The Kids Network: Connecting for Change

‘Before I met my mentor, I used to stay at home and I was less confident. Now I feel brave and I’m proud of the answers I give in school.’ Lorenzo, South London

There’s a child like Lorenzo waiting to be inspired by you – apply today!

The Kids Network believes every child should have access to positive childhoods and the future they deserve. They match children aged 8 to 11 with positive role models; local heroes from their communities who help build their confidence, resilience and ability to manage their feelings, by supporting them over the course of a year by providing fun and positive experiences and activities. Additionally, our volunteer mentors report that their wellbeing increases, that they feel more connected to their communities, and that they have developed their own skills too! Full training and 1-1 support is provided throughout, volunteers to be 18+ years old and have the right to volunteer in the UK.

Watch this video to find out more about mentoring, and how becoming a volunteer can help develop your own skills and wellbeing while positively impacting the life of a child.

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Capacity Building – Becoming Sustainable! by Nigel Jacques, Sobus Head of Organisation Development & Enterprise

We all seek to run an organisation that is sustainable. One that can be maintained at a certain rate or level, often one that needs to grow at a reasonable but sustainable level. So, what does that mean for an organisation?

Certainly, it is about continuity in terms of funding and continuity in terms of meeting the communities’ needs. But what does an organisation have to do “managerially” to get there? If we look at capacity building what would be the final stage in that building programme for development? The organisation would be managing resources effectively and efficiently and would be adapting to change through continuous development of itself. It is the second part of being able and having the flexibility to adapt to change and being able to find the time and resource to develop that makes it so difficult in achieving real sustainability.

At Sobus, we have designed a 5 Stage approach to Capacity building: Organisational Development – Sobus

Having met the 4 stages earlier you would be progressing as an organisation through stage 5. These would be the indicators to meet, remembering that many structures would have been put in place during Stages 1 –4.

Stage 5

5.1 The organisation is adapting to the environment in which it operates and uses its resources in such a

way that the organisation continues to develop further.

5.2 Strategic planning beyond 12 months is carried out whereby there is vision, clear organisational

values and clarity about how the organisation will progress and develop.

5.3 Effective measures are in place to evaluate the organisation’s performance

5.4 The Board is clearly aware of its skill set and how it should improve for the benefit of driving the

organisation forward

5.5 The organisation uses volunteers to enable it to add clear value

5.6 The organisation has policies, structures and processes in place for effective people management

5.7 The people of the organisation can provide flexibility to enable the organisation to meet varying

priorities

5.8 The organisation develops its people in such a way that they contribute to the organisation’s own

plans and development

5.9 The organisation evaluates its position and is taking steps to continuously improve

Are you at Stage 5? If so get in touch with Nigel at Sobus for a discussion about how it was achieved and what others can learn from that achievement. Email: nigel.jacques@sobus.org.uk

 

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People Arise Now Community Connect: How Safe Do You Feel?

@PeopleAriseNow  will be hosting their Community Connect event., focusing on “How Safe do you feel?”.  

Date: Tuesday 29th  November 

Time: 11am – 1pm  

Location: Sobus, 20 Dawes Road, SW6 7EN.

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Funding for Projects that Combat Abuse & Violation of Human Rights (UK)

UK-registered charities that work towards combating abuse and violations of human rights can apply for grants of up to £20,000. Applications are particularly welcomed from charities working to support migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; criminal justice and penal reform; and human rights, particularly access to justice. The funding is being made available through the A B Charitable Trust. The Trust generally makes one-off grants to charities registered and working in the UK with annual incomes of between £150,000 and £1.5m that do not have substantial investments or surpluses. The next closing date for applications is the 29th January 2023. Funding for Projects that Combat Abuse and Violation of Human Rights (UK)

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24 Nov Carers Rights Day: Come to an Online Carer Awareness Session

Come to an online Carers Rights Day Carer Awareness session on Thursday 24 November on Zoom from 10am-11am.

At this session for professionals, you will learn about the specialist support Carers Network can provide to local unpaid carers who are looking after an adult in the City of Westminster, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

Carers Network’s Westminster and Kensington Service Manager, Sandie Roberts, will present at the meeting, and we will be joined by local carer and chair of the Kensington and Chelsea Carers Forum, Fatima Ouanssaidi, who will be speaking of her experiences as a carer.

Carers Network’s Information, Advice and Guidance team will also attend.

The login details for the session are:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88194873521?pwd=VDRpUnJpRnJDV1lBcDF0a3l6dW9YUT09

Meeting ID: 881 9487 3521
Passcode: 934851

If you plan to attend, can you please register here.

Please also click below for the programme of workshops for carers that Carers Network is running on the day, along with details of where we will be hosting carer awareness stalls.

Workshops

Stalls

 

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Booking Your Christmas Events with Sobus, by Carita Magnani, Sobus Facilities Manager

We all know that as Christmas approaches, there are always last minute meetings, Christmas events and get-togethers to be hastily booked and paid for, so that everything gets done in time for you to actually relax and enjoy the holidays!

Here’s where Sobus can help

Have you ever thought of combining your meetings and Christmas events in one venue? Think of the time and money saved!

For example, if you book a full day in one of our large rooms, part of this could be for your meeting and part spent enjoying a Christmas lunch, mince pies, mulled wine, networking and socialising – We can even set up a bar for you!

Or perhaps you just want a Christmassy feel to your meeting?

Either way, please do get in touch and let us know how we can facilitate your requirements; Carita.magnani@sobus.org.uk / 07885910584

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DSC Upcoming FREE Events

Insight Talk: Change for Better – Freshening Up Your Fundraising Approach – Tuesday 22 November

At our next Insight Talk, we’ll be joined by best-selling author and fundraising expert Bernard Ross, who will share his knowledge on using behavioural science as a tool for fundraising. Happening at 4:30pm on Tuesday 22 November, register for free here.

An Uncharitable Alliance: Mermaids v The Charity Commission and the LGB Alliance – Friday 11 November

This roundtable event will discuss the work of the LGB Alliance from feminist and children’s rights perspectives and consider the implications of its campaigning for children’s access to health care, as well as the impact of the Equality Act on women’s and trans rights. Register here.

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