Civil Society Donations & Fund Reporting Webinar
If you missed Civil Society’s Spring Summit, they hosted a webinar exploring ‘Donations and Fund Reporting: how to do it right to protect your charity today and into the future.”
Summary: VCSE North West Networking Meeting #1 Workplace Well-being
We were happy to begin our new networking event series with the theme of ‘Workplace Well-being’. Not only is it Mental Health Awareness Week but this past year has plagued the VCSE sector with more work, less staff and new working environments. Those who work in the VCSE sector are often under immense pressure, which can cause strains on mental health. It is vital that the wellbeing and mental health of staff in the sector are protected, so that we can continue to provide the depth and breadth of support to our communities under the right conditions
The aim of our new networking series is to connect organisations from across the North West to share issues, solutions and best practices.
We have six takeaway lessons from our first networking session, which we would like to share across the VCSE sector to help advance the sector’s workplace well-being strategy:
Think through informal support for staff e.g. a dedicated wellbeing role for a trustee
Mental health first aid training e.g. from MIND
Develop blended/hybrid models of working e.g. working from home (WFH) and/or office work
Develop policies to manage workplace well-being
Staff well-being surveys e.g. quarterly surveys asking how staff are feeling/coping and reaching out to those in need
Staff appreciation vouchers
We would like to thank our eloquent speakers, Mustafa Hassan who is a Project Officer at Lancashire BME Network (LBN) and Maisie Hulbert, Policy Officer from ACEVO. Furthermore, thanks to all those who came and contributed to the session; we hope it was useful and can benefit future practices.
You can find here more detailed notes from the speakers and breakout rooms.
Our next networking meeting is on the June 15th and will focus on the NHS reconfigurations; we will update more details via Twitter and our website. We hope to see you there.
Employing Ex-Offenders in the VCSE Sector
On Wednesday 19th May, VSNW will be hosting an event exploring “Employing Ex-Offenders in the VCSE Sector” from 4pm-5pm.
As we exit the pandemic all reports suggest that the employment rate will improve. Whether this is a gradual improvement or a sudden spike remains to be seen. However, it is recognised that it will be some time before employment gets back to where it was in pre-pandemic days. This will affect many households and some who already have difficulties in accessing employment.
One such group is those who have served a custodial sentence. Without a job, the risk of reoffending is higher than would otherwise be the case. This hour long seminar, organised by VSNW, will hear from businesses who have a positive process to recruit from prison and also from a community development worker who works full time with ex-offenders with the aim of gaining them employment.
We are delighted to announce the following guest speakers:
Farhana Musarat, Project Officer at Lancashire BME Network in Blackburn. She is leading on work with ex-offenders and guiding into employment. A graduate of University of Central Lancs, Farhana is a stimulating and passionate speaker and an Experienced Employment Advisor /Transformation coach/ Project Officer with a wealth of skills gained from diverse working environments. Skilled in Communication, Leadership, Writing, Project Management, offender rehabilitation and Customer Service she brings a wide range of perspectives to this event.
Annie Gale, Head of RAW Talent & Apprenticeships at COOK Trading LTD. Arriving in Sittingbourne, where the company is based, via Birmingham University Annie cares deeply about good results, good values and good communication. She believes in people's potential - whatever their past - to do a fantastic job and oversees the 'RAW Talent' programme at COOK. This supports people from prison / homelessness / addiction / mental ill health into meaningful, sustainable work. Annie will be accompanied by John, one of the team recruited under the Raw Talent programme.
Darren Burns, National Recruitment Manager, Timpson Group. He specialises in the recruitment and retention of ex-offenders, veterans and others who face barriers to employment and also fosters relationships with many UK prisons and agencies such as Police and Probation services. Just in case he is not busy enough he also manages the Timpson prison training academies and is responsible for overseeing the transition from custody into the work place!
We will hear from all of our speakers in turn then move into a Q&A panel discussion, where you will be able to ask your questions to our guests.
Once registered for the event, Zoom joining details will be emailed to you the day prior to the event.
REGISTER HERE
VCSE NW Networking #Workplace Well-being
We begin our networking series with the theme of ‘Workplace Well-being’ to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week. This pandemic has strained all of us, at home, and at work; as we navigate our way out of lockdown it is imperative we focus on well-being in the work place.
We are excited to be joined by Maisie Hulbert, Policy Officer at at ACEVO and author or “workforce wellbeing in charities” and Sehrish Qureshi Well-Being Service Manager at Lancashire BME Network.
Join us and have the chance to network and discuss with other organisations.
The VS6 Liverpool City Region VCFSE Metro Mayoral Hustings Summary
VS6 Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Hustings – 20/04/2021
Last week, VS6 hosted the LIverpool City Region VCFSE Hustings event, where all three Metro Mayor candidates that attended welcomed and committed to the VCFSE LCR manifesto. Candidates agreed that working with the sector is something that they recognise as vital for our communities and the recovery of Liverpool City Region.
It was a fantastic afternoon with some great questions from our VCFSE colleagues, focusing on some key issues for the communities and organisations across the region. They explored how the Metro Mayor candidates plan to work with, and support the sector over the next three years, including working towards the ambitions of the VCFSE manifesto.
The event was held via Zoom and was attended by 58 representatives from the VCFSE sector in LCR, with three of the Metro Mayor candidates in attendance including Steve Rotheram (Labour and current Metro Mayor), Gary Cargill (Green), with Katie Burgess representing Jade Marsden (Conservative).
Specifically, there were 7 questions asked in total of each candidate focusing on digital inclusion, inequalities, food insecurity, fair employment, and how the Metro Mayor will support and invest in the sector.
Steve Rotheram (Labour) used his answers to reflect on his achievements to date since 2017 as the Metro Mayor of LCR, including the development of the LCR Cares crowdfunder for the VCFSE sector, creating the VCFSE Mayoral Advisor role, the Race Equality programme and the Fair Employment Charter. He also discussed how he would support communities and the sector moving forward through digital upskilling, and leading in digital connectivity, liaising with the Government for a trial of Universal Basic Income, implementing a £150m COVID recovery fund and building capacity in the VCFSE sector.
Gary Cargill (Green) discussed his plan for improving Liverpool City Region, and how a focus on environmental security and social justice, links to better outcomes for our communities. Key points included recycling digital devices to ensure everyone has the access to technology, setting up Citizen Assemblies for legislation and policy to be scrutinised by communities, implementing a Universal Basic Income, supporting the sector to lobby Government and having an “open-door” policy for the sector to raise concerns.
Katie Burgess (Conservative) talked about “building back better and beyond” through recouping the regions economic strength to develop a strong, sustainable economy working with the sector. Areas for progress included working with broadband providers to provide affordable internet for those in need, upskilling individuals and families to cook healthy meals within their budget, ensuring recognition for the LCR sector locally and nationally, and engaging with the VCFSE sector and communities to level up the region.
We would like to thank Steve, Gary and Katie for attending the Hustings and to our VCFSE sector for attending and submitting their questions to the candidates. David Newman of the Liberal Democrats was due to attend however due to personal circumstance was unfortunately unable to do so.
For a full breakdown of the event and the answers provided by candidates, you can find the VS6 Twitter thread here which provides a summary of the event as it was happening. You can also watch the Hustings in full on YouTube by clicking here.
As a reminder, the LCR Metro Mayor elections are being held on May 6th 2021 for you to have your say on who you want to be leading the recovery of the Liverpool City Region working in collaboration with the VCFSE sector.
Manchester Deaf Centre Vaccine Clinics
Manchester Deaf Centre are hosting a Covid-19 vaccine drop in clinic with British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter support. They are encouraging any deaf person, disabled person, person with a learning difficulty, person with long term health condition, PAs and carers from Greater Manchester to attend.
It will be held on the 29th April from 10am-3pm.
Information regarding the pop-up clinic in BSL:
Video made by Sign Health RAD in collaboration with other deaf organisations regarding COVID and saving lives:
VCSEP Seminars
The Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP) are hosting two seminars to discuss the role and purpose of Local Resilience Forms (LRFs), which have been instrumental in organising public sector response during the pandemic. Having an in-depth understanding of how LCFs work will help arm the sector with the knowledge to strengthen their response to the crisis.
VCSEP are running two sessions and invite anyone, regardless of current knowledge to attend:
Register for 6 May (2-4pm)
Register for 10 May (12-2pm)
Gendered Intelligence Professional Development Training
Introduction to Trans Awareness
Gendered Intelligence in light of the current pandemic are offering online professional development training.
They are offering sessions on an “introduction to Trans Awareness”
What ‘trans’ is about?
Gaining confidence to approach situations involving a trans client, student or colleague?
Information about what your organisation might need to comply with Equalities law?
They provide half day sessions, enabling proffesionals to broaden their understanding of issues faced by trans people. The session is based around interactive exercises, encouraging participants to get involved in thinking through what trans means and ways to achieve equality and inclusivity in practice.
More information available here.
World Health Day 2021
This year’s World Health Day falls in the midst of a global health pandemic. Despite England’s efficient vaccine role out and drastically falling new infection rate, Covid-19 has already and will continue to devastate the lives of many of us.
During VSNW’s Festival of North West Thinking which included a series of online events from October to December last year, we welcomed an array of inspirational speakers discussing different areas- mostly related to the pandemic- and its affect on communities and also the VCSE sector.
In recognition of World Health Day, we want to remind organisations of the powerful words of Farzana Kahn, Director of Healing Justice London, who spoke eloquently during our first event "Covid-19 Recovery: VCSE Leadership Voices Assembly” about ‘health inequalities’.
See some highlights from her opening remarks here:
Further highlights from the event can be seen here.