Volunteering
easyfundraising Advent Calendar is back!
easyfundraising is spreading some Christmas cheer to the third sector by giving away £5,000 in their Advent Calendar giveaway. To get involved, sign your organisation up to easyfundraising and you can be a part of 25 days of advent fun and create an easy and accessible fundraising option your volunteers and the local community can get behind. Every time they open the daily door, your organisation gets an entry into the big Christmas Day prize to win £5,000.
Find out more here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/community
Last year’s winner (Wiltshire WI) said: “This money has been a blessing for us. Like most organisations, we have suffered due to the pandemic, and the prize has enabled us to continue to bring women together, to gain new skills, and to campaign on issues close to our hearts.”
Cartwheel Community Centre Recruiting New Members – December 9th
Cartwheel Community Centre has been included within the Future High Streets Programme for full refurbishment to provide a fit for purpose community Hub for the people of Elland.
After supporting Cartwheel over previous years, a number of existing members of the Management Committee of the Charity have expressed a wish to step down. To take the vision for the centre forward we are looking to recruit up to 12 people to join the committee.
A number have already come forward and we are welcoming further expressions of interest from anyone who would to like to be involved. We are looking for committed individuals with a range of skills to join the Management Committee:
- Providing leadership and direction
- Implementing the Governance of the charity
- Carrying out the Charity aims to provide a community facility for the benefit of Elland
- Making decisions, managing resources and ensuring accountability for the above
This opportunity is open to anyone with ideas, energy and enthusiasm who like to help to run a community facility for the community of Elland but we are particularly keen to hear from those with leadership, communication, social media, web, fund raising, bid writing and project management skills.
As part of the process will be looking to appoint new members to key roles in the committee:
Chair
Leading the committee and the organisation to enable it to fulfil its purpose.
- To ensure an effective relationship between:
- the committee and the staff/volunteers
- the committee and the external stakeholders/community
- Acting as a spokesperson and figurehead as appropriate.
Treasurer
- Oversee the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.
- Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place.
- Monitor and report on the financial health of the organisation.
- Oversee the production of necessary financial reports/returns, accounts and audits.
Secretary
- To ensure that committee meetings are properly administered and minuted
- Maintaining up to date membership records
- Monitor committee action points.
- Act as chair for a sub-group as required
This is a summary from www.Gov.uk and more detailed information of what is involved in these roles can be found by clicking here
Once we have received all expressions of interest an Extraordinary General Meeting will then take place shortly after to co-opt the new members and a new chair, treasurer and secretary will be appointed.
If you would like to be involved in taking forward this exciting opportunity, please email lowervalleycoordinators@calderdale.gov.uk by the 9th December 2022.
“Our time is now” – Plan launched to improve safety of women and girls across West Yorkshire
The safety of women and girls in West Yorkshire is Mayor Tracy Brabin’s top priority, she said as she unveiled a plan to bring about societal change and end generations of injustice.The country’s first and only female metro-mayor has this week launched her Safety of Women and Girls Strategy at West Yorkshire’s annual Third Sector Conference in Calderdale.The strategy reveals the shocking experiences and challenges facing women and girls, including a recent survey that found 97% believe ‘being a woman’ affects their personal safety, and outlines a plan to tackle this.This will be resolved through four key areas of work to bring about change:
- Education and Prevention: through events to raise awareness of the issue in schools, colleges, and universities across the region.
- Behaviour Change: including delivering a behaviour change programme to empower men to be allies.
- Safe Spaces: working to improve safety in the public, private and digital space.
- And Supporting the Sector: securing funding for vital services in the region through working together with partners, including the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector and private businesses.
Each are underpinned by two cross-cutting themes, which are ‘the role of men and boys’, and ‘equality, diversity and inclusion’.The strategy, which puts the voices of women and girls at its heart, will be delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, local councils, community organisations, businesses, and the public. A further £1 million of funding has been made available by the Mayor to support the it’s delivery. This builds on considerable work already ongoing in the region including:
- £14 million for victims’ services across the next three years, many of which support women and girls.
- A SmartTag spray for use in night-time venues that tags offenders with a unique forensic code so they can be identified and brought to justice.
- Funding “Ask for Angela” services which enables those who feel vulnerable or unsafe to seek assistance in bars, clubs or businesses.
- Over £500,000 for domestic abuse perpetrator programmes across West Yorkshire to reduce re-offending.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We owe it to every little girl growing up in our brilliant and diverse region to provide them with a future where they are safe from harm. Male violence against women and girls is a scourge that must be addressed, and as someone who has experienced this first-hand, I have made that my top priority.“This plan, which has been co-designed with women, male allies and organisations across the region, sets out how together, we can make West Yorkshire a safe, just and inclusive place for women and girls.“Our time is now – we must do this together to overcome generations of injustice and harm and drive this important change.”
Alison Lowe OBE, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “As a survivor of sexual and domestic abuse, I feel a strong personal responsibility towards making West Yorkshire safer for women and girls.“When it happened to me many years ago, I did not believe that I had a voice. But I am here now as the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire to tell you that you will be heard, you will be believed, and you will be supported.“This Strategy builds on years of work, there’s still lots to do, but I can’t wait to see the incredible things we will achieve together.”The Mayor of West Yorkshire’s Safety of Women and Girls Strategy was co-designed through dedicated consultation events, a West Yorkshire wide call for evidence and public feedback from the Police and Crime Plan consultation.To find out more about the ongoing work to improve the safety of women and girls and read the strategy, visit https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a-mayoral-combined-authority/mayoral-pledges/the-safety-of-women-and-girls/safety-of-women-and-girls-strategy/.
SMKD in Bradford ask you to support Secret Santa Appeal
” This year, more children than ever are going to go without a Christmas present. That is why at SMKD we support the Secret Santa Appeal. “
For any further information on the secret santa appeal, this is the link to the website. https://www.jcibradford.org.uk/secret-santa-appeal/
Please donate by the 8th of December
It is getting to that time of year again when Christmas lists are getting longer and the shopping trips seem to never end. But SMKD, a Bradford based vape company, is getting into the Christmas spirit by giving back to the community and joining JCI Bradford’s Secret Santa Appeal.
JCI is a non-profit organisation for 18 to 40 year olds. It was founded to provide opportunities for young people to create positive change. Since 1989, JCI has held the Secret Santa Appeal.
This is an annual event where various organisations act as drop off points for people to donate Christmas presents to children in poverty. The appeal is needed now more than ever with so many families struggling to make ends meet.
According to the End Child Poverty Coalition, 3.6 million children in the UK were living in poverty last year, and this is set to increase considerably with the cost of living crisis.
This means parents all over the country are having to make the tough decision between making their child smile on Christmas, and putting food on the table.
SMKD are determined to give the children of Bradford, Calderdale, and Kirklees the magical Christmas they deserve. From November 21st to December 8th they will be collecting presents, donated by customers, in their Bradford, Halifax, and Huddersfield stores. We were able to speak to the managing director of SMKD, Moe, about their decision to work with JCI Bradford. “It is so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of Christmas. Sometimes we forget that the whole point of the holiday is to give to others, and especially to those who can not
afford the luxuries that we take for granted.”
He went on to say, “when we heard about the Secret Santa Appeal, we knew we had to do something for the kids who need a bit of hope during this difficult time.”
The JCI appeal collects thousands of presents every year. SMKD’s goal is to collect 120 gifts, just 20 per participating store. The selected stores are:
- Bridge Street, Bradford
- Kirkgate, Bradford
- John Street, Bradford
- Sticker Lane, Bradford
- High Street, Huddersfield
- Market Street, Halifax
To learn more about the Secret Santa Appeal, you can visit the JCI Bradford website. Or visit www.secretsantaappeal.org.uk to find out how you can help make Christmas merry again for families in need.
Please donate by the 8th of December
VSI Alliance Update 25 November 2022
VSI Alliance News & Events
Newsflash from the Voluntary Sector Infrastructure (VSI) Alliance team
Read the latest updates from the VSI alliance. You will find information on local events and available training, job opportunities and volunteering options. The newsletter also highlights current campaigns and consultations.
About VSI Alliance:
All staff at the VSI Alliance are available remotely to support you and your organisation at this time with various aspects of your work, along with providing key information and resources. For support/advice, please contact info@vsialliance.org.uk, or visit www.vsialliance.org.uk for more contact details.
Paws for a cause with the local RSPCA and the Upper George Hotel November 26
THE RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District branch are looking forward to their Paws for a Cause event with the Upper George Hotel & Pub in Halifax (HX1 1TT) this Saturday 26th November from 12-4pm.
Lauren Moore, Fundraising Manager said “We’ve got lots of canine-themed fun planned for the day, including a mini fun dog show, doggy artwork sessions, pass the paw-cel and more!
We’re really happy our friends at the Upper George Hotel are supporting us as we approach the festive season.
All funds raised will directly help our Animal Centre on Wade Street, so we really hope you and your four-legged friends can join us!”
Find out more about the event visit: www.rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk or head to the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1171369803798206/
“So far this year, the branch has successfully found homes for 79 dogs, 179 cats and 48 small animals.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.”
A Visit to Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve with Active Calderdale
For those who don’t know where Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve is or want to know exactly what to expect before visiting, Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group, working with Active Calderdale and Accessible Calderdale Access Forum have created two self-guided walking booklets and a video.
Accessible to all
Maintained by a group of committed volunteers, the 74-acre site is home to flower meadows, dry and wet woodland, a lagoon, ponds and numerous bird viewing areas. It’s also one of the most accessible nature reserves in the area and almost the whole site can be accessed by wheelchair.
Which route will you take? Plan your visit now!
Dedicated to Conservation
Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group is dedicated to the conservation and development of this important site. They are keen to work with local organisations, such as Active Calderdale, to collaborate and access funding that can unlock the reserve’s true potential for the benefit of the whole community.
What’s on Offer
The reserve is an ideal place to relax and take in the beauty of nature. There is free onsite parking, visitor’s centre (opening times Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays 9:30am-4pm), toilet and baby changing facilities, including an accessible toilet (only open when the visitors’ centre is open), among other things.
You can find all of this here:
A Visit to Cromwell Bottom | Active Calderdale
Access the new self-guided walk booklets and the video here:
Self-guided Walk Booklet Accessible Routes_FINAL.pdf (calderdale.gov.uk)
Self-guided Walk Booklet WEB.pdf (calderdale.gov.uk)
12 Days of Giving : Movement for Good 2022
12 days of giving is the last phase of Movement for Good’s 2022 programme!
For 12 days in December Movement for Good will be drawing 10 charities per working day to receive £1000.
The first draw will be taking place on the 1st December and the last draw will be on the 16th December.
For a chance to receive £1000 pound, nominate your charity using this link: https://movementforgood.com/
If you would like to nominate North Halifax Partnership, you could follow the link on the card below!
VSI Alliance Update 18 November 2022
VSI Alliance News & Events
Newsflash from the Voluntary Sector Infrastructure (VSI) Alliance team
Read the latest updates from the VSI alliance. You will find information on local events and available training, job opportunities and volunteering options. The newsletter also highlights current campaigns and consultations.
About VSI Alliance:
All staff at the VSI Alliance are available remotely to support you and your organisation at this time with various aspects of your work, along with providing key information and resources. For support/advice, please contact info@vsialliance.org.uk, or visit www.vsialliance.org.uk for more contact details.
VSI Alliance Update 11 November 2022
VSI Alliance News & Events
Newsflash from the Voluntary Sector Infrastructure (VSI) Alliance team
Read the latest updates from the VSI alliance. You will find information on local events and available training, job opportunities and volunteering options. The newsletter also highlights current campaigns and consultations.
About VSI Alliance:
All staff at the VSI Alliance are available remotely to support you and your organisation at this time with various aspects of your work, along with providing key information and resources. For support/advice, please contact info@vsialliance.org.uk, or visit www.vsialliance.org.uk for more contact details.
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 