Help the Charity Commission Improve Safeguarding Guidance

August 15, 2019by Leona in Blog, VCS Feature

In October 2018 the Charity Commission published refreshed guidance on Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees. The guidance is intended to be clear, concise, and a gateway to more detailed guidance where it is needed.

The Charity Commission wants to make sure that this guidance is useful for all charities, irrespective of size or purpose. They have published a short survey about how the guidance is being used and would appreciate your feedback. The survey should only take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Source: Office for Civil Society – Locality Team West

Charity Risk Seminar – Birmingham

August 15, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, News and Events tagged ,

In partnership with Zurich, NCVO is pleased to introduce a series of Charity Risk Seminars in 2019. Their half day seminar will cover three key areas in risk management; risk assessment, data and security management and safeguarding.

The Charity Risk Seminar will take place on Tuesday 26th November 2019, 9am till 1pm at BVSC, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham , B5 6DR.

Join Sharon Kearns, Casualty Risk Consultant at Zurich as she discusses the importance of risk assessments and the vital role they play for key stakeholders and the facilities you own and manage. In addition, Sharon will discuss how effective risk assessments can enable organisations to put resources in the right place to manage risk.

Data and Security
Information risk is often managed in a piecemeal way without an overall view of how the risk should be managed. Matthew Hardwick, Strategic Risk Consultant at Zurich, will explain ‘what data is’ whilst considering tools and best practices to ensure the safe management of your data.

Safeguarding
The final part of the seminar will look at safeguarding.  Now, more than ever, the topic of safeguarding is high profile and any organisation that has contact with vulnerable people must have appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place.   In this session, we will explore the basic principles of safeguarding and how safeguarding impacts insurance and what you as risk managers can do to play your part.

Costs:

NCVO Members – £35.00

Non Members – £50.00

Email training@ncvo.org.uk or phone (020 7520 2587) if you’ve any questions or queries for NCVO’s training team.

To book your place click here.

Source: NCVO

Tipton Education Fund

August 15, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Funding tagged , ,

The Tipton Education Fund was established to raise the educational attainment of Tipton and is managed by the Heart of England Community Foundation.

The purpose of the Fund is to support schools and community projects in Tipton.

Grants of up to £2,000 are available to support projects which meet one of the following themes:

  • Overcome barriers to learning e.g. using art, drama, sport or music as an engagement tool,
  • Raising aspirations of children and young people,
  • Supporting family learning and encouraging healthy living,
  • Encouraging and supporting children to read outside of the school day.

For more information on the fund click here.

To apply to the Heart of England Community Fund click here.

Creative Black Country Expands to Include Dudley

August 14, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, News and Events tagged , ,

Creative Black Country has been awarded £1,403,154 of National Lottery funding through Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme (CPP) to expand its current CPP activity to include Dudley, in partnership with Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Council for Voluntary Service.

Black Country Together has led the Creative Black Country CPP project in Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton since 2015, with Arts Council investment of almost £4.5 million to date. Since then it has been producing creative events, performances and activities bringing inspirational cultural experiences to thousands of local people.

This includes the Creative Communities and Open Access programmes that support community groups to experience the arts and produce their own events; Funny Things comedy programme celebrating Black Country humour; and the 100 Masters campaign raising the profile of expertise, innovation and craftsmanship. It also includes the unique Desi Pubs partnership between artists and pub landlords, which helped redefine pub culture in the Black Country, reinventing the traditional handcrafted pub sign using Punjabi text.

Arts and culture have a significant role to play in building thriving villages, towns and cities, bringing people together and making them proud of where they work and live. Creative People and Places allows more people to choose, create and take part in arts and cultural activity – encouraging long-term collaboration between local people, artists and partners, and embedding lasting change in communities.

Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “Arts and culture make the places we live vibrant and exciting, entertaining and inspiring, benefiting our wellbeing and helping local economies.

“This National Lottery investment in Creative Black Country will see the team build on their achievements so far, with great work such as the Desi Pubs projects and 100 Masters, ensuring more people across Dudley and the Black Country can take part in and enjoy creativity in their communities.”

Creative Director of CBC, Parminder Dosanjh, said: “We are over the moon. Expanding to Dudley feels like a natural step; the prospect of working as a regional programme in the Black Country is hugely exciting and we look forward to local residents benefitting from the investment.

“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Council for Voluntary Service, who will play an instrumental role in supporting the expansion programme going forward.”

Creative Black Country is one of 12 successful arts projects to receive a share of almost £17.5 million National Lottery funding to create arts and cultural experiences in areas across England where people tend to engage less with arts and culture. These twelve projects, part of the Creative People and Places programme, will take place between 2019-2023 and will be co-created with their local communities.

Andy Gray, Chief Executive of Dudley Council for Voluntary Service, said: “We’re delighted to work with Creative Black Country to build audiences and bring more opportunities to the people of Dudley. We’re looking forward to supporting communities across the Borough to create and choose the arts activities and experiences that are right for them. We’re confident Dudley will rise to the occasion and really get involved.”

 

Healthwatch seeks Community Outreach Lead

August 13, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Vacancies tagged ,

Healthwatch are now looking for an energetic and committed full-time Community Outreach Lead. Someone who is keen to make a difference to the lives of Sandwell people by ensuring that health and care services are geared to their needs.

Salary: £18,000 – £21,000 dependent upon experience
Work Pattern: 37 hours per week

The organisation wish to appoint a high performing individual, who will enhance the Engagement Team and annual plan of community outreach activities. The successful candidate will be required to engage with individuals, voluntary groups and organisations to enable people to share their views, concerns and suggestions about health and social care services and ensure their views are properly represented to commissioners and providers of health and social care services.

To find out more about the role and a for a copy of the application form, click here.

The closing date for applications is 23 August 2019.

Interest Free Loans For Enterprising Ideas the Improve Community Spaces (UK)

August 13, 2019by Leona in Blog, Funding tagged

Community organisations that own or manage a building or outdoor space that’s used for a wide range of community activities can apply for interest free loans of up to £50,000 for up to 5 years to develop their trading activities and generate a more sustainable income.

The aim is to generate a regular income that allows community organisations to maintain and invest in community spaces. The funding is being made available through the Co-op Foundation. Organisations based in more deprived areas or who work mainly with more disadvantaged members of the community may also be eligible for grant funding alongside the loan.

Successful applicants do not make any repayments in the first year whilst there are developing their trading activities.

Applications can be submitted at any time via an Expression of Interest form.

Centre secures £78,812 youth funding from Children in Need!

August 13, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, News and Events tagged , ,

The Dorothy Parkes Centre in Smethwick has been allocated a three-year grant of £78,812 to provide a weekly youth club and holiday activities for disadvantaged children and young people facing poverty and deprivation locally. Through the programme of support the project aims to build the young people’s life skills and improve their overall health and wellbeing whilst increasing their confidence and self-esteem for the future.

Robert Bruce, Chief Executive Officer at Dorothy Parkes Centre, commented on the funding award, saying: “This funding really will go on to make a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged children and young people locally.  Through engaging with enjoyable social activities their skills and confidence levels will improve, helping them to feel happier and more empowered for a positive and fulfilled future. Thank you, BBC Children in Need.”

The youth club, for those aged 11 – 18, will be launched in September and will be led by a Senior Youth Worker supported by sessional Youth Workers. Details regarding the day and time of the club will be released soon.

Source: Dorothy Parkes Community

Sandwell Council Town Teams Grants

August 13, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Funding tagged , ,

Sandwell Councils Town Teams Grants are targeting projects and community groups that benefit residents across the six towns in Sandwell.

Sandwell Council Town Grants team continues to invest in the voluntary sector and wants to hear from Community and Voluntary sector groups that would like to apply for funding for new initiatives helping local people in Oldbury. Sandwell Council needs your support to develop exciting projects that support making a difference to people living in Sandwell.

Applications that demonstrate value for money and meet the following priorities will be considered favourably:

  • Getting more children and adults to undertake more physical activity
  • Improving health and wellbeing for residents
  • Support to one-off purchase of equipment to deliver community activity e.g. youth clubs, sports equipment etc.
  • Community projects that engage older generations in positive activities that reduce isolation and social exclusion
  • Community projects that aim to build resilience in communities, and engage people of all ages in making Sandwell Cleaner, Safer & Greener
  • Applications that have gained match funding, or are a pilot project that will eventually reduce reliance on main stream council funding

Applications will not be supported where:

  • The project does not demonstrate how it will meet council priorities
  • There is insufficient or unclear evidence of need for the project
  • The costs of the project are not clearly presented and quotes are not available for proposed expenditure
  • Retrospective funding of projects already completed

For more information, please contact the Town Grants team by e-mail on town_grants@sandwell.gov.uk and leave your contact details on the e-mail.

A member of the Town Grants team will then make contact with you to discuss your project.

Fire Station Fun Day to Launch 10th Annual Safer 6 Campaign

August 12, 2019by Leona in Blog, News and Events tagged

Sandwell’s autumn Safer 6 campaign launches next month (September) – promoting safety, crime prevention and healthy living across the six towns.

The Safer Sandwell Partnership campaign, now in its 10th year, will officially launch at a free fun day at Haden Cross Community Fire Station, Halesowen Road, Cradley Heath, on Saturday 7 September.
Come along from 11am to watch live rescue demonstrations, explore fire engines, enjoy food, music and entertainment.

There will be rides for young children and a bouncy castle. You can also find out about becoming a fire fighter.
A wide range of partner organisations, including local charities and community groups, will be promoting their services. Don’t miss out on all the free safety and crime prevention advice available too. The event runs until 4pm.
Each of Sandwell’s six towns will have a focus week with roadshows and activities during the six-week campaign, which runs from 7 September to 20 October.

Sandwell Council is leading this year’s campaign with support from Sandwell Police, West Midlands Fire Service and a wide range of partner organisations and community groups.
The key themes are:
• Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
• Supporting young people
• Tackling environmental issues
• Supporting vulnerable people
• Working with partner organisations and local people

Events and activities across the six towns will be announced soon at www.sandwell.gov.uk/safer6
You can also follow the campaign on Twitter using the #Safer6 hashtag

National Parents and Carers Special Educational Needs Conference 2019

August 12, 2019by Leona in Blog, News and Events tagged

The first National Special Educational Needs and Mental Health Parents & Carers Conference will provide guests with the opportunity to attend truly world-class sessions at a fraction of the usual cost, all delivered by experts within their field.

Event Date: Saturday 5th October 2019 9:30am

Venue: ACC Convention Centre

Location: Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, L3 4FP

Cost: £10.00

Witherslack Group and the ADHD Foundation are delighted to be working in partnership to deliver the first national conference solely dedicated to parents and carers focusing on Special Education Needs and Mental Health.

This unmissable conference will cover a broad range of SEN specific practical advice and expert opinion to support children and young people, including Autism, ADHD, Mental Health, Speech & Language, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia.

The presentations will be delivered by a field of expert speakers from across the world, including Dr Ned Hallowell, Dr Emma Derbyshire, Dr Tony Lloyd, Dr Lou Brown, a host of educational and clinical expert practitioners, plus many more.

To view more information about the event and to book a place, please click here

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