Funding & Opportunities from iSE's newsletter December 2021

 

Funding & Opportunities
UK Government Children’s Social Care Covid-19 Regional Recovery and Building Back Better Fund 
A new £24 million fund aimed at tackling harms facing vulnerable children, and boosting Covid-19 recovery for the children’s social care sector in England.
MORE
Social Investment Business Recovery Loan Fund
Social Investment Business and the Fusion21 Foundation loans of £100k-£1.5m to support Covid recovery. 
MORE
Severn Trent Community Fund
Grants of £2,000-£250,000 to fund incorporated groups to fund new innovative community initiatives.
MORE
Ragdoll Foundation
Funding for Projects that use the Arts and Media to Address the Concerns of Children (UK) – Deadline: 7th January 2022.
MORE
Arts Council – Volunteering Futures
Grants over £100,000 for young people and those that experience barriers to getting involved in volunteering across arts spectrum
MORE
The Circular Future Fund - Grants of £150,000-£300,000 to support projects that impact on waste and the environment. Deadline 9th Jan.
MORE
Asda Foundation Investing in Spaces and Places
Funding of between £5,000 and £25,000 to help with building repairs, building improvement development, and/or outdoor improvement.  Deadline: 9th January 
MORE
Peter Cruddas Foundation 
Funding for Projects that Support Disadvantaged and Disengaged Young People  – Deadline: 1st March 2022 
MORE

iSE - Women in Social Enterprise - Let's Start Talking!

 


Our Women's Enterprise & Community Hub Manager Kirsty Palmer is currently seeking members for an exciting new network for women in social enterprise. The first meeting will take place in January and the network will offer:

  • Post Pandemic Help – Creating an informed network where individuals are sign posted to the best service / social enterprise.
  • Addressing Gendered Poverty – Gathering data to examine the causes and more importantly the support and solutions out there.
  • Promoting Women in and into Business – how do we do this as a collective movement across the city ?
  • Supporting Women in Business – Creating a collaborative network that promotes partnership working, mentoring, sharing information and best practice ideas.
  • Sharing our Stories – We know that women are great for the workforce, we know that women are good leaders, so let’s start shouting about it.

If you'd like to join and be one of the first Brummie women to be involved in this new and exciting female led initiative, please get in touch with Kirsty. 

Know more... sleeping with your baby

The MiCare project reaches its final phase



During 2020 and 2021 Age Concern Birmingham (ACB) have played a leading role in the MiCare project partnership which has seen the development of training materials aimed at people from migrant communities who wish to enter the paid caring professions across Europe.

The project has been funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, ACB has worked successfully with our partners in Cyprus, Greece, Germany, Spain and Italy to produce a gap-analysis report that explores training for paid carers in our respective countries, as well as issues affecting migrants who wish to train and work as carers in Europe. The report showed some interesting differences in care training as well as lots of areas of similarity.

The second part of the project has seen the development of training units around language, care skills and wider skills enhancement. As we approach the final phase of our project, an online training platform is being designed which will allow migrants to download the training units. These will be available in 5 different languages for each partner country. During January and February the platform is being tested and evaluated and some train-the-trainer events will take place in each country. 

If you work with migrant communities in the UK and you would like to access our training platform either to help us evaluate it in January 2022 or to use it to support  your service users from a migrant community when it is launched, please contact:

Peter Millington - UK MiCare coordinator at this email address:
                  







 

Autism Awareness sessions from Square Peg

Since their inception in 2013, Square Peg have worked to support families of children and adults with autism and other additional needs.

The CIC (Community Interest Company) based in Boldmere, at 39 Gate Lane B73 5TR, provides a range of services including a weekly social club for children with additional needs at their stimulating hub, an accessible caravan in Wales for families and individuals and Autism Awareness training.

The third of these, the Autism Awareness talks, have proved extremely popular with a range of audiences, including schools, volunteers and even the staff of Cadbury World!

Between January and March, with Sutton Coldfield Neighbourhood Networking Scheme (NNS) funding, Square Peg will be providing six of these talks online. Company director Sharon Needham will lead the sessions, where topics such as the Spectrum, the Triad of Impairment and Invisible Disability will be discussed with a range of organisations within the Network.

For more information on these workshops, keep an eye on the Sutton Coldfield NNS Blog in the coming weeks:

suttoncoldfieldnns.blogspot.com

Telling Sutton’s Stories project run by FOLIO




We would like to thank and celebrate FOLIO and the inspirational amount of effort they have put in to the Telling Sutton’s Stories project, funded by Sutton Coldfield NNS. The project has exceeded all expectations thanks to FOLIO’s hard work and passion.

In 2021 during and after social isolation, residents have been able to come together, regaining their sense of belonging in the community, united by the place in which they live.  Residents have attended virtual talks about local history, attended pop up exhibitions where they could access historic maps and photographs, and even contributed memories and experiences of Sutton Coldfield to create a song sung together in local woodland around a campfire.

Over the year, the project has engaged with over 650 Sutton Coldfield residents by hosting an incredible 21 virtual and in-person events. Community venues have ranged from residential homes to cub scout huts, located from Banners Gate to Whitehouse Common.

It’s not too late to be part of the project. You can explore other people’s memories, knowledge and experiences of Sutton Coldfield, or contribute your own, on an interactive map at:

http://foliosuttoncoldfield.org.uk/map

Ageing Better event on 11 February 2022

 

Logo

The end and new beginnings

Ageing Better in Birmingham is in its final few months as the programme is closing down on 31 March 2022. It’s been a fulfilling and enjoyable seven years, and we are proud of what has been accomplished. In this newsletter, we reflect on some of those achievements.

Read our “Co-producing with diverse communities” briefing here

It is always difficult saying goodbye, so it is great to know the group is in full swing of organising their annual celebration event, which will take place on 11 February 2022. It will be a chance for people over 50 to get together, meet others, and celebrate the new year together. See the end of this newsletter for more information about ‘Moving Forward Together’.

Our Ageing Better Fund is now closed. The micro fund supported 340 grassroots community groups across the city to start new activities for the benefit of socially isolated and lonely over 50s in our city. The Transition Fund and Digital Pilots, set up to continue support for groups during the pandemic, helped people to stay connected through this challenging period. The funds have proven highly successful and supported 417 new activities in total. Richard Green, one of our fund panel members, said:

“In the very earliest days of Ageing Better, I learned about the negative impact of social isolation on health - the equivalent of smoking twenty cigarettes a day. I firmly believe the Ageing Better in Birmingham programme has improved the health and lives of many of our citizens.

Ageing Better funding is just the start. The real legacy will be to keep the activities going for the benefit of all Brummies in the future. Let’s continue to make Birmingham an Age-friendly city.”

The programme in numbers (click here for infographic)
Engaging older men in Birmingham

Launching our new website!

During the last seven years, we have learnt a lot about reducing social isolation for people over 50 in Birmingham, learning that is captured in briefings, reports, images, evaluations and stories. These can continue to inform new activities in our city, big and small. Stories and photos can inspire and narrate the impact the programme has had on the lives of people here.

We are launching our new website, a sort of 'mini-site' that will act as a depository for our learning. Our current website will close down next year, but the new mini-site will continue for years to come.

It's available from: www.bvsc.org/ageingbetter

As we mentioned earlier, our Age of Experience members are organising a final celebration for people over 50. What has previously been ‘Spring Forward’, is now known as ‘Moving Forward Together’ to reflect the end of the programme, and the start of something new. See below flyer. We hope to see you there!

And with that, the Ageing Better team would like to wish you all a lovely time over the holidays, and a Happy New Year!

NNS Additional Needs Grants

 

The Sutton Coldfield branch of the Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS) are looking for groups who provide activities for people aged between 18 and 49 with additional needs.

Funding, promotional support and help with capacity building are all available through the NNS. If your organisation requires any of these services, or if you know of an organisation that may qualify, then please get in touch with us.

Members of our team will help you fill out a grant form, as well as offering advice in growing your organisation to reach a wider audience, helping with the sourcing of volunteers or carers and also by putting you in touch with people with a vast knowledge of the sector who can work with you.

We have also undergone a process of mapping the area in an attempt to find any gaps, for example where certain groups are not getting high-quality provision of activities or perhaps activities that have proved popular elsewhere but are not available in Sutton Coldfield. If you have any ideas about gaps in relation to groups or activities then we also implore you to reach out to us via our email nns@ageconcernbirmingham.org.uk

Heritage memory book makes a precious gift this Christmas





If you are looking for a last minute stocking filler for a loved one this Christmas, why not buy a copy of our lovely book of memories for just £6.00?

Filled with fascinating life stories, precious memories, poems and photographs, this great book published by Age Concern Birmingham is called "I Remember When". 

Produced during the Covid-19 lockdown period of 2020-21, older people recall when life in the UK was even tougher than today, when enemy bombs fell onto the streets of Birmingham, children were evacuated away from home and people struggled to survive on ration coupons. A time when luxury items were rare and people entertained themselves with simple pleasures. But through it all we see the common theme of aspiration and a spirit of determination.

Will make a great read for all family and friends this Christmas and all proceeds will directly support the good works of Age Concern Birmingham. 

For a copy of the book, please send a cheque for £6.00 with your name and address to Age Concern Birmingham or pop into our charity shop on Boldmere Road to purchase a copy with cash or payment card. 



Sutton Coldfield NNS Showcase Event 9th December 2021


The much-anticipated showcase event in Sutton Coldfield Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS) was a roaring success.

On Thursday 9th December, citizens and assets flocked to Boldmere Communitea Café to celebrate the hard work and dedication of all involved in the NNS in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.

The festivities were kicked off in the morning, as Helen Pearson delighted revellers with some timeless classics from years gone by. Her rendition of the ever-poignant ‘We’ll Meet Again’ by the legendary Vera Lynn proved particularly popular, with those present in the café swaying in their seats and wiping a tear from their eye.

In recent years, the Communitea Café has become an important part of the furniture on Boldmere’s high street, and on Thursday guests were treated to wholesome Café favourites such as the classic Full English and a delicious Three Bean Chilli at a discounted price.

As Helen wrapped up her wonderful set to an enthusiastic round of applause from all corners of the room, attention turned to the afternoon’s proceedings.

The NNS has been declared a success throughout the city in the three years since its inception, and Thursday afternoon marked a fitting celebration of the tireless work that has been done in the Sutton Coldfield constituency in that time.

The project has aimed to support older people, defined as those in the 50 and over age group, and people with additional needs between the ages of 18-49, to live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives by working with assets and organisations in the Sutton community.

They are known as assets for their invaluable contributions to the community that they serve, and one such asset Sing Me Sunshine, who use the power of singing to counteract loneliness and isolation, provided a healthy portion of festive spirit with some yuletide ditties.

A presentation was then given by Pete Millington, in which he provided a background of the many successes experienced in recent years and acknowledged the tremendous efforts put in by members of the Age Concern and Compass Support teams, the City Council, Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and of course the assets and people of Sutton Coldfield themselves.

Two key figures in relation to financial support are Matthew Bick and Quaced Hussain from Birmingham City Council and the pair spoke passionately of their gratitude to the people who have made both the partnership and Thursday’s event such a success.

The Showcase concluded with a relaxing ‘Sound Bath’ from Lynn Kay of Beat It Percussion, which proved to be a fitting finale to the day’s events. Those in attendance were transported from the picturesque settings of Boldmere Road to the equally scenic beaches of the Caribbean through the medium of sound.

The event was enjoyed by many and provided a great opportunity to celebrate the continued success of the NNS in Sutton Coldfield.



International Day of People with Disabilities

 

Friday 3rd December, 2021

International Day of People with Disabilities



2021 IDPWD THEME:

"Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era"

Today is the annual celebration of IDPWD (International Day of People with Disabilities) and the theme this year is ‘Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era.’

In Birmingham, we wish to use the opportunity of IDPWD to promote the City Council’s new commitment to supporting disabled people and people with additional needs through the Neighbourhood Network Scheme (or NNS). During the past 3 years, the cross-city NNS has successfully developed a network of constituency-based schemes which offer support and activities to older people (over 50 years old) through grass-roots community groups and organisations which we call ‘assets’.

But even in the early stages of developing the NNS in Birmingham, a profound and unprecedented challenge to our initiative came along in early 2020 with the arrival of the global Covid-19 pandemic and a lockdown which impacted most notably on the lives of older and disabled people. Rights and freedoms which have been achieved over many decades were restrained in just weeks as older and disabled people were quickly identified as being the most vulnerable to the symptoms of this worrying disease. People found themselves suddenly shielded in their places of residence, distanced from neighbours, relatives, friends and carers in order to keep them safe from the virus, yet in many cases left feeling isolated, lonely and forgotten in their own homes and care homes.

From the start of Covid-19, the existence of the NNS network and our cross-city and constituency-based assets made a major contribution to the lives of older people in the city. Food banks were quickly established, shopping, PPE and medical supplies delivered, information and advice provided, online activities created, and friendship and support offered. Whilst many more structured services struggled to orientate to this escalating catastrophe, the new NNS meant that the community sector in Birmingham was in a well-resourced and flexible position to respond.

The wider aim of the NNS is to encourage people to live their lives in a healthy, independent and fulfilling manner. The Neighbourhood Network Scheme helps connect people to individuals, groups, organisations, activities, services and places in their neighbourhoods. During the past nine months, two of our constituency-based schemes, Sutton Coldfield and Hodge Hill have been piloting a version of the NNS aimed at people in the 18-49 age group who have ‘additional needs’. This has included the mapping of groups, organisations, and services (known as assets) which support this section of Birmingham citizens in the two constituencies. The results of our pilot projects will be published in April 2022 and, subject to funding, will inform the roll-out of an NNS network for people with additional needs aged between 18 and 49 across the whole city.  

This is a very exciting development and a fundamental role of the NNS for younger age groups will continue to be the identification of gaps and provision of support to existing community assets, as well as developing new ones. If this happens, grants will also be available to support community assets across the city as they are currently in the Hodge Hill and Sutton Coldfield Constituencies. Our Small Grants Scheme is designed to support Assets with funds of up to £10,000, especially those working at grass roots and local community level, in any field, across a wide range of activities.

The opening up of the NNS to the younger age group from April 2022 will be a major and important advance for the city, especially in enhancing the relationship between the community and voluntary sector and statutory services such as social care and health services. NNS has seen a fundamental movement towards stronger, user-involved prevention services where people can now turn for support to local grassroots, in many cases self-run organisations and co-produced services.

As the IDPWD celebrates the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for disabled people, in the context of a global pandemic, here in Birmingham we use this opportunity to plan for the future, to continue to challenge marginalisation, discrimination, vulnerability and exploitation but also to build a city with greater access to health and social care, greater empowerment of citizens and greater cooperation and liaison between citizens and their community assets in partnership with the providers of social and health care services.

The time has arrived to learn the lessons of the past and move forward into a brighter and truly inclusive future.

To find out more about the NNS in Hodge Hill and Sutton Coldfield please contact:

Sutton Coldfield: nns@ageconcernbirmingham.org.uk

Blog: https://suttoncoldfieldnns.blogspot.com/

Hodge Hill: HodgeHillNNS@powher.net

To learn more about the NNS across the city of Birmingham please visit the website:

https://birmingham.connecttosupport.org/prevention-and-communities/neighbourhood-network-schemes-nns/

https://www.bvsc.org/neighbourhood-network-schemes-in-birmingham

Or search for local assets at: https://birmingham.connecttosupport.org/