Children & Young People

Category Archives

Princes Trust Team Programme Smethwick

January 14, 2020by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Children & Young People, Did you know...? tagged , ,

The Princes Trust Smethwick are now recruiting for their next team Programme, due to start on the 17th February. The 12 week course is for 16 – 25 year old and is aimed at increasing confidence, communication, leadership and employability skills, alongside gaining nationally recognised qualifications.

Learners gain a first aid and food safety certificate, a new CV, two weeks work placement and much more. Learners are also provided with a bus pass. The course will not affect benefits.

To refer a young person, please email or text Jack Dytor, Prince’s Trust Team Leader, with details. Jack will contact the individual to arrange a meeting.

If you would like further information or would like Jack to come and speak to your staff or a group of young people, it can be arranged.  The Prince’s Trust is also available to attend any events.

Email Jack at Dytorj@wolvcoll.ac.uk or call 07787 245 832.

Go Play Grant Programme 2020 -2023

January 10, 2020by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Children & Young People, Funding tagged ,

The Go Play Sandwell Grant Programme 2020-23 is now open for applications. Sandwell Council would like to commission a grant programme to support voluntary and community sector (not for profit) organisations, to deliver free play provision across the borough.

The Grant Programme will cover seven areas during term time and holiday period, delivering a universal open access play service.

Go Play will target children and young people between the ages of six and 12 (up to the age of 16 with additional needs) in the focus areas of multiple deprivation, high population density and change management. The offer includes:

• Free provision and a no charging policy (free to use, free to choose, open access)
• A minimum of three after school sessions for two and a half hours in term time per week
• A minimum of three holiday sessions per week for five hours each

Maximum grant available per area is £40,000 per year.

Applications close at 12 noon on Friday, 14 February 2020. Applications received after this deadline will not be processed.

Click here for more information and to download an application form and guidance notes.

Queen’s Speech Commits Government to Online Harms Law

January 6, 2020by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Children & Young People tagged , ,

The Government has committed itself through the Queen’s Speech to bringing in online harms legislation to protect children and vulnerable adults from digital threats.

The protection measures, outlining tougher checks on social media platforms to prevent online abuse, had been introduced by the government in April 2019 through an online harms white paper.

In this week’s Queen’s Speech the government has confirmed that it “will develop legislation to improve internet safety for all”.

“Britain is leading the world in developing a comprehensive regulatory regime to keep people safe online, protect children and other vulnerable users and ensure that there are no safe spaces for terrorists online,” states the Queen’s Speech, which was introduced into parliament on Thursday following the Conservative Party’s general election victory this month.

It adds: “ The April 2019 online harms white paper set out the government’s plan for world-leading legislation to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online. The government will continue work to develop this legislation, alongside ensuring that the UK remains one of the best places in the world for technology companies to operate.”

The white paper measures had received the backing of a number of charities supporting vulnerable people from internet harm, in particular relating to children at risk from sex offenders.

The proposals include appointing an independent regulator to ensure tech companies have a duty of care towards their users.

To read the full Charity Digital News article click here.

Source: Charity Digital News

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.

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.

Funding for Capital Projects in Secondary Schools and Sixth Form Colleges

October 24, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Children & Young People, Funding tagged , ,

From the 1st December 2019, secondary schools and colleges that have reached a level of excellence will be eligible to apply for a grant of up to £50,000 towards 50% of the cost of capital projects.

Sixth form colleges are eligible to apply for up to £100,000. A total of around £1.75 million will be allocated each year to new build, refurbishment or equipment projects related to the teaching of science and technology or information or communications technology directly related to learning for projects involving libraries, languages, music or the arts.

The funding will be made available through the Wolfson Foundation’s Secondary Education Programme.

The closing date for applications will be the 10th January 2020.

For more information click here.

Advocacy Awareness Week 2019

October 16, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Children & Young People, Health & Wellbeing tagged , ,

The week beginning Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November is Advocacy Awareness Week. Sandwell Advocacy would like to highlight two of the projects in existence and what this means for Sandwell residents.

In 2018 Sandwell Advocacy celebrated 25 years of providing independent advocacy throughout Sandwell, promoting rights, voice and empowerment. Earlier this year, Children in Need approved three years funding for the Sandwell Advocacy Voice and Empowerment (SAVE) Project.

Sandwell Advocacy empowers young people, who are experiencing poor mental health and/or behavioural issues.   Their needs, rights and wishes are articulated when accessing, planning and delivering support and care services.

Additionally, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, approved the Voices and Choices project for three years. Voice and Choices provides independent advocacy support for older people with long term health conditions, who fit one or both of the following criteria:

• Older people wishing to maintain their independence in their own home, with appropriate support, where it is safe for them to do so.
• Older people, their families and/or carers who are considering choices and options around extra care, residential or nursing care and accommodation options.

The project ensures that people have a voice, are aware of their rights and choices and are empowered to make informed decisions around the planning and delivery of health and social care services.

Follow Sandwell Advocacy on Twitter #AAW19.

 

‘Completing the Picture’

October 14, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Children & Young People, SCVO News tagged ,

With a large range and number of services available for children, young people and families in Sandwell, it’s often difficult to keep on top of who’s who and what they do. You may feel you are often left trying to find the missing pieces, when looking for that little bit of extra support for the young people and families you are working with.

‘Completing the Picture’, 10 am to 12 noon on Friday 25th October 2019, at the Wesley Centre for All, Spring Head, Wednesbury, WS10 9AD, will bring together organisations, services and schools from Wednesbury, 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 in Wednesbury and would you like to ‘Complete the Picture’ about what support services are available, book your place now by clicking here.

Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

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