Do you help someone in their day-to-day life? Perhaps with their shopping, getting out and about, keeping on top of their bills or medication? Or perhaps you keep them company if they can’t get out much, or help them with personal care or housework?
It could be a member of your family that you help, or a friend or neighbour. You may help them occasionally, or it may be that most of your time is spent looking after them because they are unable to take care of themselves. You may receive some kind of payment for helping them, or like many in our community, you do what you do simply because you care.
We have launched an exciting new project called Carers Voices and would really like to hear from you about your experiences. We want to know what you feel works well, or not so well, for you and the person you are helping. We are working in partnership with Essex County Council and other agencies to make sure that your voice is heard and used to ensure that services and support are developed to meet the needs of the many people in Essex, like you, who care about others.
There will be a range of ways to share your thoughts, from joining group discussions to responding to surveys and polls. However you choose to contribute, we value your input as an Expert by Experience in helping to make the changes and have the impact that is needed.
We would be delighted to have a chat at a time that works for you. Please get in touch by telephoning 0300 500 1895 or email us at carersvoices@healthwatchessex.org.uk
The MSE Charity is dedicated to supporting UK voluntary groups deliver financial life skills, which make a lasting impact on the way people think, behave and manage their money.
The January 2024 grant round is focused on funding groups working with people who are specifically impacted by one of the long term challenges listed below, to develop the personal financial life skills which will equip them for life.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is the replacement for European Structural Funds and supports UK government’s wider commitment to level up all parts of the UK.
⚠ We are now seeking applications to deliver projects from 1 April 2024.
UDC was allocated £1,000,000 core UKSPF to be spent over 3 years. The final year of the funding runs from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Government guidance places the responsibility for the fund on Local Authorities and asks that they work with local partners and stakeholders on programme delivery.
To access this funding the development of an investment plan was required. Meetings with local stakeholders were held to identify local challenges and priority interventions were selected that would meet these needs.
The investment plan was approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and a Local Partnership Group established to oversee the fund.
Applying for year 3 funding
We are now seeking applications to deliver projects from 1 April 2024 against the following interventions:
Community and Place
E6 – Support for local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities
Projects applying under this intervention must address at least one of the following:
Projects that deliver direct support to organisations – schools, public sector, charities and businesses – who wish to deliver arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities
Projects that establish a cultural network to improve recognition of cultural and heritage sectors at a strategic level locally, improve collaboration and increase the chances of existing arts and cultural organisations benefiting from Arts Council England and other external sources of funding
Projects that bring cultural and health/wellbeing sectors together to develop and run programmes for the benefit of residents, especially those at risk of rural isolation
E9 – Funding for impactful volunteering and/or social action projects to develop social and human capital in local places.
We are seeking projects that aim to boost the employability of young people and people seeking to reengage with the labour market.
E11 – Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups
Projects applying under this intervention must address at least one of the following:
The rural nature of the district. Priority will be given to projects that deliver activities outside the main settlements of Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow
Projects that address health inequalities in areas of high deprivation
Programmes for smaller places which will improve and widen the use of community buildings including village halls
Projects that enhance the community transport infrastructure
Uttlesford District Council has been allocated £450,000 for delivery of projects under these interventions up to 31 March 2025.
Apply
Organisation wishing to apply under this scheme should email business@uttlesford.gov.uk for an application form.
Closing date for applications
Applications must be submitted no later than 5pm on Thursday 15 February 2024.
Assessment of bids
Projects will be assessed by a local partnership group comprising key stakeholders from the public and voluntary sector.
Bids that fail to meet the criteria are ineligible and will be rejected.
Bids will be assessed against:
the criteria set out in the UKSPF Prospectus
the extent to which the bid meets the objectives of the UKSPF
the extent to which the bid supports investment in the UKSPF priority intervention and the outputs and outcomes
Successful applicants will need to sign a grant funding agreement with UDC, provide information relating to outputs and outcomes within the specified timeframes and will also be required to participate, at a later date, in an evaluation of their project to understand whether the proposed outputs and outcomes have been met.
The Local Partnership Panel, made up of representatives from the public and voluntary sector, has being established to have oversight of delivery of the UKSPF funded projects.
Do you help someone in their day-to-day life? Perhaps with their shopping, getting out and about, keeping on top of their bills or medication? Or perhaps you keep them company if they can’t get out much, or help them with personal care or housework?
It could be a member of your family that you help, or a friend or neighbour. You may help them occasionally, or it may be that most of your time is spent looking after them because they are unable to take care of themselves. You may receive some kind of payment for helping them, or like many in our community, you do what you do simply because you care.
We have launched an exciting new project called Carers Voices and would really like to hear from you about your experiences. We want to know what you feel works well, or not so well, for you and the person you are helping. We are working in partnership with Essex County Council and other agencies to make sure that your voice is heard and used to ensure that services and support are developed to meet the needs of the many people in Essex, like you, who care about others.
There will be a range of ways to share your thoughts, from joining group discussions to responding to surveys and polls. However you choose to contribute, we value your input as an Expert by Experience in helping to make the changes and have the impact that is needed.
We would be delighted to have a chat at a time that works for you. Please get in touch by telephoning 0300 500 1895 or email us at carersvoices@healthwatchessex.org.uk
Community360 is seeking expressions of interest for up to £1500 from local community groups and organisations who can deliver projects in the rural areas and parishes. If you would like to organise meaningful activities for people with dementia and their carers, please complete this form. Projects can run over several months or may take place at intervals. For example, funding can be used to organise a one-off event such as a summer party, or a series of engaging, seasonal activities.
We want to hear your ideas! Please complete the form below to register your interest by 31st of January 2024.
Part-time Support Youth Worker. £12.00 an hour, 12 hours a week. Afternoon and evening work.
To promote the personal, educational, creative, and social developments of young people, helping them reach their full potential. Helping to create a safe and supportive environment where young people learn and grow. More information https://www.canveyislandyouthproject.org.uk/youth-worker-intern/
Youth Worker Intern, Full Time, £20,930.00. Your role will be to promote the personal, educational, creative, and social developments of young people, helping them reach their full potential. Helping to create a safe and supportive environment where young people learn and grow. This role, you will be part of the Jack Petchey Internship Programme with 30 other interns from different youth organisations in London and Essex. More Information https://www.canveyislandyouthproject.org.uk/youth-worker-intern/
A part-time Fundraiser. The successful candidate will earn £30,628.00 per annum pro rata (actual salary £16,120.00, 20 hours a week) Ensure CYP Yellow Doors sustainability and growth by unlocking a diverse array of funding channels, ensuring ample resources to drive our charity forward and create lasting positive change for children and young people. More Information https://www.canveyislandyouthproject.org.uk/fundraiser/
The Berkeley Foundation is offering homelessness charities access to a further £300,000 of funding to strengthen their operations through its Resilience Fund for 2024.
Up to six organisations working in London, the South East or Birmingham will be awarded up to £60,000 each over two years, to help them build resilience for the future.
This year the organisational development grants will be available for charities and CICs working with young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, and facing discrimination.
The Resilience Fund was first launched in 2021 in response to the financial pressures and operational demands faced by many small and medium sized charities as the UK emerged from the pandemic. The funds can be invested in strengthening a charity’s foundations and ensuring they can meet their long-term goals to tackle homelessness, with The Berkeley Foundation committing to investing £300,000 in the programme each year, for three years.
The fund also comes with wraparound support to help small to medium sized charities and community interest companies to build their organisational resilience. As well as the grant, successful applicants will have access to the Foundation’s bespoke learning programme, and pro bono support from the wider Berkeley Group.
Community360 (C360) provides transport services in Colchester, Maldon and Chelmsford for people in the local community who have limited mobility, and for those who would otherwise be socially and geographically excluded.
The charity has seen an increase in people wanting to access the service and urgently needs to recruit more volunteer drivers. C360 is desperately seeking volunteers to help transport older, disabled and/or isolated individuals to and from appointments. Tracy Rudling, CEO of Community360 said: “This is where you come in. We need your help.
Time is a gift that we all have, and never did we see that more prolific than through the times of Covid where we all stood up and gave just a little bit more of ourselves and our precious time to support others that needed us. Oh, and what a difference we made and how rewarding it was to give our time whether it was an hour each day or just once a week.”
She added: “Sadly, the number of volunteer drivers at C360 has declined since the pandemic, but our service is still very much in demand.
There continues to be increased pressure on our system, and people with complex health and mobility issues are relying on our type of service more than ever. Add to this an aging population living in rural areas with no transport, you can understand the pressure our service is coming under.
Traditionally volunteer drivers are usually retired people, or part-time workers. But we would also love to hear from younger people involved in their communities who want to make a difference. Volunteering can help build your own confidence as well as making a difference to the lives of others and the community they live in.
For many individuals, especially those in rural or low-density communities who lack other means of transport, volunteer transportation programmes act as a lifeline to access medical care, see friends, family and loved ones, to go shopping, plus other services important to their health and wellbeing. They allow older adults and people with mobility limitations, the opportunity to access places and retain their independence, preventing isolation and maintaining their health. This is why community transport services are so important.
We desperately need more people to come forward and volunteer. Without our volunteer drivers, we are struggling to provide the overprescribed services to our local communities.”
Mrs Poole who lives in Chelmsford has used the community transport service since her husband had to move into a care home. She said: “I cannot walk far and when my husband moved into care, I lost a lot of confidence and thought I would not be able to get out. Thanks to the wonderful community car drivers they have shown me I can still get out and they even take me to visit my husband twice a week which is a real-life line.”
Another user of the service said: “On a Friday, after I have done my shopping, I go to the park for half an hour. This is something that my husband and I used to do together when we went into town. This is now my 30 minutes a week that I can sit and remember him, it’s my 30 minutes with my husband. Without community transport, I wouldn’t be able to do this, and I can’t describe how much it means to me.”
David Gillespie has volunteered for 14 years with C360, and it not only keeps him active and connected but he gets a real sense of reward from putting something back into the community.
“I really wanted to help those who were isolated and as I enjoyed driving this was the perfect role for me!” Said David. “For those who cannot use traditional forms of transport and for those who would otherwise be house bound, it is rewarding and satisfying that my help gives them an opportunity to get ‘out and about’. Community360’s infrastructure, support and training are excellent, and I would both encourage and recommend volunteering as it is the most worthwhile and enjoyable activity.”
Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to collect clients, take them to their appointments and return them safely back home again. Drivers will need to be friendly and reliable, hold a valid driving licence, MOT and Insurance and need to have a DBS check which we will arrange. Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed and you will receive training and ongoing support. We contribute 45p per mile to use your vehicle.
Our volunteers’ range in age and there is no huge commitment of time – even just a couple of hours a week or fortnight can still make a real difference. All our drivers thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to make a real difference by providing a little extra support, some patience and a friendly chat.
Community360 are hosting a Volunteer Open Day at the One Colchester Hub on Wednesday 10th January, 10:30am – 2:30pm, where public interested in volunteering can meet other volunteer drivers. The address: 4-6 Long Wyre Street. Colchester CO1 1LH.
Throughout 2023 we’ve been refreshing our funds and installing new digital systems. We want to make sure that what we offer is the best way to support social organisations and address today’s social issues.
Our new fund will open in early 2024. We have £10 million of philanthropic capital to lend or grant. We’re aiming to increase the size of the fund to £20 million.
This will be available for charities and social enterprises operating across the UK, including those with international projects. The fund will be open for applications on an ongoing basis and is cause-universal. We want to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, unrestricted finance.
Get in touch today to register your interest and be the first to hear when our new fund opens for applications.