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Welcome to the November edition of Voluntary Voice...

Things don’t seem to be slowing down as we approach the end of the year and the festive season… We’re hosting a focus group at the beginning of December to discuss Multiple Long-term Health Conditions - it would be great if you could join us as the sector’s feedback is an essential part of developing services in York. We’re also busy planning a large event for the sector in the New Year, focusing on the wellbeing and self-care of those who work in the sector. Save the date (4 February) and look out for booking details in the next issue of Voluntary Voice.
 
The General Election is also just a few weeks away. Please read the guidance issued by the Charity Commission (links below), which provides practical and legal advice for the sector during the General Election campaign.
Alison Semmence 
Chief Executive 
Voluntary Sector Focus Group - Multiple Long-term Health Conditions 
Date and time: Tuesday 3 December, 10:00 - 12:00
Location: Priory Street Centre 

The public health team and health partners in York are conducting a Health Needs Assessment on people who live with more than one long-term health condition. As part of this piece of work we are holding a focus group in order to gain the views of the Voluntary Sector. If your organisation works with or supports people who live with multiple long-term health conditions, we would like to invite you to share your views and experiences. Discussions from the event will support our social care partners to plan their services and develop prevention/support opportunities in this area.

If you live in York and live with more than one long-term health condition, there is also an online survey to capture your views and experiences. Complete the survey online.
Book online
Meet the York CVS Team - Growing Green Spaces  
This month we'd like to introduce Stef Lambert, our Growing Green Spaces Co-ordinator. Growing Green Spaces is an initiative designed to beautify, enhance, and sustain York's green spaces by growing and supporting green volunteering across the city. Our small grants fund is open to innovative project ideas from voluntary and community groups. We're interested in creative projects that are designed to attract and develop the skills of a diverse range of volunteers and tap into green spaces' potential to improve biodiversity, health, and wellbeing. We welcome ideas that focus on York's existing green spaces and their horticultural value, but also projects that will green small, neglected spaces. ​Please get in touch with me if you would like to know more about the project: growinggreenspaces@yorkcvs.org.uk
York's first 24hr Safe Place
McDonalds in Blake Street joins 19 other Safe Place locations in York, providing the City’s first 24hr Safe Place! Safe Places are open to anyone who feels unsafe when out and about in their communities. This could include young people, disabled people, those living with dementia or a mental health issue or a learning disability. They are located in public places; in a mix of shops, cafes, libraries and museums around York. If someone feels confused, lost, unwell, or scared they can go into a Safe Place to find a welcoming and supportive space.
More information
Healthwatch York Report: Understanding Experiences of Sight Support Services
Healthwatch York has published a report on people’s experiences of sight support services in York. In developing the report, they surveyed people with sight loss, speaking to both those who received support from an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) and those who didn’t. They also surveyed staff working in the ophthalmology department at York Hospital and social care staff supporting people experiencing sight loss. You can download the full report below. 
Download Report
Well done Emma!
A massive congratulations to Emma, Time to Change Co-ordinator, who completed the Yorkshire Marathon on 20 October. Emma was running for the Blurt Foundation and raised over £1,000! The Blurt Foundation are a social enterprise dedicated to helping those affected by depression. Emma is pictured here with Mental Health Monkey Cody (and an isotonic alcohol-free beer). 
Find out more about the Blurt Foundation
Sector News
General Election Guidance
With the General Election fast approaching, the Charity Commission has published a series of documents providing guidance for charities and the sector during the General Election campaign. The Charity Commission's Chief Executive has also written a blog post on how taking a political stance could 'risk undermining public confidence in charity as something special'. You can read the full blog post online.  
As well as responsibilities under charity law, charities need to be aware of the rules on what is called 'third party campaigning' under electoral law, which may affect your charity. The Electoral Commission has worked closely with charities to produce the following guidance: 'Non-party campaigners: where to start', which uses real-life case studies to provide advice to charity campaigners.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 
In York, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been observed since 2016 with events on and around the day acknowledging the role and skills of people with disabilities. Promoted by a group of individuals representing organisations for people with disabilities, people with disabilities and the voluntary sector, this year sees a varied and exciting programme of events taking place around the city including York Disability Pride, which takes place on Saturday 7 December, from 7pm. 
View full programme of events
Additional Park & Ride Services
Feedback from the Age Friendly York Older People Survey indicated that residents wanted to see improvements in the frequency of buses in the evening. During the countdown to the festive season, there will be additional evening Park & Ride services every Thursday. Evening services currently operate to and from four of the city’s six Park & Ride sites – The Designer Outlet, Askham Bar, Monks Cross and Rawcliffe Bar. However, between 14 November and 21 December there will also be evening services to and from all six Park & Ride sites every Thursday. 
Route and timetable information
Resources
Mental Health & Wellbeing Toolkit Launch 
For World Mental Health Day, the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Growth Hub launched their Mental Health & Wellbeing practical toolkit for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The toolkit is the Growth Hub’s response to the Stevenson and Farmer report for Government – Thriving at Work, and the York North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (YNYER LEP) ESF open call ‘Thriving at Work’, which trains line managers to better manage staff around mental health (as well as supporting people who have a disability and neurodiversity to thrive in the workplace).
Download the mental health toolkit
21st Annual Chairty Awards 
The 21st Annual Charity Awards are now open for entries. The Awards provide an opportunity to propel your charity's work into the spotlight. Submitting an entry is free, and can support your organisation's efforts to influence policy-makers and funders and boost the morale of your staff and stakeholders.
More information
50 for Free: Free stays in historic buildings for charities and non-profits
Building charity The Landmark Trust is offering 50 free self-catering breaks in its amazing historic buildings to charities and non-profit organisations for their nominees in March 2020, absolutely free. Charities can apply by 9am Monday 2 December by filling in a simple form on behalf of people they think would particularly benefit from a stay in a Landmark building – for example, respite stays for personal or professional carers, away-time to plan for the busy third sector, a few days away for disadvantaged children’s groups or struggling families, or a thank you to valued volunteers.  
More information and apply online
Free Safeguarding Resources
NCVO has published a comprehensive collection of free safeguarding resources including, briefings, guides, tools, podcasts and videos. They are straightforward, practical and based on real world experience and the best expertise from across the voluntary sector.
Download resources
B&Q Community Reuse Scheme
B&Q operates a community re-use scheme through all its branches across the UK. The scheme donates unsellable products and materials for re-use by local schools, other educational institutions and community groups, for the benefit of the local community and the environment. 
More information
Funding and Development
JRF York Committee Community Grants
Deadline: 14.00, Wednesday 4 December
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's York Committee makes grants to organisations to help improve the quality of life in York, with particular regard for those who are experiencing or affected by poverty and disadvantage. When considering applications for grants, the York Committee gives priority to applications which fit within their main areas of interest; building and developing strong and empowered communities without poverty or isolation.
More information
Cascading Leadership: free development opportunity for third sector leaders
Cascading Leadership is a free peer-to-peer leadership development programme for voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations working in health and wellbeing. It enables VCS leaders to share their extensive and varied expertise with peers, to talk about some of the challenges they face and to plan new ways of working. To be eligible for the programme, you must be leading a not-for-profit VCS organisation working around health and care.
More information
Grants of up to £5,000 Available for Projects that Help the Homeless 
Deadline for applications: 15 December
Help the Homeless makes grants of up to £5,000 to small and medium sized charitable organisations (with a turnover of less than £1 million) whose aim is to help homeless people return to the community and enabling them to resume a normal life. 
More information
Grants of up to £25k from the Morrisons Foundation
The Morrisons Foundation awards grant funding for charity projects which make a positive difference in local communities. Grants are available to fully fund projects up to £25,000.
More information
Events
Yorspace - Meet the Directors and Residents 
Date and time: Thursday 21 November, 18:30 - 20:30
Location: FortyFive Vinyl Café, Micklegate
As the YorSpace share offer has been extended until 1 December, there is a further opportunity to meet the directors and residents before the share offer ends, to learn more about investing in Yorspace and affordable housing in York. 
Book online
Understanding Domestic Abuse and Children Training 
Date and time: Monday 25 November, 09:30 - 16:30
Location: West Offices, York
Practitioners and volunteers, in York, who regularly work with children and young people directly or indirectly, are invited to attend this training to understand the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people, and to increase the knowledge and capacity of practitioners to intervene effectively to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Book online
Wilberforce Trust Santa Fun Run 
Date and time: 30 November, 11:30 - 16:30
Location: York Knavesmire
Walk, jog or sprint the 3.2k racetrack. You can bring your dog, your pushchair or your wheelchair – everyone is welcome! Help the Wilberforce Trust raise money for their new Living and Learning Zone for people with sight or hearing loss. All runners will be getting a Santa suit (or an elf suit for younger runners), a runner’s number and a medal upon completion. You can also get a selfie with Santa's reindeers before they head back to the North Pole!
More information
Joined up York Christmas Charity Networking
Date and time: 12 December, 19:00 - 21:30
Location: Spark York 
An evening of festivities, knowledge sharing and networking with local charities, CICs, social enterprises and non-profits. All are welcome. 
Book online
Volunteering
Keep an eye on our volunteering page for more volunteering opportunities like the ones below and don't forget to add your opportunities too.
Add a volunteering opportunity
Volunteer Group Assistant
Organisation: York Mind
Closing date: 30 November
York Mind runs Creative Lives groups for young people who are struggling with their emotions and mental health. The groups have been created for young people who are interested in being part of a social and supportive arts group, looking at different topics such as life skills and positive coping strategies. The young people will explore different themes within their groups, using art to encourage engagement. Each group offers 12 weeks of support for young people.
More information
One to One Support
Organisation: Musical Connections
This is for anyone wishing to spend time with older and more vulnerable people - enabling them to get the most out of Musical Connections' music sessions. Volunteers will attend the music group and sit with someone who may need a bit more help either because they have dementia, hearing problems, learning disabilities or just need a bit more help. You can also accompany them on trips to events in other venues, staying one-to-one with that person.
More information
Jobs
For a range of voluntary sector jobs, visit the jobs page on our website. 
Primary Care Link Workers
4.5 posts (Fixed term for one year initially)
Salary: £24,533 (37 hours)
Deadline: Midnight, 27 November
We are currently recruiting for five Primary Care Link Workers responsible for delivering Social Prescribing across the newly formed Primary Care Networks in the City of York for an initial period of one year. The Primary Care Link Workers will work in partnership with the Primary Care Network to deliver Social Prescribing initiatives across the City of York and surrounding area. Successful applicants will be based within a General Practice managed by York CVS.
More information
Asset Coach 
Organisation: Changing Lives
Salary: £23,000 per annum
Deadline: 24 November 
Do you have a passion to work with people, encouraging them to make changes in their life and achieve their goals? Are you able to provide non-judgemental, impartial information to empower individuals to make informed choices? Can you motivate and support individuals on their recovery journey? Yes, then click the button below for more information.
More information
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