Hello and Goodbye

This month we wave au revoir to our friend and colleague Lisa Sullivan. Lisa has been a key member of the hvoss Community team supporting community groups and volunteers throughout Herefordshire and is moving on to Arts Alive as their new Marketing and Audience Manager.

We wish all the best in her exciting new role and know she will be wonderful!

Lisa, you have been amazing, all of us at hvoss will miss you but this is not goodbye, just see you again soon!

I come from a background of working as a wellbeing facilitator, specialised in trauma, and project managing and coordinating in cooperative, and community led organisations. My passions are in finding ways to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts through collaboration and partnership. Learning about people and organisations how they work and what could be possible together.

The Network has already achieved so much, and I am looking forwards to supporting its development and maintaining an agile response to the continuing humanitarian need of Ukrainians both in Ukraine and those living in the county. 

New Podcast show launched on Spotify

hvoss Mission Possible is a monthly podcast for individuals, groups and organisations who are working or interested in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector (VCSE). The podcast shares the voices, knowledge and skills in the Herefordshire VCSE to support the development of groups and organisations in the county.

This is Mission Possible!    

Mission Possible kicks off with a funding panel discussion focusing on How has the ‘cost of living crisis’ changed the landscape of fundraising?

hvoss were thrilled to be joined for this episode by Bridie Sullivan CEO of Hereford Community Foundation, Mike Cook Chief Officer of ECHO and

Jamie Audsley CEO of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.

Cost of Living Fund launched 24 July 2023

The £76M Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund has been launched.

The fund will support organisations across England to deliver critical frontline services. Organisations will be able to apply for funding to maintain or expand critical cost of living services from now until the end of March 2024.

Applications will be for amounts between £10,000 and £75,000. The funding is ONLY open to frontline organisations running critical services in communities, in at least one of the follow areas:

• food and emergency supplies - food and other 'banks'
• emergency shelter - homelessness services
• safe spaces - domestic abuse services and youth services
• warmth - warm spaces / hubs
• financial and housing advice.

Applicants MUST be able to demonstrate both increased costs and increased demand. 

The fund is part of the £100M for charities announced in the Spring Budget. It will be administered by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The application window is now open and will close at 12 noon on Monday 16 October 2023.

The Cracked Slipper Company Drama 4 Change awarded £44,997.00 by BBC Children in Need

The Cracked Slipper Company’s project “Drama 4 Change” in Hereford has been awarded a grant of £44,997.00 over three years by BBC Children in Need. This grant will fund our drama group “Drama 4 Change” and help make a difference to the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage right here in Herefordshire.

We want to be able to reach out to young people in Herefordshire to those who would not normally access the arts due to social or financial disadvantage. “Drama 4 Change” will provide young people between the age of 10 years and 18 years with the skills, confidence and experience to feel positive about their futures whether its further education or a career. We want to help young people to realise their potential and to help them to reach their aspirations.

With the support of BBC Children in Need we will be able to provide young people with a free to attend drama group for 10- 18-year-olds in Herefordshire. Drama 4 Change is led by professional drama practitioners who understand how engaging with Drama at a young age has the power to transform lives. The support from BBC Children in Need over the next three years will help us to make a difference and have a positive impact on young people’s wellbeing and self-esteem, providing young people with a platform to be creative, gain new skills and confidence whilst making new friends.

This support will help us to give young people a voice through issue-based drama, empowering them to educate others about issues that are important to young people and their communities.

Victoria Craig, Chairperson of The Cracked Slipper Company said; “We would not be able to reach out to the young people in Herefordshire without the support of BBC Children in Need. This grant will go on to change the lives of so many young people and give them the support they need.”

hvoss in collaboration with Hereford City Council are thrilled to welcome community groups and organisations to 'Meet the Funder' and are very grateful to be joined by representatives from

The National Lottery Community Fund, The Eveson Trust,

Hereford Community Foundation and Co-op Community Fund

This is an opportunity to learn about each organisation, the different funds, criteria and application process. Following each presentation we will open the floor to questions.

For more information about this event and to book your space click below.

FREE training Events and Workshops for all

Ledbury Poetry upcoming free training aimed at all members of the community. They seek to raise awareness of key issues, close skills gaps and provide free support, inspiration and networking to all. To book click on the links.

Saturday 28^th October 10am-3pm

Create a heritage exhibition at Ledbury Heritage Centre

Tuesday 7^th November 10am – 12.30pm

Social Media and Digital Marketing Training.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations

tips, discounts and support for charities, from trusted suppliers

Our Trusted Suppliers provide specialist products and services that can save your organisation time and money, and they have lots of experience of working with voluntary organisations.

Follow the links in the heading for all the latest offers, events and useful resources:

👉 Top tips for shortlisting candidates 

👉 Are you paying your staff the appropriate salary?

👉 Advice on aligning work with values and designing a wellbeing strategy

👉 How your organisation could benefit from Group Income Protection 

👉 Are you data compliant?

👉 Optimise your telephony and save money with Teams Phone 

👉 Safeguard your Microsoft Azure environment from cryptocurrency fraud

👉 Trusted Standard Lunch and Learn | 27 September,13.00

👉 Top tips for firework displays

Home from Hospital

Make a difference in your community by supporting people as they are discharged from hospital. You could be a friendly face to greet them as they arrive home, help them settle in, with shopping and to lend a listening ear.

Contact hvoss today to find out more about joining our active response team, harts.

Call 01432 343932

homefromhospital@hvoss.org.uk

or pop-in to our office in high town at 52 Broad Street, Hereford, next door to Greggs!

Micro grants available

The Microgrants scheme aims to support individuals, groups and smaller volunteer led organisations in Worcestershire & Herefordshire to receive a financial contribution of up to £250 to support resident led activities. These activities will help connect people, build stronger communities, and foster positive mental health and wellbeing.