This is where we’ll post third sector news and important updates that are useful for your organisation.
Essex Is United – VCS And Community Group Support is a place for Essex VCS and community group leaders to connect with the Strengthening Communities Team at Essex County Council. Ask questions, meet new people, and find out more about support that is available to help you carry on the amazing work that you already do.
If you would like to join the group please, click here.
Gaming fundraisers can be real donation earners for charities. But is it really that simple? Give as you Live Donate break down exactly what gaming fundraising entails and whether it could work for your charity.
You’ve probably heard all about gaming fundraisers and how successful they can be in raising funds for your charity, but getting your head around how they work can be a minefield. From understanding the tech to getting the terminology right, it can often be daunting to step into the unknown in the world of fundraising.
Give as you Live Donate – a UK fundraising platform with 16 years’ fundraising experience and more than £14 million raised – are keen to make navigating new and exciting fundraising methods as easy as possible. That’s why, in addition to their new Gaming toolkit – an online hub of marketing assets so that you can run your own gaming fundraisers, and their Gaming Hub webpage – they’ve made a short video to help answer some common gaming fundraising questions.
Gaming to fundraise isn’t a new concept. Avid gamers are likely to have watched or even taken part in a gaming fundraiser already. But how exactly does playing games generate donations for charity?
The answer is simple: streaming. When gamers switch on consoles or computers, many choose to share that game with their friends. Friends, other gamers, and even gaming rivals can tune in to watch the game in action. This is streaming and it normally happens using a popular website called Twitch, which was built specifically for streaming gameplay around the world.
When streaming online, the gamer can add donate buttons to their stream – much like charities have a donate button on their website. This will usually link up to a fundraising page where the gamer can keep track of the donations coming in, in much the same way a marathon runner does.
By hosting a donate button on screen, the gamer can engage their audience into making donations in return for gaming activity. A gamer could host a 24-hour gaming marathon, for example, or they could host a tournament with other gamers.
It might be a lot to take in, but the good news is that it can be simple to host – because the gamer does most of the work for you. Give as you Live Donate can also enhance the experience – gamers can livestream their gameplay straight to their fundraising page via Twitch, and the Give as you Live Donate team have all the expertise to help you set up your very first gaming fundraiser.
Why choose Give as you Live Donate? Well, they’ve been supporting UK charities since 2005 – and they’ve learned a lot along the way. As well as providing digital fundraising solutions that can be accessed at the click of a button, their bespoke fundraising campaign service is providing online fundraising hubs that enable supporters to engage with fundraising efforts in a variety of ways.
To find out more about Give as you Live Donate’s fundraising solutions and how they can help you run successful gaming fundraisers, visit the Give as you Live website or contact Annabelle Risdon, Head of Charities, by emailing [email protected]
Could you help make sure the voices of the people of Essex are heard?
Join our innovative, award-winning communications team as our new Communications & Insight Officer! Check out the job description and you can apply using the application form and equal opportunities monitoring form.
Closing date: 4 February 2022.
£21,548.24 per annum (Full time) Fixed term until 31st December 2022
Recovery Support Worker
Harlow, Essex
The Role
The successful candidate(s) will work alongside EPUT, CRG, the Police and Full Circle to support vulnerable individuals, including young people into treatment/services in a bid to divert them from reoffending or custody, this will also include completing DRR/ATR assessments and ensuring high quality reports to assist the Court in imposing appropriate disposals for those with alcohol and/or drug misuse issues. The role is based in the community within criminal justice settings, however there is also the flexibility and currently hybrid working, with some tasks being carried out whilst working from home.
You can learn more about the service on this short video.
About You
To join us as a Recovery Support Worker, you will need:
-Experience of working with individuals of all ages in a therapeutic/supportive role.
– An understanding of the complex issues presented by individuals within the criminal justice setting.
– A desire to work in collaboration with health providers, the police, youth services, mental health & substance misuse organisations.
– Experience of the substance misuse sector or related field.
An NVQ Level 3 in Care (DANOS accredited) or equivalent, or the willingness to work towards an agreed number of modules within your probationary period would be beneficial to your application. Knowledge of DANOS would also be an advantage.
About Us
Phoenix Futures Group is a charity with over 50 years’ experience and a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment.
Our values are what define us and ensure we work to the highest standards. We believe in being the best, we are passionate about recovery, we value our history and use it to inform our future.
We work with local authorities, other charities and service providers across the country to deliver innovative programmes and projects that change lives for the better, setting people on the path to health and emotional well-being.
We provide a diverse range of services, our expertise in psychosocial treatment and support is the common thread that runs through everything we do. People need psychological interventions, social support, meaningful use of time, sense of purpose and a place of safety to sustain their recovery. At our core, we support people, families and communities to recover from drug and alcohol dependency.
In partnership with EPUT and CRG, we are now looking for a Recovery Support Worker to help deliver our Essex Health & Justice Service. This role operates on a 1 year fixed term contract, working 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks).
Your Rewards
– Salary of £21,548.24 per annum pro rata
– 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing each year to a maximum of 30 days)
– Benefits including season ticket loan, pension scheme and life assurance
– Support through occupational sick pay, eye-care vouchers and regular wellbeing talks and activities
– Continuous training and career development via PXL our dedicated learning management system
– Phoenix rewards, new employee benefits platform, you’ll have access to amazing savings on groceries, high-street shopping, home & garden, the latest tech, holidays, household bills and much more.
This is a great opportunity for a professional with experience of working in the field of drug and/or alcohol treatment to join our charity and put their expertise and experience to good use, helping support the Essex Health & Justice Service in Harlow.
We’ll ensure you get all the support you need to thrive and succeed in your role and find your place amongst our incredible and collaborative team.
We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important to include people with lived experience to ensure the needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is free to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity.
It is a condition of employment that your vaccination status is recorded where necessary.
So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as a Recovery Support Worker, please apply today.
A fund set up by Essex County Council is offering grants to local charities and community groups to help support their work.
Essex Fund, which is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation, has already channelled £1.4 million into local communities and is calling for new applications.
This year, voluntary organisations in Essex (not Southend and Thurrock) can apply for funding of between £500 to £7,500 towards their core operating costs, projects or capital items.
The Fund can support activities that help unpaid carers, improve the environment or engage people with the environment, provide a community resource or those that help young people to explore culture and heritage.
Cllr Eddie Johnson, Chairman of Essex County Council, said, “Essex has a diverse range of voluntary and community organisations that do so much to improve the lives of local people and make their communities a better place to live.
“The impact that their work has is immeasurable and I am so pleased that the grants we award annually help to further their work.”
Among the charitable activities that have received funding in previous years are a virtual classroom for people with learning disabilities, a horticultural project for people with mental health issues and support for young carers.
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: ““The decision-making panel has a particular interest this year in supporting smaller voluntary organisations, projects that are working in deprived communities or organisations that are led by members of the community.
“There is a short application form on our website, but our friendly grants team are on hand to help on 01245 356018 if you have any questions.”
The deadline to submit an application is 5pm on Friday 4 March 2022. To apply, click here.
Uttlesford Foodbank Advocacy and Campaigns Officer
Uttlesford Foodbank is committed to working with the Trussell Trust to develop an influencing strategy to help end the need for foodbanks and we are looking for someone who is equally committed to advocate for ending poverty and food insecurity.
This new part-time position will be home based (20 hours a week) with local travel and occasional further UK travel. The position will be for an initial one-year period, subject to extension up to three years.
You will be responsible for developing and delivering the Uttlesford Foodbank Campaign for Change strategy alongside our volunteer campaigning team.
Reporting to the Foodbank Project Coordinator and supported by the Trussell Trust’s Organising and Local Mobilisation (OLM) team.
Responsibilities
Personal Specification
We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and committed individual who has experience of campaigning and advocacy work as well as managing and working with volunteers. Your attention to detail will enable you to see projects through to completion whilst focusing on the overall vision. You will be able to work independently and communicate your ideas clearly to the wider team. Ability to develop networks and good relationships within our community. Good IT skills across MS Office and an understanding of social media are essential.
Application Information
For a full job description please click here.
To apply for this position, please email [email protected] the following:
Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date for applications.
Uttlesford Foodbank is committed to achieve greater diversity and welcomes applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, sexuality, belief or disability.
Applications are open all year, with quarterly funding rounds for eligible charities. Funding is available for fresh ideas looking to secure up to £50,000. Plus, our Knowledge Library, Facebook Group and volunteer opportunities are available to all.
Submissions for round 1 close at 23.59 on 1 February When applying, you’ll see our new eligibility requirements – check these closely to make sure your idea meets the new criteria.
Submissions will be reviewed for eligibility. You can use this time to look through the support and resources on offer to help you prepare and make the most of your campaign.
All Crowdfunder pages go live on 1 March. Causes can share projects with their networks of supporters to raise public donations.
Location: St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, Essex, CM17 9JX
Salary: £21,901 – £25,399 per annum FTE (depending on experience).
Hours: Part time, 22.5 hours per week
Overview of role
St Clare Hospice is a charity that provides specialist palliative care to patients and families in West Essex and the East Hertfordshire borders. Since 2017 the organisation has had an external focus and seeks to engage with and support local people wherever it can.
We are seeking a new member of staff who is experienced in supporting people, working with individuals and community groups and has operated in a service delivery environment. You will be an integral part of the community engagement and involvement team in delivering innovative projects and creating opportunities for local people in our catchment area.
Our Namaste Care Dementia Project has only been operating for a around a year, but has already seen high levels of engagement and has been well received, you will join us at a point where we can consolidate the work to date and establish the project the next phase of the project that seeks to positively influence the lives of people living with dementia, their carer and colleagues working in this field.
Please read the job description (link below) for further details.
If you would you like to help to develop Hospice services then we would like to hear from you.
In return for your commitment we offer a full induction into your role, a competitive salary and benefits package, company sick pay scheme and contributory pension scheme.
For an informal discussion, please contact: Sally Muylders, Community Engagement Manager, on 07398714405 or email [email protected]
How to apply
You need to complete a St Clare Hospice Application Form and submit with a cover letter stating why you feel you are suitable for this role (in particular, explaining how you fulfil the requirements set out in the Person Specification).
Please note: Your CV will not be accepted by itself and the application form must be fully completed.
Send your application by email: [email protected]
Key dates:
Closing date: Sunday 20th of February 2022
Interview date: Friday 25th of February 2022
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Key documents
JD Project Coordinator – Namaste Dementia Project – Jan 22
Application Form DBS – May 2021
Employment Details – Project Coordinator
If you are unable to download the documents or print the application form and would like to receive an application pack, or if you require any assistance regarding the application process, please telephone the HR Team, on 01279 773744.
Please state clearly which vacancy you are applying for.
St Clare Hospice is an Equal Opportunities employer.
Employment offers may be subject to receipt of satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
A note to agencies
We understand that agencies do search for opportunities to work with organisations such as ourselves. However, we request that you do not contact us in relation to the vacancies advertised above. We respond to enquiries from individuals seeking employment directly.