Newsletter and Update No.  57 – 24 June 2022

Cath Witherington, CEO Introduction

Welcome to this week’s newsletter and update. The cost of living crisis is becoming increasingly real for nearly everyone that the voluntary and community sector supports. With increased demand, reduced access to volunteers, inflationary pressures on income and reduced donations.  This inevitably creates tension and competition when it comes to sourcing funding.  I recently attended a meeting which set out the plans to introduce a Doncaster Delivering Together Investment Plan.  This is intended to give greater visibility and transparency in funding decisions and be a catalyst for joining up work and projects across Doncaster.  There will be an annual process.  This has the potential (if done right) to help take a step away from the reactive bid-writing treadmill we are tied to for the survival of our organisations.  As the approach matures, I hope this will allow us to articulate where we see the real needs and priorities within our community and work together to develop sustainable solutions.   It will be important to ensure we remain closely involved.

At a national level, the NCVO is also looking for people to join the small charities advisory panel.  This panel will provide strategic oversight for the development and growth of the partnership that was created as a result of the closure of the Small Charities Coalition (SCC).  We will apply to input to and be a part of, and it would also be great if we also had some front line representation from Doncaster. The closing date is 30 June 2022. If you/your staff decide to apply could you let us know so we can work together.  There is more information about the role on the NCVO website. 

Finally,  I am delighted to let you know that we welcomed another new member to our team this week.  Jo Turner has joined us as our Volunteer Coordinator – she has provided a short introduction to herself and the role below.  For me, this is a really critical and outward facing role.  We want to work with, and support the many volunteer coordinators who are already working in Doncaster and will allow us to be much more proactive in supporting you in recruiting and developing your volunteers.

An Introduction From Our Volunteer Coordinator Jo Turner

Firstly, I can’t believe it’s already been a week since joining Voluntary Action Doncaster. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming, and I am looking forward to really getting stuck into the new challenges we face as a community.  I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and discuss my initial approach towards my role as Volunteer Coordinator.

My name is Jo and I live in a village on the Isle of Axholme just outside of Doncaster. My background is within Inter-professional working & training. I have also volunteered at different periods over the past sixteen years.

My understanding of volunteering is that by being able to create strong relationships between the volunteer coordinators within different and diverse organisations increases our reach to the wider community. By having a known network and central point of contact that can open doors to communication and allows the space to join everyone together.

My initial aim is to provide that space to allow Volunteer Coordinators from different organisations to come together & to openly discuss and support each other with the positives & new challenges that we face. This will gain insight into how support from the third sector plays a pivotal role in working towards our communities aims and objectives strategically.

If anyone has any initial thoughts around this or would like to reach out, please do get in touch – jo@voluntaryactiondoncaster.org.uk 

Reports and Information

Come & Join Us –  The Doncaster District Association For The Visually Impaired 

Friendly groups of people with visual impairments meet on Mondays for social gatherings at The Clark Memorial Hall, Town Fields, Doncaster, DN1 2JQ.

They would welcome more people to join them.

Guide dogs are welcome.

For more details please contact Hazel on 07788828510

Free and discounted facilities at Woodfield Park – Let’s Work Together and Help Our Community Flourish!

At Flourish Enterprises we have a number of currently under-utilised areas within our beautiful Grade II listed building and historic gardens which are surrounded by lots of green spaces.

Here at Flourish, everyone is committed to delivering positive social impact and we are looking to do this by working with other not-for-profit services to become a DESTINATION Wellbeing Hub that promotes health and happiness, somewhere that provides OPPORTUNITIES for everyone whilst promoting a feeling of TOGETHERNESS.

As part of our work, we would love to open up a number of our assets for other community focussed groups to access and benefit from, completely free of charge, with the aim of inviting more people into Woodfield Park to enjoy everything there is to offer both now and still to come.

We recognise that collaborative working will go a long way to making sure our communities get the best experiences whilst allowing more third sector organisations, big and small, to continue to deliver amazing services. 

More information can be found here

You’re Not On Your Own – Drinking And Substance Misuse Support

Alcohol and other substances can affect the whole family, not just the user. The support of family members can be crucial in bringing about change.

A support group for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking or substance abuse. They can offer:

• Information
• Relaxation
• Support
• Skills Development
• Personal Development
• Guest Speakers
• Social Time

Interested? Call and speak to a member of the Support 4 Change team.

t: 07736 477812   e: info@support4change.org.uk 

#PensionCredit

The Department for Work and Pensions is urging pensioners to take-up pension credit and encouraging people to help their older friends and loved ones make a claim as new figures show an estimated £1.7bn in benefit is being left unclaimed.

Currently, more than 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension Credit. However, many are still not claiming this extra financial help that can be worth more than £3,300 a year. On June 15, the Department for Work and Pensions is hosting its second annual Pension Credit Day of Action as part of a new advertising campaign. 

A digital toolkit is available to download here including printable leaflets and you can use the following social copy on your channels.

We are supporting the #PensionCredit day of action to help people who may be able to receive extra financial support

For more information about Pension Credit, visit Pension Credit on GOV.UK or call 0800 99 1234

Minister for Pensions Guy Opperman said: “We recognise the challenges some pensioners will be facing with the cost of living which is why promoting Pension Credit is a priority. That’s why we’re calling on everyone with retired family, friends and loved ones to check in with them and see if they can get this extra financial support.”

Here are some ways you can support our campaign and the Day Of Action

• We believe the power of family and friends can unlock thousands of new pension credit claims. Tell your stakeholders about pension credit .
• Use the social media assets and the hashtag #pensioncredit in any online communications so we can track the conversation – and RT any interesting copy too.

The link to the videos and images to use on social media is available on their website.

The Doncaster Dementia Collaborative

The Doncaster Dementia Collaborative was launched in September 2021 with the support of local MP Rosie Winterton and local DMBC Councillors. 

The main purpose of the group is to bring people together from the Doncaster Dementia community, including people diagnosed with dementia and their carers, to collaborate to improve services and the experiences of those affected by dementia. 

Along with being a lobby group holding service providers to account, members share information, and experiences and act as a reference group and consultation group for Doncaster providers of dementia care and support.

The group meets bi-monthly on the last Thursday of the month at Wheatley Golf Club at 11am. The next meeting is Thursday 28th July.    For more information contact Wayne Goddard at W_Goddard@sky.com 

The Newly Updated Easyfundraising App

The newly updated easyfundraising app enables you to easily raise money for your voluntary organisation when you shop on your phone or tablet. 

Get money back when you shop with over 6,000 online retailers, which is then passed to your organisation as a donation, at no extra cost. Retailers include ASDA, Amazon, B&Q, Argos, Sainsbury’s, eBay, Just Eat, and many more. It is trusted by thousands of voluntary organisations already.  Set up a free easyfundraising account to take advantage of this free funding

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) – Regional Safeguarding Outreach Service

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has launched a Regional Safeguarding Outreach service, which will focus on working collaboratively with Local Authorities, organisations and networks, to develop relationships and raise awareness of DBS as a safeguarding body. 

The aim is to work more closely with organisations to build and develop relationships, and to act as a single point of contact for all DBS-related enquiries within their region. 

The Regional Outreach Adviser will be working with organisations and networks within Yorkshire & The Humber in several ways, including: 

• Answering DBS-related queries and providing advice via phone/email 
• Attending meetings, training and conferences, or visiting organisations for face-to-face discussion 
• Collating feedback, suggestions or comments and feeding this back into DBS 
• Developing and delivering presentations, workshops, webinars or discussions to provide an overview of DBS 
• Helping organisations/networks to understand what level of DBS check can be applied for, and what information these checks will provide 
• Informing organisations and employers of their duty or power to refer 

Please contact Rebecca Bool – Regional Adviser for Yorkshire & The Humber at Rebecca.Bool@dbs.gov.uk or tel: 0300 0731577 for more information or support. 

Big Ambitions CIC – Feel Well Work Well Project

The ‘Feel Well Work Well’ programme (FWWW) is designed to support any young person aged 18-24 who are unemployed and not in education, to find a job FASTER, EASIER and PRESSURE FREE, no matter what barrier they may have. The programme is able to help with wellbeing challenges, such as low mood and anxiety, the only requirement is that young people are able to engage with their coach and are ready to explore their career prospects.

 Additionally, unlike traditional employability programmes, Feel Well Work Well recognises that without good mental health it is incredibly challenging to begin and continue in employment. Every young person that joins the programme will have access to trained wellbeing practitioners who can assess their needs and refer them to specific support.

 The FWWW Project is for people who:

• Are aged 18 – 24  
• Are unemployed or economically inactive
• Have diagnosed/undiagnosed Mental Health conditions (anxiety, depression etc.
• Living in either Doncaster or Barnsley

 What the individual will receive:

• 1-2-1 support with a dedicated Specialist keyworker with bespoke support and action planning
• Personal development training
• Job Coaching and Preparation support
• Support for their mental health and wellbeing
• Tailored Job coaching, support with applications, support with interviews and support with reasonable adjustments
• Continued support after obtaining employment

Referrals to the programme are accepted from all organisations and residents can refer themselves.

Partnering together to deliver the new programme across the South Yorkshire region are Sheffield Futures, Big Ambitions and Rotherham United Community Sports Trust. With support from Rotherham and Barnsley Mind, The Princes Trust and The Source Academy, the organisations will coach 18–24-year-olds to secure further training or employment.

The programme is part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and brings nearly a million pounds of investment for young people into South Yorkshire.

For more information and Referrals, please contact enquiries@bigambitions.org.uk or call us on 0114 276 0039.    For marketing enquiries and affiliate partnerships, please contact abby.leigh@bigambitions.org.uk 

Events

South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board – Notification of Public Meeting 

The first meeting of the new NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board will take place on Friday 1 July 2022 from 9.15am to 1.30pm at Oak House, Moorhead Way, Bramley, Rotherham S66 1YY.

We recommend you indicate your intention to attend in person prior to the meeting by contacting us at helloworkingtogether@nhs.net so we can monitor expected numbers and alert people if we expect the gallery to be full.

The meeting papers can be accessed on our website from 24 June 2022, where a recording of the meeting and details of how to view it will also be posted in due course: https://syics.co.uk/about/meetings-and-minutes 

Questions from the public which are relevant to the agenda items can be submitted no later than two days in advance of the meeting to: Margaret.mcdadd@nhs.net 

Sustainability Support Consortium by Sheffield Innovation Programme 

Are you stuck on how to make your business sustainable?

South Yorkshire has a wide range of different organisations that can help companies with their sustainability and net zero journey. We’re bringing all of your options together in one consortium to make it easier for your organisation to find what you need to become more sustainable.

The South Yorkshire sustainability community is coming together to centralise the support available to organisations across the region. You will be at the centre of the consortium, benefiting from events and guidance to all the great organisations that can help you in your journey to become environmentally sustainable.

By working together with you, we’ll be able to support your specific journey and create a green business movement for South Yorkshire.

30 June 2022 08:00 – 10:30 BST

Location:  Charles Street Building, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street

Sheffield City Centre  S1 1WB

More information and the tickets can be found here. 

VCS Engagement Day

Registrations for the VCS Engagement Day close on Wednesday 29th June so please do book now if you’re planning on joining us –  VCS engagement day: 7 July | Migration Yorkshire

Migration Yorkshire is delighted to be able to host the VCS Engagement Day 2022 at The Studio, Leeds, Riverside West, Whitehall Road, Leeds LS1 4AW on 7 July 2022.

You can book online here VCS Engagement Day Tickets, Thu 7 Jul 2022 at 09:00 | Eventbrite

The day will focus on sharing information, horizon scanning and focussing on future planning. We will look at the latest situation with Ukraine, Afghan resettlement, UASCs and asylum, share data and statistics, and have plenty of time to network and catch up with each other. A full programme will be shared closer to the time.

Please do share this with your networks – we’d love to see colleagues from the voluntary and community sectors there!

Please contact Vicky Ledwidge if you have any questions in the meantime: victoria.ledwidge@migrationyorkshire.org.uk 

Full programme of the day can be found here.

Training Opportunities

Meet the Funder: How Your Organisation Can Tap Into Unrestricted Funding

Come along to this informal session to find out how your voluntary group, CIC, social

enterprise, church, school, sports club or charity can benefit from unrestricted funding by using online fundraising website easyfundraising.

Becky from easyfundraising will show you how your volunteers, staff and supporters

can use the easyfundraising platform to raise donations for free for your organisation

when they shop with leading retailers.

What to expect:

• A live demonstration of how the website works
• Instructions on how to get your organisation set up
• Tips on how to raise as much as possible
•  A Q&A session with Becky

This is an easy and effective way to boost your funds. Easyfundraising is free to use and is trusted by 170,000 good causes around the UK and is partnered with Voluntary Action Doncaster.

Suitable for: all not-for-profit organisations, voluntary, community groups and charities

This free event will be delivered via Zoom and joining details will be sent after you have booked your space:

Date: Thursday 14th July

Time: 2pm

Register to attend here

To find out more about easyfundraising before the session, visit the website or contact becky@easyfundraising.org.uk 

Good Conversations: Webinars for the VCSE Workforce

The Good Conversations course has been redesigned especially for the VCSE workforce, it uses the MECC approach but is focused on the wider determinants of health with an underpinning understanding of health inequalities.  

We have x10, 1.5 hour online sessions available between July and September which will offer up to 400 places across the system. 

Visit The Yorkshire and Humber ADPH website for a full description of the course and the links to book a place.

Marketing For Nonprofits – Online Workshop

Are you responsible for marketing at your charity?

Do you ever find yourself re-hashing old materials or putting out content you don’t exactly love, because you can’t think of anything better to do?

Creating marketing content that truly stands out isn’t rocket science. You don’t need special skills or an artistic temperament. It’s about getting the basics right.

Online Workshop – Thurs 23rd June – 10am

(Also available as a recording if you can’t attend.)

General Admission – £15 +1.76Fee

Small Charity Discount – £12.00 +£1.52 Fee

Entire Team Special – £39.00

Event Recording ONLY – £10.00 +£1.37 Fee

(Sale ends 23 June)

The tickets and more information can be found here

Using functional skills to aid stretch and challenge 7/07/22 at 10am

This latest in our functional skills webinar series will look at how to stretch and challenge learners, encouraging them to push towards a high level of achievement rather than simply meeting expectations which do not allow them to maximise their potential.

The session will focus on the following outcomes:

• The most effective functional skills delivery strategies
• How you should review your approach to functional skills to ensure that you are provide stretch and challenge activities within functional skills delivery itself
• How to use functional skills stretch and challenge activity to enhance the learning of apprenticeship aims

Register here

Funding Opportunities

Universal Summer Offer Grant Fund

In line with the Doncaster Children & Young People’s Plan, Doncaster Council are working to provide a summer activity program for children and young people to be delivered over the School Summer Holiday period.  We recognise the importance of providing attractive and exciting activities that are well promoted in order to engage as many Children & Young People as possible across the City.

This year we are able to provide service providers/organisations with a chance to access monies in order to maximise opportunities on offer for young people.

We are looking for a diverse range of providers to offer children and young people who live in the Doncaster area a wide range of face to face activities/provision/summer holiday clubs, as possible.

The sessions provided can be sport sessions, arts and crafts, holiday clubs, visits or additional activities to enhance your offer. 

There are 3 Grant options available:

• Micro Grant – suitable for smaller organisations, grass roots groups, and community led organisations.
• Mid Grant – more suitable for established groups and businesses, with robust organisational procedures in place.
• Large Grant – more suitable for established children and young people providers who have delivered before for the Council and have recorded QA within Enable Audit.

The Grant funding is available for groups who are looking to provide free activities for children and young people between 01/08/22 – 04/09/22 inclusive. (Summer School Holidays).  All returned applications will be moderated and due-diligence checks will be undertaken to ensure compliance.

Please return your completed application at least 3 weeks prior to the start date of your activity/session. Applications submitted after the School Summer holiday period will not be accepted.

Please complete your application fully and read all information regarding the grant options. Please also only apply for one grant (option A, B or C).

We will only accept applications for evaluation that have attached all  supporting documentation. Support is available to ensure you submit the correct policies that meet a minimum requirement.

Please complete the application form and send it back to Dean Mangham Commissioning Officer at dean.mangham@doncaster.gov.uk or by post to: Doncaster Council, Commissioning, Floor 3, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN13BU

The Violence Against Women and Girls Reduction Fund

The Violence Against Women and Girls Reduction Fund is NOW open to community groups, social enterprises and non-profit organisations working in South Yorkshire who are working on tackling Violence Against Women and Girls.

Organisations are able to secure up to £20,000 from the Fund, which can be used for existing or new projects. Core costs, staff costs and activity costs can be funded.

Applications are open from the 14th June until midday on 1st July 22 

Further detailed information, application forms and guidance can be found on the VRU website and whilst I cannot help you complete your application please do not hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions at nancy.byrne@southyorks.pnn.police.uk 

Christmas Challenge 2022

Yes, it’s that time of year already. Christmas Challenge 2022 applications are now open! The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest digital match funding campaign. The Christmas Challenge gives your donors the chance to double their donations as you raise vital funds for your work. This year it will run from midday Tuesday 29th November to midday Tuesday 6th December. Last year, the Christmas Challenge raised a record-breaking £24.1m for 928 charities!

Up to £25,000 of match funding is available per charity. There are millions of pounds of match funding available for a wide range of charities and causes. We will have more match funding available this year than ever before! This means that we can support more charities and raise even more money for good causes. 

As well as accessing Champion funds, evidence shows that donors are more likely to give and to give more in match funding campaigns. The Big Give also offers a free suite of resources, training and guidance for all participating charities. 

The deadline for applications is 5pm Friday 1st July. For more information, the eligibility criteria, and to apply, visit the Christmas Challenge page on the Big Give website.

If you would like to find out further information about the Christmas Challenge, you can watch the recording of our introductory webinar. 

Read our latest blog to get some insider tips for starting your application.

Charities working to improve the lives of vulnerable, disadvantaged or underrepresented women and girls in England and Scotland can apply for the Women and Girls Match Fund through the Christmas Challenge. To learn more about this fund, please watch our special Women and Girls Match Fund webinar recording.

Volunteering Opportunities

Please see what current volunteering opportunities are available on our website.  

The Diocese of Hallam Is Looking To Recruit a Safeguarding Trustee 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hallam comprises of 54 parishes and 47 schools in South Yorkshire and parts of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The Diocese is looking to recruit a Safeguarding Trustee to join and support the Board on Safeguarding matters and Chair the Safeguarding Sub Committee. The successful candidate will work in partnership with the Safeguarding team, Trustees, priests and external organisations ensuring that regulatory, advisory and scrutiny functions are carried out effectively. Previous significant experience of working in a safeguarding role either in statutory services or relevant voluntary agency is required, ideally with an appropriate professional qualification.

Trustees of the Diocese of Hallam are Catholics in good standing with the Church and operate on a voluntary basis. The Board of Trustees meet eight times per year and the Safeguarding Sub Committee meet six times per year.

This is a volunteer post.

Closing date: noon Friday 8th July.

Interviews will be held in Sheffield, week commencing 11th July.

Further details may be obtained from Mrs Jessica Moylan – jmoylan@hallam-diocese.com 

Job Opportunities

Please see this week’s Advance Vacancy Bulletin  with a range of roles based within Doncaster.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator

This is a unique opportunity with scope to shape, develop, and embed new ways of working to deliver sustained and demonstrable improvements in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion practice across the Doncaster area.  Essential to the role is your ability to coordinate projects in line with our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement. Your knowledge of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion matters will be invaluable in your support to partners and local communities.

Your great project coordination skills will enable you to organise day-to-day tasks and actions associated with our priorities as well as provide support for the implementation of plans designed to drive inclusion and make Doncaster an even better place to live and work.

You will actively support and help develop and support the Inclusion and Fairness Leadership Executive in reporting progress to Doncaster Team partners.  Developing reporting that both shapes our priorities and drives and measures success.

You can expect to develop communication channels to raise awareness of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion initiatives that will inform, engage and drive change. 

Applications from individuals who might be looking for a career development opportunity or secondment to broaden and develop their skills and experience.  Please read the Recruitment Pack and if you feel that you meet the criteria, we invite you to submit:

• A CV (no more than 2 pages)
• A covering letter telling us how you feel you meet the criteria outlined in the Job description and Person Specification (in no more than 2 sides of A4).
• The name, email address and telephone number of 2 referees and tell us what capacity you know them.  Referees will be contacted if a job offer is made.
• An online equal opportunity monitoring form.

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please email info@voluntaryactiondoncaster.org.uk to arrange a call. Applications and supporting documents should be emailed to: info@voluntaryactiondoncaster.org.uk by 10am 18 July 2022. 

The Doncaster Careers Fair

The Doncaster Careers Fair takes place on Thursday 25th August, at Keepmoat Stadium from 10am-2pm. You can meet local and national employers face-to-face, and apply directly for hundreds of vacancies. The Doncaster Careers Fair is open to anyone and everyone – there is always such a wide variety of employers exhibiting, meaning that there are opportunities for individuals of all ages and all levels of experience.

For more information and a FREE ticket please visit the website

Contribute to our Next Newsletter!

If you have an article, job opportunity or funding opportunity you would like to see included in the next edition of this newsletter, please send it to us at info@voluntaryactiondoncaster.org.uk by 1pm on Wednesday 6th July 2022.