Volunteering
Volunteer Takeover
Free networking event for volunteers, Trustees and businesses!
VSI Alliance and CMBC Volunteers are ‘taking over’ the CFFC monthly networking event to share volunteer experiences with people who might be interested in volunteering and becoming a Trustee. Whether you are coming in a business capacity, are a member of the general public, or actively looking for a role as a trustee, you are welcome to this free event.
It’s on Tuesday 23rd May 2023 between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm at The Space @ Field Lane and includes a buffet lunch. It’s free to come along but you do need to book. To book your place, visit https://bit.ly/3Mznsmn
Furry Friends Open Day
MEET SOME ‘FURRY FRIENDS’ ON MAY BANK HOLIDAY AT LOCAL RSPCA ANIMAL CENTRE
THE RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch are celebrating their small fluffy animal companions with their Furry Friends Open Day this May bank holiday!
The family fun day will take place on Monday 1st May, 12 – 3pm at the RSPCA Animal Centre on Wade Street, Halifax, HX1 1NS.
Meet some of the animals in the branches care such as Primrose & Polar Bear!
The self-funded RSPCA Centre is inviting the local community to join them for some bank holiday fun, whilst providing the opportunity to meet some of the animals currently looking for homes too.
The branch hope the open day will raise vital funds to support their rehabilitation and rehoming work, whilst hopefully finding homes for the many unwanted and abandoned animals in their care.
The Wade Street Centre will be open from 12pm – 3pm with stalls, food and drink, games, interactive learning with their staff, lots of animals to meet.
If you would like to bring some donations for the animals, the Centre would be very grateful of items like kitten/cat food and dog toys. You can also bring any unwanted clothing, teddies or home items for their RSPCA Charity Shops and fundraising events. The charity are always on the lookout for any gift type items to support their summer of community events.
To find out more about the open day, you can visit the charity’s website here: www.rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk or head over to their Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/715421856928805
The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and District Branch are a self-funding branch of the National RSPCA, responsible for raising money locally to support our animal welfare work.
This year the branch has rehomed 21 dogs, 62 cats and 8 small animals. Their main aim is to rehabilitate unwanted, abandoned and abused animals and find them loving, permanent homes. They rely on public donations and the generosity of our local community to keep the doors of the animal centre open.
FREE ENGAGEMENT CHAMPION TRAINING
VAC would like to invite you to join the next cohort for the FREE ENGAGEMENT CHAMPIONS training which is open to EVERYONE in the VCSE sector- volunteers, employees, service users/members.
The training leads to an accreditation of individuals to help deliver engagement and consultation activities on behalf of the NHS West Yorkshire ICB.
To gain an insight into what it is to be an Engagement Champion and the projects you could be involved in visit the website.
Feline Fearless?
RSPCA is on lookout for adrenaline seekers to support cats in need
A West Yorkshire RSPCA branch is raising money to support the increasing number of cats coming into the centre.
The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and District Branch is joining forces with ROKT Foundation in Brighouse and inviting people to take on the Scratching Post Challenge. The challenge, taking place on 14 April, involves climbing Yorkshire’s highest indoor climbing wall with an optional abseil for those who dare. All funds raised through the challenge will go towards providing care for the cats and other animals at the centre.
The numbers of animals coming into the RSPCA has increased significantly due to the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing effects of the pandemic. With April also dubbed the start of kitten season when cats are most likely to give birth, funding is more important than ever.
Lauren Moore, Fundraising Manager at RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford District branch said:
“As the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect households up and down the country, we are sadly seeing more animals arriving at our centre. Dotty and Daisy are just two of the kitties we have staying with us at the moment, having recently been left in a box outside the animal centre with seven other cats that are also in our care.
The money you raise through the Scratching Post Challenge will directly support animals like Dotty and Daisy and means we are able to provide love, care and any treatments they might need while we find them their forever home.”
This is the second year that ROKT has partnered with the RSPCA to deliver this event.
Katie Kinsella, ROKT Foundation’s Director for Community & Business Engagement, said:
“Anyone who’s ever seen their cat take on a scratching post (or a pair of curtains!) knows what good climbers they are. Cats love to climb and so do we, so this is a perfect partnership to raise funds for our local RSPCA branch.
As well as supporting animals in need, you’ll also have a great day filled with fun and thrills. The challenge is suitable for adults and children aged 7 upwards and you don’t have to be super fit to join in. So, why not don your favourite cat fancy dress costume and sign-up to take on the challenge this year? With everyone’s help, we can make such a difference.”
The Scratching Post Challenge will take place on Friday 14 April, 12 – 4pm at ROKT in Brighouse.
To sign up for the challenge or to find out more, please visit: https://www.rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk/the-scratching-post-challenge-2023/.
For more on the ROKT Foundation charity see www.roktfoundation.co.uk .
Volunteer with Calderdale Industrial Museum!
Calderdale Industrial Museum are looking for more volunteers!
In the museum that showcases progress developments from our locality, you will find just about something for everyone!
Whatever your skills or your age we are always looking for new members to join our team of volunteers. There are plenty of tasks, including textiles, engineering, admin, local knowledge, conservation of our exhibits, even just cleaning and tidying, any offer for help will be welcome.
The museum’s cafe is always busy on Saturdays and help is always appreciated. Even if you just want to get out of the house and make new friends, you’ll always find a warm welcome down at the Industrial Museum.
Calderdale Industrial Museum is located between Halifax Central Library and Burger king on Square Road any Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday and ask for a volunteer information form, or have a chat with one of our members who will be happy to help.
I’ve Tested for HIV, Have You?
The Brunswick Centre have launched this campaign, running throughout February to raise awareness of the facts around HIV and challenge many of the myths.
Visit the campaign page here
- 1 in 20 people living with HIV are unaware they have it. People can live with HIV for a long time without any symptoms.
- In 2020, 42% of people diagnosed with HIV in England were diagnosed late, this correlates to poorer long-term health outcomes.
- HIV medication (antiretroviral treatment, or ART) works by reducing the amount of the virus in the blood to undetectable levels. This means the levels of HIV are so low that the virus cannot be passed on. This is called having an undetectable viral load or being undetectable.
Much more information is available on The Brunswick Centre website and will be shared on social media across February. This includes members of the community and well-known faces sharing the key message ‘I’ve Tested For HIV, Have You?’.
The centre is hosting HIV testing at locations across the region throughout February and has details on where to get tested at any time on the website.
You can support the campaign in many ways:
- Visit the campaign page
- Share on your social channels
- Send a video saying, ‘I’ve Tested for HIV, Have You?’ (Email information in the campaign page or send via WhatsApp to 07599 471 369)
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week 6-12 February
This year’s #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek (6-12 February 2023) theme is ‘Let’s Connect’.
1 in 6 children and young people have a diagnosable mental health condition.
We’re proud to be supporting Place2Be #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek campaign, raising awareness of the importance of children and young people’s mental health.
Join us and help shine a light on the importance of children and young people’s mental health.
For local support, you can contact your Children’s Centre. Our Family Support Team are only a phone call away:
https://surestartchildrenscentresnhp.org.uk/core-services/family-support-team/
Place2Be free resources will help children, staff and parents explore how to connect with others in healthy, rewarding and meaningful ways.
Learn more: childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk
Find your Valentail and support your local RSPCA!
Can you believe it’s February already? Which means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. We know that traditionally, this is a time to declare our love for our significant others. However, we think our beloved pets should be included in this too, right?!
We’re glad you agree! Since we have oodles of fur babies who don’t have anyone to love this February and are waiting to be chosen as your Valentail! Could it be…..
Simply visit our website and select a mystery door to discover your very own Valentail waiting behind it!
Anyone who donates to their Valentail, will receive a surprise message from them on Tuesday Feb 14th!
Letting you know how your donation has helped them on their journey to find love in a new forever home!
This year’s appeal runs from February 1st – February 14th and will not only help us raise vital funds in these very difficult times – but also raise awareness of our work and most importantly, find homes for the animals in our care!
Thank you so much for your support.
So, who will be your Valentail?!…
RSPCA Picture Perfect Pet Photo Competition January 20!
Local RSPCA are on the lookout for Picture Perfect Pets
The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch’s annual ‘Picture Perfect Pet’ photo competition is live!
All entries are being judged on their ‘cuteness’ and ‘all-round best image’. The digital competition can be entered via the charity’s website or by email. Entries cost just £2 and will feature 3 animal categories for Cats, Dogs and Other pets.
Lauren Moore, Fundraising Manager says “We’re starting the year with one of our favourite virtual events – our Picture Perfect Pet Photo Competition! It’s a fun way of showing how much our animal companions mean to us and who knows, you might even win a £30 Pets At Home gift voucher and a rosette!’’
The competition is open to every kind of pet, whether that’s a dog, cat, rabbit, reptile, horse or bird!
Simply submit your photo by January 20th at midday and you could be in with the chance of winning 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in either of the 3 Pet Categories. Winners will be announced on January 22nd.
For more information about the competition and the branch please visit: www.rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk/picture-perfect-pet-photo-competition-2023/
“The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and District Branch are a self-funding branch of the National RSPCA, responsible for raising money locally to support our animal welfare work. Our main aim is to rehabilitate unwanted, abandoned and abused animals and find them loving, permanent homes. We rely on public donations and the generosity of our local community to keep the doors of our animal centre open.”
Calderdale Cares Careers recruitment fairs Jan 25th and Feb 4
Are you looking for a new role in social care?
Calderdale Cares Careers recruitment fair Calderdale Employment Hub join forces with Welcome Independent living to host the first Calderdale Cares Careers event of 2023. This career’s fair is open to job seekers, secondary schools, and further education students from across Calderdale to explore career opportunities in the Health & Social Care sector. The event will allow people to learn about career options directly from employers and professionals. In addition, this event will showcase the educational pathways and explain the skills needed to pursue different careers in the sector. The event will promote a range of careers linked to the care sector. There will also be an opportunity to meet employers, get support with interviews, CV and apply for live vacancies. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a career change, career development and those who are finishing compulsory education. Upcoming events The Orange Box 1 Blackledge, Halifax HX1 1AF on Wednesday 25 January,10am – 2pm – Register hereTodfellows Space Oxford St, Todmorden OL14 5PU on Thursday 2 February,10am – 2pm – Register here For more information about the event, please contact growyourfuture@calderdale.gov.uk. You can also visit the Calderdale Cares Careers website for live vacancies.
Calderdale Cares : Why Work With Us?
Calderdale Council is supporting our adult social care providers in their recruitment to support vulnerable people. We want to make it easier for people looking for roles in social care to connect directly with care providers working in Calderdale.
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 