Shapeshifter Productions, is a performing arts charity based in London. We are in our tenth year of delivering participatory singing workshops called The Smiling Sessions to residential sheltered housing schemes and care homes for the elderly in deprived areas of London. The sessions are delivered by three professional musicians who have many years experience in this field.

We are currently looking for volunteers who would like to gain experience working in adult social care, dementia, occupational therapy or community music, engaging with the elderly during the sessions to help them engage in singing and register weekly attendance. This will also include monitoring and evaluating the impact of music and song on well-being and dementia throughout the project.

Our project encourages people to become more active, and to try new activities in a safe environment. We have found that, through time, the sessions improve people’s; sense of well-being overall, stimulating them into having a happier social life, share experiences and feel more supported.

We ask for a commitment of 2hrs a week for 6 fortnightly sessions if possible. We are currently delivering in the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Rotherhithe, Hammersmith & Fulham and Waltham Forest. We can reimburse travel expenses.

You can also learn more about our work on the website, www.shapeshifter-productions.com

and on this youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA85WFZqxcI&t

Zara Hussain, Social Media and Volunteer Coordinator: T: 0207 018 2927

Capital grants of up to £40,000 are available for projects that improve the physical environment within which adult and children’s hospices deliver care. The grants will seek to address inequality and widen access to hospice care for people with dementia or a mental health condition. This can be through putting into practice the recommendations or findings from an organisational or local scoping exercise; piloting a new project based on a robust needs assessment; and responding to national policy or research evidence. The funding is being made available through Hospice UK and the total amount of funding available is £200,000. The deadline for applications is 5pm on the 20th April 2020. Click here

Carers Network have launched a new project called Carers Cuppa in partnership with Charing Cross Hospital. Each hospital will have a designated “Carers Cuppa” table within the hospital cafés, offering a place to support unpaid carers of the sick and disabled.

Carers Cuppa Volunteers will reach out to hidden carers and highlight that the Carers Cuppa table is designated place to meet other unpaid carers in a similar position, whilst networking with hospital staff to promote the project to patients. The volunteer will also promote our services and facilitate referrals to Carers Network.

For more information,click here.

Good Thinking is a FREE, NHS-approved website which has been used by over 400,000 people to help relieve anxiety, stress and depression.  This resource can be used anywhere at anytime to access a list of online tools, free apps and urgent support information.  Please visit the website if you would like some support:

Link to Good Thinking:

https://www.good-thinking.uk/

Local and national charities in England and Wales can apply for grants of between £500 – £5,000 per year for up to 3 years for projects that support vulnerable and disadvantaged people over 50. To be eligible the charity needs to have an annual income of below £500,000 per year. The funding is being made available through the Masonic Charitable Foundation Later Life small grants programme. The next closing date for applications to the small grants programme is the 17th April 2020. The Foundation also offer funding of between £10,000 and £80,000 through its large grants programme. The large grants programme is currently closed and is due to re-open for applications on the 30th March 2020 until the 15th June 2020. Click here

Masbro Tunes & Tea Elders singing group starting next Thursday February 27th 2020.

Masbro Centre, 87 Masbro Road, W14 0LR

Flyer

 

WAND UK is pleased to offer FREE dancing programme at Fatima Community Centre from 26 February 2020.

Please see below for more information.

Here

The ultimate guide for charities and organisations working on the front line, supporting those living in poverty or with complex, multiple needs.

“With its straightforward navigation, this guide helps you to quickly and easily identify appropriate grant-giving charities, including smaller local organisations.” Tina Willis, Casework Teamleader, UNISON Thereforyou

Look inside

Published March 2020: pre-order now

Small charities and community interest groups with innovative ideas that benefit their community can apply for funding of up to £50,000 for projects that build more connected, more resilient communities; and give people the tools to become more financially independent. The funding is being made available through the newly re-launched Aviva Community Fund. Every three months from January onwards, £250,000 will be split equally among Aviva’s UK employees to donate to the projects that matter to them most. The closing date for this funding round is the 5th May 2020. Aviva have teamed up with the fundraising platform Crowdfunder and applicants can add to any donations they get from the Aviva Community Fund with public donations. Click here

Click on the links below for top tips from DSC.

Creating the organisational culture you want

Delegation: things as a manager you should not be doing

Valuing evaluation: ten top tips

Moving into Management – all the fun of the fair: top tips

Emotional intelligence for managers: five key areas