The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme is offering free Independent Energy Assessments (IEA’s) to eligible frontline community organisations across England to help them save money and be more energy efficient. Find out more here.
National Storytelling Week runs from 30th January to 6th February and is a celebration of the art of storytelling and the power of stories to connect, entertain, and inspire. During this week, people of all ages come together to share and enjoy stories in various forms, from traditional oral tales to modern narratives. It’s a time to appreciate the rich tapestry of human storytelling and its significance in our lives.
National Storytelling Week is an annual event that encourages individuals and communities to embrace the tradition of storytelling. It’s a time to celebrate the diverse ways in which stories are told, whether through spoken word, written narratives, theatre, film, or other creative mediums. This week provides a platform for storytellers, both amateur and professional, to showcase their talents and engage audiences with captivating tales.
A good read
We have a fantastic organisation in Hammersmith & Fulham that’s all about reading and storytelling – the Doorstep Library Network.
“Doorstep Library is a community-focused literacy charity dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children across London and beyond who need our support. For us the ‘happy ever after’ is when we know the power of literacy and the joy of reading for pleasure are helping a child change their own story for good.”
Doorstep Library recruits and trains reading volunteers to go into disadvantaged areas of London and beyond, to help introduce young children to the pleasure and benefits of reading. Read on
The Kiln have allocated £10 tickets for The Frogs, Spymonkey’s tragically funny attempt to pull off a classic Greek comedy.
Spymonkey are one of the UK’s leading physical comedy ensembles. The Frogs is a delirious trip through Greek theatre, monster-filled Underworld and classic vaudeville double act.
£10 tickets are available for all performances from Thu 8 to Sat 17 Feb.
Tickets must be booked by Fri 9 Feb
You can also get £5 off all tickets for performances from Mon 19 Feb to Sat 2 Mar.
Ticket must be booked by Sat 17 Feb.
To book please call Box Office on 0207 328 1000,or online and use my promocode, BID.
Please note that the Kiln would not like this offer to be shared on social media.
We are offering free wellbeing activity sessions which are fully inclusive and dementia friendly for H&F residents who are 18+.
The Active Minds Programme includes: Singing for Wellbeing, Dance4Dementia, Table Tennis, Tai Chi, Wellbeing Walks, Swimming and other activities.
The sessions will demonstrate the impact of community activities which bring together residents of many ages, abilities and interests to maintain positive mental health.
The Sheila McKechnie Foundation are looking for people who have made change happen most effectively, creatively, and courageously. What they should all have in common is the determination to secure a specific change that will make things better – whether for a group of people, a local neighbourhood or for every single one of us. Nominate someone today here.
Historically, the World Health Organisation has called for an end to violence against women and girls through 16 days of activism that runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December, Human Rights Day.
As a Community Organiser, I have met both women and men in this borough who have experienced violence and abuse that for some has lasted for many years. The impact of living with and in this experience has had a measurable impact on the mental health of those who have survived. This article will focus on the experience of women in recognition of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence of women and girls.
For one local resident, she described living with the effects of her experience as impacting on the wellbeing of the children – now young adults – she was trying to raise. She shared that she feels tremendous shame and guilt for what she described as “not protecting my daughters enough” , the poor relationship with the people she was closest to and initially was unsure of who to seek support from.
Some women now describe themselves as survivors – including the female resident above.
Hammersmith and Fulham are fortunate to have a number of organisations – charities and charitable, public and statutory, forums and networks seeking to support residents in need of help, raise awareness and work both collaboratively and in partnership with agencies and organisations to address this.
Events occurring in Hammersmith and Fulham:
Tuesday 12th December – H&F Council – 16 Days of Activism to end Violence Against Women and Girls event.
For tickets, visit Eventbrite: Making an IMPACT on Domestic Abuse Survivors’ Criminal Justice Outcomes Tickets, Tue 12 Dec 2023 at 18:00 | Eventbrite
Useful web links:
- Hammersmith and Fulham Council: Violence against women and girls – list of support. https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2023/11/25/default-calendar/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-2023
- United Nation: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism
Some local voluntary and community organisations operating in Hammersmith and Fulham supporting women and girls experiencing domestic abuse and violence:
- WILDE Foundation: https://www.thewildefoundation.org/
- People Arise Now: https://www.peoplearisenow.org/
- Health and Wellbeing For All CIC: https://gehw.org.uk/
- Lucas Ark: https://www.lucasark.org/
‘In Kind Direct, which distributes donated products to its network of over 6000 charitable organisations across the UK, is urging charitable organisations, community groups, foodbanks and warm spaces to register to join so they can access essential items to share with their communities…’ Read more here.
Good wellbeing should be accessible for everyone. One way to get there is through rewarding and sustainable work; a job that’s right for you. Finding the right job with the right support can provide structure, social networks and a sense of achievement, as well as improved mental health, confidence and self-esteem.
What is West London Works?
West London Works is a voluntary service, which aims to support people with mental health and physical health conditions to find and sustain paid employment. To be eligible for the programme, you must be:
• Over 18 years old
• Living or registered with a GP within Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon or Hounslow
• Motivated to find and retain meaningful employment
Our team will work with you to help you find the right job fit and joining this service will not impact on your benefits. You can also opt out of the service at any time, if you don’t feel it’s right for you.
Go! London Foundation grants will help organisations continue delivering impactful work in physical activity and sport, reach more young people, and become more resilient and sustainable.
Grants of up to £40k are available for up to 24 months are available to community groups delivering sport and physical activity to young people in London. We will fund project-specific costs, core costs or both.
Foundation funding aims to
- Improve organisational sustainability
- Enhance services for children and young people
- Increase numbers of children and young people supported by sustaining provision
Organisations interested in applying for funding, and meet the eligibility criteria, will need to complete a short online eligibility/fit to fund quiz form. Eligible organisations will then be able to access an online application form.
- The deadline for eligibility forms is 2pm, Friday 10th November 2023
- The deadline for applications is 2pm, Tuesday 21st
More information, including eligibility requirements, can be found on golondon.org.uk/foundation/
LMP Education are looking to deliver an initiative that will help young adults between the ages of 16 to 24 who have learning difficulties/neurodiversity’s or mental health needs. This will help clients who also have anxiety, depression or who may be dyslexic. We are looking for 100 young participants who can assist LMP Education.
LMP Education are trying to identify if learners in this age group are being marginalised, and if so, provide the correct pre-employment programme to support and guide. Our qualified work coaches will create an individualised programme for each learner and assist in placing them in a positive destination. Each learner will be eligible to a £250 bursary (paid in Love2Shop Vouchers) that is paid in increments throughout their journey with LMP Education. To be eligible, learners must be aged between 16-24, live in the Greater London Authority area, not be in education, employment, or training, have access to either a laptop or a computer, and have the correct “Right to Work” documents.
If you would like to refer any of your clients to this positive action initiative, please email anais.arsene@lmpeducation.org with your client’s name, email address and contact number. Anais will keep you in the loop with how contact is progressing.
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.