THCVS would like to invite you to the upcoming Health and Wellbeing Forum with Tower Hamlets CVS CEO, Vicky Scott who is working on the structure for representation on the North East London Integrated Care System (NEL ICS) VCSFE collaborative.

The VCSFE infrastructure organisations leadership group have been working over the last 2 years to develop a business case for the funding for the VCSFE collaborative. They have secured the funds for a Director who will be based in THCVS and will work across the 7 boroughs of NEL to create the collaborative structure and link with the ICS structures to hopefully create some exciting opportunities.

We are finally at a point when we can begin to plan and implement a structure for representation from Tower Hamlets. So, we would like to consult with you as to how we can set up the representation in the borough and for Tower Hamlets to sit on the collaborative structure at a system level.

We are keen to work with you to establish:

• Communication with the sector
• Involvement of the sector in the NHS systems in the brough to influence the integrated system
• Ensuring engagement with smaller organisations
• Representation on the ICS system VCSFE leadership group.
• As well as discussing organisations needs for support for funding and developing partnerships.

The Health and Wellbeing Forum will be held on Monday 5 February from 10.00am to 12.00pm @ The Green House, 244-254 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9DA. Click here to book your place.

Please do not hesitate to contact alison.robert@thcvs.org.uk for more information or if you would like to join the event online. There are 25 in person spaces available.

1/ Tower Hamlets CVS Updates
2/ Local Events and Opportunities
3/ Get involved - Have your say
4/ Training and Learning Opportunities
5/ Funding
6/ Jobs

Welcome to Jennifer Ogunyemi, THCVS’s new Development Officer

"Being a development officer at THCVS is a rewarding and challenging role. It involves supporting organisations in Tower Hamlets by identifying and pursuing funding opportunities, governance advice, building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, planning and delivering projects and evaluating and reporting on outcomes. As a Development Officer, I am passionate about supporting organisations to become less dependent on funding and explore their strengths to diversify their income streams. 

I also have a passion for social change and community development. As part of the Tower Hamlets BAME Disparities Network, I recently organised ‘Silent Struggles - A Deep Dive into the Challenges of Ethnic Minority Leaders in Tower Hamlets’, a unique event designed to shed light on the challenges faced by ethnic minority led organisations in securing funding, leadership roles, and overcoming barriers. The event offered community leaders, and passionate individuals a dynamic mix of panel discussions, workshops, and Q&A sessions. Participants were actively encouraged to let their voices be heard, expand their networks and collaborate for meaningful change.

The BAME Disparities Network is committed to bringing awareness to the challenges faced by ethnic minorities in Tower Hamlets. We aim to provide platforms for dialogue, collaboration and change.

Personally, I have been running my own local organisation ‘Sisters in Business’ for the past 7 years in Tower Hamlets. Sisters in Business is deeply rooted in change and how organisations, particularly women can grow their own businesses. What motivates me is change and the impact that is possible. I wanted to extend my expertise and skills to ensure that other organisations have the same opportunities that I have had within my own organisation.

My future plans within my role as Development Officer are to create coffee mornings and other activities that bring together different community leaders, whether they are CEO's, founders or volunteers for peer support learning as well as helping them to mobilise to create impact and change within their communities."

-Jennifer Ogunyemi

You can watch a video of Jennifer speaking about her work by clicking here.

To contact Jennifer, please email jennifer.ogunyemi@thcvs.org.uk.

Tailored capacity-building support

Tower Hamlets CVS and Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets are the trusted, local capacity-building experts, with 15 years’ experience of supporting VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets. We offer year-round and free support to all local VCS organisations. We have now joined together to offer a more in-depth and bespoke menu of capacity-building consultancy support for local VCS organisations in receipt of the Council’s small grants programme under the capacity-building theme. Applications are now open until 2 February, and the Council is accepting applications from small organisations (under £150,000pa turnover) under five themes:

• Community Events (up to £2,500)
• Community Chest (up to £500)
• Capacity Building (up to £2,500)
• Youth Empowerment Fund (up to £3,500)
• Positive activities for Young People (up to £6,000) 
  

The capacity-building theme is designed to build your organisation’s capacity so you can improve your ability to meet the needs of residents, including:

• Strengthen your ability to achieve your vision
• Improve the knowledge of your management committee, staff and volunteers
• Improve the quality of your services delivered to the community
• Increase the positive impact that your organisation has on residents.

Please click here to see the attached offer from Tower Hamlets CVS and Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets. Please email info@thcvs.org.uk if you would like to discuss the personalised support that you need.

Connection Coalition event - How to create solid relationships

Tuesday 20 February / 9.45am to 1.00pm /  Osmani Trust, 58 Underwood road, E1 5AW

This event will focus on how to build a relationship centered practice, which you can put into effect in your projects and programmes on social isolation on loneliness. Th event will be led by David Robinson OBE, our guest speaker (details below) and will be followed by an update on our social connection campaign for residents in Tower Hamlets, Just Say Hello, highlighting examples of how local stakeholders have taken part and how you can join in. The event will also focus on the local social isolation and loneliness offer in Tower Hamlets, how you can collaborate and tap in new, free initiatives bringing communities together.

There will also be a space at the end of the event for participants to take to the stage and share new work they would like to publicise to colleagues.

We invite attendees to bring along leaflets and materials to share, there will be a table where to display your information.

Guest speaker: David Robinson

David Robinson founded and co leads the Relationships Project. He is a community development worker who has worked on social innovation for almost fifty years, founding and leading several organisations including Shift– using behavioural insight and award winning design to tackle social problems, the Children’s Discovery Centre- working on literacy and language and the multipurpose Community Links.

Click here to find out more and book your place.

Just say Hello

Having a chat with an old friend or checking in on your elderly neighbour can make a big difference to their wellbeing. Even the smallest gesture can create a meaningful connection for someone, especially if they’re feeling lonely or isolated.

Just Say Hello is a new local campaign about encouraging conversations and connecting with one other, by taking time out to say ‘hello.’ Partners, organisations or members of the community across Tower Hamlets are being invited to use the Just Say Hello resources in their own way – whether it’s attending an event at a local community centre, hosting a ‘pop up’ coffee shop with your neighbours or dropping into a new class, there are many ways to make new connections. Click here For more information and resources.

If you are feeling isolated and in need of mental health support, there are local services that can support you:

• Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies provides a range of psychological therapies and counselling services - 020 8475 8080
• Mind in Tower Hamlets provide advice and support, as well as free counselling for residents - 020 7510 4247/4248
• If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with your mental health, you can call the Tower Hamlets Mental Health Crisis Support number for free 24/7 on 0800 073 0003

Mellow Bumps - A short course for mums-to-be

A short course of 6 x 2 hour sessions for mums-to-be, starting Monday 5 February / 1.00 to 3.00pm / The Toyhouse Centre 92 St. Paul’s Way, E3 4AL

Doing the best for you and your baby Is your baby due in April, May or June? Every parent-to-be wants the best for their baby. One of the best things you can do before the baby is born is to look after yourself as well as preparing for the new arrival.

This six-week group will help you connect with your baby and relax. You will learn about what your baby can already do and how you can prepare to make him or her welcome. We will also talk about common questions or worries that you may have about becoming a parent.

Getting together with other mums-to-be and sharing ideas can be really supportive. They know how you are feeling, so you can support each other.

What will the group be like? There will be about 6 to 8 mums-to-be and 2 staff. The gropup will meet in a room where we can be private and have space for ourselves.  Every week there will be activities for ourselves and some activities to help us think about your baby, what they can do now and what they will need in the future.

Everything discussed in the group is private, unless we think you or your baby might be at risk. For more information, and an application form, please contact 020 7987 7399 or email tugela.barnes@toyhouse.org.uk

Black Health Inequalities Summit

Monday 25 March / 9.30am to 4.30pm / The Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole St, W1G 0AE

This event will be an opportunity to bring together key stakeholders to explore community-based approaches and how health systems could collaborate to create sustained health improvement. The event will celebrate what is working well, share learning, and create opportunities for reflection resulting in a call to action and inclusive leadership to improving the health of Black Londoners.  

The Summit will feature speakers renowned for their contributions to health equity and advocates with expertise in addressing health disparities within Black communities. A special focus will be given to voices from the Black Caribbean and African community, healthcare professionals, community leaders, researchers, and lived experiences. This diversity of perspectives aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities to reducing health inequalities at system and community levels.

Confirmed keynote speakers include:

• Prof Bola Owolabi, GP and Director, National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, NHS England
• Prof Kevin Fenton CBE, Public Health Director for London, and President of Faculty of Public Health
• Dr Marie Gabriel, Chair of North East London Integrated Care System and Chair of NHS Race and Health Observatory
• Dr Margaret Ikpoh, GP and Vice Chair, Royal Society of General Physicians
• Prof Habib Naqvi OBE, Chief Executive, NHS Race and Health Observatory

Click here to find out more and book your place.

Creating a Safer Tower Hamlets for Women and Girls

Monday 29 January / 9.30am to 1.00pm / Whitechapel Town Hall, Grocers Wing, 160 Whitechapel Road E1 1BJ 

This event is for people who live, work or study in Tower Hamlets to learn more about violence against women and girls in Tower Hamlets, and to help plan for a safer and more supportive future. Findings from the Violence Against Women and Girls needs assessment will be presented and the Women and Girls of Tower Hamlets, will be able to help shape the new strategy and action plan for preventing violence against women and girls. Click here to register.

Please register by Wednesday 25 January 5pm.

Identifying barriers for older adults (aged 65+) and people from diverse ethnic communities in accessing mental health services in Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets has some of the highest levels of reported mental health illness in London, and with the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, more people are experiencing mental health problems. It is known that older adults aged 65 or older and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds are less likely to access mental health support services when needed. With this project, Healthwatch Tower Hamlets seeks to collect feedback to identify barriers that exist for these groups and how they can be overcome.

Please have your say by completing this short online survey. The survey is for anyone living in Tower Hamlets who is aged 65 or older OR from an ethnic minority community (OR both). 

Invitation to a co-production session on immunisations

Thursday 25 January 2024 / 1.00 to 1.45 - Join here

The NHS in London, UK Health Security Agency London, public health teams from local authorities, London Councils and the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH).would like your help to co-produce a campaign for people in London around immunisations. 

They are looking to co-produce this campaign with communities so they can make sure everyone feels seen and heard, and they’re addressing what’s most important to people across London.

It’s important that communities across London have all the information they need about immunisations, so everyone can make the best decision for themselves and their families. 

You are invited to a virtual session to find out what you want to know, how information should be shared with you and where you’d like to see the information. Your ideas and opinions will remain anonymous  your name or any identifiable information will not be shared outside of the session.

If you’d like to take part or have any questions, please email Lamide.kamau1@nhs.net to confirm which date you can make.

Alternatively, if you can’t make any of the above dates do fill in this short survey – your opinions really matter.

Violence Against Women and Girls Training opportunities January 2024 – March 2024

To enhance your skills and update your knowledge on the VAWG strands, you can access free Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) training. This is a multiagency training programme for professionals from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors to identify and respond effectively and appropriately to issues relating to VAWG. Courses covered: 

• Allyship and Misogyny
• Coercive Control
• Adult Family Violence (AFV)
  
• Understanding Economic Abuse with GamCare
  
• Safer Together and Happy Relationships
• Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
• Domestic Abuse Awareness
• Domestic Abuse Good Practice Guidance for Housing Professionals

For more information on these courses please email: vawg@towerhamlets.gov.uk

For those who have a Learning Hub log in - please apply via Learning Hub External staff please apply using this External Partner’s link. For more information, please email learning.Hub@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Health Inequalities Community of Practice: Training offer

Tuesday 13 February / 5 March, Thursday 24 March / 2.00 to 4.00pm

Focussed on providing participants with an understanding of how to influence and lead when they lack formal authority or the feeling of power, to build participants confidence to understand the power and influence they have and arm them with practical tools to take back to their teams. The sessions will be delivered virtually.

This virtual workshop provides some protected ‘headspace’ and ‘thinking time’ to consider:

• How can I grow my confidence to use my power and influence, even if I don’t have formal authority?
• What are the differences between leading in a hierarchical context and influencing across teams and wider networks?
• Which aspects of my work are best achieved through a conventional management approach and which aspects require a more networked approach to leadership?
• How do I decide when a formal or more informal approach to influencing might work best?
• What are my key challenges in influencing beyond my sphere of authority?
• How do I apply this learning to my everyday work?

Who is this session for: The NEL Health Equity Academy is offering this training to members of the NEL Health Inequalities Community of Practice, PCN Health Inequalities Leads and people working in the voluntary and community sector in NEL.

Click here to watch the video: Influencing Without Authority by Jeanne Hardacre who will be facilitating the sessions. If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch with Abigail.dowdesewell@nhs.net.

Places are limited so please book at your earliest convenience, we will be closing the booking form on Wednesday 24 January at 9am and sending out joining links the week commencing 29 January.

Click here to book your place.

NIHR Pre-doctoral Local Authority Fellowship (PLAF) competition

Closing date: 28 March 2024

The National Institute of Health & Care Research has announced the launch of the fourth annual NIHR Pre-doctoral Local Authority Fellowship (PLAF) competition. The PLAF scheme has been designed to support the academic ambitions of individuals wishing to incorporate research activity into their roles whilst remaining employed, or at least engaged, within local authorities or local authority supporting services.

Please click here for the guidance notes. click here for a copy of the presentation from recent webinar that was held. Click here for a ink to the recording.

Key points:

1. The PLAF scheme pays your salary while you prepare an application for a doctoral fellowship AND will also fund a personalised programme of academic training that will equip the awardee with the skills and experience to make it competitive.
 

2. Are VCS organisation employees eligible? Yes!
Applicants must hold a contract of employment in England with either a:

• local authority
• provider of local authority commissioned service or function
• nonprofit organisation (such as a charity) that provides services on behalf of a local authority, or that otherwise supports a local authority in meeting its objectives. 

3. You can vary the timeframe – so can meet work commitments while taking part.

For more information, please contact Research Support Service, NIHR.

Please see the THCVS funding page for a full list of funds currently available.

The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund

Are your residents/beneficiaries facing rising living costs? Aishah are here to help with a one-off voucher supporting individuals and families dealing with increased costs of living who can apply for a one-off £50 supermarket voucher.

Right now, individuals and families are dealing with a significant increase in the prices of things they need, like groceries and services. This means families must decide whether to spend more money to keep buying what they used to or cut back on some things.

This fund is designed to support individuals and families, offering financial empowerment and flexibility. Apply now for a helping hand in managing your budget and ensuring your well-being. Who is eligible for the fund?

The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund has been set up to help those who are vulnerable and in need of support. You must satisfy the following criteria: 

• You reside in one of the East London Boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest
• You are under severe pressure because of the increased cost of living.
  Please only submit one application per household. It is not necessary to submit more than one application

If you want to apply on behalf of someone, please take their consent and complete the application form. Click here to find out more and apply.

The Mayor's Small Grants Programme

The Council’s vision is to support and invest in a thriving and diverse voluntary and community sector to enable it to improve the lives of residents. This programme will provide £800,000 of annual grant funding to small sized VCS organisations in the borough with a maximum annual income of £150,000.

Click here to find out the themes and priorities of the fund?

How can organisations apply?

• Deadline for applications is  2nd February 2024
• All the information on how to apply is provided on the Council’s website, available here
• Organisations are required to apply using the Blackbaud Grant Management online portal which can be accessed through the website here. 

The council will be delivering an information event focusing on:

• their vision and priorities for the grants programme
• the application process, including guidance and our online grants management system  

Date: 24 January / 10.00 to 11.30am
Venue: Council Chamber, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road London E1 1BJ. Click here to book your place. 

Get in touch: If you have a question or need support, then you can get in touch with the Grants Team by emailing vcs@towerhamlets.gov.uk if your query relates to Community Events, Capacity Building, or Community Chest.

If your query relates to the Youth Empowerment Fund or Positive Activities for Young People email Young Tower Hamlets at ythlondon@towerhamlets.gov.

Please click here to access our jobs page where you will find more current vacancies within the VCSE sector in Tower Hamlets.

Education and Youth Engagement Assistant (Internship) – Spitafields City Farm / Deadline 31 January @12noon

Patient Safety Partner – NHS North East London / Deadline 29 February