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WELCOME TO THE LATEST NEWSLETTER OF THE COMMUNITY HUBS PROJECT
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A poster at the Keepers Community Hub open day.
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COMMUNITY HUBS STEERING GROUP
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We now have an agreed Theory of Change which sets out the overall vision for the project – Resourced, Cohesive, Resilient and Socially Connected Communities across Stroud District - and what we think needs to happen in order to achieve it. It's not the most user friendly of diagrams - if you are brave enough to take a closer look, you will see that this project is based on a number of assumptions, requires action and change on multiple levels, from individuals and community groups on the ground, to people in positions of power and influence in different public sector organsations and grant giving bodies.
My role for the next few months is going to focus on the following:
- Map coverage of district
- Develop tool to help community groups assess their resource needs and capacity
- Produce a costed plan for the district, using case studies from existing hubs showing the value of their work
- Establish peer network of community hubs to share, learn, connect and reflect
Other actions identified in the Theory of Change will be taken up by members of the Steering Group as well as key partners. If you would like to be involved or think you can help in any of the above, please email me at miranda@cscic.org
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COVERAGE ACROSS THE DISTRICT
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Congratulations to Painswick Community Support and 'Top of Town' Community Hub in Stroud for being the latest hubs to be added to the network.
Painswick Community Support are currently transitioning from a group that focused on providing emergency support during the acute phase of the pandemic to a community group with around 30 volunteers who can help with practical needs of residents. They also run a 'pay as you feel' community café at the Town Hall every Friday from 0930-1100.
'Top of Town' Community Hub run a café at their hub on Bisley old road on Tuesdays from 1030-1230 and a food hub on Wednesdays from 1700-1800 and Saturdays 1100-1300. |
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The community café in Painswick during half term.
If you would like your community group/hub added to the map, please write to me at miranda@cscic.org
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The draft assessment tool will soon be ready for piloting. It will initially be for groups/ hubs that are either in the process of becoming constituted or are already constituted. It is intended to help them assess their capacity and resource needs. However, it has become clear over the last few months that support is also needed to help groups form, build community in their area, be inclusive, manage conflict and collaborate. I will therefore be working with Stroud Town's Community Development officer and the existing hubs to put together a resource pack for those groups who are just starting out.
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Loan Shark Advice
The purpose of loan shark training is to provide information and knowledge about the issue and how to help those who have borrowed from illegal lenders. The length of the session is approximately one hour and will show the impact that illegal lenders have on victims and communities and how to work together to stop people falling into the clutches of criminals.
- 10-11am: Thursday 7th April 2022 – click here to book your place.
- 10-11am: Monday 11th April – click here to book your place.
- 10-11am: Tuesday 26th April – click here to book your place.
- 10-11am: Wednesday 27th April – click here to book your place.
- 10-11am: Friday 6th May – click here to book your place.
- 10-11am: Tuesday 10th May – click here to book your place.
- 10-11am: Thursday 12th May – click here to book your place.
- 10-11am: Thursday 19th May – click here to book your place.
- 10-11am: Thursday 26th May – click here to book your place.
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Mental Health
These include Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Lite (1/2 day awareness course) and MHFA (2 day in depth).
These funded courses are organised by the County Council's Healthy Lifestyles Service (HLS) and they are free of charge to those working/volunteering for public and VCS sector organisations who come across members of the public (eg support workers, those working to support carers, supporting those who are struggling with finances etc.) To ensure full access for all, the HLS may have to limit places to 2 people per organisation.
Dates are as follows:
Mental Health First Aid (Awareness) Half Day-
- 0900-1300, Thurs 10 March (virtual)
- 0900-1300, Mon 21 March (Eastgate House, GL1 1PX)
- 1230-1630, Wed 30 March (Eastgate House, GL1 1PX)
- 0900-1300, Wed 13 April (Eastgate House, GL1 1PX)
Mental Health First Aid (full course) 2 day-
- 0930-1600, 17/18th March (Eastgate House, GL1 1PX)
To book on to any of the facilitated training courses, please contact info@hlsglos.org with the following information: Name, Email, Role, Organisation/Group and which course you'd like to attend.
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Suicide Prevention:
Community groups can access free and available online training which includes:
- Zero Suicide Alliance Gateway and Let’s Talk training
- Grassroots Real Talk About Suicide
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Listed below are some FREE resources to help community groups remain resilient.
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Locality: Finding the right legal structure, Community Engagement, Communication, Collaboration, Business Planning; Diversity
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Seeds for Change: Campaigns, Facilitation, Running workshops
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RHS Community Wellbeing grant - grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 for gardening projects that positively impact wellbeing. The closing date is 7th March.
Rotary Stroud Community awards - grants of £500 for projects run by groups or 'small' organisations that either: work with vulnerable or disadvantaged children or adults, or with a deprived community; are responding to a need brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic; are staffed mainly by volunteers. The closing date is 17th April.
Gloucestershire Funders - This is a group of major funders who came together during the pandemic to simplify the application process for charities, people and groups. Barnwood Trust are currently acting as the central point of contact and applicants can submit their proposals thorughout the year. Gloucestershire Funders meet regularly and commit to responding to all applicants within one month of submission.
The Build Back Better - Councillor Scheme: This is a grant fund open to community groups across Gloucestershire to be spent on projects to support the county’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Each County Councillor has £40,000 to spend in their community over the next four years. The scheme is open to a wide range of groups and projects including in areas such as:
- nature and the environment
- physical and mental wellbeing
- digital inclusion
- building connections and improving neighbourhoods.
Applications will be accepted from community and voluntary organisations, charities, community interest companies, town and parish councils, sports groups and other not for profit groups. It is a rolling grants fund which will run from 30th July 2021 until 31st January 2025. All applications must be supported by your local County Councillor, who you can find here.
Build Back Better Market Town Fund: This fund from Gloucestershire County Council aims to support local communities to build back better by supporting the delivery of community events and therefore boost the economy of the county’s Market Towns and high streets. Bids ranging from £1000 to £25,000 can support any activity that helps Market Towns and High Streets to recover from the impact of pandemic and revitalise local shops, businesses and tourism such as running a farmer’s market, a vintage car show, a music festival, a Christmas /spring market, summer fete or other community event.
Community Ownership Fund (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) - The government is providing £150 million over 4 years to support community groups in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost. Voluntary and community groups can bid for match funding to acquire important assets and run them for the benefit of the local community.
The start date for the second round of funding has been delayed until spring 2022 to ensure lessons from the first round can be learnt. An updated prospectus, assessment guidance and application form will be published in May 2022. Alongside this, additional support will be offered to interested groups to help as many projects as possible to benefit from the fund.
Parish and Town Councils
Don't forget to check your own local council for possible funding streams. For example, Rodborough Parish Council's grant scheme is currently open for applications - closing date is 31 March.
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- 8th March, 1030-1300: Independence Trust One Stop Shop at Trinity Rooms Community Hub, Field Road, Stroud. This will be an opportunity for the public and organisations to get up-to-date information on projects and services in the Stroud area. Citizens Advice will be holding an Energy Clinic for anyone who'd like to talk about energy related matters as well as personal and confidential help with, for example, debt and benefits.
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- The Gloucestershire DigiBus is coming to Stroud district, starting in Wotton-under-Edge on the 8th April and ending in Saul on 3rd May. DigiBus is a digital inclusion project to educate and inspire people of all ages. The project aims to improve skills and confidence using digital technology, to help better connect people and reduce social isolation in the county. Check out here which locations DigiBus is stopping at; you can also book a free session with a trainer.
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A heads up regarding New Local's Stronger Things 2022 event which is taking place on 29-30th March. An impressive line up of speakers hoping to inspire the public sector to transform public services and unlock community power. You can attend online or in person and it's free!
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