News

This is where we’ll post third sector news and important updates that are useful for your organisation.

Free Drumming Music Therapy Group in Maldon & Braintree Coming Soon

With the funding they have received from Essex County Council Carers Community Fund, Ace Music Therapy CIC will soon be launching a FREE drumming music therapy group in Maldon and Braintree.
Drumming is a powerful and ancient tool that has so many physical and emotional benefits such as:
🥁 Boosted mood
🎵 Reduced stress
💙 Lower blood pressure
💫 Relief from pain
🎵 Enhanced immunityWe’re so pleased to announce some more information about the next block of their FREE Carers Group, coming soon!

Interested in joining in or want to know more? Email info@acemusictherapy.co.uk

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: News

CanalAbility Christmas Cruise

Enjoy a fully inclusive and accessible Christmas cruise like no other! take in the stunning winter scenery along the picturesque Essex and Hertfordshire waterways, all aboard a fully accessible canal boat with plenty of festive cheer. Perfect for family, friends or community groups!

Book the whole boat for just £210 (up to 12 people) or £175 (up to 10 people) – that’s only £17.50 per person!

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait to reserve your spot!

Call: 01279 424444

Email: hello@canalability.org.uk

Booking Enquiries: https://www.canalability.org.uk/contact/

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: News

Shaw Trust Offering Opportunity for Collaboration on Localised Employment Support

As a national employment focused charity, Shaw Trust supports and empowers people to find and thrive in meaningful work. They provide personalised wrap-around support to develop employment pathways, and enable individuals to realise their full potential.

Shaw Trust firmly believe in fostering strong local relationships to achieve more together, and are therefore seeking to extend their work with local charity and community-based organisations to support the future delivery of localised employment programmes.

If you are interested in collaborating with Shaw Trust, or finding out more about this opportunity, go to:

https://customervoice.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=OuSP-KgU4EyOZRKkPTXnNTw2CBcOPgZJoZ8bJxYVCShUMVBUUFg2UDgwS0Y0NTU5Wjk0NzZBWEtNMi4u

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: News, Opportunities

NHS Winter Vaccination Campaign

The NHS and UKHSA have launched their annual national campaign to support the Winter Vaccination programme, which is due to run until mid-December.

Head over to the NHS website for guidance and to book vaccinations: http://www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

Alternatively, go to the page for your local NHS vaccinations hub:

For West Essex, go to: https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/vaccinations/

For Mid and South East Essex: https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/health/vaccination/

For North East Essex: https://sneevaccine.org.uk/

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: News

Attracting new male participants into creative mental health programmes

Grants of £20k to £50k available for developing new participatory arts opportunities for men with mental health problems.

Baring Foundation are pleased to announce today a new open round of funding for arts organisations who would like to develop new participatory arts opportunities for men with mental health problems.

Grants of £20k to £50k are available for either of the following approaches, or a combination of the two:

  • Work which finds ways to achieve equal representation (or a significant increase) of men in mixed gender creative activities;
  • Men-only creative activities.

We are looking for projects which provide new and attractive creative opportunities for men who are not already taking part, and target those men who are least likely otherwise to take part.

Projects should take place over at least one year, and preferably two or more years.

To be eligible, you must:

  • be an established arts organisation of any kind (including museums) operating in the UK;
  • have delivered creative opportunities to people with mental health problems for at least two years;
  • have had an annual income of over £75,000 for the last two years.

For full details of the call and eligibility, please read our Application Guidance.

How to apply

Application Guidance is available here.

The application form is here.

Our new report on this topic – Creatively Minded Men – can be found here.

The deadline for applications is 12 noon 23rd April 2024.

Final decisions on grants to be awarded will be made by trustees and you will be informed of the outcome by mid-July.

FAQ sessions

If you are interested in applying but have questions you’d like to ask us, we are holding two Zoom meetings for anyone interested in applying on Monday 4 March 2pm-3:15pm and Tuesday 19th March 2pm-3:15pm. You can register for a session here.

Author: Alliance Admin
Posted:
Categories: News

Strategies and services to empower people living in fuel poverty

Fuel poverty is no less of an issue this year than last. In fact, with the withdrawal of certain types of government support and wider cost of living pressures, some say that this coming winter will be worse for many. And so, we’re pleased to deliver this interactive, 90-minute session on identifying and responding to fuel poverty. As well as an understanding of what fuel poverty is and who it affects, we’ll also be ensuring participants can explain to the people they work with how to get the type of support and dispensation they should but often need to receive from their energy supplier. In addition, we’ll be showcasing some of our existing and new services in the greater Essex area, designed to support those who are worst affected by fuel poverty.

 

Book on here. 

Author: Alliance Admin
Posted:
Categories: News

Tesco Stronger Starts funding

Applications are open to all local good causes, but we are currently prioritising helping projects that support children’s food security and health and local store nominated good causes.
This is not an exhaustive list and other project ideas also welcomed.
Examples include:
  • School Breakfast clubs
  • Holiday clubs
  • Play areas
  • Food banks
  • Counselling and support services for children
  • Equipment or non-statutory services for nurseries or schools e.g. forest schools, library books
  • Equipment for Brownie, Guide or Scout Groups e.g. camping equipment, badges
  • Services or equipment to support children and young people’s health
  • Equipment/kit for youth sports teams

Read more here. 

Author: Alliance Admin
Posted:
Categories: News

Employment and Engagement Officer – Support 4 Sight

Employment and Engagement Officer

  • 21 hours/week
  • £15,604 actual salary (FTE 26,007.80)
  • Hybrid working in Essex

Are you passionate about equality for disabled people, contributing to equality and social justice?

Do you have experience of outreach and engagement as well as providing advice and support?

Then join our award-winning Support 4 Employment service that supports people with sight loss in Essex to gain or retain employment, pursue self-employment and volunteering opportunities, and build the confidence, skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the labour market. It works with employers to raise awareness of the benefits of inclusivity and break down the barriers people with sight loss face.

We are looking for a part-time Employment and Engagement Officer to join our service manager in promoting the charity and growing Support 4 Employment’s reach and impact across the county.

This is a two-fold role to

  1. lead on promotion of both Support 4 Sight and its Support 4 Employment service through outreach and engagement with people with sight loss, employers, businesses, community organisations and support services
  2. take on a caseload of clients to support service delivery.

You’ll need to be an excellent communicator with the ability to build relationships, engage with different people and groups, provide 1:1 support and advice, know your way around the benefits system and UK labour market.

If this could be you and you are eager to work with an award-winning, regional sight loss charity with a small, enthusiastic and supportive team, then please take a look at the role profile and send us your CV and a covering letter outlining how you meet the person specification.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and actively seek applicants with lived experience of sight loss and/or disability as they are currently underrepresented within the team.

Contact us to discuss your access needs and to find out more about the adjustments we can make for you at interview and on the job.

If you are disabled and meet the essential criteria listed in the job description for this position, we will guarantee you an interview.

You do not have to meet ALL of the criteria to be considered for this role. We are open to transferable skills and experience.

Application deadline:    Wednesday 13th March 2024, 5pm

Initial Interviews:           Thursday 21st March online

Second stage:              Face to face at our office in Chelmsford (26th March)

Apply here. 

Author: Alliance Admin
Posted:
Categories: News