Anna Hartland, Manager:

“The support we received from SCVO not only helped us write the bid but also persuaded us to go down avenues we hadn’t gone before.  To be honest, we were firmly against the ideas and could not see how they would benefit Loaves, but we decided to try.  The ideas turned out to become a massive assets to Loaves N Fishes.  We are more than blessed to have received much valued support from a team that really have helped us turn from a small group into a large recognised organisation”

Belarme Kwizera, Treasurer/Volunteer Sport Coach:

“SCVO’s team was very professional and supportive of the group’s needs.  The friendly and experienced staff offered support in a number of different ways including face-to-face meetings and regularly e-mails whenever they were in need of assistance.  xploreARTS were made to feel welcome and at ease with all the information regarding legal policies.  Due to the support received they have been able to grow from strength to strength as a group.  It would be fair to say that without the continuous unconditional support we regularly receive the group would be struggling tremendously”.

Cre-8:

Four mothers voluntary run the group for young people meeting up twice a week to learn new dance routines for them to be able to put on shows and events for the community (approx 29 young people).

One of the organisation’s main aims is to increase the number of physical activity hours they deliver in order for their groups to become more active and hold more confidence within themselves.

SCVO gave the group the confidence and motivation to apply for an Awards for All Lottery Grant.  With help, support and guidance we were successful.  The money will go towards helping Cre-8 to: put on additional sessions to increase young people’s level of activity; introduce workshops beneficial to young people; encourage young people to attend First Aid training; encourage other leadership courses; have team building trips and events to attend; purchase new technical equipment.

The success of the bid will enable the organisation to spend more time with the young people who they work with and make a difference to their lives.

Chris Harwood, Field Officer:

“SCVO are very supportive and enthusiastic and offer information that is easy to understand and extremely helpful”.

Gina Neale, Volunteer Fundraiser:

“SCVO has helped us to realise our potential by providing invaluable information, practical advice and feeedback, as well as confidence-building encouragement.   The staff team has been a dynamic influence, generous and flexible with the time and support”.

Hallam Street Community Project:

The Organisation caters for all ages from the cradle to grave.  They run snooker groups, lunches, a knitting group, extend classes, and over 60s Club, a stay and play group and much more.  The venue is available for hire for parties and other functions at a reasonable cost.

They have really valued the support they have received from SCVO who have helped to point them in the right direction, particularly around getting funding.  This has included being able to purchase a new cooker and also some new benches outside the premises.  They are looking for other opportunities to update their heating and boiler system and also to turn one of their rooms into being more multi-purpose.

For some time the group had a member of  SCVO’s staff team based in their building which enabled them to receive dedicated support which they really valued as they could just pop in and see her with any questions they had.

Loaves N Fishes:

A Christian organisation set up to try and ease poverty by providing furniture and other household goods including clothing, to those living in miserable circumstances and have nowhere to turn for help.  They believe that offering a stable platform is the best way to help people have a sense of self worth and offers hope for a brighter future.

Loaves began in a small garage with just a handful of people with a desire to help women and children fleeing domestic violence.  Eight years on they are in their fourth building, have a lot more people helping out and thankfully are in a better and blessed position to be able to help a lot more people.

Over the years, SCVO has helped Loaves N Fishes enormously.  They have offered advice when needed, set them up withe right people to speak to with issues that concern them and most importantly supported them with funding.

Merilyn Wakeman, Project Manager:

“We have found SCVO team to be very helpful and are very pleased with the support we have received over the past 10 years”

Rita Hicken, Volunteer Manager:

“After receiving this bid, we know that all of the above can take take place, but this would not have been possible without the support of SCVO”

Sandwell Adventure Play Association:

For over 40 years Sandwell Adventure Play Association has provided play centre facilities providing children within Sandwell with safe spaces where memorable quality play experiences can take place.  They offer out of school clubs, playgroups and stay and play sessions.

SAPA have been involved an support through SCVO in a variety of ways.  They have received the support of a Buddy through the Buddies Programme who offered helpful support, advice and guidance, identifying the need to have  more robust HR processes in place.  They have also received support around their governance and charitable status.  They are also looking to move to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation during the next year, within the ongoing support from SCVO.

SAPA are involved in the networks and Forums that SCVO facilitate including the VCS Children and Young People Forum which has been an influential voice for the Sector in conversations withe the Council and other statutory partners.

SCVO also played another part in SAPA’s development.  Through attending an informal breakfast meeting last year, links were made with The Wesley Centre for All in Wednesbury and a play centre is now being run from their premises.

Shared Reading Company CIC:

The organisation has been established for just over a year.  They deliver weekly shared reading sessions in a range of community settings in Sandwell, targeting in particular, people disadvantaged by social exclusion.  They read stories and poetry in small groups with the aim of improving personal well-being and mental health, increasing social engagement and reading pleasure as well as creating pathways to volunteering and employability.

They have recently received support from SCVO in a successful Awards for All bid, enabling them to run three new open access groups in Great Bridge, West Bromwich and Cradley Heath libraries.  SCVO also directed them to the Santander Enterprise Growth Award, and the funding obtained for capacity building is enhancing their ability to run the company effectively.

xplorARTS:

The organisation is a registered voluntary organisation based in Sandwell.  Their mission is to provide and promote educational initiatives that are supportive of the performing arts.  They also aim to lead and facilitate the development and performance of young people’s artistic skill and talent within Sandwell.

They currently offer services and activities in dance, drama, music, spoken word, badminton, youth leadership and volunteering programme, community heritage programme and basketball.

As a newly formed group they greatly appreciated all the assistance SCVO has provided them over the past few months.

Since their inception as a small group, they have been given support on charity formation.  They have continually been offered support on implementing clear Policies for better governance, including health and safety and Safeguarding policies and Trustee and member responsibilities.

The support received from SCVO has boosted their confidence to pursue alternative sources of income in these tough times for long term sustainability.

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