more updates from the Director of Public Health in Tower Hamlets.
Please email PhCov19@towerhamlets.gov.uk if you have enquiries about your activities or events.
If you need further advice, please call the council vaccination helpline on 0207 364 3030.
Funding Opportunities
The council recognises the contribution made by local Voluntary and Community Sector organisations (VCS) in responding to help people during the Covid-19 pandemic. The demand on local VCS organisations is high, leading to pressure on both finances and staff resource.
Current local grant opportunities for the voluntary and community sector include:
Through the Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets, VCS organisations can also utilize the volunteering hub to access volunteers free of charge. Financial support is available through local, regional and national grant schemes, which can help organisations in the borough with unexpected costs, loss of income or new projects.
 Training opportunities
The council and local partners are offering VCS organisations high-quality training, workshops, courses and events to help organisations grow stronger and more resilient.
 Useful links
For information on infrastructure support to VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets, please visit Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Service.
For information on volunteering opportunities in Tower Hamlets, please visit Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets.
Thank you for reading
We hope you have found this bulletin useful. Contact us for any feedback or if you would like anything to be considered for inclusion in future newsletters.
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