The Charity Commission have updated their guidance on safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees, click here to read the full guidance and updated information.
The Charity Retail Association is launching a Charity Shop Gift Card that will enable their members to offer a single gift card that can be redeemed at any participating charity shop. Click here to find out more.
The recent meeting of world leaders in Glasgow at the end of October provided a useful opportunity to remind us all of the precarious balance our environment is in, and the chance to think about how we can, as organisations and individuals, do our bit to help this vital area of work. Read on
November is certainly a notable month – with the beginning of the month starting Bonfire Night on the 5th November, where we celebrated a foiled attempt by Guy Fawkes and his associates to blow up the Houses of Parliament, and Diwali, observed by more than a billion people across the world.
Diwali, also known as the festival of lights brings prayer, feasts, fireworks and, for some, a new year. The end of Diwali in 2021 coincides with Bonfire Night – so no doubt the skies over London during the first weekend in November lit up!
Are you managing a mix of remote and in-person working at the moment? This article from the Financial Times has some interesting tips for businesses (but still relevant to charities!). Find out more.
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.
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
YOU ARE INVITED TO
THE GNC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
ON FRIDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
BETWEEN 4PM – 6PM
ALL ARE WELCOME
The Grove Neighbourhood Centre
7 Bradmore Park Road
W6 0DT
Phone: 020 8741 3321
Email: gnc@groveneighbours.org.uk
Web: www.groveneighbours.org.uk
