August 2020

Monthly Archives

Black Country Touring – Dial a Story…

August 28, 2020by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Health & Wellbeing tagged , ,

Fancy something a bit different… Grab a 15 minute free performance on the telephone by poet Adrian B Earle, Storyteller Peter Chand or by singer Sam Frankie Fox during the first three weeks of September 2020.

All it takes is the cost of a local 0121 number.

Black Country Touring has secured funding from Heart of England Community Foundation’s ‘Doing Things Differently’ fund, Sandwell MBC’s Vision 2030 and Creative Black Country to deliver this project which aims to reduce isolation by providing social interaction through a dose of short live performance on your telephone.

Adrian Earle is a Writer, Poet, and media maker from Birmingham, creating journeys through the written word for stage, film and radio under the name ThinkWriteFly.

September Performance Dates and Times are as follows:

Adrian Earle
• Tue 1 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Thu 3 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Mon 7 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Tue 8 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Wed 9 -10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Thu 10 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Fri 11 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Mon 14 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Tue 15 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Wed 16 –  10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Thu 17 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm
• Fri 18 – 10am, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1pm

Peter Chand is an award-winning international Storyteller, hugely in demand for his unique retelling of tales from his motherland, India into English. Whether it is performing in a tiny classroom, or enthralling hundreds of adults in a theatre, he has a story for every occasion.

Peter Chand
• Thu 3 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4
• Fri 4 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4
• Mon 7 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4
• Tue 8 -10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4
• Thu 10 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4

Sam Frankie Fox is a Welsh vocalist, harpist, theatre maker and sound designer based in the West Midlands. Sam has worked locally, nationally and internationally.

Sam Frankie Fox
• Wed 9 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4
• Thu 10 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4
• Sat 12 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4
• Wed 16 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4
• Thu 17 – 10, 10.45, 11.30, 12.15, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4

To book a performance contact Bobby Tiwana on bobby@bctouring.co.uk

Black Country Touring is part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.

 

Utilita Community Hub Now Open In West Bromwich!

August 28, 2020by Libby Mahoney in Blog, News and Events tagged , ,

Utilita are an energy company committed to supporting the local community, charities and small to medium locally owned businesses. They have recently opened their Energy Hub in 3D Astle Park, West Bromwich, B70 8NS. Why not pop in to see them Monday to Saturday between 9am till 5.30pm to find out more about them and what they are up to here in West Bromwich.

They are keen to get involved with and help local charities, community and voluntary groups out. They are also able to host energy efficiency workshops within the hub, in their ‘community room’, which is free for community use and community minded activities.

So what have Utilita done since moving into West Bromwich:

  • They have raised over £2,700 for Options for Life a local Charity supporting people with a learning disability and/or autism, where they took part in the Hub2Hub challenge (cycle, walk or run a total of 516 miles).
  • They’ve volunteered with Tipton Litter Watch helping to keep clean the streets of Tipton.
  • They are currently in talks with the local West Bromwich Basketball team to see how they can support them financially and create a partnership.
  • A drop off and collection point for Salma Food Bank food donations, a patron of the Princes Trust.

Utilita have come to West Bromwich to connect and engage with new and existing customers to discuss their energy bills and how they can potentially save you money, receive expert energy advice and look at the possibility of switching energy providers by receiving an energy quote for those looking to change their energy supplier to Utilita.

Why not pop in to see them have a friendly chat and a cuppa to find out how they may be able to help you or your community organisation.

Four posts at Rights and Equality Sandwell (RES)

August 28, 2020by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Vacancies tagged ,

Rights and Equality Sandwell (RES) is a charity that works closely with communities in the West Midlands to bring about changes that improve equality and inclusion outcomes for all people, particularly the most vulnerable.

RES is pleased to announce a National Lottery Grant award to deliver activities that will directly support communities through the covid-19 crisis.

This project will strengthen local communities understanding of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly on issues concerning:

  • Social distancing and what this means in practice
  • Good community and neighbourhood support particularly for groups identified as most vulnerable and at risk
  • Intelligence and information sharing that enables services to respond to community priorities and improves community engagement
  • Phone counselling and support across wide ranging social issues

RES is seeking to recruit for the following qualified and experienced posts for a period of 6 months from 1st October 2020 to 31st March 2021. These are:

• Project Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to be responsible for communications and reporting activities, including preparation of reports, success stories, press releases, and other internal and external program communications (£14,300 for 6 months at 22hrs per week).

Click here to read full job description.

• Community Adviser working with Eastern European communities, developing outreach and engagement activities with excellent written and verbal communication skills; English speaking and ability to speak a an Eastern European language to a sufficient standard to confidently discuss coronavirus issues in every-day terms, in that language (£12,480 for 6 months at 32 hours per week).

Click here to read the full job description.

• Community Adviser working with Black, Asian and newly arrived communities developing outreach and engagement activities with excellent written and verbal communication skills; English speaking and ability to speak another community language – one of Arabic/Swahili/Punjabi or Urdu (£12,480 for 6 months at 32 hours per week).

Click here to read the full job description.

• IT and Communications Officer requires strong IT knowledge coupled with website management and experience of social media content and messaging (£9.360 for 6 months at 18 hours per week).

Click here to read the full job description.

You will need to:

  • be eligible to work in the UK
  • be available from 1st October 2020 to 31st March 2021
  • be competent in using a mobile phone, tablet and laptop and have access to the internet
  • undertake training and attend meetings as required
  • be willing to work unsociable hours or have the flexibility to work the hours to best support the community (this will include some evening and weekend work)

Closing date for applications 13th September 2020.

Interviews held in the week beginning 21st September 2020.

Please forward your CV with supporting statement on how you meet the person specification criteria outlined above to Permjeet.panesar@rightsandequalitysandwell.co.uk by 13th September 2020.

For further details, please contact: Permjeet.panesar@rightsandequalitysandwell.co.uk
Tel: 0121 541 1775

The Morrisons Foundation

August 28, 2020by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Funding tagged ,

The Morrisons Foundation supports charities making a positive difference in local communities across England, Scotland and Wales. They award grants for charity projects and match fund the money that Morrisons colleagues raise for their chosen charities.

Their grant funding supports charities delivering projects which help to improve people’s lives. From support groups to children’s hospitals and homeless shelters to hospices, our grants provide vital funding for good causes across England, Scotland and Wales.

In the main grants are available to fully fund projects up to £25,000. Before submitting an application please read the following criteria and answer the eligibility questions by clicking here.

Bite Size Training Sessions at RSVP

August 26, 2020by Leona in Blog, Training Support and Resources tagged

The Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP) specialist training team would like to invite you to attend our ‘Bite Size Training Sessions’ which will be held throughout 2020 on a variety of subjects related to supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse. All training sessions are 2-hour interactive on-line sessions via Zoom.

Please see below for our training schedule, if you would like to book a place onto any of the following sessions follow this link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rsvp-29690469567

Alternatively, if you would like to buy tickets via BACS payment, please contact the training team directly at trainer@rsvporg.co.uk
Each session is £25 per participant.

Title Date
Introduction to sexual violence and abuse – Thursday 3rd September 12-2pm
What is Victim Blaming? – Tuesday 8th September 10am-12pm
An Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice – Thursday 10th September 12-2pm
Introduction to sexual violence and abuse – Tuesday 15th September 11am-1pm
What is Victim Blaming? – Tuesday 22nd September 1-3pm
An Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice- Thursday 24th September 10am-12pm
Introduction to sexual violence and abuse – Tuesday 29th September 10am-12pm
Child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation – Thursday 1st October 11am-1pm
Sexual violence and the law – Tuesday 6th October 2-4pm
Supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse Thursday 8th October 10am-12pm
Child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation Tuesday 13th October 1-3pm
Sexual violence and the law – Tuesday 20th October 10am-12pm
Supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse Thursday 22nd October 11am-1pm

The sessions are suitable for practitioners working in a variety of sectors who engage with adults, young people, and children. The aims of the sessions are to broaden your knowledge and skills in relation to the impact of sexual violence, trauma and abuse. They will equip you with knowledge of how best to support survivors of sexual violence whether they are colleagues, staff or service users.

If you have any questions about the Bite Size sessions or would like any further information about bespoke training offers, please contact the training team at trainer@rsvporg.co.uk

Healthwatch Sandwell Insight Public Meeting

August 26, 2020by Leona in Blog, News and Events tagged

This is to inform you that we will be holding our next ‘Insight’ public meeting online via Zoom on Thursday 3rd September 2020 starting at 1.30pm until 3.00pm

The topic of our meeting will be “Future arrangements for NHS commissioning across the Black Country and West Birmingham.”
This follows public events being held across Sandwell and West Birmingham to hear proposals to merge the CCGs across the Black Country and West Birmingham.

At our meeting we will hear from Dr Ian Sykes (Clinical Chair) and Michelle Carolan (Managing Director), both from Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG.

Background information together with a survey is available from our website https://www.healthwatchsandwell.co.uk/news/the-future-of-commissioning-in-the-black-country-and-west-birmingham/

To book for our event, please register on our Eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-arrangements-for-nhscommissioning-across-the-black-country-and-west-tickets-118139477357

Before the event we will send you details of how to join our Zoom meeting (if you do not hear from us by 1st September and you have booked please contact us.)

 

Remembering the HMT Empire Windrush Generation and First Commonwealth Arrivals

August 26, 2020by Libby Mahoney in Blog, VCS Feature tagged ,

Sandwell Museums are launching a project to remember the first Commonwealth arrivals to the UK.

The ‘What’s in the case?’ project is funded jointly by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s Windrush Scheme and Sandwell Council’s Museums and Arts Service.

The aim is to collect the stories of the first wave of Commonwealth citizens travelling to Britain to live, work and make it their home in the years after the Second World War.

Councillor Danny Millard, cabinet member responsible for museums, said: “Sandwell and the rest of the UK would not be the diverse and culturally rich place it is today without the Windrush generations and every new Commonwealth arrival since then.

“We want to hear from that generation and their descendants, about their journey and the lives and experiences they have had since arriving.”

Councillor Jackie Taylor, cabinet member for sustainable transport, who became the first African Caribbean councillor elected in Sandwell in 2014, said: “‘What’s in the case?’ captures the dreams of my parents when they arrived in Birmingham in 1957.

“I am immensely proud of the bravery of that generation of people who travelled into the unknown from the Commonwealth. My parents arrived from Jamaica with not only the dreams for themselves and their families, but also that of British society and what they could contribute to it. I look forward to the project and richness of stories that I know will emerge, to inspire a new generation.”

Deputy Leader Councillor Maria Crompton added: “It’s important to remember the first Commonwealth arrivals to the UK and to celebrate diversity and the many cultures and people that make Sandwell great.”

Sandwell Museums would like participants to take part in a series of interviews via phone, Skype or Zoom to collect their stories and memories of their journey to Britain and of course, what they packed in their cases.

To take part and request more information, please email Sandwellarts_project@sandwell.gov.uk

Source: Sandwell Council

International Charity Fraud Awareness Week – October 2020

August 25, 2020by Libby Mahoney in Blog, News and Events tagged ,

Are you a charity trustee, volunteer or professional adviser? Want to learn more about fraud and how it can effect your charity? Join The Fraud Advisory Panel for International Charity Fraud Awareness Week, taking place between 19 and 23 October 2020.

What is international charity fraud awareness week?
International Charity Fraud Awareness Week brings together everyone involved in the charity and not-for-profit sectors to raise awareness and share good practice in tackling fraud and cybercrime. This award-winning campaign is led by a coalition of over 40 charities, regulators, law enforcers, representative and umbrella bodies, and other not-for-profit stakeholders.

Why is it important?
All charities, NGOs and not-for-profits are susceptible to fraud and can be targeted. Those providing services and supporting local communities may be especially vulnerable to fraudsters attempting to exploit current national and global crises to carry out fraud and cybercrime. This means that now – more than ever– charities need to be fraud aware and take steps to protect their money, people and assets from harm.

This year’s campaign has three core messages: be fraud aware, take time to check, and keep your
charity safe.

Find out more by visiting their website by clicking here or in their Support Pack by clicking here.

Source: Fraud Advisory Panel

Free swimming continues in Sandwell

August 25, 2020by Leona in Blog, Health & Wellbeing tagged

Free swimming for over 60s and children aged 16 and under will continue at Sandwell leisure centres.

As part of the #MoveMoreSandwell programme, which aims to help people live more active lives, Sandwell Council has confirmed it is extending the funding of the free sessions – for children 16 and under during school holidays and for people over 60 during public swimming sessions – and that some sessions have now resumed.

Sandwell Leisure Trust is providing bookable sessions for over 60s and competent young swimmers over the age of eight at Haden Hill and Wednesbury Leisure Centres. Further sessions at other centres will be announced in the coming weeks.

Details of the changes will be sent to anyone signed up for the free swimming scheme, which has been funded by Sandwell Council since 2013.

Since the scheme was last extended in 2015, young people have enjoyed more than 198,000 free swimming sessions, and over 60s have enjoyed more than 306,000.

Go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/freeswimming for more information on free swimming.

For more information on #MoveMoreSandwell visit www.healthysandwell.co.uk/movemoresandwell

The Fat Beehive Foundation – Digital Funding for Small Charities

August 24, 2020by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Funding tagged ,

The Fat Beehive Foundation is an independent UK registered charity that provides small grants for websites and digital products to other small UK registered charities.

Improving your digital presence can be transformational, but it’s really tough to secure funding in this area. The Fat Beehive Foundation exists to change that, offering small grants of up to £2,500 to charities with a turnover of less than £1 million.

Their  aim is to help these organisations carry out their work in a more efficient and effective way, resulting in positive social benefit.

They only fund charities with an average income of less than £1 million a year. As we aren’t a large funder, we provide highly specialised grants up to £2500 and can’t fund every charity that applies to us – much as we would like to.

Priorities for support
They can only support a limited amount of projects, based on the funding available for distribution in any given year.

Their funding priorities over the next year are:

  • Environmental protection or climate change mitigation
  • Human rights
  • International development
  • Equality and Diversity
  • Social justice / Refugees / Housing
  • Education
  • Art & culture
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Prisoner rehabilitation

For more information and to apply click here.

Source: The Fat Beehive Foundation

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