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What Matters to Young People Roadshow – November 2019

November 21, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Children & Young People, Health & Wellbeing tagged , ,

During November (Monday 18 – Friday 30 November), Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), are asking young people, aged 16 – 25, “What matters to you, about your healthcare?”

Young people have already said their mental health and wellbeing is an important issue.  The CCG want to hear their views on the area of healthcare.

Staff from the CCG will be visiting local colleges, universities and other venues to speak to young people to canvass views.

To take part in this survey click here. If you would like the survey forwarded to you in an alternative format, please contact swbccg.engagement@nhs.net.

Information provided will be confidential and will used to plan and improve patient services for the future.

Launching soon – the new Severn Trent Community Fund

November 21, 2019by Leona in Blog, Funding tagged

Severn Trent Community Fund is a programme that aims to support community wellbeing as well as protect and sustain water and natural resources, within the Severn Trent area.

The programme will distribute grants of £2,000 – £250,000 for local initiatives that meet the following aims:

• People – Projects that facilitate healthier lifestyles and skills development
• Place – Projects that help create better places to live in and use
• Environment – Projects that facilitate a healthier natural environment, greater access to that environment or support the preservation of water

Since we are a water company, we also encourage projects to have a connection to the water cycle in some way. This might mean creating sustainable drainage, installing grey water recycling, creating more water efficient green places (parks, allotments, etc.) or encouraging hydration for health.

Applications will be open from early January 2020 via our website and full criteria and guidance will be available soon.

You can apply for a grant if your organisation is not ‘for profit’ and you have a governing document etc. – the full criteria will be available soon but the basics are:

• Funding for new projects and their associated costs that meet the aims of the fund * unfortunately retrospective funding or general running costs are not eligible.
• Projects need to be sustainable with a long term impact.

There are 3 sizes of grant that can be applied for:
• £2,000- £10,000
**Organisations applying for more than £10,000 must be registered and supply us with a charity/company number
• £10,001 – £75,000
• £75,001 – £250,000

You can currently register your interest at https://www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/severn-trent-community-fund/

Spotlight on Girls Friendly Society

November 21, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Children & Young People, Local Impact Spotlight, Volunteering tagged ,

Tell us what you do
Girls Friendly Society (GFS) recruits women volunteers to run groups where girls can go make friends, build confidence, have fun and be inspired. At the groups, girls focus on six key themes; feeling a part of their community, being creative, getting active, learning to be happy with who they are, developing skills for life and having a lot of fun.

What is your proudest achievement?
We are a really long-established organisation – we were founded in 1875! – and we are proud of our ability to keep changing with the times while holding the core value of supporting and empowering women. We have a number of volunteers who have been with us for 40 or more years, and their willingness to develop and grow with us to provide something that is relevant for today is something we are also, extremely proud of.

What is your experience of support received from SCVO?
From the first contact, we had with the SCVO a couple of months ago, we received lots of support in terms of local knowledge and useful contacts. Staff have been really helpful and welcoming to Jennie Crosby, our Midlands Regional Development Coordinator.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt about working with people in Sandwell?
Everyone Jennie has met have been really friendly and interested in finding out what Girls Friendly Society is about and what we can offer in local communities. Organisations and community groups have been keen to share information about us, putting Jennie in touch with lots of people. We are also finding out what a large and diverse Metropolitan Borough Sandwell is.

What are your plans for the future and some of the challenges you face?
We are just about to launch two new groups for girls aged 7-12 in the area – one in Cradley Heath and one on Hurst Road, Smethwick. Recruiting volunteers who are passionate about empowering girls and can commit to running the groups for a medium to long term is the challenge. While short term volunteers are welcome, we’re particularly interested in people who can commit to helping us maintain some consistency within the group.

How can SCVO help to support your organisation in the future?
Your knowledge of the local area (especially venues) is really useful, as we plan to continue to open groups nearby. Our goal is to establish a reputation for providing amazing opportunities for girls in this area.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Then why not check out their volunteering page by clicking here.

Been Thinking About Volunteering?

November 21, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Children & Young People, Volunteering tagged , ,

If you’re interested in helping girls and young women in our community, Girls Friendly Society has some roles that might just interest you.

GFS trains volunteers to run weekly social groups that are just for girls. At the groups volunteers run activities that aim to improve girls’ confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing. They are opening two new groups locally in the next few months, and you could be a part of helping get them established!

They are looking for Group Leaders and Activity Leaders for GFS Hurst Road (meeting Mondays) and GFS Cradley Heath (meeting Tuesdays). Find out more about the roles at girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk/volunteer-vacancies or by going to the volunteer meet and greet they’re holding at Hurst Road on 2 December – book your place by clicking here.

Young people and their experiences of health and social care

November 21, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Children & Young People, VCS Feature tagged , ,

Healthwatch Sandwell have started a project to find out the needs of young people and their experiences of health and social care in Sandwell.

This project seeks to understand young people’s knowledge of health services and their involvement with the services, with particular emphasis on mental health services.

There is a short survey, which Healthwatch would like young people to complete. There is also the opportunity to take part in focus groups.

Further information is available from the Healthwatch website.

‘Completing the Picture’ – Tipton

November 21, 2019by Leona in Blog, SCVO News tagged ,

Do you feel it’s difficult to keep on top of who’s who and what they do? Are you left trying to find missing pieces and links when looking for that little bit of extra support for the young people and families you are working with? If so, this event is for you!

Taking place on Tuesday 3 December 2019, 10.00am – 12.00noon at Murray Hall Community Trust, The Bridge, St Marks Road, Tipton, DY4 0SL

Sandwell Early Help Partnership will bring together organisations, services and schools from Tipton, and provide an opportunity for members and prospective members to:

– engage with others
– find out what services are available locally
– build new partnerships, and
– share ideas of how to best support children, young people and families

If you work, or offer support services in Tipton, and would like to ‘Complete the Picture’ about what support services are available locally, book your place now by clicking here

For any further information about the event or about the Early Help Partnership, please contact Angel Lakha, Early Help Partnership Co-ordinator – earlyhelp@scvo.info or telephone 0121 525 1127.

Understanding The Role Technology Plays In Driving Accountability

November 21, 2019by Debra Hill in Blog, Did you know...?, VCS Feature tagged

If charities are clear what data matters to them and how to measure it, then digital transformation can allow them to focus their technology’s energy on where it is most needed, says Nathan Baranowski from OJO Solutions.

We live in the age of information. An astonishing 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created on the web every day – that’s the equivalent of 10 million Blu-Ray films every 24 hours. Yet despite all this data, we still often struggle to gain access to the information we sorely need to facilitate decision-making and work productively.

But the rise of AI and big data is transforming the way we see information and how we use data – opening the doors to data delivering real-time insight and providing a single truth.

A world in which it’s commonplace to view real-time fundraising figures and access financial performance and management accounts automatically, without human intervention, is within reach. Emerging technology has the potential to liberate us all and focus us on purposeful decision-making. This is the information age.

For more information click here

Source:  Civil Society

An Open Evening for a Targeted Support Worker at The Albion Foundation

November 20, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, News and Events, Vacancies tagged , ,

The Albion Foundation (registered Charity 1081948) is an established and successful provider of sport, education and disability programmes. The Albion Foundation uses the power of football to make a difference, raise aspirations, grow their people and participants and connect West Bromwich Albion Football Club to its communities.

The Charity prides itself on Inspiring to Achieve and delivering the highest quality of provision to show that “Albion cares”. The Education and Engagement Team aim to engage young people to improve attainment, change behaviour, increase attendance, raise self-esteem and boost confidence. The charity works with a range of schools and partners.

The Albion Foundation has recently applied for funding, through the Premier League and Children in Need, to offer a targeted programme for 8 – 14 year olds in the Sandwell area. The targeted work, in partnership with West Midlands Police, will accept referrals for young people who are at risk of being involved in knife crime and gangs.

This role is dedicated to those who want to inspire a young person for the better. In this modern time, young people go through so much and often with little guidance. Without knowing the reason it is easy apportion blame. If you have a passion for working with young people and would like to inspire them to make a difference, this role could be for you.

The right candidate will need to be confident and have a strong approach when handling challenging situations. You should have experience of youth work, gang violence, social and emotional behaviour and sexual exploitation. You will be required to demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding.

The ideal candidate will know how to resolve or de-escalate a situation in a correct and efficient manner. You will be resilient with a strong work ethic.

You must have a good understanding of social, emotional and mental health difficulties and know how to implement education and care to young people with this need. You will need to have a positive approach as well as being patient with good behaviour management. It is desirable to have mentoring/support work experience.

The majority of the role will require you to work directly with referred clients on a 1:1 basis. You will develop and support relationships with partner agencies and third sector organisations for effective case communication and management. The outcome data will be collated, monitored, SMART, and inputted in line with organisational processes and procedures.

The Albion Foundation will know the outcome of the funding bid at the end of January 2020. The official advert for the Targeted Support Worker will be released immediately after this time. The salary will be circa 20,000 – £25,000 for a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.

The Foundation will be holding an open evening on Tuesday 10th December, from 6 pm, at The Albion Foundation (Education Site), 8 Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick (opposite Galton Valley Primary School).  If you would like to register your interest for the event please email anna.pincher@albionfoundation.co.uk

Black Country Women’s Aid Christmas Present Appeal

November 20, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Did you know...?, VCS Feature tagged ,

The festive season has started and Black Country Women’s Aid need your help to provide presents for women and children in refuges and those who  are supported in the community.

Everyone needs a little something special on Christmas day.  With your help BCWA can make a lot of little people and families have a great day too. Please consider donating a gift for a child, a teenager or adult.

Ideas for presents:
Family Game, Gift Set, Perfume, Toys, Socks, gloves, Handbag, PJ’S, Bath Robes, Chocolates, Arts and Crafts, Diaries, Journals, Coloring Books, Stationery, Aftershave/deodorants for boys and, of course, Cuddly Toys !!!  You gift will be really appreciated.

You can drop off donations to any of BCWA’s cedar centres, in West Bromwich, Dudley or Walsall.
If you prefer to make a cash donation, you can do so on via the website www.blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk with Virgin Link.

Please get in touch with Debbie on 0121 553 0090 to find out more.

Launch of the Sandwell Better Lives Dementia Strategy

November 20, 2019by Leona in Blog, News and Events tagged

A new Dementia Strategy is set to launch in Sandwell following months of collaboration between Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG, Sandwell Council and Sandwell Dementia Action Alliance.

The teams have spent the past few months meeting with those who have a lived experience of dementia. It was important to the teams to understand their experiences and what they could do to improve for the future.

Dr Ian Sykes, Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG chair, said: “It was vital for each of the teams to get into the community and speak with those who understand this condition and the journey they go through. This means our strategy is based on the right outcomes for people with dementia and their carers.”

The launch will take place on Thursday 21 November at Portway Lifestyle Centre from 2.00pm.

At the event there will be the opportunity hear a presentation about the strategy and how it can become a reality, receive copies of the strategy and ask questions of the team. This event is open to everyone. Carers are of course welcome to bring along the people they care for.

A Sandwell Council spokesperson, said, “It has been important for each of the teams to take a collaborative approach towards producing the Sandwell Better Lives Dementia Strategy which has included working closely with the community.

Place are limited so if you are interested in attending the event, please email SWBCCG.engagement@nhs.net or call the Engagement team on 0121 612 1447 to book your place.

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