Be Inspired

As the BBO project sadly drew to a close at the end of March after 5 years, we wish the team well as they move on from hvoss and thank them for all their hard work, achievements and fantastic team work supporting 322 participants with the fantastic outcome that 177 moved into volunteering, 52 into job search and 65 into training and employment.  

Looking to the future, we are pleased to announce that we are now building on this success and developing a continuation service, called:

‘Be Inspired’

Adults of all abilities, inspired to move into supported volunteering

This coaching and mentoring service will engage people to build confidence and broaden their horizons through person-centred support, group work, training and creative activities. It is inclusive and responsive, flexible and relevant to each person’s life and their aspirations, inspiring and empowering them to find and sustain appropriate volunteer placements and move towards employment.



The service is in development, and we are able to support a limited number of candidates at present. If you have any questions or would like to be involved in this new venture, please contact mandy.furniss@hvoss.org.uk

The Triangle Trust

We are now open for applications supporting work with young people with criminal convictions or those who are at high risk of committing a first offence.

In 2023 we will be funding work that uses a Sport for Development approach to reduce reoffending and first offence rates.

Our first opportunity focuses on young people with a criminal conviction.

Next Deadline for DCMS Youth Investment Fund Refurbishment Grants

Funding for capital projects that allow youth organisations to expand or improve their services.

Now open for its second round, the Refurbishment Grants stream offers grants of £10,000 to £150,000 for the renovation and expansion of youth facilities in England.

The deadline to apply is 12 May 2023.

NYAS - Independent Visitor Vacancies (Voluntary) - Herefordshire

National Youth Advocacy Service

What is the Role?

An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who provides support and friendship to a young person in care. This involves establishing a long term supportive relationship where the young person will have the opportunity to develop their interests, learn new skills and build their self-esteem.

You do not need any special qualifications, but we are looking for dedicated people of all ages who are comfortable with befriending and being a good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood. We ask that you are able to commit to a few hours once per month for a minimum of 2 years.

This is a worthwhile opportunity where you will make a positive difference to the life of a vulnerable young person, become part of a leading national children's charity, gain valuable experience, meet new people and have fun!

Herefordshire Community Partnership

Join us for the next Herefordshire Community Partnership meeting on Friday 26 May 

Next Community Partnership event

Friday May 26th, 9.30am - 1pm

The Kindle Centre, Hereford HR2 7JE

Home from Hospital

Make a difference in your community; contact hvoss today to find out more about joining our active response team. Call 01432 343932, email homefromhospital@hvoss.org.uk or pop-in and see us at 52 Broad Street, Hereford.

Your time will make a huge difference.

Volunteer Fair

hosted by The Courtyard in collaboration with hvoss

Wednesday 7 June, 4-7pm

Voluntary organisations from across Herefordshire are invited to attend a Volunteer Fair at The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford as part of National Volunteers’ Week. The event is being run in collaboration with hvoss, Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service.

Set up will be prior to 4pm and take down after 7pm. Table space is free, (one per organisation), in the foyer and potentially on the first floor depending on numbers. Organisations who want to participate need to email Clare Wichbold by Friday 19 May on clare.wichbold@courtyard.org.uk. Please advise if you need power for your stall and we will do our best to accommodate this. 

There will be free parking for one vehicle from each participating organisation. The vehicle details will need to be registered at Box Office on arrival. Other vehicles, if needed, will be subject to pay the usual carpark rate, and you will also need to pay for refreshments; the Café Bar will be open as usual.  

Herefordshire's economic vision to 2050

Herefordshire Sustainable Growth Strategy Board (HSGSB) have launched Herefordshire's Big Economic Plan and recruitment process for the new Economy and Place Board.

The Big Economic Plan is a partnership document, setting a collective vision for the future growth of the county

Join the new Economy and Place Partnership board

The HSGSB are now recruiting for members of the new partnership in addition to seeking a new independent chair.

The deadline for applications is noon 18 May 2023.

People seeking asylum staying in Herefordshire

This month over 100 people who arrived in the UK from several countries and are seeking asylum here moved into the Three Counties Hotel in Hereford. hvoss is a member of the operational group with a number of community organisations and representatives from health and Herefordshire Council and has convened a separate group of community-based groups who are offering to provide day-to-day support to the people, who are not eligible for benefits, to work in the UK, or to housing here. The community is offering support with English teaching and practice, with clothing (many of the hotel residents do not have anything other than what they arrived here wearing), with toiletries and with activities including sports and games.

Anyone who is interested in supporting either the people themselves, or any of the community organisations providing support, volunteering their time, or who would like to donate clothing, games or other resources, please get in touch volunteer@hvoss.org.uk

United in Music Eurovision Celebration

The Living Room and The Left Bank Village are hosting a Eurovision Party to celebrate this extra special Eurovision year and unite our two countries in music and culture.

All welcome - free entry

It's time to record your volunteered hours for April...

Are you someone that gives your time and skills voluntarily as a trustee, member of a parish council or whilst carrying out your volunteer role? We are inviting you to record every hour that you give.

Does your organisation or group in Herefordshire work with volunteers? We would welcome you to log their hours to highlight the incredible amount of time that is given across the county.

Why are we running the Count Your Hours campaign?

As an infrastructure organisation, hvoss exists to represent, advocate for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. By gathering data about the number of hours that are given voluntarily across our county over the course of a year, hvoss are able:

• To recognise the number of hours given voluntarily across the county.
• Highlight areas where volunteered hours are higher or lower than others.
• To inform new strategic and programme developments involving volunteering.

Missed a month? We have been running our #CountYourHours campaign since June 2022 and to date we have recorded over a staggering 49,000 hours that have been volunteered across the county. We know this is the tip of the iceberg. Help us paint the bigger picture by submitting your / your organisation's volunteered hours vis the form below - there is an option to record hours for previous months if required.

Feeling Anxious?

You're not alone

Mental Health Awareness Week is just around the corner (15 - 21 May) and this year's theme is anxiety - something we think we can all relate to at some point or another.

Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including starting a new job or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs. 

And we aren’t alone: anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we can face - six in ten adults feel this way, at least some of the time. 

And that’s where CALM comes in. Click the button below to find out more and to access a whole world of resources and information.