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Imago Newsletter - Issue 46 - April 2022
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Wellbeing Matters Plus
We are excited to announce that Imago Community has been chosen as the lead partner for Kent County Council's (KCC) “Universal Wellbeing Service” for Ashford, Canterbury and Swale. The service launched on Friday 1st of April 2022, and will complement our Navigation and Social Prescribing services across Kent.
We will support older people (aged 55 and over and those aged under 55 with complex needs) to maintain and improve their wellbeing and build confidence to help them live as independently as possible. This will include developing and delivering a range of activities using our 6 Ways to Wellbeing framework: Be Active, Keep Learning, Give, Connect, Take Notice and Care for the Planet. We will promote wellbeing and self-management by supporting individuals to continue participating in activities that they enjoy and also to consider a choice of new activities from which they would benefit.
For further details please see our website: www.imago.community/wellbeing-matters-plus or call 0300 373 0560. You can also send us a message on wellbeingmattersplus@imago.community
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Kent Volunteer Partnership
We are pleased to be part of the Kent Volunteer Partnership offering support and guidance to the Voluntary and Community Sector in West Kent. The partnership lead by Ashford Volunteer Centre and funded by KCC launched on 1st February 2022 and includes Swale CVS, North West Kent Volunteer Centre, Involve, Canterbury District Volunteer Centre and Kent Coast Volunteering. This is a pilot initiative to develop a countywide sustainable model of volunteering infrastructure.
As part of the initiative the Kent Volunteers website has been developed for easier access to volunteer opportunities, advice and guidance for volunteer recruitment. Organisations can advertise volunteering opportunities for free and individuals interested in volunteering can find roles to suit their skills. The website also hosts useful resources for organisations.
If you would like to find out further information about the partnership you can send us a message on volunteering@imago.community
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Reintegration into Education
‘Education is the movement from darkness to light’ Allan Bloom
‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’ Nelson Mandela
‘Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything learnt at school’ Albert Einstein
Education is something we receive on a daily basis. After all, life and the learning it provides us, whether that be in a classroom setting, daily exchanges with others, outside in nature or society in general, no matter our age, education crosses our path. All experiences help shape who we are and who we become. For some, formal education may not be something looked upon favorably while others want to be the eternal student and some want a chance to engage with learning whatever form it comes in.
Our Reintegration into Education Coordinators, Tori and Lucy, work with young carer’s to find out what their educational experiences are and what they can become. Over the last 2 years all of us have experienced change in some way and for young carers, that change may have had a negative impact on their education. Imago, together with KCC’s Education Reconnect Programme, developed a provision to help young carers with their educational experience.
Over the past 6 months the team have been in schools across the county offering one to one support in collaboration with our school & educational partners. The team have hosted workshops exploring the dreams and aspirations, hobbies and interests of young carers. We have supported young carers via Zoom and in person to address school anxieties, general study skills, attendance and engagement, helping to acquire digital devices, sparking their curiosity about how a craft or hobby relates to literacy or numeracy.
If you know a young carer struggling with education then our Reintegration into Education Coordinators can help with 121 sessions over a 6-12 week period, contact RTE@imago.community or call us on 0300 111 1110 for more information.
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Safe Team termly updates
The Safe team have hit the ground running this year, we can’t believe it is April already! We were thrilled to complete our first Safe Ambassador training within Kent at Hillview School for Girls in March. The group of yr12 & yr10 students had plenty of fantastic ideas for embedding the Safe Ambassador role within school, we can’t wait to follow-up next term, to find out how they are getting on and what more we can do to support their goals. We are looking forward to delivering more Safe Ambassador training and Safe workshops across Kent this term.
Safe Greenwich continues to be busy with lots of positive feedback from students following our first PSHE day at St Thomas More Catholic School. All year 10 students were able to take part in Self-Harm Awareness and Gender Diversity Workshops. Whether through activities facilitating discussions or giving students an opportunity to explore a range of self-care strategies, we had a great time raising awareness of two such important mental health topics.
We also had a great time delivering our Stress workshop to Tonbridge & Malling Young Carers. The young people shared some fantastic insights into how they have overcome low self-esteem and strategies they find useful for managing stress.
We’ve continued exploring Stress management on Safe Instagram as part of National Stress Awareness Month. Check out @imagosafe for a variety of mental health information, wellbeing techniques and signposting.
The Safe Primary Pilot at Tenterden Junior School is almost complete with year 6 staff and pupils sharing how useful the series of interactive workshops has been for increasing awareness and helping pupils get comfortable talking about mental health. We are excited to review the pilot programme and make Primary Safe available more widely in the near future – watch this space!
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Tracey Crouch's over 55s fair
Earlier this month the Community Navigation team were pleased to attend the Tracey Crouch over 55s fair at The Victory Academy in Chatham. The fair provided retired or residents approaching retirement with opportunities to find out about local clubs, societies and charities and receive advice and guidance from council services. Tina and Ria from our Medway Wellbeing Navigation service were on hand to speak to residents about the services Imago can provide.
The service offers free and impartial advice and guidance to help you get the assistance you need through holistic assessments with individuals, families and carer's.
For more information on how the team can help you, call 0300 011 1965.
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The 2022 Kent Charity Award nominations are now open!
Entries can now be submitted for the Kent Charity Awards. The awards showcase the hardwork charities undertake throughout the year.
Categories are:
- Trustee of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Children’s Charity of the Year
- Disability and Mental Health Charity of the Year
- Animal, Environment and Wildlife Charity of the Year
- Care Charity of the Year
- Community Charity or Community Project of the Year
- Start Up (established between 1-3 years) Charity of the Year
- Large Charity of the Year – £5 million +
- Best Use of Volunteers Charity of the Year
- Best use of Marketing, PR and Social Media Charity of the Year
- Other – if you cannot find a category that best fits your charity
To make a nomination you will need to complete an entry form, to find out more information go to kent charity awards
Deadline: 6th June
Application: Entry Form - Kent Charity Awards
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Workshop: Working together to support improved mental health for children and young people
Kent and Medway CCG have recently commissioned a piece of work to help develop a greater understanding of how the VCSE and CCG, working together, can see improved outcomes for children and young people who have emotional wellbeing and mental health problems.
As part of the work, Peopletoo, the company commissioned to undertake the work, are running a workshop for all VCSE organisations.
The workshop will explore the skills, knowledge, attributes, and abilities that are uniquely present in the VCSE sectors with a view to designing a framework where these can be better recognised for joint working and the future commissioning of services.
When: 28th April, 10am-12:30pm
Where: Lenham Community Centre
Book:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vcse-workshop-tickets-310351087457
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VCSE Steering Group Listening Events
The VCSE Steering Group for Kent and Medway is currently reviewing its priorities, governance and how to engage better with VCSE organisations.
Background
During the initial stages of the pandemic from March to December 2020, the chief executive of the Kent Community Foundation was asked by Kent County Council to form a VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise sector) recovery cell to help identify and address the impact of the pandemic for the charitable sector in Kent and the local communities it serves. This recovery cell evolved to become the VCSE Steering Group for Kent and Medway.
The Steering Group was formed in January 2021 and since then it has been meeting monthly to discuss key issues affecting the sector and identifying which topics need to be addressed by the statutory bodies and the sector themselves in the county. The SPB provides a forum to raise issues that can be addressed by the statutory bodies. There are currently 13 members of the group made up mainly of large, strategic charitable organisations covering a spread of causes including homelessness, domestic violence, youth violence, children’s mental health, elderly and vulnerable adults, volunteering, among others.
According to feedback from the charitable sector on the KCC Civil Society Strategy and the county’s statutory partners, there is a desire for the group to continue its work. Organisations involved in the VCSE and statutory sectors are being asked for their views on the role and structure of the Steering Group going forward.
To gather views from organisations across the county, there are three listening events to give people in the sector an opportunity to share their views about the Steering Group. Or you can complete an online survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/VCSESteeringGroupreviewApril2022/ closing date 29th April
Events:
9th May, 2pm - 4pm (Canterbury, Thanington Resource Centre) BOOK HERE
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Localgiving Ukraine Emergency Campaign
Localgiving, a non-profit fundraising platform for grassroots organisations are offering organisations supporting Ukraine and refugees six months free membership. This is open to registered charities, community groups and non-profit companies, all organisations can access Gift Aid on eligible donations through the Localgiving platform.
Organisations delivering a fundraising campaign to support refugees will get access to:
- A six month free membership
- Training and mentoring from our team of qualified fundraisers
- Opportunities to apply for extra funding through grant programmes
Apply: Free 6 month trial with Localgiving for charities supporting refugees
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Volunteering Expo Live is coming!
The volunteering show comes to Birmingham NEC on 6-7th May 2022 and is a great opportunity for anyone working or volunteering in the voluntary sector.
Exhibitors include Age UK, Carers UK, St Johns Ambulance, Crisis and many more.
Visitor tickets are free and can be booked here
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Share you experience of charity banking
NAVCA are asking you to share your experiences of issues around bank accounts which have affected charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.
Charity infrastructure bodies CFG, NCVO, ACRE and WCVA are collecting as much information as possible about the difficulties organisations have encountered. By completing this survey, your experiences will give an understanding of the scale and scope of the issues.
Deadline: 6th May
Survey: Charity banking challenges (office.com)
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A Good Thing
A new not-for-profit has launched that matches charities up with local business. The idea is that business with surplus resources donate these to charities who very much need it and will put it to good use. Anything can be donated from IT equipment to baby blankets.
Sign up: A Good Thing | Connecting business with charities
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Kent Community Foundation - Grassroots Carers Respite Fund (Individuals)
Adults caring for one or more individuals over the age of 18, who are seeking a break from their long-term caring responsibilities, can be nominated for an award of between £200-£600. The Fund will consider requests for various forms of respite including; short holidays, weekend breaks, pamper days and day trips.
Examples of professionals that can nominate an individual or family include (but are not limited to): charity employees, social workers, GPs and specialist doctors, occupational therapists or teachers.
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme
For more information: https://kentcf.org.uk/funding/individuals
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The Philip & Connie Phillips Foundation
The Philip & Connie Phillips Foundation are open for applications for their 5th grant round, awarding grants in the region of £5-£10k.
Are you a charity based in and operating in the area covered by Kent County Council & Medway?
Do you have a total annual income of between £10,000 and £1million?
If so, and you can demonstrate an impact on health and wellbeing in your local area, take the short quiz on the website to find out if you're eligible: https://pcphillipsfoundation.org/about/
Deadline: 31st May 2022
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The Arnold Clark Community Fund
Grants of up to £1,000 are available for UK registered charities and other not-for profit organisations who need financial assistance due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
Deadline: 30th June 2022
For more information: https://www.arnoldclark.com/community-fund
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The Lush 'Charity Pot' Grant
Charity Pot was set up in 2007 with the aim of supporting small, grassroots organisations that could use a helping hand to continue the incredible work that they do.
We prefer to fund smaller organisations, especially those who have limited resources and struggle to find funding elsewhere. Almost all the groups funded by Charity Pot have an annual income of less than £250 000 (most are substantially less) and run entirely or predominantly by volunteers. Charity Pot grants provide targeted funding to the small, grassroots groups.
Grants are available from £100 - £10,000
Deadline: Ongoing
Guidlines & Application: Charity Pot Funding Guidelines | LUSH
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Postcode Community Trust - Magic Little Grants Fund
Grants of up to £500 are available to small local charities and community groups for projects that address themes set out by the funders. This year's funding can go toward any of the following project themes:
• Improving mental wellbeing
• Enabling community participation in the arts
• Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
• Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality
• Improving biodiversity and green spaces
• Enabling participation in physical activity
• Responding to the climate emergency and promoting sustainability
• Increasing community access to outdoor space
Funding can be used to launch new projects, support existing ones, or cover core costs associated with ongoing work. Organisations must either be in their first year of operation or have an annual income under £250,000.
Deadline: 31st October 2022
For more information: https://localgiving.org/about/magic-little-grants
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Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust (Kent)
Grants of between £500 and £75,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations for projects that improve the quality of life for people in Kent and Medway, and most notably those who are the most disadvantaged. It offers five funding programmes:
• Investing in Young People
• Investing in Communities
• Investing in Families
• Investing in Rehabilitation
• Hardship Awards
Deadline: None specified
For more information: https://www.cfct.org.uk
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Training & Events from Funding for All
Funding for All have some free opportunities coming up to support with fundraising. There will be a mix of Webinars, 1:1 Funding Advice and a virtual conference. See below and also head to Funding for All Events | Eventbrite for all dates and to book a space.
- Funding Surgery - 27th April, 45min 1:1s between 10am-2pm Swalecliffe & Chesterfield Community Centre
- Webinar - Funding for Environmental Groups 28th April, 2pm
- Funding Surgery - 29th April, 20min 1:1s between 10am-2pm Maidstone Community Support Centre or virtual
- Kent & Medway Funding Advice Day -13th May 10am-3pm Lenham Community Centre
- Webinar - Claiming Gift Aid 17th May, 10am
- Webinar - Evaluating & Measuring Impact 17th May, 2pm
- First Steps to Fundraising - 20th May 10am-12pm Virtual Conference
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Recruitment: The Kent School Health Service
The Kent School Health service (part of Kent Community Health Foundation NHS Trust) has exciting opportunities to join their Children and Young Peoples Counselling team for both Counsellors and Senior Counsellors on fixed term contracts until March 2023. For further information contact Clinical Lead Jane Edwards on:
T: 07824 608271
E: jedwards21@nhs.net
KCHFT Counsellor vacancy
Closing date 15th May
KCHFT Senior Counsellor vacancy
Closing date 8th May
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Creative research project Brighton & Sussex Medical School and University of Brighton
We are looking for people who live in Sussex, Surrey or Kent to take part in three virtual workshops in May 2022. The workshops will be facilitated by experienced artistic professionals and will be looking to lead discussions and share stories of resilience. The main aim is to develop health education resources (e.g. video, leaflets etc.) to support mental health and wellbeing of ethnic minority communities. The workshops will provide the opportunity to learn skills in storytelling in poetry, image-making and arts.
In addition to the workshops, you will have the opportunity to be involved in three further online meetings should this interests you. The online meetings will focus on the development of educational resources mainly discussing the content, structure and format of the resources. You will receive a £25 voucher per workshop and meeting as a thank you for attending.
Please get in touch with Priya Paudyal and Kathryn Stanley via email:
p.paudyal@bsms.ac.uk and K.Stanley@bsms.ac.uk
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Concept Theatre Presents: I'm Just A Little Bit OCD
Concept Theatre is an award-winning theatre company, specialised in creating high-quality, innovative theatre, through various styles for audiences of all ages, & founded by East 15 Acting School graduates.
Ria Fay, author and director of this piece, has had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for over 20 years &
decided to create a show that educated & entertained people whilst tackling some of the more unspoken
themes of OCD.
For more information, photos, interviews, comps or media, contact at: concepttheatre@gmail.com or concepttheatre.co.uk
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and The National Lottery Community Fund
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Online Refugee Mental Health & Place conference, 13 May 2022, 10:00-17:00.
This conference will bring together scholars, activists, artists, policy makers and people with lived experience to explore and examine what it means to be a refugee in a particular place and how this can be relevant to mental health. We imagine place as a complex domain that can include risk factors such as neighbourhood violence, poor housing conditions and social isolation or protective and resilience factors such as community ties, gainful employment and therapeutic potential of green and recreational spaces. We will seek to understand how social, material, cultural, environmental, political and institutional dimensions and characteristics of places constitute and affect refugee mental health in a post-migration context.
The conference is hosted by the Refugee Mental Health and Place network in collaboration with the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health and the Department of Population Health Sciences at King's College London.
Download the conference programme and register here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/refugee-mental-health-and-place-conference
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