Voluntary Voice December 2019

Welcome to the December edition of Voluntary Voice...

With the festive season and New Year fast approaching, it's a busy time of year! We're currently planning for 2020 with a full programme of forums and events, including our Wellbeing and Self-care for the Voluntary Sector event on 4 February. If you work or volunteer in the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector in York, then it's a must attend event. We'll be hearing from guest speakers as well as partaking in a number of interactive workshops but not like we've seen before. The workshops all focus on practical guidance and activities for wellbeing and self-care. There'll also be goody boxes for all attendees!

As this is the final Voluntary Voice of 2019, on behalf of everyone here at York CVS, I hope you have a wonderful festive season and a very happy New Year.

Alison Semmence
Chief Executive

Meet the York CVS Team - Priory Street Centre Conference and Events Team
In this issue of Voluntary Voice, we're introducing our Priory Street Centre Conference and Events Team. Meet Aine Abbott, Conference and Events Team Leader, Carol Ripley, Deb Duncan and Finola Macdonald, Conference and Events Assistants. The team ensure you receive a warm welcome and organise everything you need to deliver a successful meeting or event. They manage refreshments, room set-up and equipment hire. The Priory Street Centre offers special discounted rates for voluntary sector groups and organisations and a 'room of the month' with extra discounts. Visit priorystreetcentre.org.uk for more information.

Sector News

Musical Connections: Spreading Singing Joy
At the start of December, our Communications and Engagement Officer, Anna Boad had the pleasure of joining Honeysuckle Singers, a Musical Connections group, who meet at St Edward the Confessor Church on Tadcaster Road, every Wednesday.

The group were busy practicing for their upcoming sponsored Christmas 'singathon' at Tesco Askham Bar on 18 December. The 'singathon' involves singing for 1 hour straight, with only 10 seconds breather allowed between each song. If you're in the area in the morning, please pop in and show your support for the group which has an infectious love of singing and coming together to enjoy singing.

“It really does lift your spirits, it makes us so happy”
Dot, Honeysuckle Singer

The Musical Connections weekly community music groups and choirs are open to everyone with every range of ability catered for. No musical training or experience is necessary with the musical programmes challenging age-related stereotypes, and embracing intergenerational activities. Visit their website at musicalconnections.org.uk to find out more and discover your local group.

Community Links – York Housing Wellbeing Service Survey
Community Links would like to invite the sector to provide feedback on their York Housing Wellbeing Service. The deadline for completing the survey is 31 December. Please click the button below to complete the online survey.

Complete Survey

Artworks on the theme of identity needed for charity auction
York Mind and Rethink York Group, two York-based mental health charities, are calling for talented local artists to donate original artworks for a fundraising exhibition and auction in early 2020.

This popular annual fundraising exhibition and auction will run between the 25 February and the 23 March 2020 at the City Screen Gallery on Coney Street. The theme for the event is ‘Identity’ and will see donated artworks displayed on the wall and silent bids taken from the public. At the end of the exhibition, works are sold to the highest bidder, and all proceeds will directly benefit the two charities.

Since the first collaborative event in 2016, over £5000 has been raised to support local people living with mental health problems, and this year the two charities hope to make the event an even bigger success. Artists wishing to donate works should get in touch by contacting: artauction@yorkmind.org.uk

Move the Masses New Website
Move the Masses has launched their new website which is packed with lots of information about how to get involved, how to volunteer and how to partner with them, as well as information about how to create healthy communities. Click the button below to take a look.

Take a look

Join thousands of blood donors in York saving lives this Christmas
Blood donation sessions will take place on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve at the National Centre for Early Music in York. There are lots of available appointments: Thursday 26 December, 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 15:30; Tuesday 31 December 9:30 – 11:30 and 12:30 – 14:30.

Blood stocks always fall at Christmas and it’s vital to maintain healthy stock levels in preparation for Winter, when the demand for blood increases. Book an appointment or register to give blood at blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.

Have your say on the council's budget
Following on from the council plan consultation where residents, partners and stakeholders said what the council’s priorities for the next four years should be, the council are wanting to hear from you about what they should spend their money on.

The consultation asks what you think the council should do about council tax, the social care precept and investment. It also asks what the council should spend more or less on projects, and what the money should be spent on in terms of good health and wellbeing, as well as other council plan priorities. For more information visit www.york.gov.uk/budget.

Complete Survey

Good Governance Code Review
The Charity Governance Code steering group are seeking the sector's views on the current version of the Code. As part of the consultation, the steering group are proposing a ‘light refresh’ of the Code in 2020, with more far-ranging changes taking place in 2023. The consultation will close on 28 February.

Complete Survey

Resources

Free management consultancy and HR advice for charities
Cranfield Trust is an independent national charity, providing management consultancy and HR advice to any registered charity or social enterprise with a charitable purpose, through their online service, HRNet. Charities can access thousands of model HR documents and get tailored answers to their HR questions. Those who join will also receive a regular e-newsletter with the most up-to-date information on employment regulation and practice.

There are also a number of other free resources available to support your charity or organisation which include everything from business strategy and planning, governance to GDPR and digital support. They are able to offer all their services at no cost, thanks to the support of funders, individual donors, corporate partners and their network of skilled volunteers. View all the resources available by clicking the link below.

View resources

Cyber Security Checklist
Charity Digital has published their 2020 Cyber Security Checklist which offers a few starting points to get organisations thinking about how to approach cyber security in 2020. The list includes guidance on how to prepare for new cyber threats, ransomware, anti-virus software, mobile and cloud security.

View checklist

Funding and Development

Asda Foundation Grants for Local Community Projects
The Asda Foundation is committed to developing stronger, better connected, sustainable communities across the UK. The Significant Local Community Projects programme allows colleagues to nominate initiatives which will make a real long-term difference, benefiting the wider community and transforming communities to improve lives locally. Grants awarded have previously ranged from £2,600 – £32,000 (in 2017) although no minimum or maximum amounts are published. Any charity or organisation wishing to apply should first approach their local store to see if their project is something that the Community Champion would be willing to support. Applications can be submitted at any time.

More information

BBC Children in Need Main Grants
Deadline: 13 January 2020
BBC Children in Need has made changes to the main grants programme to make it quicker, simpler and clearer for applicants. Not-for-profit organisations that work with disadvantaged children and young people aged 18 and under in the UK can apply. Organisations must have been active for at least three years, have an income under £2million and must be registered before applying for funding. Grants over £10,000 per year are available to support projects for up to three years.

More information

Funding for Sports Clubs
City of York Council's (CYC) Sport and Active Leisure Team are making funding for sports clubs accessible through their Small Grants Fund and their Hub Club Fund. Funding applications will be considered from any sports club in the CYC area. The Small Grants Fund can help clubs and organisations, with grants available for:

coach and volunteer training
equipment costs
venue hire
new activity programmes

For more information on how to apply, please click on the button below.

More information

National Garden Scheme Community Gardens Award
Deadline: 31 December 2019
Grants of up to £5,000 are available from the National Garden Scheme Community Gardens Award. Community groups can apply for funding to create a garden or similar project (such as an allotment) with horticultural focus for the benefit of their local community. Projects should aim to bring a community together by being a space people can share, by the acquisition and sharing of gardening knowledge and skills and by inspiring a love of gardening.

More information

Events

Wellbeing and Self-care in the Voluntary Sector
Date and time: 4 February, 10:00 - 14:00
Location: Main Hall, Priory Street Centre
This isn't your usual conference... we won't be asking you to get involved in any roundtable discussions or to write on any flip chart paper! This event is centred around those who work or volunteer in the sector and will explore ways to improve wellbeing and to discover techniques and guidance for self-care. We have a number of workshops planned including: Mental Health and Nutrition, Potting with Growing Green Spaces, Art Creativity and Meditation. Booking is essential.

Book online

Voluntary Sector Forum - Volunteer Management
Date and time: 11 February, 10:00 - 12:00
Location: Priory Street Centre
As well as an opportunity to share best practice, this meeting will also provide a unique opportunity to network with local volunteer managers. A poll will decide the topic of this meeting - you can vote online using the button below.

Book online

Association of Chairs Workshop
Date and time: 18 March, 09:30 - 17:00
Location: Priory Street Centre

Are you a Chair or Vice Chair of a charity, non-profit or community organisation with an annual income of under £1 million? Are you keen to develop your leadership skills with your trustee board and executive team? The Association of Chairs is running a full day workshop from their Beacon Programme0 for Chairs and Vice Chairs of smaller charities, in partnership with Community First Yorkshire. Book online below to develop your skills and share experiences of 'Being An Effective Chair' and 'Developing An Effective Board Team'. Refreshments and a networking lunch are included.

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

Age UK York Volunteer
Organisation: Age UK York
Age UK York has a variety of volunteer roles within the services they offer in Age UK York, including: befriending, respite care, retail, day clubs, shopping, reception and keep your pet. Click the button below to find out how you can get involved.

More information

Fundraising Volunteer
Organisation: Shopmobility York
Shopmobility York are looking for volunteers to help support them throughout the year. They have a number of regular events and are always looking for new ideas to help promote their service and to raise funds. At present they need help with a street collection in the city centre.

More information

Jobs

For a range of voluntary sector jobs, visit the jobs page on our website.

Business Support Officer
Organisation: KYRA Women's Project
Salary: 30k per rata (18.5 hours per week)
Deadline: 10 January 2020
The Business Support Officer will manage the services of KYRA Women's Project, ensuring that the needs of the members are fully met and will manage a team of paid staff/volunteers and ensure that services are provided in accordance with policies and procedures. They will also raise awareness of the work of KYRA Women's Project and best practice in relation to service provision, influencing stakeholders and policy makers.

More information

Administrative Assistant
Organisation: York Area Quaker Meeting
Salary: £13.48 per hour
Deadline: 20 January 2020
York Area Quaker Meeting are looking for an Administrative Assistant to support the Clerk of Trustees of York Area Meeting. This is a new role working virtually under the direction of the Clerk of Trustees to support the work of the trustees who are drawn from across North Yorkshire. The post holder will have excellent communication and organisational skills and flexibility to help the trustees maintain oversight of key charity activities.

More information

Top Tweets...

Are you following @YorkCVS on Twitter? Don't forget to '@ us' so we can retweet and love your tweets! Here's just some of our favourites from the past couple of weeks...

Follow: @AgeFriendlyYork
"We want older residents to become active citizens, shaping the place that they live alongside local groups, councils and businesses".

Follow: @priorytweet
Visit: www.priorystreetcentre.org.uk
Conference space and room hire in the heart of #York. All of our profits go towards supporting local charities in the city.

Follow: @YMenfulness
Inclusive social community for York Men. To socialise, exercise, talk and left off steam. Supporting Men's mental & physical wellbeing & health #dontmanup

Follow: @YorkeyDads
A social hub for York Dads, Stepdads Grandads, carers + soon to be Dads. Connecting Dads in York with activities, meetings and online support.

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