Children and young people

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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.

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.

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

Talent Match Vacancies

October 25, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Vacancies tagged , ,

Talent Match is a Black Country wide National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund project that has also secured additional funding through the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. The project supports young adults aged 17-29 who are furthest from the labour market and face additional barriers to progression and moving into employment, education or training. In particular the project focuses on young adults who have a background of offending behaviour, those who left unsupported are most likely to be left behind. To meet demand, we are recruiting the following posts to ensure there is sufficient coverage and support for young adults across the Black Country.

Key delivery partners include; BCTG, Gazebo Theatre, Just Straight Talk, Mentoring West Midlands and YMCA Black Country Group.

All post holders will be pro-active, operate and work flexibly to ensure the project delivers its short and long term outcomes for it’s young adults and stakeholders.

Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council is the accountable body for Black Country Talent Match. They are recruiting for the following posts:

Mentors –£24,345 full time posts (37 hrs per week) – based at the Walsall Hub and employed by Mentoring West Midlands
Mentors provide intensive person centred and transformational mentoring support, guiding the young adult through support mechanisms and into employment or self-employment.   Mentors work intensively and will adopt a solutions focused approach alongside the mentees they work with.

Experience of working alongside young adults with offending behaviours and complex needs would be desirable.

Download the Guidance Notes and Application form by clicking here.

Compliance Officer – £21,000 full time post (37 hrs per week) – based at WVSC in Wolverhampton

Post holder will be responsible for:

  • Processing delivery partners funding claims ensuring accuracy and compliance of all required documentation
  • Conducting compliance checks of participant files identifying any issues and reporting them to the Finance and Monitoring Officer
  • Processing participant documentation, uploading to the funders reporting system
  • Conducting compliance checks of participant documentation identifying any issues and reporting them to the Finance and Monitoring Officer

Download the Guidance Notes and Application form by clicking here.

All employees need to work to the ethos of the project plus the ethos and values of the host organisation they are recruited to.

These posts offer an important opportunity to be part of a project that aims to ensure all young adults, regardless of their start in life, are supported to fulfil their potential, placing them and businesses at the centre of the solution. All posts are subject to funding.

For a job description and application pack please download them from their website at www.wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk or call 01902 773761 or email mailto:recruitment@wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk

We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce, including applicants with additional language skills.

We have a strong commitment to safeguarding and use approved safer recruitment processes which include appropriate DBS checks.

Please note CV’s will not be accepted.

Closing date: 12 noon Monday 11th November 2019.
Interviews will take place from week commencing: Monday 18th November 2019.

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.

‘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.

Funding for Music Making Projects For Young People

October 11, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Funding tagged , ,

Schools as well as other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants to fund developmental music-making projects for children and young people in challenging circumstances as well as for projects that support the development of the workforce, organisations and the wider music making sector.

The funding is being made available through Youth Music, England’s largest children’s music charity, which provides funding for music-making projects. Youth Making’s funding programme is made up of three separate funds.

These are Fund A which offers small grants (£2,000 to £30,000) for high quality music-making projects; Fund B offers medium-sized grants (30,001 – £150,000 per year for up to two years) for larger programmes of work; and Fund C offers grants (£50,000 to £180,000) for strategic programmes to help embed sustainable, inclusive music-making across a local area.

In applying for funding schools will have to justify how the activities to be funded do not duplicate Department of Education funding.

The closing dates for applications to Fund A is 5pm on the 6th December 2019 and Fund B the 8th November 2019.

For more information or to apply click here.

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