News

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

Team Leader – Thurrock CVS

Thurrock CVS are recruiting within their Health and Social Care Projects. If you have an interest or background in either Health or Social Care, are a good talker, but more importantly a good listener and are passionate about people being heard then please take a look at our current vacancy.

Healthwatch Thurrock 

Healthwatch Thurrock is the consumer champion for health and social care in Thurrock. It gives the community a strong voice to influence and challenge how local care services are designed and run and has the power to hold providers of local health and social care to account.

Team Leader Healthwatch Thurrock £27,000 Pro rata  

 28 Hours per week

(Flexible to meet the requirement of project, some weekend and evening work may be required) 

The role will involve managing the day-to-day running of Healthwatch Thurrock, leading on specific projects, and providing research and public reports on findings. To attend meetings locally, regionally and nationally when required, to represent and feedback on the work Healthwatch Thurrock are undertaking. To ensure Healthwatch Thurrock’s profile in the community is maintained by outreach, social media and events and to lead on recruitment of Ambassadors, Volunteers and Focus Group members. To supervise 2 staff within the Healthwatch team.

If you are interested in this role, please contact Thurrock CVS or download the packs from the CVS website www.thurrockcvs.org

(Application forms must be submitted – we are unable to accept CV’s)

Please return application forms by email or post to:

Viv Nunn, Executive Officer/Office Manager, 

Thurrock CVS, The Beehive Voluntary & Community Resource Centre, West Street, Grays, Essex. RM17 6XP

viv.nunn@thurrockcvs.org  

Please contact Kim James for further information or an informal chat on 07775 367359

Closing date for applications Friday 11th June 2021 5:00pm

Download the job description here.

Author: Steering Member
Posted:
Categories: News

Nationwide Building Society urges charities to apply for £22m community grants programme

The Nationwide Building Society has opened applications for its community grants programme, which aims to make £22m funding available to housing charities and organisations within the next two years.

The grants programme is aimed at supporting vulnerable people with housing issues by awarding grants to charities, community land trusts and housing co-operatives.

The focus is on preventing homelessness, supporting to people in finding a home and to “support people to thrive within the home environment”.

Grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 are being made available.

Since 2018 the building society has funded 350 projects and awarded £14m. By 2023 it aims to take that total to £22m.

Nationwide is to cap the amount of applications it will accept with the aim of ensuring that one in four applicants will be successful.

If the cap isn’t reached applications will close at 11pm on June 21.

“The last year has been exceptionally challenging for many of us, but if there’s one thing it’s taught us, it’s the value and importance of community,” said Nationwide Building Society senior social investment manager Rachel Smith.

“Since 2018, our Community Grants Programme has supported charitable organisations seeking to make a difference to vulnerable people facing housing challenges across the UK.

“Everyone should have a place fit to call home which is why our Community Grants Programme is so important to us. As a member owned organisation, we have always seen it as our place to help facilitate positive changes in local communities, and we are encouraging charities to apply to our Community Grants programme.”

Author: Steering Member
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Categories: News

Grants of up to £350,000 available through final round of Tampon Tax Fund

The government has made grants of up to £350,000 available through the final round of Tampon Tax funding.

For this final round of funding £11.25m has been made available for charities working with disadvantaged women and girls.

The threshold for applications reduced from £1m to £350,000 and takes the total funding to £90m.

“This means that more organisations will be able to apply, increasing accessibility to organisations that support this vital work,” said a statement from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Office for Civil Society.

The Tampon Tax was introduced following VAT on sanitary products by the EU. The funding is to end following Brexit, as part of wider measures by the government around the affordability of sanitary products.

“The support provided through this final round will ensure specialist charities who receive grants can support women and girls in need and help to become more sustainable and plan for the future,” said charities minister Baroness Barran.

“We remain as committed as ever to ending violence against women and girls which is why this category is a priority for this round of funding, and we will continue to tackle the issue as a priority.”

The grants are for 12-to-18-month projects, to finish by the end of March 2023.

The deadline for applications is 4 July this year.

Scotland minister Iain Steward added: “The UK Government’s Tampon Tax Fund has supported charities right across the UK, including Rape Crisis Scotland, with vital work to help women and girls.

The lower grant threshold for this final round of applications will ensure that even more charities can access funding. I’d strongly urge Scottish charities working to support disadvantaged women and girls to apply.

Author: Steering Member
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Categories: News

Charity Digital Skills Report 2021

We’re really keen to help charities understand how use of digital has changed across the sector during the pandemic so they can lobby for the funding and support they need for the future.

If you work for a charity or a non-profit organisation based in the UK we’d love to hear your views about your digital skills and support needs. Anyone can complete the survey. We ask a range of questions about your organisational priorities, barriers and funding needs, as well as general digital skills and service development.

Complete the survey below >

 The 2021 Charity Digital Skills Report

Author: Steering Member
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Categories: News

Free online session for chief officers and senior staff in Essex based voluntary sector organisations

On Tuesday 15th June 2pm, Dr Leon Fletcher-Tomenius and Magnus Irvine of the Here for You service will facilitate a reflective practice session for managers during a 50 mins to an hour online reflective space.

This will be a space for managers to talk about their recent experience of working through the pandemic and how this has impacted on them.

This is an additional session being offered after a previous event was well received. It will revisit conversations and themes and is open to anyone with an interest in sharing their experiences and benefiting from peer support

Further training needs, or the need for other interventions may be identified, which would also be fed back and discussed.

Book your place https://reflective_session.eventbrite.co.uk

Author: Steering Member
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Categories: News

Essex Wellbeing Service Tender – Support better outcomes for the population of Essex

Dear member of the Essex Alliance,

 

As you may be aware, the procurement process for the new Essex Wellbeing Service contract will be commencing shortly.  At Provide we have been taking this opportunity to do everything we can to build on existing expertise but also radically upgrade our service, reach and crucially further develop the partnerships that will be so crucial to delivering a successful and integrated service model.  As the incumbent provider of a number of the services in scope we plan on bidding as lead contractor, however, want to ensure that we are we are operating this contract in a fully collaborative way, working closely with as many partners as we can, connecting across the entire health, care and wider wellbeing ecosystem in Essex to better benefit both service users and the wider population.

 

Building on the above, we welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with you about aligning our efforts to produce mutually beneficial tender that will support better outcomes and integrated care for the population of Essex.

If you welcome a conversation please email ellen.vangemmert@nhs.net

Ellen

 

Author: Steering Member
Posted:
Categories: News

Digital Inclusion Project Lead

EMPLOYER:                                      WECAN (West Essex Community Action Network)

Location:                                           West Essex (Based in Dunmow)

HOURS:                                             37hrs (Per week)

SALARY:                                            Up to £31,000 (Dependent upon experience)

DURATION OF CONTRACT:          2 Year fixed term contract

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced Project Lead.

WECAN are recruiting a Project Lead, to coordinate our Digital Inclusion Project. This project will focus upon increasing access to digital kits, skills and infrastructure; prioritising those from minority groups in our community who are experiencing mental ill health. This increased digital inclusion will enable improved access to online mental health resources and tools.

This project lead will work with Local Authorities, voluntary sector organisations and health partners to provide both access to technology and data, as well as direct support to anyone who is digitally disadvantaged, to enable them to benefit from virtual interventions and services.

WECAN (West Essex Community Action Network) is a Social Enterprise formed by 3 voluntary sector infrastructure agencies servicing West Essex; Council for Voluntary Services Uttlesford, Rainbow Services Harlow and Voluntary Action Epping Forest.

If you would like to discuss this position please call 01371 878400.

Please view application here.

Author: Steering Member
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Categories: News

Fundraising and Events Manager – City of Chelmsford Mencap

City of Chelmsford Mencap is seeking a proactive and experienced Fundraising and Events Manager to take a lead role in its ambitious plans for development. You’ll work in a supportive team and become part of a diverse and inclusive community that is committed to championing the rights and abilities of people with a learning disability.  You will have the opportunity to be creative and innovative in producing fundraising initiatives and events, and will gain immense job satisfaction making a positive difference to our service users, charity and the wider community.

 

Find out more here.

Author: Steering Member
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Categories: News

Third Sector Fundraising Conference

27-28 MAY 2021

Third Sector exists to support charities and we know the pressures which these extraordinary times are placing on organisations like yours. We also know that at the heart of effective and engaging fundraising is a deep and genuine connection with your audience. By growing and strengthening your community of donors, trustees and staff, you boost your revenue streams and your impact on the wider world through your charity mission.

With the ongoing rise of digital technology and the shift in audience expectations and demands, it has never been more important to reinforce the relationship you have with your supporters, both online and offline. To respond to the pressing demand for transformation and change, fundraisers and charity leaders must adopt innovative and creative approaches to fundraising campaigns.

Join us at Third Sector’s Fundraising Conference 2021 to expand your network and strengthen your fundraising community. The conference is overflowing with inspiration, innovation, and practical solutions to your fundraising challenges right now. From cause-led and supporter-first campaigns to diversified revenue models and digital fundraising, it’s time to step up and work together to build a bright future for the fundraising community.

Book your tickets here.

Author: Steering Member
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Categories: News

FREE workplace health webinar

MoreLife Wellbeing that Works

As you may already be aware, next week marks national Mental Health Awareness Week (10th – 16th May).

At MoreLife understand it has been a tough year for West and South Essex employers and employees, having to adapt to challenges faced by Covid-19, including furloughing and familiarising to the new digital world we live in.

Therefore, we have decided to host TWO FREE 20-minute  ‘Wellbeing That Works’ webinars on Tuesday 11th at 9:30am and Friday 14th at 12:30pm.

The sessions will give employees insight into some of the key topics that effect our wellbeing at work, including stress management, the role of sleep and movement.

I would love for you and the team to join us for the webinars, which can be booked here – https://bit.ly/WellbeingThatWorks

Author: Steering Member
Posted:
Categories: News