Dudley CVS Echo January / February 2017

the echo january/february 2017

FEATURING Local charities SUCCESS Dudley CVS helps local groups to become registered charities

colab dudley A new collaboration helps local people to start practical projects

from detroit to dudley Dudley SOUP a worldwide movement

“

A MESSAGE FROM...

I’m pleased to share this edition of the Echo. In it, we welcome new staff to our Integrated Plus team (page 2) and share some of the exciting things that Dudley CVS staff are working on with community organisations, volunteers and active citizens. You’ll find out about some of the great work done across Dudley borough by the people we are working with, including 3 brand new charities that we’ve supported (pages 5&6).

Those new charities join countless others across Dudley borough who work so hard to support our local communities. Charities can work in all sorts of ways, from improving people’s health, supporting vulnerable people and offering opportunities that nurture people and society. They add to the diversity of sector and vibrancy of the Dudley borough.

I am pleased to see that the Prime Minister has highlighted that the voluntary and community sector is integral to her vision of ‘shared society’ (page 2).

Without a strong voluntary and community sector, society would be much poorer. We need a well-resourced, sustainable sector that can help address some of today’s most pressing issues.

I hope that you enjoy this edition of the Echo and that it inspires you to get involved in the exciting work happening all across the borough.

Andy Gray, Chief Officer Dudley CVS

The voluntary sector is a key part of ‘shared society’ for Prime Minister Prime Minister, Theresa May has said that the voluntary sector is a key part of her ‘shared society’ vision for the UK. Speaking at the Charity Commission’s annual public meeting earlier in January, Theresa May said that her ‘shared society’ vision “means creating an environment in which charities and social enterprises can thrive”. The speech also included the importance of supporting and championing the work of the voluntary sector, developing social finance and making it easier for community organisations to access funding for mental health projects.

The reaction from national sector leaders has been mostly positive, although most say that the messages Theresa May gave should be translated into policy action. i For more on this story, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/zdlyes8

IN THIS ISSUE

“

A message from our Chief Officer ........... 2 A ‘shared society’ for Prime Minister ........ 2 New Starters Integrated Plus .................... 2 Changes to Dudley Safeguarding............ 3 Introducing Faye Hall ................................ 3 Carers Rights Day........................................ 4 Local charities celebrate success .............. 5 Hawbush Gardens ...................................... 5 Dudley Deaf Theatre ................................. 6 Woodside Crafts.......................................... 6 Hints and tips - Setting up a charity........ 7 Operation Santa update........................... 8 Top Church Training ................................... 8 Dudley SOUP ................................................9 A new collaboration in Dudley................... 10 Colab Dudley .............................................. 11 Do Fest Dudley.............................................. 12

AVAILABLE IN LARGE PRINT ON REQUEST

New Starters Dudley CVS is pleased to welcome the following new members of staff to the Integrated Plus team: Gary Hastie, Voluntary Sector Link Support Worker Tel: 07398 350846. Email: gary@dudleycvs.org.uk Lorraine Hipkiss, Voluntary Sector Link Support Worker.

Tel: 07398 350847. Email: lorraine@dudleycvs.org.uk Rebecca Cullis, Voluntary Sector Link Support Worker Email: rebecca@dudleycvs.org.uk Gary, Lorraine and Rebecca will be supporting the Integrated Plus Locality Link Officers.

news Significant changes to the Dudley Safeguarding Children Board (DSCB) Training arrangements.

Every staff member and volunteer belonging to a voluntary organisation, community group, faith setting or charity working with children under the age of 18 (25 with a disability) in Dudley is required to undertake Basic Safeguarding Training. What to do if? Is now only delivered as single agency training. Dudley CVS accredited staff will deliver on behalf of DSCB which is free to attend. Drinks will be available at £1 each.

There are three Basic Awareness, ‘What to do if?’ training dates available. People must book as places are limited. Follow the links below to book: »» Wednesday 8th February 2pm - 5pm www.tinyurl.com/book8feb25 »» Wednesday 8th February 6pm - 9pm www.tinyurl.com/book8feb69 »» Thursday 16th February 6pm-9pm www.tinyurl.com/book16feb69

required to attend the Core Working Together Training provided by DSCB (this replaces the previous intermediate and advanced courses). You will have to prove that you have completed a basic awareness course before booking onto the Core Working Together Training.

Core Working Together dates together with a range of other safeguarding training are available on the training calendar hosted on the Dudley Safeguarding Children Board website www.tinyurl.com/j7mqdkc.

Training will take place at DY1, Stafford Street, DY1 1RT. Staff members and volunteers who have a direct responsibility for Safeguarding in their setting are

Introducing Faye Hall the Young Health Champions Project Coordinator The Dudley Young Health Champions project is an exciting new initiative that is being funded by Dudley Public Health, Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group and being hosted by Dudley CVS. The project is located within Healthwatch Dudley and follows on from their research with Dudley Youth Health Researchers. Mental health was raised as an important issue for young people in Dudley together with the lack of information that was available to parents in how to support their children.

Over the next two years Faye Hall will be looking to develop a network of 100 Young Health Champions aged 11-25 across the Dudley region. The project will work with organisations, agencies and services across the voluntary and statutory sector who are working with young people. The aim is to improve health outcomes for young people and ensure their voices are heard in the Faye Hall, Dudley CVS development of future services.

Young Health Champions will receive ongoing training to undertake their role and support will be given to organisations signing up. The project will encourage agencies working with young people to undertake a range of creative activities identified by the young people themselves. This could include sharing information with other young people, campaigning and raising awareness of health issues and events. Young people will be encouraged to become peer educators and take part in research and to present their evidence to decision makers to improve health outcomes. i For further information on the project please contact Faye Hall on 07903374686 or email fayehall@dudleycvs.org.uk

the echo | 3

local charity news news Carers Rights Day 2016 ‘Raising Awareness Afternoon Tea’ Carers UK hosted their yearly event ‘Carers Rights Day’ on 25th November to bring together organisations across the UK to help carers caring for family members or friends know their rights and find out how they can get help and support.

On the day, Dudley CVS team member and hospital Carer Coordinator, Sharon McGlynn, organised a ‘Raising Awareness Afternoon Tea’ for outpatients at Russells Hall Hospital, accompanied by Deb Attwood and Chris Barron from Healthwatch Dudley and volunteer, Jean Round. Sweet treats were also provided

by Julie Bate, Sainsbury’s Amblecote, who donated several boxes of biscuits and mince pies in support of the event.

The afternoon tea event was organised to communicate with staff, outpatients and visitors about caring for family members and to inform them of the support that was available in Dudley, as well as promote The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley CVS Carer Friendly Employer Pledge.

Andrew McMenemy, HR Director from The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, joined the ‘Raising Awareness Afternoon Tea’ to discuss the issues faced by family carers who often struggle to maintain

Carers Rights Day ‘Raising Awareness Afternoon Tea’

the echo | 4

employment and the importance of ensuring that they felt valued by their employer.

The Dudley Carers Alliance, of which Sharon is a member, launched the Dudley Carer Friendly Employer Pledge to encourage local employers to become Carer friendly workplaces and support carers balancing work with caring responsibilities.

In the build up to Carers Rights Day, Dudley CVS, Dudley MBC, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Sainsbury’s Amblecote all signed the pledge and continue to spread the word about the initiative.

Sharon and the Older Peoples nursing staff also raised awareness on the day about the Carer Passport, introduced by the hospital earlier in 2016. This followed the hospitals commitment to John’s Campaign, a national Campaign highlighting the value of carers in a hospital setting to support the needs of the those they care for by offering flexibility over visiting time.

The Carers Passport is available to any main carer of someone with a long term condition who is an inpatient at the hospital and they can ask for one from nursing staff. i For more information Sharon McGlynn can be contacted on 01384 573381/ 07435 754386 or email carers@ dudleycvs.org.uk for more information.

Sarah Norman, Dudley Council signing the pledge with Dr Paul Harrison, acting chief executive of Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

news news

DUDLEY CVS SUPPORTS LOCAL CHARITIES DAY Local Charities Day took place on the 16th December to highlight the brilliant work local charities and community groups do across the UK, bringing so much benefit to the communities they support.

Dudley CVS supports people and organisations in the Dudley borough to make a positive difference in their communities. Dudley CVS also helps individuals or groups to set up, run and develop successful voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises by providing

“

Local charities celebrate success hawbush gardens is now a registered charty “We are absolutely delighted to achieve charity status and thank Dudley CVS who have been a huge support with our application. I am quite sure that we wouldn’t have had the confidence to do this without Dudley CVS support. We’re now really looking forward to next year and working with local residents to make Hawbush Gardens a valuable resource for the community.”

Michelle Betteridge, trustee of Hawbush Community Gardens

Hawbush Community Gardens, a community centre, garden and allotment based in Brierley Hill, is an oasis tucked into the Hawbush estate, where over the past few years, local residents have come together to tend the site. Residents and volunteers have created beautiful community allotment space alongside a handful of private allotments open for local people on a first come, first served basis. The facility also has a centre offering indoor space for different types of activities that bring the community together.

In early 2016, the group contacted Dudley CVS for guidance on whether Hawbush Community Gardens could register as a charity. Dudley CVS staff provided all relevant information about the implications and benefits

of charitable status and supported the group to develop the paperwork and procedures registered charities need to have in place. In less than a year, Hawbush Community Gardens gained a board of trustees and had its application for charity status accepted by the Charity Commission.

Hawbush Community Gardens is now planning to run a variety of outdoor and indoor projects on the site in the new year, from biodiversity activities, health and fitness and fun, educational activities for the community. i If you would like more information please contact Becky Pickin, Small Groups Development Officer smallgroups@dudleycvs.org.uk

the echo | 5

local charity news news Dudley Deaf Theatre A Dudley-based theatre for deaf and hard of hearing communities is celebrating after successfully applying to become a registered charity.

Dudley Deaf Theatre grew out of a project to bring performing arts to the deaf and hard of hearing communities, run by some members of Dudley Deaf Social Club and Black Country Touring. Members of the group co-ordinated accessible productions that could be enjoyed by deaf and hard of hearing individuals as well as the hearing community, working with theatre companies, interpreters and venues to ensure that everyone could enjoy theatre.

The group also provided comedy and drama workshops for people from the deaf and hard of hearing communities, thereby teaching new skills and increasing people’s confidence.

After some successful shows and workshops, the group members decided to set up Dudley Deaf Theatre as a charity in its own right and contacted Dudley CVS for support. Dudley CVS staff provided guidance and information about being a charity and supported the group to develop the Bob Habberley, Jeff Clarkson, trustees of Dudley Deaf Theatre paperwork and procedures registered charities need to have in place. In just a few months, Dudley Deaf Theatre was up and running and was registered as a charity by the Charity Commission.

Jeff Clarkson, trustee of Dudley Deaf Theatre, said, “We’re over the moon to achieve charity status. We’re looking forward to the opportunities that being a charity will bring and to staging some brilliant shows that people from the deaf and hard of hearing communities can participate in and enjoy. We’re so grateful for the support that Dudley CVS have given to help us achieve our goals.”

Dudley Deaf Theatre plans to hold further performing arts workshops for deaf and hard of hearing communities and to provide accessible shows for those communities this year.

Woodside Crafts Woodside Crafts, a social enterprise that helps people with mental health related issues is now a registered charity.

The social enterprise grew when a small group of people at Woodside Day Centre in Holly Hall started making wooden products in group workshops as a therapeutic way to support living with mental ill-health. Group members quickly realised that they could sell their products to raise money for developing the group.

With lots of ideas for improving the skills and well-being of people living with mental ill-health, the group members contacted Dudley CVS who helped them form a social enterprise, by giving training on their responsibilities and supporting the group to develop its official paperwork to register as a company.

Since 2014 Woodside Crafts has managed a shop on King Street in Dudley, where it sells hand-crafted products, runs workshops for people with mental health issues and other needs, and challenges the stigma associated with mental ill-health. The group has been a regular at craft fayres and community events, showing how creativity can empower and change the lives of people with mental health issues.

After raising enough income to become a registered charity, Woodside Crafts again asked Dudley CVS for support. Dudley CVS and Woodside Crafts worked together to develop their application for charity status to the Charity Commission, which was quickly granted.

Trustee of Woodside Crafts, Christine George said, “It has been such an amazing journey, especially seeing members develop their skills, grow in confidence and feel part of society again. We hope to continue promoting mental health, raise more awareness and of course welcome more members.” i If you would like more information please contact Becky Pickin, Small Groups Development Officer smallgroups@dudleycvs.org.uk Trustees of Woodside Crafts Christine George & Martin Marston

the echo | 6

news news Hints and tips on creating a charity Dudley CVS team member Becky shares her hints and tips for anyone considering starting a charity, based on what she has learned over the years, and on how she recently supported new local charities Hawbush Community Gardens, Dudley Deaf Theatre and Woodside Crafts.

This is the summarised version. For the full one, visit: www.tinyurl.com/hwjmyfd Make sure it’s the right thing to do If paperwork isn’t for you and you want to dive right into ‘doing’, then joining something that’s already up and running could be a more attractive prospect. And in a climate in which charities may have to think very clearly about their sustainability, consider downsizing, merging or closing, duplication won’t help anyone.

It might be better to offer your skills and time to an organisation that would welcome the support.

Then make even more sure! Learn about what being a charity would mean. This is about knowing what you’re getting into. Try to learn what it’ll involve. Good guidance is available from: • National Council of Voluntary Organisations’ (NCVO) new test website on how charities work. It’s very visual, fairly accessible and the information it contains is measured and impartial www.howcharitieswork.com/ • Charity Commission Guidance: o ‘How to set up a charity’ - www.tinyurl.com/j7xg5eo o ‘What makes a charity’ - www.tinyurl.com/zy8yum7 o ‘Public benefit’ - www.tinyurl.com/zps3xys Don’t rush It can be tempting to get ‘off-the-shelf’ paperwork and rush into setting up. Learning about the different options you have before you commit, and taking your team with you, will benefit your organisation in the long run; it’ll also prevent you from making mistakes which might be time-consuming to correct.

Get your structure right Some charities need the protection of being ‘incorporated’.

Incorporated organisations have their own legal identity and can employ staff, hold contracts and property in the organisation’s name which limits the personal liability of the organisation’s members. Get help on the structures available to your organisation.

Develop paperwork You’ll need a set of rules called a governing document. The Charity Commission provides model governing documents for each structure (www.tinyurl.com/zakku9s), so start there. You’ll need to develop your own charitable objects.

Use your agreed vision as a starting point. Look at some example objects (www.tinyurl.com/gnzmtdu) provided by the Charity Commission and its guidance on how to write them (www.tinyurl.com/zo283s4).

The application process In the application, you’ll be asked about: • Your purposes – what you want to achieve • Your activities – the work you will do to achieve your purposes • Beneficiaries – the people you want to support and any characteristics they may have • The differences your work will make to people’s lives • Any risks associated with your work and how you will mitigate them Be clear about how your activities are linked to your purposes; make sure those activities are capable of making differences to the lives of the people you support.

Take a look at the Charity Commission guidance on how to register a charity (www.tinyurl.com/pkoadz3).

Consider some training Registering as a charity is only the start. Consider getting the skills you need to run a great charity that has an impact. We can give training on areas like: • Roles and responsibilities of trustees • Planning • Financial management Build a team to build your vision You’ll need a group of trustees to lead the organisation • Volunteer recruitment, management and volunteers and the law and there’s a lot of work to do, so build a strong team Organisations such as NCVO (www.ncvo.org.uk) and to develop your charity. Bring everyone together to DSC (www.dsc.org.uk) offer lots of courses as well as visualise what a successful organisation would look like.

What work would it do? Who would be involved? What some great online resources. i If you’re looking to start a differences would you be making? Writing your ideas charity in the Dudley borough, or would like to connect down will help you to form your charitable purposes or be introduced to any of our many great charities and later on. groups, do get in touch. Becky Pickin, Small Groups Development Officer smallgroups@dudleycvs.org.uk

the echo | 7

local charity news news

“

record delivery for operation santa

“Every year I worry that we won’t get enough donations to reach local children and young people who may otherwise expect nothing for Christmas and I was amazed at the staggering generosity of local people and businesses, who really went the extra mile to help make this another record-breaking year!”

Eileen Fielding, Dudley CVS

Eileen, Dudley CVS team member, is celebrating after the end of another incredible Operation Santa appeal.

A jaw dropping 12,325 Toys, gifts, clothing and Christmas treats were distributed to children, young people and families across the borough.

7,864 of those were collected by Brett Harris, of Blaze Hair, and his army of supporters.

A common question each year is where the donated items go and the answer is quite simply to a child or young person in need. Dudley CVS works with local voluntary, community, faith and statutory sector groups, who support vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and families across the borough. The gifts collected often help to make Christmas for them, when otherwise it’s likely they would receive nothing or have little to look forward to.

This year has reached further than ever, supporting children with disabilities, homeless young people and families in crisis, with gifts, food hampers, and food vouchers for supermarkets.

Some of the groups used funds raised to provide a hot Christmas meal for many families that can’t afford to have one, others put on parties. A staggering 1,808 children and young people enjoyed a party, hot meal, social event or food donation.

Operation Santa isn’t about numbers. It’s about making a real difference to the lives of local children and young people at Christmas, thanks to the generosity of all our amazing supporters we were able to make Christmas special for these children. i To view full report visit www.wp.me/P1ZP0K-oj. For photo gallery visit www.tinyurl.com/opsphoto

Top Church Training Many will remember Top Church Training when the project was first based at Top Church in Dudley but after many moves they have found a home at South Street Café, South Street, Brierley Hill. The project will celebrate its 20th Birthday this March.

Today’s project may run differently but they have not moved away from supporting the most vulnerable, the homeless, the socially excluded young people aged 16-25 in our society through an array of activities including: • 1-2-1 practical and mentoring support • Help with identifying suitable accommodation • Basic money management • Help with accessing benefits • Accompany and advocate with statutory and voluntary agencies • 1-2-1 or group cooking sessions and savvy shopping • CaféConnect – 3 months’ voluntary work placements Café Connect is a place offering young people work placement opportunities where they can learn transferable employability skills including: customer service skills, basic food and hygiene, cash handling, whilst building their confidence and self-esteem.

In 2014, Top Church identified that young people lacked

the echo | 8

work experience and work references. Many had little qualifications, had faced homelessness and were struggling with mental health issues. They were finding it impossible to find work and faced tough competition for jobs.

Now 21 young people have benefited from engaging on the project and 90% have moved on into employment, training or other voluntary opportunities.

“Nina is 21 and unemployed for three years. She lacked motivation and direction. Nina soon surprised herself with how quickly she grasped the tasks and her confidence started to increase. She glowed when receiving praise. She soon became motivated and a great asset to the café team.“ Nina is now working full time as a Retail Assistant. i To make a referral please contact 01384 262114.

In Kind Direct

news Dudley SOUP – bringing a Worldwide Movement to Dudley The Dudley SOUP team is looking forward to the third SOUP event on Wednesday 15th March at DY1, Dudley.

In 2010 a group of artists in Detroit experimented with an idea to support community-based activities through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, democracy, trust and fun. They shared the idea with the world in a step-by-step guide to starting a SOUP. Through CoLab Dudley activities we met local people who had heard about Detroit SOUP and were excited about the idea. Last March we put out an open call to anyone interested in starting Dudley SOUP. 10 people turned up and became a SOUP team that night!

Helen Grice, Dudley SOUP team member, tells us more: “We are all passionate about making change happen within the Dudley borough and SOUP is such a great vehicle for allowing connections to be made, alliances to be formed and help to be offered when it’s needed the most.

The SOUP ‘committee’ are Anna Gillespie, Paul and Karen Jaunzems, Helen Grice, Karl Denning (and Quasia), Jill Hartland, Adam Hall, Jean Reid, Guy Holness and Karen Fielder.

We are all from different backgrounds and walks of life and we have come together with one common objective – to help make a change in the Dudley borough.

If you’re not familiar with how SOUP works then here’s a quick summary: SOUP sees four community ideas pitched to the audience that last for four minutes with each one taking four questions from the audience. Everyone has given a voluntary donation to attend the event and, over a meal of soup, discuss and votes for the pitch that they feel will have the greatest community impact. The pitch with the most votes takes the money that is taken on the door.

Across the last two SOUP events, we have seen such a broad spectrum of projects that represent Autism support, fitness and education for children, help for the homeless, upcycling and addiction recovery. There really is no limit to what sort of community project that SOUP can champion. And it’s not all about who wins the money.

It’s about the connections you and your project can make with the people in the room. For example, Dudley Voices for Choice pitched at December’s SOUP asking for money to source a venue for their Silent Disco. Although they weren’t the winning pitch on the night, Lorraine from Gather Dudley offered them the complimentary use of the café for the disco!

The SOUP team would love to hear from you if you have a project or an idea that will help your local community, and you need a little help getting it off the ground or to the next stage of making it happen. i To submit your proposal visit the Dudley Soup website www.dudleysoup.com/submit-a-proposal-to-dudley-soup/. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 26th February. If you’d like to attend the next SOUP on Wednesday 15th March, then please like and follow the Facebook and Twitter feeds for news of when tickets will be available via our Eventbrite page. Tickets are free and all we ask for is a donation on the door (£5 is suggested but it is at your discretion)”

the echo | 9

local charity news news

A new collaboration helps local people to start practical projects Q. What do you get when you bring together a local social enterprise with a desire to incubate local activity, an entrepreneurial young creative, and Dudley CVS’s learning and tools for co-creating practical projects with people in the places they live?

A. Lots and lots of sharing, making, building, learning, growing, interaction, creativity and ideas!

Dudley CVS has developed a collaboration with Gather Dudley CIC and the Inspirational Network to create a support system to make it easier for local people to start and grow ideas. The support is provided by a team of friendly people who know about imaginative projects invented by local people across the world. Projects that involve neighbours working together on practical ideas that make the places they live more exciting and enjoyable.

This new CoLab Dudley team is based in Gather coffee shop on the High Street in Dudley. The coffee shop is bright, homely and welcoming. It is hand made, full of upcycled features and furniture, with space for local creatives to display and sell their work.

Behind the coffee shop is the Inspiration Lab. This will have an evolving exhibition of ideas from other places and many projects people can take part in locally, along with maps of functional spaces that could be home to new activities.

Co-working sessions are being hosted in the Inspiration Lab, increasing opportunities for collaboration between all sorts of people and organisations in the borough. The Lab will also be used for screening inspirational talks and films, running workshops and learning activities, and team planning activities.

25 people got involved in designing and creating

the echo | 10

the Lab at the beginning of January. They painted, made stools and cushions, and created a rag rug from coffee sacks, denim and carpet samples. The talented co-creators included staff and volunteers from 7 local organisations and groups, their friends, coffee shop customers and local people who heard about it on social media and came along.

At the back of the building is the workshop, where anyone is invited to drop in and do their making alongside Guy from the UP-Cycle Shop, or even help to build upcycled planters and boxes for the UP-Cycle Shop, the income from which is invested into the Inspirational Network to grow creativity and connections in the borough. An urban garden is being created behind the building, so that vegetables and herbs can be grown for local people to use in projects like Gather Sunday - an invitation to share food, music and friendship which is particularly important for those facing lots of challenges in their lives.

Guy Holness briefs people during Inspiration Lab co-creation week

news The CoLab Dudley team talks to people who come into the coffee shop with ideas, and together turn them into projects they can test. Ideas are tested in real life, they develop to the next stage if local people are interested and participate.

Together, the CoLab Dudley team and local people are creating local festivals to show what’s possible. Our first will be Do Fest Dudley on 13-15 March: see www.do-fest.uk. i If any of this sounds interesting to you, find out more at www.colabdudley.net, @colabdudley or CoLab Dudley on Facebook. Or simply pop in for a cuppa and a chat. We’re at Gather, 65 High Street, Dudley.

The above includes concepts and words from Tessy Britton’s Illustrated Guide to Participatory City. For background on some of the research and models we are using in Dudley see www.participatorycity.org. This work is made possible in Dudley due to support from local partner organisations including the West Midlands Police Active Citizens fund.

Member information Once again we reach that time of year when we need to check and update the contact details given to us by our members so that we can keep in touch.

Please complete the following form in order for us to ensure we have your correct details. www.tinyurl.com/ha3dnh4. If you’re reading a print Echo, you’ll find a form inside, please complete and return in the freepost envelope provided.

Subscribe Would you like to hear more about news and events from Dudley CVS? Why not subscribe to our e-bulliten www.interests.me/org/dudleycvs If you would like to share your good news stories, successful collaborations or upcoming activities, we would love to hear from you, please contact our Communications Officer at comms@dudleycvs.org.uk.

Active Citizens Coffee Shop Chat at Gather

Jane shows co-creators how to rag rug using a traditional Black Country podger

Write here, write now Do you want to share your great work with the world? Inspire others to support your work?

Do you need more time to reflect and write?

Join Becky and Helena from Dudley CVS for a free monthly workshop developed to help voluntary organisations, charities and active citizens tell engaging stories for blogs, newsletters and press releases.

This will be a place to get started, develop your skills and get some friendly support over a cuppa. There is no need to come every month, just drop in when you need to! Our next event will take place on the 16th February at Gather Dudley. i For more details visit: www.interests.me/org/dudleycvs/story/4290

the echo | 11

And finally....

This echo was brought to you by...

Dudley CVS TEAM MEMBERS: Helena Norman, Communications Officer Becky Pickin, Small Groups Development Officer Lorna Prescott, Senior Development Officer Sharon McGlynn, Carer Coordinator Eileen Fielding, Volunteer Centre Development Manager Faye Hall, Young Health Champions Project Coordinator Nicki Burrows, Children, Young People and Families Development Officer with further contributions from: Karen Fielder, Top Church Training Helen Grice, Dudley SOUP Dudley CVS is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee Place of registration: England Company number: 1998105 Charity number: 517766

Dudley CVS Office: 7 Albion Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3EE T: 01384 573381 W: www.dudleycvs.org.uk @DudleyCVS facebook.com/cvsdudley DY1 : Stafford Street, Dudley, DY1 1RT To hire the venue, call Dale or Steph on 01384 573381 @dy1venue

BRIERLEY HILL CIVIC haLL: Bank Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3DH To hire the venue, call James on 07801 710807 @bhillcivic

facebook.com/bhillcivic w: bhillcivic.co.uk

Contact Telephone: 01384 573381 Email: dale@dudleycvs.org.uk