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

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/

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

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

Our crowdfunding campaign to support free training in the local community is live and ends on  4th March.

Please see the campaign page and rewards at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-square-boxing-club

We’re offering lots of great rewards at heavily discounted prices. e.g. a taster class for £10.

For info, our first free community training sessions with the Community Actions project start this week for children and will run for 6 weeks every Thursday (details on above campaign link).

 

 

DSC’s first catalogue of the year features publications, research and in-house learning and development, and this version includes brilliant training courses brand new for 2020. Click below to view or download your own.

Spring 2020 catalogue – hot off the press

Five new year – and new decade – resolutions for legacy fundraisers

Inside the Complete Fundraising Handbook

Choosing a fundraising consultant: ten top tips

Strategy secrets: how to create a good fundraising strategy

Landing a grant: ten top tips

Fundraising: the rules of survival

At our recent seminar looking at what’s on the horizon for charities in 2020, we highlighted the changes to the IR35 tax rules that are expected to come into effect on 6 April this year. IR35 governs the tax treatment of pay to consultants supplying their services via an intermediary. The changes will apply to all medium and large sized private sector organisations, including charities and not-for-profit bodies.

On 7 January the Government launched a review amid confusion about how and when the new rules will apply, and concerns that organisations could be exposed to unexpected increases in costs and a shortage of skills. However, the changes are still scheduled to become law in April this year. So what should charities be doing now to prepare? Click here