During summer we have been out and about, back in your communities. This summer, we all reached that golden date of 19th July in the COVID-19 roadmap to recovery with face-to-face contact back on the agenda. Now the summer is drawing to a close, we have a full calendar supporting individuals, community groups, community buildings, and social enterprises - check out what is available for you and your community. We are also recruiting! We have 4 Village and Community Agent vacancies and are looking for a Chair for our board of trustees. If you are interested in joining our award-winning charity see pages 3 & 4. Can you help shape the future of Somerset? Catch up with our work, future events and see what funding opportunities are available. Happy reading!
18th -22nd October 2021 We are celebrating our 95th Birthday 18th - 22nd October 2021
This year we are celebrating 95 years of working at the heart of Somerset’s communities – join us to mark this incredible achievement. Join us the week of the 18th - 22nd October - we are holding events, training, online live ng you in our wonderful county. streaming, and meeting
Monday 18th - CCS CS celebration film Tuesday 19th - Community Connect Event - It's all about Carers! Wednesday 20th - Somerset Diverse Community - LIVE online Thursday 21st: Community Buildings - Get creative with Community Fundraising training Smart Communities / Somerset Social Enterprise Network - Share It online networking Friday riday 22nd - CCS Looking back at our work from 2020 - 2021
Do you want to help shape Somerset's future?
This is your chance to make a difference to the lives of individuals & disadvantaged communities across Somerset - empowering & enabling them to take action! We are specifically seeking a Chair of Trustees You will: provide support to our CEO and the organisation make a real difference to Somerset and individuals in our wonderful county join a well-established board to bring the right people and services together. Be part of an award-winning Somerset charity that has been here for communities since 1926 through war, financial crises, flooding, and now a pandemic. If you have drive, energy, passion and commitment you will need to attend: 6 board meetings a year during working hours additional contributions are encouraged for Strategic Planning days, occasional training and attendance at other events on an ad hoc basis.
http://ow.ly/Lx4G50FX24u
Working at the heart of Somerset's communities
Join us! We have 4 vacancies, and are currently recruiting for: Village Agents x 2 - application deadline 20th September 2021 Mental Health Ward Community Agents x 2 - application deadline 20th September 2021 We will consider part-time / job share applications to any of our vacancies. We are an award-winning, innovative and fast-growing charity. We are passionate local experts, inspiring and enabling positive change for Somerset’s people, places and enterprises. Our teams work where they are most needed, delivering critical personalised support for individuals and communities. During the COVID-19 emergency, our CCS Village & Community Agents have supported over 40,000 people in Somerset, carrying out over 70,000 community support activities.
Coommunity Community Buildings build co communities bui mu ie
We are still continuing to offer our online
Understanding your Safeguarding
trainings, workshops, and networking
Responsibilities
sessions via zoom. See our full training
Get Creative with Community
programme for the year covering topics:
Fundraising
Fire Safety and Community Buildings Trustee Liabilities for Community Buildings
Our Community Buildings CLICK HERE Download your copy today!
Members Facebook Group is a new forum for halls to ask questions and share ideas with each other. Join us HERE
Community resilience
Somerset’s residents are invited to sign up to free, interactive online training with emergency responders and volunteer organisations throughout October, organised by the Somerset Prepared partnership*. The fourth annual Resilience event starts with live talks on Monday 4 October and aims to help communities become better prepared for emergencies as well as looking at wider preparedness measures that anyone can take. Anyone who registers will receive an information pack, event pack and weekly emails signposting to videos and toolkits on a variety of subjects. Interactive training sessions with national training provider Communities Prepared are on offer, alongside live online presentations from emergency and community organisations, as well as national flood resilience expert Mary Dhonau. As well as the online training, face-to-face events include an open evening for Langport and Huish Episcopi Flood Group, and Avon & Somerset Police beat surgeries around the county. Sessions will be led by a range of organisations including the Environment Agency, South West Ambulance Service Trust, Communities Prepared, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Avon & Somerset Police, Somerset Rotary, Somerset Civil Contingencies Unit, Spark, and Community Council for Somerset.
To attend this free event or register interest and book training sessions visit: www.somersetprepared.org.uk
Community focused consultancy
The NEW Smart Communities website is under construction. Here is a quick reminder of their services and who they work with.
Charities Local people Community groups Ethnically diverse community groups Parish & Town Councils Community buildings Local Authorities; District Councils, AONBs, National Park Authorities Clinical Commissioning Groups Police / Crime Commissioners Social enterprises
Strategic Planning Community & Economic Development Sustainability & Future Planning Research & Evaluation
Training & Events
Get smart, get in touch with the Smart Team with your project & plans visit: www.ccslovesomerset.org/smart-communities-consultancy/
Community focused consultancy
Smart Communities are here for you and your community Working with local and corporate clients.
Long lasting trusted relationships with communities
Smart Communities: go the extra mile to achieve client goals, plan new
Experts at working with communities at any and every level
to support, deliver and find your communities voice.
projects, and source funding
understand how systems work
are an independent, neutral voice
offer creative, cost-effective community-focused consultancy services.
Recognised as a trusted partner.
Smart quickly understood the parameters and what the project objective was. The final report was presented in a very professional manner: very clear and comprehensive.
Get smart, get in touch with the Smart Team with your project & plans visit: www.ccslovesomerset.org/smart-communities-consultancy/
& For more details about Seed visit: https://seedsedgemoor.com/
Current creative activities
Ideas
NEW creative activities The short 30-minute survey can be conducted over the phone or in person Seed will then look to work with you to develop creative activities led by the local community.
We look forward to hearing your ideas to spark, encourage and add creativity to your community. Viney Court, Taunton, TA1 3FB Smart Communities Limited (SCL) is a Company Limited by Guarantee, No. 11480430 and VAT Registered No. 311926619.
For more information contact
ccssmartcomm@somerset.org.uk
21st October 2021 1pm - 2pm The Somerset Social Enterprise network (SSEN) is delivered by the Smart Communities team. This is a great chance to meet other social enterprises and likeminded people to share ideas, successes and challenges. Take the spotlight to highlight your social enterprise in our monthly network meetings. MORE free SSEN Events are on the following page!
Join the network for FREE and be part of the social enterprise movement in Somerset!
Are you a woman running her own business?
Would you like a supportive, facilitated space with other woman entrepreneurs to look at what challenges you’re facing and how you can overcome them? A one off 2 day accelerator weekend is being run by School for Social Entrepreneurs Dartington and Accelerating Women’s Enterprise this October to do just that. Over two days with like-minded peers, you’ll delve into the complexity of launching and sustaining a thriving enterprise. Working with experts and facilitators, they will provide a safe and supportive space for you to reflect upon your enterprise and to focus on how to make it profitable and sustainable. This support is offered completely free (including bursaries for accommodation and travel) to anyone identifying as a woman in Devon, Somerset, Torbay or Plymouth. They also welcome applications from non-binary people.
Places are limited so please do apply today! VISIT: https://bit.ly/3xuIzeM
A day for Yeovil to remember!
Organised by Yeovil's ethnic diverse communities On Saturday 28th August the family-friendly fun day welcomed people to experience the culturally diverse flavours of Yeovil. Trying free samples, getting involved in cultural creative workshops, free wellbeing sports
Feedback: I can't believe this is happening in Yeovil!
activities, and wearing clothes that celebrate your cultural heritage. With over 550 people attending it was a huge success.
A huge thank you to all who attended the day. It was amazing to see the community come together!
Enormous thanks to Len Copland for the fantastic photographs taken on the day htwww.facebook.com/Snapperlen
We are excited to say that the next Somerset Diverse Communities podcast - Yeovil Together - is officially live! Listen to the interviews, the different voices we met from the multicultural community event organised by Yeovil’s Ethnic Diverse Communities.
Click the link below https://www.youtube. com/watch? v=cTpGtuAs8D8
OF COLOUR OL O CO C OLO LOU OUR UR
via Zoom
5
Training Sessions Starting 22nd September
Session 1:
Who Are We?
We ground the body and calm the nervous system with awareness of our triggers. This enables us to expand our inner space. Session 2:
Delivered by 'Own Drum', a racial equality & inclusion company specialising in embodiment and dialogue. The series is a safe and brave virtual space For Black Women, Women of Colour, and Mixed Heritage Women Everyone will be seen, heard, and held with compassion. There is a one-week pause to digest and reflect after the third session. After the series, we provide toolkits: How to have Racial Dialogues Self Compassionate Care
We find a safe space in the body to allow our stories, stresses and traumas to be told, to be allowed, and to heal. The processing of our race-based experiences can be integrated. Session 3:
07946 461 544 jusna@somersetrcc.org.uk
Where Are We?
We work with what is happening in the present moment. To uncover how these realities are showing up and from there, we can explore how and why we are perpetuating them. Session 4:
What Can We Do?
We see the body as the gateway to how we feel and embodiment is about our capacity to feel. In society there is a disconnection often from our bodies. Session 5:
To Book your space contact Jusna Hussain
Why Are We?
Dialogue Session
The body is involved in the process of change. This ensures that our anti-racism work isn’t guided solely by cognitive processes. Embodiment work leads us towards the courage to speak, the openness to listen, and the opportunity to change.
Viney Court, Taunton, TA1 3FB Community Council for Somerset is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England and Wales No. 3541219 and is a Registered Charity No. 1069260.
Funded by
When learning a language, meeting up with a
Would you like to join our team of fluent
fluent speaker is the ideal opportunity to
speakers? We have learners at the ready
practice language skills, learn new
so start your volunteer journey with us!
vocabulary, and become more confident.
To find out more visit:
https://ccslovesomerset.org/language-for-learners/
Somerset Diverse Communities and our
Find other useful advice and information
local ethnic minority networks have
translated into a wide range of
worked hard to translate the Government
languages on the below topics:
roadmap to recovery into 11 different languages.
Somerset Local COVID-19 testing
Now available online in Français, Română,
COVID-19 advice translated into 60
, Bulgarian, Española, Polski, Italiano, Lithuanian, Português, বাংলা and
ﻋﺮﺑﻲ
Download your copy here:
languages Public health guidance translated Infographics
VISIT: https://ccslovesomerset.org/covid-19-translated/
I recently had to give up my job as a lorry driver and move due to health reasons and am now going to be retraining. I can now look for work knowing I can get there.
West Somerset Car Scheme
The Get West Somerset Car appeal is about matching up individuals who have no means of transport in West Somerset to reach their full employment or training potential. Ben was referred by a local organisation to Smart Communities to complete our online referral form. Ben was eligible and was referred to West Somerset Advice for a full financial assessment. The car Ben was given was kindly donated by a Somerset resident who no longer needed it and was serviced and MOT’d by Rusty Road 2 Recovery before being handed over to Ben. Ben said: "I recently had to give up my job as a lorry driver ... am now going to be retraining. I can now look for work knowing I can get there. My partner is pregnant, and I was worried about how I could get her to hospital appointments and was very stressed thinking about what would happen. I am so grateful for having the chance to get this car it will make all the difference. Thank you! ”
Funded by
WE'RE IN A STORE NEAR YOU!
PLEASE DROP YOUR TOKEN IN OUR COLLECTION BOX!
COLLECTING THROUGH SEPTEMBER IN MOST SOMERSET STORES!
BFEF trustees have awarded grants totaling in excess of £165,000 in 2020/21, which includes IT support grants to secondary schools in Taunton for the provision of laptops, chrome books, etc, in
Grants for young people aged 11-24
addition to their government allocation.
years The aim of The Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation (BFEF) is to promote the education of young people through a grant scheme. Grants for young people from or going
The next grant deadline is 1 November 2021 For full details of the grant scheme visit: www.bfef.org.uk or
to school in Taunton. School uniform grant for any Taunton School. Capital grants for schools & youth organisations.
Contact Sarah on saraho@somersetrcc.org.uk
Money, money, money ...funding opportunities
This fund supports community-led solutions to ensure thriving rural communities. There are two funding schemes: Project Village Survival grants of up to £10,000 over one year; and Supporting Rural Communities grants of up to £25,000 0ver two years. Village hall renovations are considered if they include a 'special element' such as remodeling a space for a community cafe, shop, meeting space, or activity area. This fund is open for applications until 17th September 2021 and there are a number of grant application surgeries between 9th August and 15th September.
For more information click here.
8th October
https://ccslovesomerset.org/oil/
Money, money, money...continued
£400,000 has been made available by the Department for Transport in 2021/22 for the purchase of ecargo bikes, to support businesses switching to a sustainable transport solution. Funding covers up to 40% of the total cost of an ecargo bike, up to a maximum of £2,500 for two-wheel models and £4,500 for
Applications will be capped at five bikes per organisation. Larger applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications may include more than one organisation. In these joint ‘high-street’ applications, a lead applicant will be responsible for submitting the application.
three-wheel models.
The application deadline is 14 December 2021 For more details visit: https://tinyurl.com/327rsnmc
The Screwfix Foundation supports projects that will fix, repair, maintain and construct properties and community facilities for those in need. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for local registered charities and not for profit organisations. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis, in March, June, September and December. For more information and to apply click here.
Money, money, money...continued
Phase two of this grant scheme from the Asda Foundation has now opened. Grants of between £500- £1,000 are available for activities taking place between 1st October and 31st December 2021. All applications need to be made through
the Community Champion at your local Asda store. The three options for this grant scheme are: celebration events; getting activities back on track; and essential support. For more information and to identify your local Community Champion
https://www.asdafoundation.org/foundation-grants
Large and small voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Somerset are invited to take part in a short online survey on how they have adapted and responded during COVID-19 pandemic. If you're a Somerset based VCSE, this joint project from Spark Somerset, Somerset Community Foundation and Somerset County Council would really welcome hearing your views on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected your organisation and the services it provides.
Visit: https://esender.cosmic.org.uk/t/r-l-trxdujl-ojjjiitjdj-y/
STARTING TO GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS?
Shop on Amazon? Select the Community Council for Somerset
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1069260-0
Crisis Fund
A fund for people in crisis
Our CCS Agents work with people who
funds to pay for things to get people OUT of
find themselves in situations no-one
crisis & help make their lives instantly better.
should be in – without food, heating, basic essentials or at a life-changing moment in
We are in desperate need of funds for the
their lives, but poverty is preventing them
Crisis Fund as the unprecedented demand
from moving forward.
during the pandemic has depleted the resource.
Our Crisis Fund allows agents to access
Please donate – every £ helps immeasurably! A young man hadn’t eaten in three days & couldn’t afford the bus fare to a job interview 20 miles away. Our Agents were able (with the crisis fund) to provide basic nourishment & buy him a bus ticket. He got the job, and was able to apply for social housing nearby.
Make a real difference to people's lives If you love Somerset, please support the people and communities who live in the county by donating to the our Crisis Fund. You can donate directly to our Crisis Fund via our Local Giving page.
https://localgiving.org/charity/somersetcrisisfund/
VINEY COURT VINEY STREET TAUNTON SOMERSET TA1 3FB INFO@SOMERSETRCC.ORG.UK WWW.CCSLOVESOMERSET.ORG COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO. 3541219 CHARITY NO. 1069260
/Ruralsomerset /RuralSomerset
/lovesomerset /CC4Somerset /company/community-councilfor-somerset
Sign up to receive the CCS Thatch Bulletin. www.ccslovesomerset.org/sign-up Don’t forget, once you join you can unsubscribe at any time and we only hold the information you provide on our online subscribers mailing list.
If you are receiving the Thatch Bulletin it is because you have signed up to receive the newsletter via our online subscriber button or responded to our GDPR email notification. We define this as ‘legitimate interest’ and are processing your data (i.e. storing your email address and using it to send you this newsletter) on this lawful basis. To find out how we use your personal information more generally see https://ccslovesomerset.org/ccspolicies If you would like to opt-out of receiving future copies, please use the unsubscribe button at the bottom of all our emails or contact info@somersetrcc.org.uk