THATCH NEWSLETTER
WINTER ISSUE
Seasons Greetings from all the Team at CCS CHRISTMAS EVENT DIRECTORY
Our Village Agents have been busy gathering information on Christmas Events across Somerset this year. Visit: www.somersetrcc.org.uk/ chrismtas
NEW LOOK FOR CCS EP T KE E OU EW EY R N SS N A OU CRO T R E FO OK A ERS LO OM S
CCS is excited to reveal our NEW LOGO All promotional, marketing and communication materials will bear the new logo with a more contempoary look for the 21st century.
High Lights Page 2
Page 2 - 5
CCS New Recruits
CCS Updates
Page 6 Good News for Village Halls
Community Connect Smart Communities
Page 7 - 8 Hallmark Awards
Page 12 - 14 Up and coming events Page 21 Vacancies
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CCS New Staff Members Warm Welcome to our New Recruits! We would like to introduce to you a number of new people who have recently joined the CCS team!
CCS is excited to welcome Tracey McMenemy to the Core team and with the addition of all the new agents, CCS now covers the whole county with our Village, Community and Carers Agents. We hope you are aware of your local agent and if not please make contact with them. Village Halls can be a vital resource for individuals who are isolated or vulnerable in the community. To find out more about our Carers Agents visit: www.somersetcarers.org To find out more about our Village Agents visit: www.somersetrcc.org.uk/village-agents
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CCS UPDATES The BIGGEST Health and Social Care event in Somerset took place on Thursday 29th November 2018 in the Hollinsworth Hall, Canalside Conference Centre, Marsh Lane, Bridgwater. The Village Agent Community Connect 2018 Event was an opportunity to meet Community, Village and Carers Agents and network with other professionals such as Carers Champions, GP’s, Social Workers, Adult Social Care Workers and many more - over 50 stands show casing community groups, support organisations and charities. Over 250 people came to the event and found information about signposting, supporting people on multiple levels from healthcare & housing, to community policing. It was a free event and open to the public and professionals.
50+ Commun ity Groups and Charitie s Meet the Vil lage, Carers and Commun ity Agents Local professi onals includ ing: GP’s, Social Wo rkers, Carers Champions, Parish Coun cil lor s and many mo re!
Somerset’s BIGGEST health and social care event of th e year!
9.30am - 12.30pm
th 29 November 20 18
The Canalside, Marsh Lane,
Brid
gwater , TA6 Community Connect events have been hugely 6LQ successful in the past; from last years Somerset Roadshow, to the major event in May – people have flocked to the events, as it offers the chance to speak to many organisations in one go - often helping people be referred to the right organisation on the spot as it brings together support agencies, health professionals & community groups under one roof so local people can find out what there is in their area to help with support and advise. Carers, prof essionals an d voluntary Professiona sector agen ls please RS cies are we VP to reserv lcome to at e a stand inf tend o@somerse trcc.org.uk
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CCS UPDATES
NEW
Trading Arm
smart communities part of CCS
The CCS Consultancy team are now working under the CCS Trading Arm of Smart Communities. Still providing the same great service with a wealth of experience working with communities to undertake meaningful, inclusive & robust consultation work. • Get clear evidence of need, whether you’re applying for funding or wanting to influence decisions within local government • Build a strong foundation for any project, such as your Neighbourhood Plan, giving you evidence to support decision making • Delivering complex projects such as large new halls, sports facilities, and social enterprise schemes. Smart Communities can: • Guide you through the often complicated steps involved in managing capital and revenue projects • Advise on new legal structures or help develop a business plan • Enable you to deliver services & meet the needs of your community • Smart Communities has extensive knowledge of UK funding opportunities, which coupled with strong, successful bid writing skills, can support the delivery of your community project. • Assess your needs & develop a funding strategy • Help ensure you meet the key criteria & critique your application drafts for optimal success • Harness the skills of the whole CCS team
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CCS Consultancy & Funding Support with the Smart Community Team
C
CS have added a new member to the Smart Community Team. Ade Murphy is working across the Mendip & South Somerset Districts. Ade Murphy, the new CCS Community Involvement Officer for Mendip and South Somerset joined the charity in August and has started to meet organisations seeking support for community consultation or funding across the area. Ade, a nationally qualified Youth & Community Worker, has been working freelance as a health trainer for a number of years and comes with wide experience of supporting organisations to develop; by offering help with applications for funds, especially the Heritage Lottery fund and the Big Lottery. His last post was ‘Quality Assessment Coordinator’ for a research project at the University of Bristol. You can contact Ade on 07495 177012 by email: ade@somersetrcc.org.uk
Our Smart Communities Team has been working with a number of Community Buildings, supporting them with funding advice, applications and demonstrating need. We offer a range of support and advice which will help you make the most of your funding report and get the funding you need – this expert advice is tailored to your needs. We have an excellent track record of supporting communities with their funding aspirations. Current areas of work include: • Project planning • Evidence of need – how to consult your community including • Pre-survey expert advice • Custom questionnaire design • Paper or online surveys if paper-based, we can input responses or train your volunteers • Analysis, report writing and presentation of findings • Assistance with bid writing • Business Planning • Budget and cash flow advice
If you want to turn your idea into reality, come and speak to the team Meet the Community Involvement team NEW team
member Jane Birch
Hannah Burbedge
Ade Murphy
Community Involvement Manager Taunton Deane & West Somerset jane@somersetrcc.org.uk
Community Involvement Officer Sedgemoor hannah@somersetrcc.org.uk
Community Involvement Officer Mendip & South Somerset ade@somersetrcc.org.uk
Katherine Armstrong Community Involvement Officer Sedgemoor katherine@somersetrcc.org.uk
Marie Fraser Research Consultant
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OTTERHAMPTON VILLAGE HALL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
O
tterhampton Village Hall (OVH) is the focal point of the village and has a wide range of activities for all ages. These include crafts, keep fit, coffee mornings, Art classes, monthly market and much more which ensures the Hall is used almost daily.
• Explore which activities people would like to see offered in future at the Village Hall and measure the level of interest in hiring facilities. • Establish which activities and groups parishioners currently attend outside the parish and the barriers to taking part in these in the parish. CCS worked with OVH to develop the questions, and then organised the production & distribution of 366 paper surveys to all households in the parishes of Combwich, Otterhampton and Steart and selected properties in nearby parishes, as well as being available online. In total 103 valid responses were received from 57 households giving a 28% response rate. The results were then collated and analysed by the CCS team, and delivered as a meaningful report to the Otterhampton Village Hall committee.
The Otterhampton Village Hall Committee felt the Hall was in need of some major refurbishment, to make it more attractive, (and warmer!) To hirers and attract new users, and to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Before going ahead with any work they wanted to make sure that the community had a chance to tell them what improvements they would like to see in the Village Hall, now and in the future. The specifications for improvement work can then be tailored to deliver a Hall suitable for the needs of the Community. The aim was: • To gauge the level of community support for the refurbishment of the Otterhampton Village Hall, and establish the level of community engagement through voluntary support of the project as it progresses and beyond completion. • Identify what facilities would be needed in the improved facility and to carry them out in a sympathetic and environmentally friendly way.
Patricia Priest, one of the OVH Committee Members said ”Thank you so much for the work you have done to coordinate this independent survey on behalf of the Otterhampton Village Hall. Great results and a good tool for OVH Trustees to move ahead with the project and apply for funding for the proposed refurbishment!”
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BUDGET DELIVERS GOOD NEWS FOR VILLAGE HALLS ACRE is delighted with announcement in the Budget recently that the government will provide up to £8 million to help with the cost of repairs and alterations to village halls, Miners’ Welfare facilities and Armed Forces organisations’ facilities.
A
CRE submitted a budget representation last month urging the government to pledge £3 million in the Budget to refund the VAT paid by village halls on improvement work such as modern kitchen and toilet facilities and new meeting rooms. We are grateful for all the evidence provided by hall committees that helped to put the case together. Small village hall charities are not VAT registered so they cannot reclaim the 20% VAT on building work to update older halls, which means that a £200,000 refurbishment project incurs an extra £40,000 in non-reclaimable VAT. This tax on voluntary effort is widely felt to be unfair. Charitable community buildings underpin community life, particularly in rural areas where they provide essential facilities for a wide range of community groups such as pre-schools, youth clubs, WIs, lunch clubs for the elderly and sports groups.
ACRE Chairman, David Emerson CBE commented “This is a great first step towards reducing costs for the repair, update and upkeep of VHs, and in particular ACRE’s campaign for a pilot refund scheme on VAT for village hall improvements. It follows more widely from the long-standing lobbying of MPs by the ACRE Network, and of the collation of evidence and key arguments over a long period. It is a powerful example of what partnership working can achieve. Of course we need more for village halls, and we need to continue pushing, but this is clear demonstration that a well evidenced and strongly argued case by an effective Network can achieve positive change, and it will make our case more powerful in future” ACRE is waiting for more detail on how the allocation of funds will work. Sign up to the National Village and Community Halls Network here to keep up to date with developments. by Deborah Clarke, Village Halls/ Rural Evidence Manager
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Hallmark Awards 2018 Results Since 2003, Hallmark has promoted the delivery of effective and well-managed village halls through a quality standards scheme. Village Hall committees receive a Hallmark Award in recognition of their achievement in managing their hall to a nationally recognised standard. A brief history & where we are today. 15 Years ago Eileen Zoers, who delivered the Community Buildings Advisory Service for 25 years, and Nick Bernard, a former Trustee of CCS, designed and developed the Hallmark Standard. Both are still part of our team of Hallmark volunteer peer visitors
today. The quality standard is now accredited by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). It is approved by the Charity Commission and recognised by funders and some insurance providers which could reduce your premiums. To date, CCS has awarded 530 certificates to over 130 Village Halls across Somerset, which is approximately a third. That’s 307 Hallmark level 1’s, 157 Hallmark level 2’s and 66 Hallmark level 3’s. Although we haven’t yet reached every facility having met the standard, we are on the right path. And if you are undecided about taking
Hallmark contact Robert Horn. This Year we have 19 Halls who have taken the Quality Standard. • 19 achieved Hallmark One - focuses on the management and administration of the charity. • 14 achieved Hallmark Two - focuses on health, safety, security and licences. • 9 achieved Hallmark Three - focuses on community, social awareness, communications, forward planning and development. We were delighted to have he awards presented by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jane Sedgman.
Congratulations to the following Hallmark award recipients!
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Arthur Morison Memorial Hall, Cucklington Henton Village Hall 1,2 & 3 1&2 Horton Village Hall 1,2 & 3 Barton St David Village Hall 1 & 2
North Cadbury Village Hall 1,2 & 3
Blackford Reading Room 1 & 2
Oake District Village Hall 1,2 & 3
Blackford Village Hall 1
Othery Village Hall 1,2 & 3
Caryford Community Hall 1,2 & 3
Otterhampton Village Hall 1 & 2
Chalrton Horethorne Village Hall 1 & 2
Shipham Village Hall 1,2 & 3
Donyatt Village Hall 1 & 2
Thurloxton Village Hall 1 & 2
East Brent Village Hall 1
Timberscombe Village Hall 1,2 & 3
Edington Village Hall 1,2 & 3
Wedmore Village Hall 1 & 2
The Hallmark District winners: • • • • • •
Sedgemoor joint winners – Thurloxton Village Hall Sedgemoor joint winners - East Brent Village Hall + South Somerset joint winners - Charlton Horethorne Village Hall South Somerset joint winners- Barton St David Village Hall Taunton Deane - Appley Pavilion West Somerset - Brushford Parish Hall CIO
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SOMERSET DIVERSE COMMUNITIES SMALL GRANT FUND IS OPEN! We are pleased to announce that Somerset Diverse Communities has received funding until August 2019. The funding has been granted by Hinkley Community Fund, Sedgemoor District Council, South Somerset District Council and Somerset County Council.
community groups to be part of the event, the newly formed Somerset Portuguese Association and the East Timor Community Bridgwater. There were also 2 new successful events; Watchet’s Intercultural Festival of Creativity and Black History Month Family Fun Day Glastonbury.
This year has been a busy one with two rounds of the small grants scheme, supporting 12 groups with their governance and/or funding applications and 5 multicultural events.
For more information about Somerset Diverse Communities, please visit our Facebook page:
The multicultural events grew hugely this year with Taunton Together and Multicultural Frome seeing 3 times as many people as last year. Bridgwater Together welcomed 2 new significant
/Somerset Diverse Communities
Somerset Community Oil Scheme The November group oil buying price was 46.99 ppl The average online prices were 50.04 ppl ex vat which means this syndicates price makes an average saving minimum saving of ÂŁ14.70 on 1000 litre order.
The next order deadlines: No Syndicate orders in December - Daily orders are still available 2019 Order dates: 11th January 8th Febrary 8th March 5th April
Contact Affinity to join or place your order: somersetbuying@af-affinity.co.uk
Oil Ordering Information for 2019 ORDER DATE DEADLINE LATEST EXPECTED DELIVERY DATE * (always a Friday) (by 5pm) 24th January 11th January 22nd February 8th February 22nd March 8th March 19th April 5th April 24th May 10th May th 21st June 7 June 19th July 5th July 23rd August 9th August 20th September 6th September 18th October 4th October 22nd November 8th November NO SYNDICATE ORDER IN DECEMBER - Daily orders still available * The last delivery date for each order is estimated and may be subject to change.
Order by phone or email Affinity will assist with any questions/queries about your oil delivery or order between 9am and 4.30pm
somersetbuying@af-affinity.co.uk
(
01603 881888
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Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation The Foundation’s aim is to promote the education (including social and physical training) of young people between the ages of 11-24 years. £ £ £ £ £ £
Music Other Arts Physical Activity Educational Purchase of school uniform Schools/Organisations – Capital applications are considered
If you either live or go to school in Taunton Deane you could be eligible for financial support to help you reach your potential.
Visit: www.bfef.org.uk
APPLICATION DEADLINES
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Monday 14th January Monday 18th March Monday 10th June Monday 2nd September Monday 11th November
Wonderful opportunity Vacancies for two new Trustees to join board of Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation. A grant giving charity helping to fund Young people’s aspirations in Taunton Deane. If interested, please contact Geraldine Braycotton 01823 697014 Or email geraldine@somersetrcc.org.uk
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FIT FOR MY FUTURE Fit for my Future is a strategy for how a partnership of Somerset County Council and Somerset CCG, alongside major NHS providers will support the health and well-being of all Somerset residents. The Health and Care systems in Somerset face major challenges which need addressing – services are increasingly stretched, there is a growing elderly population with a rising requirement for care and recruitment of expert staff is extremely difficult in the current political climate. Change needs to happen in the way that services and support are commissioned and there are many areas which need tackling including: * Shifting focus to prevention of ill health and promotion of positive health and tackling inequalities. * Integrating services better and adopting a holistic model based on the needs of individuals * Recognising that mental health is as important as physical health * When people need emergency and specialist care they have the right access to the right skills and expertise
* Shifting resource to community based initiatives, supporting people at home and promoting independence.*
* with reference to the Somerset Fit for my Future Case for Change document. This is where CCS alongside many other large and small third sector and voluntary organisations can help. CCS with our army of Agents is working alongside both the CCG and Somerset County Council to deliver the Community Connect model. Every conversation we have with people across the county is based on their own particular need and their wishes. CCS has grown considerably over the last 2 years and we have worked hard to grow our reach, the variety of support on offer and our reputation. No other local charity has grown so much over this period. No other Somerset charity offers such a broad range of support available to everyone across the county. No other charity has our reach into rural communities. No other Somerset charity has proven itself to be as fleet of foot and responsive – able to respond appropriately and quickly to help people at times of crisis or to help a community achieve what it really wants for residents. Since starting Village Agents in 2012 we have directly supported 4,500 individuals with over 7,000 issues, distributed over £50,000 of Surviving Winter grants in partnership with the Somerset Community Foundation to help people in fuel poverty and alleviate their loneliness and we demonstrated improved outcomes for 93% of our clients. So, to enable Somerset residents to be Fit for their Futures CCS is, and will continue to be, a major part of this strategy.
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EVENTS
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EVENTS
EVENTS
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Somerset Levels and Moors Shed (SLaMS) has now moved to Bridgwater. We have Þnished Þtting out our new Men’s Shed and now welcome new members from North Petherton, Bridgwater Cannington and surrounding villages.
NOWA NEW OPEN! MEN’S SHED FOR
BRIDGWATER l
Open Tuesdays 09:30-12:30 Thursdays 13:00-16:00
The Canal Workshop, Canal View Old Taunton Road BRIDGWATER TA6 3NS See our new Shed & meet our Shedders Tell us what projects you might like to do info@slams.org.uk
www.slams.org.uk
Tel 01823 698612 or
01458 442212
Whether you are an expert wood carver, a casual handyman or just want to spend time with like-minded men, there’s always a friendly welcome, a mug of tea and time N for a chat. Come and meet us, soon. The tea urn is already switched on!
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
ONE STOP CARRIERS FOR CAUSES
Grants up to £2,000 for local non-profit organisations and groups for projects that take place within two miles of a One Stop store in England, Scotland or Wales that help to improve lives and local places (applications may be made at any time) The One Stop Shop Carriers for Causes grant programme provides funding toward the direct costs of projects that benefit local communities located within two miles of a One Stop store in Great Britain. A store locator can be found here: https://www.onestop.co.uk/store-finder/ Projects need to meet at least one of the following outcomes: o Improving the lives of young people; o Improving the lives of the elderly; o Promoting physical activity; o Improving health or well being; o Increasing community safety; and/or o Protecting or improving the local environment. Grants up to £2,000 are available. 90% of the grant must be spent on direct delivery, which is qualified as physical works and labour costs, while 10% of the grant can be spent on indirect costs, including management, administration, evaluation, promotion, fundraising and training. There is no match funding requirement.
Applications from below are accepted: o Voluntary and community organisations; o Registered charities; o Schools; o Health bodies; o Hospices; o Sports clubs; o Community Day Centres; o Parish/Town Councils; o Social Enterprises; o Community Interest Companies; o Community Councils (Scotland); o Local authorities; and o Social Housing providers.
The following are not eligible for funding:
o Projects which are not within two miles of a One Stop store; o Purchase of land; o Work that has already taken place; o Political donations; o Fundraising activities or challenges (for example, costs for a sky dive, etc.); o Running costs and organisational overheads; o Conferences or seminars; o Activities which collect funds for redistribution to other charities or individuals; o Overseas appeals; or o Expeditions or overseas travel. Examples of eligible projects could include: • One off community events such as community fun day expenses, summer youth camp, litter picking, day trips costs to provide respite for carers, sports events, expenses to pay for people with dementia for a visit to the seaside or organising a Halloween party for disadvantaged children; • Improvements to community buildings such as painting, refurbishing buildings such as hospices, scout or guide huts, school building, community centres; or Applications will be accepted throughout the year and considered every 3 months.. An online application form along with guidelines and application questions can be found on the Groundworks website.
Contact details for the programme are: Groundwork UK Lockside 5 Scotland Street Birmingham B1 2RR Tel: 0121 237 5791 Email: carriersforcausesinfo@groundwork. org.uk
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
THE ASDA FOUNDATION - Capital grants for UK charities and not-for-profit organisations charitable projects and activities that address local community needs (applications may be made at any time) The Asda Foundation provides funding for capital projects such as buildings, renovations, vehicles and equipment such as computers and tablets. Projects should have the direct support and involvement from their local ASDA store. A list of all Asda stores can be found on the Asda Store Locator. Projects must make a significant difference to local communities and the people who live there and that meet the following objectives: o Identified opportunities, initiatives and new ways to support local communities; o Charity/good cause has developed a relationships with local the local store, depot or home office at a grassroots level; o Tackling the underlying problems in the local community; o Can apply evidence from programmes of community needs and aspirations to develop their existing model; o Benefits the wider community and is not just supporting a single user group; o There is a need for this facility locally; o Will make a real long term difference; and o Would transform the community, improving the lives of those who live there.
The following are not eligible for funding: o Revenue costs only, such as salaries and overhead costs; o Individuals; o For-profit organisations; o Projects that will benefit only one user group; o Projects with similar facilities in the applicant’s community; o Schools; o Religious centres; o Parks; or o Government owned buildings. Applications may be made at any time.
The Foundation does not provide a minimum or maximum grant award level.
Further information is available on the Asda Foundation website.
Registered charities and local not-for-profit organisations in the UK can apply.
Contact details for the Foundation are:
To be eligible, applicants must: o Have the experience and capacity to deliver and maintain the project; o Have a current three to five year project plan in place; and o Have the systems in place to ensure their finances are well managed.
The ASDA Foundation ASDA House Southbank Great Wilson Street Leeds LS11 5AD
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Tudor Trust -Supporting positive change in
a rolling programme and there are no deadlines.
The Tudor Trust is an independent grant-making trust which supports voluntary and community groups working in any part of the UK.
How likely are you to receive a grant? Tudor has broad and open guidelines so inevitably we receive many more applications than we can fund. Last year we received 2,931 applications. In practice, only around one in ten applications receives a grant.
Communities
What we do Tudor wants to help smaller, community-led groups which are supporting people at the margins of society. Who we are Tudor’s trustees are closely engaged at every stage of the grant-making process. They are supported by the staff team. We do this by making grants. Tudor operates a two-stage application process and so ask all applicants to complete a brief first-stage proposal. You can also download our funding guidelines here: https://tudortrust.org.uk/ assets/file/TTT_Guidelines_2018_AW.pdf You can find full details of what you need to send us in your application in Making a first-stage proposal.
This is why we have a two-stage application process. We realise that putting together a full funding application is demanding and time consuming so we ask all applicants to complete a brief first-stage proposal instead. If you reach the second stage your chance of success will be much higher. But a grant isn’t guaranteed: a few applications drop out before they reach the final committee stage and not all applications discussed by committee members will get a grant.
If you have any questions about eligibility, how to apply or anything else to do with our grants please call the Information Team on 020 7727 8522 and we’ll do our best to help.
You can apply at any time - Tudor makes grants on
Local Funding Opportunities Check out your District Council and check what local funds are available: SEDGEMOOR: https://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/grants TAUNTON DEANE: https://www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/connected-for-business/ business-grants-and-funding/ SOUTH SOMERSET: https://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/communities/help-and-support-foryour-group-or-projects/funding-and-finance/ssdc-community-grants/ MENDIP: http://www.mendip.gov.uk/businessgrants
GIVING A HEART WARMING GIFT THIS WINTER
Spread some warmth this winter by donating your Winter Fuel Payment
ople in Somerset e p r e ld o le b ra e ln vu Help d this winter. e ct e n n co d n a rm a w stay
Support the appeal ■ Donate online at www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter ■ If you donate online during the Big Give Christmas Challenge – midday 27 November to midday 4 December – we will double your donation! ■ Donate by calling 01749 344949 Registered Charity No. 1094446 Company No. 4530979
Community Council for Somerset
VACANCIES WITH CCS
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Mendip Team Lead • £24,657 per annum pro rata • 21 hours per week • Initial 12 months contract • 25 days per year plus Bank Holidays Village Agents Mendip:
CCS APP available in the Google Play App Store - download today!
Mendip East
Or
• £19,259 per annum pro rata • 28 per week to be worked flexibly. Some evening and weekend work may be required. • Until end September 2021 • 25 days per year plus Bank Holidays TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THE ROLES CLICK HERE
SEARCH: CCSLove Somerset Or Scan this QR code
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