Campaign
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.
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 .
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
Knitting group at Project Colt in Elland every Friday morning
We are looking for ladies (or gentlemen!!) to join our knitting circle to knit some teddies for Zarach.
Zarach is a charity that provides and delivers beds and basics to children in Poverty.
This helps families in crisis rise up from surviving to thriving.
Eat. Sleep. Learn.
So if you would like to be part of our knitting team, in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere please contact
helen@projectcolt.org.uk or call our office on 01422 377176 or you are more than welcome to just turn up, on Fridays 11am-1pm at Project Colt, Elland Bridge, Elland, HX5 0SG
“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/.
Message from WY Police : Clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups in Leicester
- The police stand together with all communities in the UK and we will take action against any criminal behaviour, which seeks to undermine society, especially where crimes are motivated by hate.
- We are aware of the clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups in Leicester and the potential impact that this incident may have on the community’s sense of safety.
- There can never be any excuse for hate crime and this criminality will not be tolerated.
- We want those who are victims of hate crime to feel confident in the belief that we’ll take your reports seriously, protect you and make sure you get all the support you need.
- If you are a witness or a victim of hate crime or feel vulnerable, please contact someone to report it.
- More people are reporting hate crime than ever before but it is still significantly underreported.
- Do not suffer in silence; there are people who can help you.
- Call the police on 101, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org, or visit the True Vision website (www.report-it.org.uk)
Contacting the Police: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contact-us
- If you have information to share about any crime please either speak to a police officer in person or call 101.
- If you are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired please register with 999 Emergency SMS service
Editor’s Note:
There are further ways to report hate incidents or hate crime, which can be found here:
Have you booked your place on the CFFC Membership Event?
You’re invited to our relaunch event at Berties, Elland
on Wednesday 28th September 2022
Members and Non- Members are all warmly welcomed
Wednesday 28th September
12.30 pm to 2.30 pm
Berties, Brook Street
Elland, HX5 9AW
We are going through a lot of change at the moment. We have a new Prime Minister. We have a new King. There is uncertainty about the cost of living crisis and how it will effect us.
Come along and join a group of like-minded people who want to see Calderdale thrive and be a great place to live and work at our membership event. You will feel supported and I’m pretty sure will leave having had a great time.
You’re invited to the official launch of our membership club. This is a monthly networking event for like minded people who support CFFC so we can connect people who care with local causes that matter. There will be open networking and a buffet lunch provided.
We are planning on having monthly events and will choose locations throughout the borough.
Things have changed a lot over the last few years. Everyone wants more bang for their buck when they spend money, and membership is no different. If you want to get your Return on Investment from being a member, we can help you with that. If you want to know what your membership is being spent on, we can help with that too. If you want to feel connected with your community and help Calderdale thrive, well we can help with that too.
Let’s cut to the chase, so how much will it cost you?
There are different levels of membership, you can choose the one that’s right for you:
Voluntary / Not for profit Organisations : £10 per year
Friend of the Foundation – Individuals or small businesses / sole traders:
£120 annually or £10 per month.
Foundation Club Members : £600 annually or £50 per month
There are many benefits to being a CFFC Member, including:
- Monthly networking events
- Certificate of membership (which looks good in your reception or office)
- Being part of a group of people who care about their community and want to be part of something bigger making a difference
- Supporting the Foundation so we can give out grants and continue our role to connect people and create a positive impact in our community in the 5 areas we have as priorities
- The opportunity to show your support for an issue you care about
- Invited to our AGM
- The opportunity to engage with the issues you care about and be connected with volunteering or fundraising opportunities
- Logo to use on your website, email signature, and social media
- Invite to social events
- Receive our Annual Report
- 1 to 1 meeting so we can connect and introduce you to people
- Listed in our online directory
100% of every membership fee goes towards making grants for one of the priorities you choose.
Plus, if you are a Foundation Club Member or a Friend of the Foundation in the first year we will match fund your membership to double the amount going towards making grants. If you are a Foundation Club member, your membership fee is £600 so £1200 will go towards grants and if you are a Friend of the Foundation, your membership fee is £120 so £240 will go towards making grants.
If you would like to become a member now, here is the link to complete the application form.
Click here to find out more about applying to become a member
It would be lovely to see you at the official relaunch and I hope you will be able to join us!
Refugee Week 20-26 June 2022 : Events Near You
This Year’s Refugee Week theme is Healing.
Please take a look at the following Refugee Week events happening near you. There are all week long events, online events and localised events to take place.
Full List of Refugee Week 2022 events
Local Refugee Week events
- Monday June 20th
Refugee Week Launch: Online
Join on Zoom: https://bit.ly/3t4YGQP - Wednesday 22 June, 10-12 noon
Fundraising Takeaway
Leila’s Kitchen, Hebden Bridge
20% of all sales donated to Together We Grow. - Friday 24 June, 1-3 pm
Across Borders : Refugee Awareness Event
Brighouse High School
We explore what it means to seek asylum, busting myths about migration, and raising awareness about the biggest humanitarian
crisis today. - Saturday 25 June, 12 noon – 6 pm (FREE)
Great Get Together
Calder Holmes Park, Hebden Bridge
Come for a tea party, bake off, DJs and loads of free events for the whole family! - Saturday 25 June, 1-4 pm (FREE)
Great Walk Together
Hebden Bridge Park
Join Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary for a picnic and a walk in beautiful Hebden Bridge. Please bring your own picnic lunch.
Partnership encourages all to check in with their mates to prevent suicide
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WY HCP) is launching a new campaign on Monday 16 May to create awareness around male suicide across the area and is urging everyone to get involved.
The campaign, which builds on the Partnership’s national award-winning staff suicide prevention campaign ‘Check-In’, aims to promote a wellbeing culture by normalising the conversation around suicide and mental health as well as providing communication assets, links to credible sources such as the life-saving Zero Suicide Alliance training, and signposting to local support.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the risk factors that may lead to suicide, inspiring people to start conversations about mental health with the men in their life at home, in the community and at work. It sets out practical help we can all give when checking-in. Messages include:
- Is your sporty mate suddenly off his game?
- Does your mate always want to have one to many?
- Does your mate get down when he can’t see his kids grow up?
- Has your mate left service but he’s still fighting?
Developed with local men and built from their experiences, the resources can be used publicly in various places – in person and virtually, such as What’s App groups, on Facebook and Instagram, in workplaces, community groups and elsewhere at staffcheck-in.co.uk/campaign-toolkit/males/ from Monday 16 May.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that suicide is more common in West Yorkshire than in England as a whole, with significantly more men taking their own lives than women. The ONS data shows that there were 235 deaths registered by coroners as suicides in West Yorkshire in 2020, with an average of 4.5 people per week.
This priority area of work is one of WY HCP’s ten ambitions set out in their five-year plan.
Jessica Parker, Project Manager for WY HCP Suicide Prevention programme, believes the campaign will play an important role in the conversation surrounding suicide, and could potentially save lives.
Jess said: ‘I’m urging everyone to get involved in this life-saving campaign and would encourage everyone to check in with the men in their lives to ask if they are ok. WYH HCP Suicide Prevention Strategy has developed strong momentum around making suicide prevention everyone’s business. We all have a part to play in combatting stigma and identifying men in our lives who are going through struggles and ask them if they need help’.
Surinder Rall, Service Lead for West Yorkshire Suicide Bereavement Service, says it is essential that we all know the warning signs of suicide. ‘I lost both my father and my uncle to suicide. So, I speak from experience when I say that we should all work together to combat the stigma and talk more about suicide. To achieve our target of zero suicides in West Yorkshire, we must continue to talk and ask each other about mental health and suicide. That’s what the Check-In campaign is all about’.
Rob Webster CBE, CEO for WY&H HCP said: ‘While people at risk of suicide may try to hide how they are feeling, they often give out warning signs. You might notice changes in their behaviour or be aware of events in their life that could be affecting them. By knowing what to look for, having the skills and confidence to have a conversation and provide support, you can make a huge difference to someone’s life, and their family. I’m urging everyone to get involved so they know the signs and how to respond. You can also start straight away by doing the online training provided at www.zerosuicidealliance.com’
All partners in West Yorkshire – health, care, voluntary sector and beyond, are encouraged to download the free resource, such as posters, social media messages and films to use in their organisation, place of work, teams or at home among friends, family, and community. All are available at staffcheck-in.co.uk/campaign-toolkit/males/ from Monday the 16 May.
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 