0-25 VCS Forum Newsletter - 10th July 2024

If you work with children, young people and families within Dorset, we have all the latest news and updates for you.

Be the first to know what funding, training, events, meetings, vacancies and latest resources straight away by signing up to our bi-weekly news alerts.

** You can find the minutes and all supporting articles and presentations from the last meeting of the 0-25 VCS Forum held on 30^th April here: 0-25 VCS Forum Meetings & Minutes (dorsetyouth.com)

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

** As you know, we like to make it quicker and easier for you to find the information you need so you can get on with the doing! So we have created a webpage dedicated to accessing LAG funding - it has a link directly to the funding form for you (you don't have to be a member now) BUT we do highly recommend that you do - its a great way to meet other local organisations and schools within the area you work in.

LAG FUNDING WEBPAGE - Local Alliance Groups LAG's (dorsetyouth.com)

We are still advocating that schools link up and partner with local VCS orgs - if you are able to support your local school get in touch with them now to work out a plan!

PARTNERSHIPS - if you would like help looking for a partner(s) for funding, get in touch and we can help point you in the right direction.

Don't forget to use the 0-25 knowledge hub to find services and if you aren't on there as a service or activity - WHY NOT!!??? How can people find you if they don't know what you do!

As always keep up the amazing work and PLEASE just ask - we are here to help you!

** All the latest available LAG meeting minutes and future dates are now online here: 0-25 VCS Forum Meetings & Minutes (dorsetyouth.com) this blog will be updated as further minutes and information becomes available, so please check back later**

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

0-25 VCS FORUM - UPCOMING EVENTS!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!

* Tuesday 15th October 2024 - 0-25 VCS Forum General Meeting (face to face) (n.b. this date replaces the 8th October as previously noted)

* Monday 10th February 2025 - 0-25 VCS Forum General Meeting (face to face)

*** KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MORE 0-25 VCS FORUM EVENTS AND TRAINING COMING SOON! ***

** Join Dorset Council Children's Services for the next Let’s Talk SEND event on 17th July at 13:30pm. This session will provide valuable information about summer activities, ways to access support during the summer holidays, and an open Q&A where you can ask anything about services for families with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Event Details:

• Date: 17th July
• Time: 13:30 - 2:30 pm

Topics Covered:

• Summer activities for children with SEND
• Accessing support during the summer holidays
• The Local Offer
• Open Q&A session on SEND services

How to Participate:

• Register for the event: Let's Talk SEND - Dorset Council
• Pre-submit your questions: Q&A online form (Live questions are also welcome!)

We always receive many excellent questions at each event, and while we may not have time to answer all of them during the session, we provide a full write-up afterwards. You can view all previously asked questions and their answers from our team here: Let's Talk SEND - Dorset Council (in the "related articles" box).

IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND REQUEST FROM VIV ALLEN at DORPIP

As a key part of our professional community, I am reaching out to you with an exciting initiative that is close to our hearts: the "Dorset Wide Manifesto for the First 1001 Days." We introduced this at our Building Brighter Futures;Speaking up for Babies conference last month which was a huge success – with all the attendees inspired and empowered to make a changein Dorset.

Our manifesto outlines a commitment to advocating for the well-being, health, and optimum development of infants during the first1001 days, ensuring that every child has the best possible start in life. We believe that through collective action, we can create a supportive environment that nurtures the full potential of every infant in Dorset. You can read the full manifesto here

Your dedication to social causes and community support plays a vital role in our society. The manifesto calls for collaborative efforts to provide holistic support to families, addressing issues such as poverty, housing, and mental health. By signing, you reinforce your commitment to a multi-faceted approach to early childhood development.

We invite you to pledge your support by signing our manifesto.

Your support will help amplify our message and drive positive change for the youngest members of our society.

To read and sign the manifesto, please click on the link below:
https://www.dorpip.org.uk/dorset-wide-manifesto-for-1001-days

By signing, you will be joining a community of professionals dedicated to making a difference. We also encourage you to share this email with your network to further extend our reach.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Together, we can make a profound impact on the lives of babies and their families.

Viv Allen

Founder and CEO DorPIP

Dorset's Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Assembly website is now fully launched.

It sets out the what, where, why, and how of the Assembly's operations and purposes. It also tells you who is involved and what work is being done and planned.

The Assembly has been through an extensive and lengthy co-production process to ensure that it can to the most good, in as fair a manner as possible, and in a way that underpins the trust of everyone that works with it.

The website content captures this spirit of service, openness, and fairness and will be the main platform for sharing the ongoing activities and opportunities and concerns of the Assembly. This is taken from the website:

We are all involved in supporting one another in our communities – together we are the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). Everyone in the VCS is a partner in the Assembly and everyone's voice counts.

The Dorset Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA) aspires to greater representation of issues that are experienced by the VCS, creates stronger connections within the VCS, and facilitates increased networking and collaboration within the VCS and with partners from other sectors in the community.

The Assembly works by bringing together people and organisations to work on issues as they arise. At any point there may be a range of activities happening in the Assembly, run by different people, but connected under the umbrella of the wider purposes of the Assembly.

Its mission is to build trusting relationships within the VCS and between the VCS and other partners, and provide a fair and equitable way for people to be involved in its activities.

The Assembly is also the formal link between the VCS and the wider Integrated Care System (ICS) in Dorset, which includes public and private sector organisations.

If you would like to find out more about Dorset's VCS Assembly then please have a look at all the information that is now available on the Assembly website. Click on the link below to view it.

Dorset's VCS Assembly Website

If you have a moment to share this story, or want to add it to your next newsletter, please do so. The more we share this, the more the Assembly can fulfil its role to serve the VCS across Dorset.

Thank you for your help.

Jon Sloper
Interim Programme Director
[email protected]

For information and updates from the Dorset Council Children's Services Local Alliance Groups follow this link: 0-25 VCS Forum Meetings & Minutes (dorsetyouth.com)

** The Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership (SCP) Policies and Procedures Manual has been updated.
The manual is available to view at: https://www.proceduresonline.com/pandorset_scb/

** Monday saw the launch of Kooth's new summer campaign, which aims to encourage young people to step away from social media and Go Somewhere Good instead.

As a safe space dedicated to supporting young people’s mental health, Kooth is on a mission to help students find their way to better mental health. “Go Somewhere Good” will inspire young people with ideas of good places and things to do over the holiday that don’t cost anything, are likely to boost their mental wellbeing, while encouraging young people to spend less time on their phone.

The Go Somewhere Good hub provides students, families and schools access to the campaign and an array of support from videos, podcast & students our mental health writers to support students with their emotional health and well being.

For the first time ever, we’re incentivising young people to get involved, vote for their favourite idea, and get the chance to win a prize! We’re giving away a prize each day for 50 days - anything from a Kooth “SoGood” skateboard, hoodie, sun hat, water bottle, sunglasses, frisbee or book vouchers

All the videos and photos of good things to do and places to go we’re using in the campaign are sourced from young people for young people via our collaboration with Participation People. And we will be sharing some wonderful new 1 minute meditation videos too.

We are promoting the campaign direct to young people by;

• Collaborating with a paid social media influencer “BogMan” who can help promote our message to his 580,000 followers.

• Promotion across TikTok and Instagram

• KoothKlass webinars live streamed direct to classrooms x 11 (note: June alone will see us talking to 33,000 young people!)

• Local engagements in assemblies and ongoing summer outreach to a wide network of community youth groups throughout the summer.

We are supporting professionals & parents to advocate for the campaign via

• Facebook advertising and PR/advertorials to reach parents

• Tailored newsletters sent to our database of 41,000 professional referrers, and paid emails to another 43,000 teaching staff

** Families are benefitting from the Safeguarding Families Together (SFT) program which seeks to reduce the number of children in need of child protection or going into care, a formative evaluation conducted by the University of Bedfordshire has recently found.

The SFT program which piloted in November 2022 and runs in the localities of Chesil, Dorchester and West, uses multi-disciplinary teams that have both specialist adult practitioners and Children’s Services social workers to provide a whole family working approach.

SFT aims to improve the health and wellbeing of parents and carers within Dorset by addressing three key factors: Mental Health, Substance misuse and Domestic Abuse - find out more here: ‘Safeguarding Families Together’ is benefitting families across Dorset Council - Dorset Council

** The NSPCC has launched The Voice of Online Youth, a new group consisting of fifteen 13 to 16-year-olds who will advise the NSPCC, politicians, regulators, parents and professionals about the best ways of protecting children and young people online. The group will work together to ensure decisions about online safety are informed by young people’s experiences through meeting with decision-makers across the UK, attending events, and engaging in workshops. Voice of Online Youth group: making sure children's voices are heard

** Have you been wondering what The Chatterboxes have been up to lately? Well, click on the link below to find out more about our most recent adventures: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGBGJJ4g-8/IrGb7uZNHG-8X93zeM9Ftg/view?utm_content=DAGBGJJ4g-8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor

** DORSET COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE FOOD SUPPORT FUND - grants of up to £10,000 are available to charitable organisations and social enterprises for initiatives that address food poverty in Dorset. Grants are aimed at easing the concerns of families about the cost of food bills by providing access to nutritious food or offering cooking training. Grants are available over the summer holidays and into early autumn, covering the period July, August, September and October 2022. Projects should benefit vulnerable households, families with children aged 18 and under and people aged 65 and over. The Fund opens to applications today with a deadline of Wednesday 30th September 2024. Further information is available on the Dorset Community Foundation website.

** The Hedley Foundation Limited - One-off grants of up to £5,000 (but averaging £2,500) are available to smaller UK registered charities working with the elderly, people with a mental or physical disability, those who are terminally ill, young people and social welfare projects, including those that benefit carers, the homeless and ex-offenders. The next application deadline is 2nd October 2024

** The 7Stars Foundation - Project grants up to £2,500 are available for smaller UK registered charities working with children and young people aged 16 and under in the areas of abuse, addiction, caring for sick and disabled adults, and homelessness. Application deadline - Saturday 31st August 2024

** Funding to Support Young Creatives to Launch a Project, Idea or Business (UK). The next closing date for applications to the Youth Music NextGen Fund is the `15th of November 2024. The NextGen Fund supports emerging musicians and behind the scenes creatives aged 18-25 (and under-30s who identify as d/Deaf or Disabled) from across the UK to launch a creative project, idea or business

** Funding to Support Disadvantaged Young People and Offenders (UK). Registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, and in exceptional circumstances Community Interest Companies can apply for grants for projects that support offenders and ex-offenders as well as into work and helping specific less popular groups within the criminal justice sector.

** Grants Available for Children’s Summer Holiday Activities (UK). Sports or holiday clubs across the UK can apply for a share of £150,000 to provide activities for children under 18 during the summer holidays.

** The Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation Small Change Big Difference Grants - Project and equipment grants of between £250 and £2,500 are available to UK registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £100,000 working to help relieve poverty, improve health and save lives. Application deadline - Monday 30th September - Dorset branches in Blandford, Gillingham, Bournemouth, Swanage and Portland

** The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust - One-off revenue grants for projects and core costs up to £5,000 are available to UK registered charities working at a grassroots level in the areas of the arts, the environment and medical care. Application deadline Tuesday 24th September 2024 for the trusts 2024 meeting. n.b. the trust meets 3 times a year, so there are further opportunities

** The W H Smith Group Charitable Trust - Grants of up to £1,000 are available to UK registered charities for literacy projects in UK communities where the retailer W H Smith has a presence. applications may be made at any time, initially by contacting the Trust to discuss the project in question - The WHSmith Trust | WH Smith PLC

More information on all of these funding opportunities can be seen on our website: Funding Homepage (dorsetyouth.com)

Have you checked out the Dorset Youth website for training opportunities yet? Did you know that there are direct links to the Dorset Council Nexus site and also to BCP Skills and Training portal?

Take a look here: Training & Events (dorsetyouth.com)

If your organisation is able to offer free or low cost training to the 0-25 VCS Forum, please let us know and we can share your information too!

** YGAM (Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust) - Training and Resources - Through our portfolio of education programmes, we provide free training and resources for teachers, youth workers, practitioners, universities, faith leaders and health professionals. All of our resources, training and education programmes have been independently scrutinised, challenged, evaluated and quality marked by a wide range of organisations. A critical part of all these evaluations is being able to demonstrate clear independence and an evidenced-based approach - Book Training - Ygam

**The 0-25 Knowledge Hub is part of our 0-25 VCS Forum and highlights our wonderful voluntary and community sector. It is for anyone working with and for children, young people and their families in Dorset. Check out the site here and make sure your organisation and service is included 0-25 Knowledge Hub Homepage (dorsetyouth.com) if you are not listed, contact us to ensure details of your service in Dorset are available

** Space Youth Project Newsletter - 🌈🌊 July 2024 SYP newsletter (mailchi.mp)

** Free resources for charities - The Freecycle Network - with 9 million members divided into local sub-communities, the Freecycle Network is the largest consumer-to-consumer marketplace of free items in the world. For charities, this is a great forum for sourcing domestic items. Members can list items they’re seeking or wish to donate. Donors and seekers communicate directly to coordinate pickup and collection. Since this is a consumer network, items on Freecycle range from cat toys to computers. Registration is required to join the Freecycle Network - Freecycle: Front Door

** A nationwide competition to find the KOOTH FUTURE COUNCIL – a unique opportunity for 16–18-year-olds to win a place on our new youth-powered content team. Winners will get the chance to learn and collaborate with talent from the creative arts, turn their ideas into positive mental health action for young people across the UK, AND learn vocational skills that look great on a college application, CV or UCAS form. Stay tuned for more information on how your students can enter this creative competition at the start of the new school year!

** Kooth are offering online sessions around anxiety management - especially helpful for new Year 7s and those entering exam years:

• For young people (live-streaming to your classroom): KoothKlass: Managing anxiety Book your free spaces
• For education staff: KoothTalks training: Helping your students manage anxiety Book your free spaces
• For families: KoothTalks training: Helping your child manage anxiety Booking form here (please email to all parents and carers)

You can also pre-book an in-person or online Kooth staff training session. Let us know what date you would like me to visit please fill in this form.

** Dorset Library Service takes part in the ‘Marvellous Makers’ Summer Reading Challenge with free activities for families kicking off from 6 July 2024.

This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit any Dorset Council library to join the 'Marvellous Makers' Summer Reading Challenge, firing up their imaginations through the power of reading and creative expression.

In partnership with Create, a leading arts charity, and public libraries, this year's Challenge celebrates kids' creativity and storytelling abilities. Children will be encouraged to explore new books and stories while taking part in free activities, from arts and crafts to music, dance, and more - ‘Marvellous Makers’ Summer Reading Challenge kicks off from 6 July - Dorset Council

The Friendly Food Club are running a one day course (9am – 4pm) to provide organisations with the skills and resources to run your own community cooking sessions on the following dates:

Tues 2^nd July – Bridport

Fri 12^th July – Portland

Thurs 18^th July – Wimborne

(Further dates to follow)

Enquiries and bookings: [email protected]

Many thanks, The Communities and Partnerships Team, Dorset Council

**If you are working within the VCS in Dorset with or for children, young people and families and would like to your job vacancies and volunteering opportunities, email the details and we will add them here free - [email protected]

** Ferndown Youth Centre - Youth Worker vacancy - 15 hours per week - Vacancies & Voluntary Opportunities (dorsetyouth.com)

Vacancies & Voluntary Opportunities (dorsetyouth.com)

YOUTH CLUB SUPPORT

**Youth Club in a Box- did you know that National Youth Agency have a FREE resource called Youth Club in a Box? This document contains all the processes, resources and frameworks you could need to help you to set up and deliver youth services. Download this below.

Youth Club in a Box

**Youth Work Training Day BOOKINGS NOW LIVE- We have another exciting Youth Work Training day for all youth workers and volunteers. There is a variety of different workshops for you to choose from, see poster below. Book your place now and pick your top choices to avoid disappointment, visit our Eventbrite page.

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIEs

**If you know a care experienced 18-25 year old who would benefit from having a mentor then please get in touch as we have spaces available. The programme is designed to help improve the lives of care experienced young people aged 18-25. A mentor, will provide 2-4 hours a month of guidance, encouragement and a positive listening ear to help them overcome challenges, set goals and help them build a brighter future. As a ‘critical friend’ Mentors are able to offer guidance, support and form a positive one-to-one relationship with care experienced mentees, who may have experienced limited life chances. The mentor’s role will provide support to the mentee to enable them to take responsibility for areas of professional and personal growth. The mentor is there to create a supportive, challenging and reflective learning environment.
What mentor will do for you

• To liaise with mentee to identify a safe space in which to meet
• To build an effective relationship with a mentee
• To plan mentoring sessions with mentee in advance so the mentee can be prepared for session and have things to be discussed
• To listen and help mentees to identify and address barriers to their success
• To offer perspective, drawing on your own experience in dealing with life, for example preparing for job interviews, budgeting and planning for the future
• To work with the mentee and to set and monitor agreed goals
• To keep a journal of meetings and undertake relevant evaluations

If you are interested in having a mentor please complete the referral form https://forms.gle/24yRs1rayics6tZp6 or if you would like to find out more about how a mentor could support and help you please get in touch via [email protected].

** Call to Artist- International Art Competition for 15-18 year olds. Prizes to be won. You must enter online by the 31st July. To find out more visit this website

** Island Community Action- Island Vibes Day!- On Saturday 13th July from 11.30am- 4.30pm there is a FREE day of activities for children and young people. This will be held at the Masonic Car Park and Skate Park in Victoria Square. See below for full list of activities and hat available that day.