hvoss invite you to join them…

We are delighted to be hosting this year's hvoss Annual General Meeting (AGM) at The Shell Store on Wednesday 19 October from 2-4pm.

A reflection and celebration of the year just gone.

Registration is from 1.30pm with a tour of the Shell Store facilities also available at this time. The AGM commences promptly at 2pm.

The business of the meeting will be followed by presentations from the various projects that hvoss support, and an opportunity to network.

We do hope you can join us for this special event. More information about the venue, directions, bus and cycle routes can all be found on the booking page. If you would prefer to book your place via phone, please call the hvoss office on 01432 343932.

Count Your Hours

As we enter a new month, this is your kindly reminder to submit any volunteered hours you, or your organisation or group have clocked up during the month of September... 

Summary - Youth Feasibility Event

On Tuesday 20 September, hvoss hosted an event at The Kindle Centre to present and discuss the findings of a youth feasibility study conducted by Charity Fundraising LTD. 

The event was chaired by the High Sheriff of Herefordshire, Sarah de Rohan and was well attended. The event highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration across the sector and as such, hvoss will be hosting a follow-up event in the coming weeks. 

If you work with children and young people across Herefordshire, or if you have a vested interest in the provision for younger people in our county, please contact us to be added to the mailing list and to keep the conversation going.

A summary of the event on the 20th September can be found below, along with a link to the report: Different Places for Different People - A fully strengths-based approach.

Magna and Young Magna Performing Arts 

We are a group of dedicated creatives who provide live theatrical performances in a rural area. We produce, plays, pantos and performances in a Community Hall. 

We work from original scripts written in-house. The adult cast meet on Tuesdays, Young performers meet on Sunday afternoons and sometimes cross over rehearsals happen on Fridays. The group is run completely by volunteers and paid for by subscription which is kept as low as possible.

We would welcome some new creatives to this co-operative group, all ages from 8 years upwards and all abilities welcomed. Get in touch via our facebook page or website magnapresents.co.uk

Watch out for posters for our October production based on a true event which occurred in Hereford in 1954 when a young man went missing in Canon Pyon.  

Herefordshire Community Foundation launch a new funding opportunity

"We are excited to launch a new funding opportunity which is designed to encourage 10 to 20 year olds to take social action and make a positive difference in their communities."

The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £66 million joint investment (£33 million seed funding each) from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.

The #iwill Fund looks to support social action activities that create opportunities for young people aged 10-20 to develop their potential and their capacity to significantly contribute to their community.

Deadline to apply: Friday 4 November

Final green light for £22.4 million investment into Hereford city projects

It’s official - Hereford has been given the go ahead to spend £22.4 million of Government investment on transformational projects that’ll boost ambitions for a green, fair, and connected future.

Fifteen capital projects that will bring about new skills, creative places and community connections have been formally approved by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, meaning they can now all move into delivery.

The interconnected portfolio of projects, many of which were first suggested by community groups and businesses in 2020 when the #StrongerHereford Board announced Hereford would apply for funding from the UK-wide Towns Fund Scheme, has the potential to supercharge the way residents and tourists live, work and visit in the city.

Now that funding has been confirmed, the physical work can begin. This includes improved access to the river and new floating pontoons as part of an ambitious riverside regeneration. Hereford will also be opening pioneering education hubs connected to fast-growing industries like video game design, digital creative skills, and engineering; while investment in cultural venues – including the major overhaul of Hereford Museum and introduction of a rooftop terrace and a new lease of life for the city library inside Maylord Orchards Centre - will drive tourism and provide residents and visitors with more flexible, inclusive, inspirational spaces.

Also green lit is the redevelopment of the historic pavilion on Castle Green; the creation of an extreme sports hub; electric buses for the city; and the exciting Southside development in Newton Farm in South Wye, which will incorporate sports pitches, community garden and employability hub to boost skills, jobs, entrepreneurialism and more.

Detail of all 15 projects, and the groups who will now work hard to turn them into reality over the coming years, can be found online at www.strongerhereford.co.uk.

Chair of #StrongerHereford, Abigail Appleton, said: “This is thrilling news is and huge credit to the power of collaboration across our city to inspire and deliver ambitious change.

“On behalf of the #StrongerHereford Board, I’d like to say what a privilege it is to work with so many people from community groups, charity, volunteers from all walks of life, the business sector, education, and our city and county councils, who share a vision to help make Hereford greener, fairer, more creative, more connected and more skilled.

“There will be more challenges ahead to deliver the plans but with this government green light and all the energy and determination that’s got us this far, I am confident of success.”

Councillor Ellie Chowns, Herefordshire Council member of #StrongerHereford Board, added: “We are delighted to receive confirmation of this significant funding for investment in our City.

“The delivery of these exciting projects can now get underway, providing an important boost in education, sports, employment and culture, for residents and visitors.”

#StrongerHereford Board is currently recruiting Youth Representatives. Residents aged 18-21 are invited to apply, and will join the Board to help oversee and drive forward the delivery of the exciting programme. For details visit www.strongerhereford.co.uk

Volunteer Manager CHAT - a virtual event

hvoss are launching a monthly Volunteer Manager CHAT event.

The purpose of this relaxed online event is for Volunteer Managers to share knowledge, experiences, challenges and solutions.

The session lasts for an hour with the first half covering a particular topic/speaker and the second half being open discussion.

This first session on 12th October will cover: 'Making the most of the hvoss volunteer matching service'

Hope to see you there!

Training Training Training...

hvoss are delighted to host a range of free funding training opportunities coming up across the county...

See the posters below for more information or call us on 01432 343932.

Volunteer NOW is out now...

Voluntary groups and organisations in Herefordshire are looking for volunteer support. Have a look at our latest newsletter to find out where you can help...

Got an opportunity to promote in the next edition of Volunteer NOW? Contact us today: volunteer@hvoss.org.uk