Civil Society have reported that charities will be able to claim Gift Aid on waived refunds or loan payments, under amended rules announced this week. Temporary concessions allowing charities to claim Gift Aid when supporters waived repayments for cancelled events were introduced at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis. Read the article here.
With the “roadmap” out of the Coronavirus lockdown looking pretty much on track, and occasional glimpses of Spring around us (despite a few recent days of cold wet weather), we should perhaps now be feeling much more optimistic and excited about the year ahead – but this doesn’t seem to be the case for many.
We all know that the last year has been tough, particularly on people’s mental wellbeing. Prescribing of anti-depressants and referrals to counselling services have massively increased – but there’s something else lurking – a lack of motivation, an absence of optimism and excitement perhaps?
I came across an interesting article in the Irish Times, exploring the concept of “languishing”:
“Friends mentioned that they were having trouble concentrating. Colleagues reported that, even with vaccines on the horizon, they weren’t excited about 2021. A family member was staying up late to watch National Treasure again even though she knows the movie by heart. And instead of bouncing out of bed each morning I was lying there for an hour, playing Words with Friends.
It wasn’t burnout – we still had energy. It wasn’t depression – we didn’t feel hopeless. We just felt somewhat joyless and aimless. It turns out there’s a name for that: languishing.
Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windscreen.”
For the full article, and tips on how to combat that feeling of “languishing”, click here
On the 27th April, we met with some of our local funders: Hammersmith United Charities; Dr Edwards and Bishop King’s Fulham Charity; and UNITED in Hammersmith and Fulham. Kensington and Chelsea were also represented with a local funder.
We had 66 participant organisations interacting with the funders about potential applications. And what was really good was that the funders expressed what they liked to see in terms of applications, as well as talking about their priorities. The whole event lasted about 1 and a half hours and everyone, who wanted to, got to speak to the funder.
I would like to bring to your attention our latest Policy Briefing Paper on ‘COVID-19, Unemployment & The Somali Community’. The policy brief has explored and assessed whether existing government support is reaching the Somali Community at a grassroots level. We also assessed any gaps and unmet support needs that have yet to be received through government support and attention. We recommend urgent action is taken by the UK government to aid the community through this difficult time. This is essential to fulfil the government’s promise to level up and build back better. You can find it by clicking this link.
About 2 years ago, I came to Sobus with an idea. It was a good idea but I had no idea how to make it a reality. With the help of Nigel and Ash we managed to get the structure of what I was trying achieve. After many a meeting The Invisible Café slowly came to fruition. The Invisible Café is a safe and peaceful space dedicated to people with invisible illnesses or disabilities. Ash helped me with the creative stuff and Nigel helped me with the mammoth task to officially set up the business and complete the business plan.
We started working towards the Invisible Café being an actual bricks and mortar Café. Working to get people ‘out’ and ‘meeting up with others’. However, the pandemic hit and we had to totally rethink our ethos.
After, many a conflab, lots of coffee and late nights, we decided to move everything online and, here we are finally ready to launch. From adaptive fitness classes to coffee mornings and wellbeing and mindfulness sessions. Plus, we can offer exclusive gifts, incredible discounts and membership to a fun and supportive group.
I cannot thank Sobus enough. To be able to talk to Nigel and Ash about the initial idea to registering at Companies House and the wealth of contacts and advice – It’s because of these guys I am where I am today! Thank you…Rosx
Take a look at the website and join up as a member!
The Invisible Café has launched! As a member of the Invisible Café, you will receive discounts on health, beauty, fitness, food, hair and exclusive access to a very special online designer vintage store. Some upcoming events are shown below, but there is much more to come!
Thursday 22nd, 11.30pm – Pilates Class
Sunday 25th April – Coffee morning
Take a look at the website and join up as a member!
Civil Society have reported that The Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute of Fundraising have published new guidance on fundraising in the coronavirus environment, as some lockdown measures have started to ease. Read the article here.
Civil Society have reported that JustGiving has launched a free donation processing service for its charity customers, enabling them to collect direct donations via their own website. Read the article here.
The Charity Commission have set out their response to the most commonly asked questions about what to do during the Covid-19 pandemic. Find out more here.
North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups is currently in the process of developing a maternal mental health service aimed at new and expectant mothers who have been affected by complex birth-related trauma and birth fear (tokophobia); and who cannot benefit from current care provisions.
Please see flyer for more details.
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.