https://jobs.wwt.org.uk/vacancies/1486/health_wellbeing_officer/
Statutory services are increasingly keen to engage with local voluntary and community organisations – but a problem we often come up against is the sheer level of jargon, acronyms and mind boggling terms and concepts often used by professionals relating to their area of work or expertise. I’m sure that within their organisations, the language they use is every-day, but for many of us, trying to decipher terms and phrases that everyone else around the table seems to be perfectly familiar with, can be daunting to say the least!
If we don’t understand the conversation – we cannot meaningfully contribute to it, and again the voice of the sector and those we support goes unheard. Whilst Sobus will continue to campaign for statutory services to stop using jargon and mystifying terminology and acronyms, I don’t think it will ever disappear completely!
Of course, it’s not only perfectly fine to interrupt a speaker to ask them to explain the last set of complex letters and jargon they’ve used – but only by challenging on a regular basis as and when these instances occur will we get the message through to our erstwhile colleagues, that they need to simplify the language if they expect us to be real partners and collaborators.
However, asking questions of this nature takes confidence (which not everyone has), and for many, the worry is that they will appear perhaps less professional, less educated or not able to contribute to the discussion at the same level as their statutory sector colleagues – which of course is not true at all! The insights and experiences of the VCS is critical in order for us to ensure that local systems and services truly meet the needs of our residents.
Most of our statutory sector colleagues are only too happy to be reminded to avoid the use of unnecessary jargon and use straight forward terms and language – and will gladly work with organisations to help them understand the background, context and terms used. In the meantime, Sobus has started to put together “jargon busters” that you can use to help you understand some of the terminology and acronyms that we often come across on a regular basis.
We’ll update these regularly – as pithy new phrases, words and abbreviations are regularly created! If you have any others that you think we should include – we’d love to hear from you!
Jargon buster health & social care
Jargon buster crime & policing
The Sobus led BAME Mental Health research report was published nearly a year ago. The impact of COVID has by most evidence increased the prevalence of mental health issues facing individuals and communities. The report has had an impact at strategic and local levels on trying to deliver a more community focussed, integrated and equitable services that addresses the needs of all individuals and communities who need mental health support.
Overview of some of the engagement opportunities and projects transforming mental health and support locally. Read on…
Chances are that most people will know of a person who has experienced domestic violence and domestic abuse during a lifetime. This is made more alarming from recent high profile cases in the media.
The United Nations define Domestic Abuse as ‘Domestic abuse, also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner violence”, can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Read on for further information, useful links and the H&F survey.
Have you tried SOLID, the Sobus online training and development facility? Take a look at the selection of online training material on our website under Training and Research – https://sobus.org.uk/grow/solid/
I have recently been asked a lot about Project Management. Within SOLID, you can access a session on project management, looking at devising a project brief, setting objectives and managing the process through to its defined end and “Closure.” The whole package enables you to understand why project management is important and how it differs from the day to day management that we might be familiar with. It leads you to explore issues such as setting measurable objectives, managing risk, checking on progress and using tools such as Gantt charts. It makes you consider three core elements to managing; Time, Budget and Quality, all being at the heart of everything you do. Take a look…..
Sobus invites you to our next Meet the Funder event. The funder will be The Greater London Authority. This is being delivered along with Kensington and Chelsea Social Council and One Westminster. If you want to attend, please contact Nigel Jacques at Sobus – nigel.jacques@sobus.org.uk
For this Meet the Funder event we have the Greater London Authority presenting on Untold Stories and Community Micro Grants .
The two new funds are aimed at supporting community-led projects across London.
Untold Stories is a £1m new funding programme to support community-led organisations make a change in their public spaces. It is part of the Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm, one of the Mayor’s flagship commitments to cementing London’s reputation as a diverse, global city.
Community-led organisations are invited to apply for grants to help develop and deliver projects that increase diversity in London’s public spaces. Whether this is creating something new, highlighting something missing or hidden, or presenting a different story to what already exists.
The Community Grants Fund will launch in winter 2021. £900k will be distributed over three waves of funding. The purpose is to support grassroots and community-led activity that helps Londoners to lead recovery from the COVID-19 crisis in their own communities.
Priority will be given to questions submitted in advance. Please send them across to dhani@kcsc.org.uk by 5pm on Monday 29 November.
The session will be held on Zoom, and you will be emailed prior to the event with a link to join, so please ensure your contact details are correct.
If you have any questions about the event, or if your organisation has support needs you would like to discuss, please contact support@kcsc.org.uk and we will direct you to a colleague or partner organisation that can help.
The Gas Safe Charity is offering free carbon monoxide (CO) Zoom workshops this Autumn to help launch Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week on the 22nd November. As the days get colder and the heating is turned on, the potential risks of CO poisoning increase. The workshops last about an hour and are a mix of practical information and interaction.They are aimed at staff and volunteers from any organisation that delivers a service in the home of a vulnerable person. This could be face to face or telephone support. The focus is on the sources, signs and symptoms of CO poisoning and the risks around low level poisoning and what actions to take if you suspect this.
If you would like to book a place, please click on this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/115618952399 or if you prefer e-learning, then email us on e-learning@gassafecharity.org.uk
If your interested in this topic, we have produced a short video with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, aimed at the South Asian community – the link is here: https://youtu.be/RyHgCkIYw1E
DanceWest are now permanently ‘in residence’ at Sands End Art & Community Centre. DanceWest founder, Rosie was instrumental in researching the impact of movement and all the Arts on people with dementia and their friends and families many, many years ago. Great news for DanceWest and H&F! Find out more
The Mental Health Sustainability Fund is pleased to launch a new Helplines Fund in November 2021.
sobus
20 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7EN
Telephone 020 7952 1230
Email info@sobus.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1071089
and Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.03471416
Sobus is a new Community Development Agency for Hammersmith & Fulham. It has been created through the merger of the Community and Voluntary Sector Association Hammersmith & Fulham (CaVSA) and the Fulham Community Partnership Trust (FCPT). Building on the strengths of both organisations, sobus aims to provide a wider range of support services for local charities, community groups, social enterprises and start up businesses.
