Newsletter and Update No. 72 – Friday 20 January 2023
Cath Witherington, CEO Introduction
This is a bumper edition of our newsletter so I will keep my introduction short! I am excited to announce not one, not two but three new vacancies at Voluntary Action Doncaster. Details are set out below – but please share with your networks and let me know if anyone would like a chat with me about any of these posts.
Next week is set to be an important week for us with the Community Investment Fund and Holidays Activities Fund Launch Event on Monday. I will end the week on Friday afternoon by attending the first session of the Fairness and Wellbeing Commission. You can expect to see feedback from both of these events in our next edition.
Reports and Information
Young People’s Floating Support and Supported Lodgings Services
Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP) has recently re-secured a contract with
Doncaster Council to provide housing-related support to young people aged 16-25.
The service has two elements:
- Supporting young people to sustain their tenancy
- Providing supported lodgings accommodation for young people who may be at risk of homelessness, including where family relationships have broken down
Our services are concerned with helping young people overcome barriers to them fulfilling their potential so they can have a brighter future. All clients have an individually-tailored support plan, focused on them achieving the goals and ambitions that they set for themselves; support is typically for up to 12 months.
If you would like to know more about the services, including how to make referrals, please email Aimee Mckenzie (Client Services Manager) at aimee@dhyp.org.uk to arrange a meeting or call with us.
To find out more about DHYP’s services, please visit www.dhyp.org.uk
Campsall Art Group
We are a small group that meet every Tuesday at 9.30 am for 2.5 hours to paint and draw. Everyone is welcome, please come along and meet us, £2.50 gets you company and a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit and a chance to follow your interest or try a new one. We can provide some equipment if you want to try something new. There is no commitment to attend every week, just come when you can.
Several times a year we have a visiting artist to demonstrate their techniques that we can paint along with.
We have an exhibition once a year in the village hall which is open to everyone. Several of our members sell their work at the Exhibition. Once a year we exhibit our work at the Hooton Pagnell fair. Again members often sell their work to visitors.
We meet in Campsall Village Hall where there is free parking. For more information please phone 07984429709 or email marilynfletcher30@gmail.com
Doncaster Foodbank
Here is the link for details of the foodbank centre locations and opening times.
They expect to have some volunteering opportunities coming up soon at the foodbank centres at St Paul’s Church in Wheatley, St James Church in Hexthorpe, and the Holmescarr Centre in Rossington. These could include welcoming people on the doors, checking their vouchers on our computer system, listening to them whilst their food parcels are packed, bag packing, or making drinks. We will provide more information in the next newsletter.
In the meantime, if you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact John Parr, Project Manager, Doncaster Foodbank, info@doncaster.foodbank.org.uk
Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness
90 years ago, George Orwell changed the conversation about homelessness with his book Down and Out in Paris and London
But what does homelessness really look like today?
The Orwell Foundation is inviting entries to our new prize for Reporting Homelessness. It’s free to enter, open to everyone, and there’s a cash prize of £3000
You don’t have to be a journalist. We are looking for entries from anyone who has experience of homelessness in all its forms: rough or hostel-sleeping,
sofa-surfing, precarious and temporary housing and the fear of homelessness that comes with it. We want your: diaries, articles, reflections, video diaries, essays.
However you want to write, get writing!
For more information, visit www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-prizes. Make sure you get your entry forms and submissions to us by the deadline, 31 st March 2023.
In Down and Out in Paris and London, the writer George Orwell combined evidence with empathy, vividly describing the root causes of homelessness and poverty and their brutal impact. Now, together with our partners the Centre for Homelessness Impact, we want this new award to shine a light on homelessness today, in all its forms. But we need your help.
What does homelessness really look like in contemporary Britain? What needs to change?
If you have something to say, enter the prize. Your voice could help change the
conversation.
Energy Bills Discount Scheme announced
This month, the Government set out the details of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) that will run from April 2023 to 31 of March 2024, which will replace the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS).
This new scheme will continue to cover non-domestic customers, including charities and public sector organisations – helping to protect them from rising energy costs. As with the current EBRS, suppliers will automatically apply reductions to the bills of all eligible customers, so your organisation will not need to apply for the discount.
A greater level of support will be provided to Eligible Energy and Trade Intensive customers – predominantly manufacturing industries. Those eligible will have to apply for the additional level of support, and further details of this process will be announced in due course.
Read further detail on the EBDS scheme on the gov.uk webpage.
Premises Needed for Inspire
Here at Inspire, we would appreciate your help! Most of you are aware for the past three years we have been looking for a suitable building to run our Day Centres. At present, we are hiring two venues, four days a week which is not financially viable for the number of days we use them. Therefore, we are looking for somewhere to call our own, where we can store our resources and activities without moving them in our cars from one venue to another.
The type of building we require would be similar to a community hall/village hall, which is available seven days a week. It would need a large hall/room, a good size kitchen, offices, storage rooms and disabled toilet facilities. Outside it would need car parking for a minimum of ten cars, and a small grassed area/garden which would be safe and secure with possible fencing around the perimeter.
We understand that the above may sound like an exhausting list of requirements, but this is what we require to keep our clients with dementia safe, warm, and comfortable. It is so frustrating not being able to find a building, but you may be able to help by keeping a lookout for us.
As our clients live in areas the width and breadth of Doncaster and therefore, the building most suitable would be central to Doncaster. i.e., the outskirts of Doncaster City, Intake, Wheatley, Armthorpe, Belle Vue, or Town Moor.
If you know of a suitable venue, please contact us on 01302 770662 or email us at: enquiries@inspiredoncaster.com
Quaker Meeting House Survey
The Doncaster Quaker Meeting House, based in Balby, is a popular venue hired by groups and agencies. However, the need to use venues has changed over the past 2 years and so they are wanting to review the future use of the building.
They are seeking views and feedback from as many people as possible (even if you have never been to the Meeting House) and would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete the short on-line survey.
All respondents will have the chance to win a £20 shopping voucher”
To take the survey please visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/D3TLYB9
Charity Commission issues Cost of Living guidance for Trustees
The Charity Commission recognises that many charities are facing difficult circumstances resulting from rapidly increasing costs, from their own cash flow to the issues faced by their staff. Some charities are also experiencing increased demand, particularly charities providing services to people in need.
The Charity Commission has published new guidance for trustees, especially trustees of smaller charities, who may need help when facing difficult decisions about their charity’s financial position.
Read the Charity Commission’s new guidance for trustees, including recent updates to the Annual Returns process, on the Charity Commission’s webpage.
VCSE Contract Readiness Programme launching in February
Last Autumn, DCMS launched the £900,000 VCSE Contract Readiness Fund to help enable VCSEs increase their participation in public service procurement in England.
Following a grant competition, the School for Social Entrepreneurs in consortium with Social Enterprise UK and Voice4Change England have been chosen to deliver the work and the Civil Society and Youth directorate in DCMS have worked with them to co-design the programme in late 2022.
The programme will primarily focus on providing training and support to VCSEs who are interested in bidding for public contracts with a smaller portion of the programme aimed at increasing commissioners’ awareness and understanding of the sector.
We’re excited to announce that the first part of the programme to support VCSEs will be launching this February.
Further details on the programme and how VCSEs can sign up for support will be shared in due course on gov.uk and the School for Social Entrepreneurs website.
MaPS Research to support Future Debt Commissioning
MaPS (Money and Pensions Service) is undertaking an evidence gathering phase to support the development of a future commissioning strategy. They are looking for frontline debt advisers, service managers and organisations supporting the advice sector who are willing to participate in the research – this could be by completing online surveys, telephone interviews or hosting a site visit. They are particularly keen to have more participants for their ‘motivations and behaviours’ research, particularly from organisations not delivering debt advice but other types of support services like food banks and community groups. (The closing date is 25 Jan).
Events
Community Investment Fund and Holidays Activities Fund Launch Event
If you or your group would like to learn more about the Community Investment Fund or how to apply for it, please join us. The Community Investment Fund grants are in two categories, Small Grants, up to £2000, and Large Grants up to £10,000. Book a place to find out more, and see if your group or organisation is eligible to apply (please note these grants are only open to organisations that have not already accessed the Community Investment Fund). Our friendly team, and representatives from the Host Organisations will be available to talk to on the day.
The Holidays Activities and Food Fund is open to all Community, Voluntary and Faith sector groups and organisations who meet the criteria, so come along to find out more. The programme aims to provide children and young people with opportunities to participate in fun activities and enjoy nutritious food during school holidays.
Please come along and enjoy this opportunity to network with other Community Organisations, and meet representatives from Well Doncaster, the Host organisations, Get Doncaster Moving and the Holiday Activities and Food fund.
Light refreshments will be on offer throughout the event, please bring your reusable travel cup if you have one, to save on waste and energy. Bullcroft Memorial Hall is an accessible venue which can be accessed by public transport, there is ample free parking at and around the venue.
This event will be held at the Bullcroft Memorial Hall, Chestnut Avenue, Carcroft DN6 8AP, on Monday the 23rd of January from 13;00 to 16;00.
To book your spot please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-investment-fund-and-holidays-activities-fund-launch-event-tickets-510538934697
Health Equity Network: Institute of Health Equity and Legal & General
24th January 2023 will see the launch of The Health Equity Network.
This network will provide an opportunity for organisations, both public and private
sector, community and voluntary groups and individuals to share their work on
health equity and to engage across the country with others with the same
interests. The intention is to build momentum for health equity UK wide.
The idea for the network was born out of the recognition of a gap in the opportunity for organisations and communities across the UK to connect and collaborate with those working towards similar health equity goals. We aspire to
encourage and support creative solutions to challenging health equity issues,
and to engender partnerships that go beyond single disciplinary approaches.
The Institute of Health Equity has teamed up with Legal & General to create the
Health Equity Network. It will function mainly as an online platform aimed at
supporting increased public and private partnerships across the United Kingdom
and encourage interdisciplinary problem solving on health equity.
If you think you or your organisation would want to be an active part of this
network and benefit from the partnerships the Network hopes to support then
please register to join the webinar through the link below and share it amongst
your colleagues and peers. It would be great to see you there.
To Register please visit: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/77982e37-2e64-44f8-800a-ee8173c7827c@1faf88fe-a998-4c5b-93c9-210a11d9a5c2
Community Matters Online Funding Event 13-15 March 2023
This is a FREE event
Each funder has been allocated a 30 minute session using Zoom to explain what funding they have and also how the application process works. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. You will need to book separately for each session you wish to attend. The first day is predominantly focused on funds available in West and North Yorkshire. The national funders are showcase on 14th and 15th March .
The funders attending so far are:
Day 2- Session 1 9:00 – 10:00 : Grantscape
We administer community funds (CF) on behalf of Local Authorities, large scale renewable energy developers including wind farms and solar farms, landfill operators (through the Landfill Communities Fund), and other renewable energy plants.
Grantscape funds are very geographically specific please check that you are in the correct area: Please look at the website to check which areas are eligible
Grantscape website.
Day 2- Session 2 10:00 – 11:00 : Lloyds Bank Foundation
We have committed to funding at least 700 charities at any one time, for longer, more flexibly and with more money. We will provide a wide range of developmental support, including training, consultancy and mentoring alongside our funding to strengthen charities.
Day 2- Session 3 11:00 – 12:00 : Garfield Weston Foundation
The Foundation aims to be responsive to where need is greatest and therefore supports a wide range of charitable activity in the following categories:
- Arts
- Education
- Youth
- Health
- Museums & Heritage
- Community
- Environment
- Faith
- Welfare
The foundation only makes grants to registered Charities and CIOs
Day 2- Session 4 12:00 – 13:00 : Bernard Sunley Foundation
A family grant making foundation which supports charities in England and Wales working to raise the quality of life and provide greater opportunities for the young, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged.
Day 2- Session 5 13:00 – 14:00 : Henry Smith Charity
The Henry Smith Charity aims to bring about lasting change to people’s lives, helping them to benefit from and contribute to society. We achieve this by funding organisations that work with people to reduce social and economic disadvantage. We want to help people for whom other sources of support have failed, been inappropriate or are simply not available. To achieve this we aim to make grants that work towards one or more of our key values.
- Increasing resilience
- Creating opportunities and life chances
- Empowering communities
Day 2- Session 6 14:00 – 15:00: Groundwork
Groundwork has two grant programs Tesco bags of Help and Comic Relief small grants.
Day 2- Session 7 15:00 – 16:00 : National Lottery Community Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund aims to support ideas and projects that matter to people and communities. Using funding and relationships to help create stronger, more connected communities, the National Lottery Community Fund distributes over £600m a year to communities across the UK, raised by players of The National Lottery.
Day 3- Session 1 9:00 – 10:00 : Key Fund
The Key Fund offers flexible loans and grant/loan packages to help the community and social enterprises to start up, become sustainable, or grow.
Day 3- Session 2 10:00 – 11:00 : Good Things Foundation
The Foundation helps people to improve their lives through digital. We tackle the most pressing social issues of our time, working with partners in thousands of communities across the UK.
Day 3- Session 3 11:00 – 12:00 : Easyfundraising
Easyfundraising is the UK’s biggest charity shopping site where you can raise money for your good cause when your supporters shop online. easyfundraising turns everyday online shopping into free donations for your cause – your supporters shop as normal (but start on your easyfundraising cause page), and then retailers will make a small donation to say “thank you”.
If you would like to set up your free easyfundraising page before the session, you can do that here
Day 3- Session 4 12:00 – 13:00 : Clothworkers Foundation
The Clothworkers’ Foundation improves the lives of people and communities – particularly those facing disadvantage, deprivation and/or discrimination – through grant-making. The Foundation was set up in 1977 to be the primary vehicle of charitable giving for The Clothworkers’ Company. Since then, The Foundation has awarded more than £152 million in capital grants to charities registered in the UK or not-for-profit organisations working across the nine areas of priority defined in its Main and Small Grants programme.
Day 3- Session 5: Co-op Local Community Fund
Funding is available to local charities and grass-roots community organisations to maintain and enhance vital community projects through Co-op’s Local Community Fund which comes from the money raised when Co-op members buy own-brand products and services. In addition, Co-op and Crowdfunder have teamed-up to unlock additional funding as now Local Community Fund grants are able to count on Crowdfunder’s website towards match funding.
Day 3- Session 6 14:00 – 15:00 : Arts Council
The arts council have a wide range of funding opportunities from small grants for individuals and organisations to larger developmental grants for arts and culture projects and more beyond this. This is an opportunity to understand how the Arts Council might be part of your funding mix.
Day 3- Session 7 15:00 – 16:00: Heritage Lottery Fund
We believe that understanding, valuing and sharing our heritage brings people together, inspires pride in communities and boosts investment in local economies. We distribute National Lottery grants from £3,000 to £5 million and over, funding projects that sustain and transform the UK’s heritage Increasing resilience.
Training Opportunities
Dealing with the Energy Crisis: Providing Advice to Vulnerable Clients Webinar
Fuel poverty is a reality facing many households and this course will help advisors in providing the best support to their vulnerable clients.
‘Dealing with the Energy Crisis – Providing Advice to Vulnerable Clients’ looks at the current situation and what it means for fuel poverty in England and Wales today.
It looks at who is most vulnerable to recent changes and how to help those in need – including ways to ensure people stay on top of the situation, how to maximise their income, how to find help if needed and finally how they can save energy and money in general.
This webinar is aimed at staff working with and providing advice to those vulnerable to the current energy crisis.
All webinars are delivered live by our expert tutors. We keep group sizes small to ensure a good level of interaction and support for learners.
We generally use Zoom (video conferencing facilities). To join the webinar, learners will require a suitable electronic device with sound and internet access and preferably a video camera and microphone.
Following the webinar learners will also receive a handout booklet covering the course topics.
If you would like to find more or reserve your spot please visit https://www.nea.org.uk/training/course-outlines/energy-crisis-advisor-webinar/?parent=training/course-outlines
GCHQ offers free support to small charities at risk of cyber attack
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), has announced it is offering small charities free support to put protections in place against cyber attacks.It has launched the initiative to help organisations that support the most vulnerable in society boost their cyber resilience.
The Funded Cyber Essentials Programme will offer practical assistance to small charities to put baseline cyber security controls in place. It notes information held by organisations can be highly sensitive, so strong cyber security is vital.Micro and small charities (one to 49 employees excluding volunteers) that process personal data, as defined under GDPR, are eligible. For example, those working in safeguarding such as domestic abuse charities or online chat support services. |
Funding Opportunities
Food for the Planet Grants
Grants up to £5,000 for projects to support communities to make food in their area better for people and the planet. Eligible activities could include:
- Supporting groups and communities that are marginalised to campaign for food climate justice and tackling racial injustice in the food system.
- Encouraging climate-friendly food in public institutions and council settings.
- Supporting sustainable farming systems through planning policy.
- Tackling unfair and unhelpful pricing and advertising of the most climate-damaging foods.
Grants can cover costs associated with the delivery of projects.
The deadline to apply is 5pm on 10 February 2023. Full details here
Sport England Small Grants
Awards of £300-£15,000 are available again to not-for-profit organisations.
Awards are to help inactive and less active people become more active. Their priority is to support projects working with people living in areas of disadvantage
Applications should explain why there’s a need for the project and how end users have been involved in developing the project.
Applications should consider how the project adds value to services currently available in your local community, and work collaboratively with other groups to maximise the impact of the project.
The closing date for applications is 30th June 2023. Full details here
BME Youth Together Fund
Grants of £10,000 to engage vulnerable groups in physical activity and strengthen communities across the country.
It will support the following communities in movement and physical activity:
- People with long-term health conditions.
- Disabled people.
- Lower socio-economic groups.
- Culturally diverse communities.
The fund is primarily aimed at voluntary and community sector organisations. However, applications from NHS/Local Authority or Leisure Trusts will be considered if it can be demonstrated that this is the best way to engage the relevant communities.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 31 March 2023. Full details here
Big Give Green Match Fund
Our Green Match Fund is designed specifically for charities working on environmental issues. This is an opportunity to make an extraordinary difference to some of the biggest challenges facing our planet today. The campaign will run around World Earth Day, from 20th- 27th April. Last year we raised over £2.7m for 146 charities and we’re aiming for even higher this year!
Charity eligibility criteria:
- Be a UK-registered charity with a Charity Commission number or tax-exempt status and an annual income of at least £25,000 (as per last filed accounts).
- Charities that are working on environmental issues as part of their core mission. (By “core mission”, we mean that the environment is mentioned in the organisation’s charitable objects). This may include: biodiversity & conservation; climate change; agriculture & food; sustainable communities; energy; transport; trade & finance; consumption & waste; toxics & pollution. Charities may be working in the UK or overseas.
- Charities which are registered on theBigGive.org.uk (free to register).
- Charities seeking to raise either £2,500, £5,000 or £10,000 in public donations (to be doubled by the match funds). Charities are able to use the campaign to raise unrestricted funds.
Applications are open now until Friday February, 17th 2023.
Winter Warmth
Well Doncaster and Doncaster North Primary Care Network are committed to the continued support of local groups and organisations who help the most in need and those who have been adversely impacted by the cost of living rises. Using insight from speaking to communities about what they need, the North Well Doncaster Team has created a fund called ‘Winter Warmth’. Winter Warmth grants of up to £500 are available for community groups to support families and individuals with winter warmth essentials, helping residents in the North of Doncaster to stay warm over the colder months.
How much funding is available?
Up to £500 and there is no minimum amount. Please ensure that the amount you request in your application reflects the local need and the number of families and individuals that you plan to support.
Who can apply:
- Not-for profit voluntary or community organisations
- Registered charities
- Faith-based organisations
- Not-for profit companies, community interest companies or social enterprises
Examples of what could be funded:
Some examples are listed below, however this is not an exhaustive list and we are keen to hear about different and innovative ways in which the funding may be used:
Advice packs
Draft excluders
Slow cookers
Warm clothing
Blankets
Electric blankets
Hot water bottles
This fund cannot be used for :
Residents outside the North locality of Doncaster.
Projects that are planned after 31st March 2023.
Activities promoting religious beliefs.
Political activities.
Goods or services that have already been purchased or ordered.
On-going organisational running costs.
Trips and holidays.
Costs that are already included within and funded by an existing grant or contract.
Endowments / loan repayments.
How do I apply?
You can apply by completing this application form – https://forms.office.com/e/9P815JW7Cw
When is the deadline to submit applications?
You can submit your application up until 5pm on Friday February 17th 2023. Please note that these grants are limited and may close earlier if all funds are allocated.
Volunteering Opportunities
Please see what current volunteering opportunities are available on our website.
Marshalls needed for School Streets Project
I am employed by Doncaster Council as Public Health Improvement Officer – School Streets. I am responsible for engaging with Primary Schools in Doncaster to encourage their involvement with the project which seeks to implement road closures during drop-off and pick-up times, outside the school gates. The aim being, to reduce air pollution, dangerous parking and hazardous driving close to the school, enabling parents, children, staff and residents to actively travel, safely (i.e. on foot, by bicycle or scooter etc.), around the local area.
We plan to implement four permanent School Street closures and an additional ten “one day closures” as an introduction to the School Streets concept, to encourage Active Travel, Clean Air and Road Safety awareness etc. across schools in Doncaster.
In order for the project to be effective, we need to engage with any groups local to the relevant schools who might be a source of volunteers to marshal the road closures.
Initially, we are closing the road outside St. Peter’s & Lakeside Primary (Sandy Lane, Belle Vue) – to commence 20 February 2023. Despite leafleting local residents and all parents/carers, haven’t had as much interest as we’d hoped (see info attached). If you or anyone you may know might be interested in assisting in the implementation of the Doncaster School Streets project please contact Jenna Olma at jenny.olma@doncaster.gov.uk, thank you.
Job Opportunities
Doncaster Council is hiring
Doncaster Council currently has over 130 vacancies across their site this January, in a range of different roles throughout the borough, so there really is something for everyone. For example:
Project Manager
Are you passionate about working with communities?
Are you committed to improving wellbeing for people and their communities?
Can you work with, and across, a range of different organisations?
Could you help the community of Edlington make the most of its opportunities and tackle long standing challenges?
Salary details Grade 9 £35,438 to £39,513 per annum
Contract type Full time 37 hours per week. Temporary for 12 months (with a possibility of extension dependent on further funding). Secondment opportunity for internal and external applicants.
Hybrid working: Doncaster Council Civic Office / Exceed Learning Partnership in Edlington / Homeworking
Closing Date Sunday 5th February 2023 at midnight.
This is another opportunity to help us deliver targeted action on our challenging neighbourhoods – through our ‘Regenerative Neighbourhoods’ approach. This is being rolled out in the community of Edlington, supported by Exceed Learning Partnership, which includes Edlington Victoria Academy and Hilltop Academy.
Edlington has many features of a successful place. This includes proximity to green spaces, affordable housing and good primary school performance. However, there are high levels of deprivation and child poverty, high persistent absence rates of secondary school age children, and a range of significant issues, affecting the ‘Royal Estate’ in particular.
The community and local organisations are committed to working together to address these challenges.
We are looking for a project manager to
- Develop positive relationships with organisations, groups and individuals
- Build on engagement and developmental activities
- Work closely with Exceed Learning Partnership
- Coordinate and integrate existing plans, strategies and approaches
- Support interventions and activities in the community
- Identify learning so that it can be applied quickly, in Edlington and other challenging neighbourhoods
You should be
- Well organised and have excellent communication skills
- Flexible and proactive in your approach
- Be able to manage a range of projects
- Experienced in working with a wide range of organisations and communities
- Able to collaborate and find innovative solutions to problems you come across
We welcome secondments from employees of Doncaster Council and our partner organisations. This is dependent on the agreement of your current employer.
You will have access to a variety of attractive employee benefits including competitive leave entitlement, local government pension scheme and access to a range of staff discount and flexible benefits schemes. Visit Working for Doncaster Council to find out more.
Shortlisting is expected to take place week commencing 6th February 2023 and it is anticipated that interviews will be held week commencing 27th February 2023
To apply or find out more please visit their website
NHS Associate Independent Non-Executive Members
An exciting new role of Associate Independent Non-Executive Member – we are looking for two individuals who can give 15 hours per month commitment to the role. This will be for 12 months on a contract for services basis.
We are a new NHS body, established to oversee healthcare across South Yorkshire. After full open competition, we recruited a number of Independent Non-Executive members to the Board.
Having done so, though, we were conscious that some people who expressed an interest perhaps felt they needed more experience or were just unsure about applying. If you are one of those people, then this opportunity could be for you.
We want to appoint someone to work alongside our Board, offer their views, participate fully in our discussions, and gain real experience of an NHS Board to be in a stronger position to apply for a future role with us, or elsewhere within the NHS, over the next two years or so.
You will work alongside the Chair, other non-executives, associates, executive directors and partner members as an Associate member of a unitary board
If you are interested in our Associate INEM development programme, we really encourage you to join us at our recruitment open day on Monday 23rd January 10am-1pm.
To find out more about the role and to apply please visit their website
Voluntary Action Doncaster
Why not come and join our team? We have the following exciting new posts open…..
Community Mentor (Digital)
Salary: £23,000 – £25,000 (depending on experience)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week – Fixed Term 1 year
Place of Work: Community and Home based
The Role
We have received funding to recruit a digital community mentor to support in the delivery of a wider initiative currently underway in Doncaster. The digital inclusion programme aims to help members of the public to feel confident doing more online. In addition to providing guidance and support to the third sector and other charitable organisations across Doncaster, advising on best digital practice to prepare a sustainable legacy that leaders can embed within their own organisations.
As part of your role, you will spend time designing and developing a training manual, including but not exclusively focussing on digital life skills, the benefits of being online, how to remain safe online, Cyber Security, GDPR, where to access support and additional training, Digital FAQS, Myth busting and providing reassurances. This resource will provide a standardised manual to complement your role when you are engaging with the community, which must be updated in accordance with digital
Transformations.
You will frequently attend scheduled sessions in the community, meeting with individuals and groups across the entire borough of Doncaster. Working towards improving the digital capability forDoncasters residents will help them access digital services, keep in touch with family and friends, improve their access to paid work, training and education opportunities, access to healthcare and health advice. Subsequently improving their health and wellbeing via strong and consistent
community engagement.
A full current UK driving licence and access to own vehicle is essential, as the post holder will be an agile worker and travel is expected across Doncaster.
Reasonable adjustments can be made for those who are unable to drive due to a disability.
Main Responsibilities
- Support the Programme Coordinator with planning and implementing digital support and training
- Co design and develop a dedicated resource to offer to our community partners and
members of the public to support answering their digital. tool kit to support their everyday internet and digital independence into the future.
- Helping to build the Increased confidence in digital for everyone
- Using informal networks, local connections and knowledge to reach people (target
audiences), in residential care homes, workplaces, communities, neighbourhoods and local social hubs
- Having motivational and strengths-based conversations to encourage engagement with digital solutions
- Support and facilitate activities which help to address digital exclusion
- Linking with existing community groups and organisations who are already embedded in the heart of the communities, leaving a legacy through them
- Increasing capability, opportunity and motivation, to self-motivate to increase community participation
- Championing digital solutions as a way of reaching people who are isolated and
disconnected from their community
- Helping others to access support
- To contribute to the development of innovative, creative solutions to engagement
- Support the work of mapping the informal and formal networks that exist in Doncaster which would benefit from greater digital inclusion (such as friend’s groups, faith groups, sports clubs, community, or tenants’ associations)
- Work with community facilitators, find out who is instrumental in bringing people together within the community
- Support the development of the engagement of a wider range of partners within the area to provide a more cohesive and efficient approach to service delivery
- Gain an understanding of local community needs and expectations
- Research and draft reports of what assets and resources are already available within
Doncaster, identify gaps, and recommend possible solutions.
- Use technology to drive engagement with the community forward, integrating mobile and social media platforms to increase interaction and participation
- Support in identifying community need and build customer choice
- Increase the number of residents engaging with digital services and communications
- To provide an effective, efficient, advice and support service to those wanting to use digital tools
- Support the improved coordination and engagement within the voluntary community and faith sector in delivering local activities and outreach
- Build strong partnerships with Communities, agencies and services
- Ensure equality, inclusion and accountability
- Record and evaluate activity to monitor and improve actions
If you are interested applications can be made through Indeed. Candidates must be available for an interview. W/C 13th FEB 2023.
Funding and Income Manager
Salary: £28,000 – £30,000 (pro rata, dependant on experience)
Hours: Working Hours 15 – 20 hours per week (Fixed Term 1 Year)
Place of Work: Home Based with access to hot-desk facilities
The Role
This is a new and critical role within Voluntary Action Doncaster with a clear focus to identify and secure funding to provide ongoing sustainable income.
The successful candidate will be expected to become self-sustaining by generating income to provide a full cost recovery for their post and to further generate income to ensure Voluntary Action Doncaster’s long term sustainability and growth. S/he will play a leading role in shaping our business operating model to create diverse and ongoing income streams. Key areas of responsibility will include looking for funding opportunities, drafting funding bids and business cases, building links funding and commissioning partners to identify opportunities for collaboration.
Additionally, as a social infrastructure organisation part of our remit is to build the capacity and capability of the voluntary, community and faith sector across Doncaster. We know that many of our members and other local community groups need help with bid writing and fundraising. Developing information, advice, guidance and support for members is an area in which the successful candidate can enhance their value and this is what makes this role stand out from the crowd!
Main Responsibilities
- Identifying potential sources of funding and writing strong and persuasive applications to ensure the viability and sustainability of Voluntary Action Doncaster.
- Ensure that grant applications address funders’ grant-making priorities as well as meeting the priorities, aims and values of Voluntary Action Doncaster
- Developing relationships with external stakeholders including the public and private sector partners and creating compelling cases for support and investment.
- Develop and deliver an income and fundraising strategy identifying and engaging partners and opportunities for grants and creating strong proposals and business cases to secure public and private funding or sponsorship.
- Manage the prioritisation and balance of applications for restricted and non-restricted funds, ensuring the optimal financial position for the organisation.
- Ensure that all reports to funders are of high quality and sent in a timely manner to give the strongest chance of repeat support
- Provide strong, credible and accurate funding information, advice, guidance and support to member organisations.
- Develop and maintain reporting and application systems and coordinate information across the staff team and Board.
If you are interested applications can be made through Indeed
Finance and Grants Administrator
Salary: £20,319 per annum pro rata (Living Wage Rate £10.42)
Hours: 20 hours per week (Fixed Term 1 Year)
Place of Work: Home Based with some external meetings
We are looking for an enthusiastic and numerically confident person to join us.
Voluntary Action Doncaster is a relatively new Charity looking for someone to join our team to help us administer a range of grants to community partners and maintain our financial records and reporting. This administrator role is key to ensuring we are accountable and transparent in our financial processes and that we can make prompt payment of a range of grants and invoices. As such you will be a pivotal member of the team, and work directly to the CEO.
As our organisation continues to grow there may be opportunities to take on additional responsibilities or extend the length of the appointment. As this will be a home based role, it is important that applicants have good internet connections, equipment (laptop) will be provided, and there may be the need to attend some external meetings or events across Doncaster.
The successful candidate will be highly adaptable to new working environments. Working remotely will mean that you will be confident enough to ask questions and seek guidance as and when you need to. You must have an interest in numerical work and be comfortable using spreadsheets. In addition, you will need to be comfortable using IT generally and be familiar with email, word processing, and databases.
Duties within the role will include the following:
- Day to day administration of the budget and financial systems
- Reconcile income and expenditure monthly, help to prepare financial updates for Board meetings and collate information for the annual report.
- Helping to make sure payments are made accurately and promptly
- Support the administration of a range of grant funding to community partners (micro grants, volunteer expenses, larger grants)
- Ensuring compliance with funders rules and regulations
- Ensuring the confidentiality of data and information to be confident in GDPR compliance
- Support the planning and arranging of grant panel meetings and following up on any relevant action points
- General business support services including email inbox management
- Administer online funding campaigns (e.g. Just Giving)
- Supporting the Chief Officer and team as required
If you are interested applications can be made through Indeed
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 the 1st of February