News

October 5 2023

Personalisation Huddle on 27th October 2023

Chatting with Carers

Come along for a chat with Amanda, Sash and Janet who are all carers for loved ones in their family and social groups.

• Amanda is mum to Ellie and a recent grandmother to Isla. Ellie has struggled with her mental health for several years and Amanda has always been there to support and care for her daughter through difficult times.

• Sash is the carer for several people in her family, who have a variety of challenges from MS, dementia, paraplegic and mental health, and autism. Sash had to make the difficult decision to give up her career to take on a full time caring role for her family members.

• Janet is mum to Katie, who has a severe learning disability, autism and is in wheelchair. Katie uses Makaton sign language. She lives in her own property, with 24hr support. Janet still has a lot of involvement in caring for Katie but recognises that this needs to reduce over time.

Friday 27th October 2023

9.30am – 11am

Online Event over Microsoft Teams

Over the years they have all experienced good, challenging, and difficult conversations with the people they care for and the professionals and practitioners who are and should be there to advise and support.

They are huge advocates for the voice of the carer. They are all involved in co production work and want to work together with the health and care system to make things better for others.

This is an opportunity to come and chat with one another, in a safe space, share experiences, learning, knowledge and expertise, and hopefully take away something new that will help to develop your practice and understanding of the complexities and the highs and lows of being a carer for people you love.

October 5 2023

HWLincs Newsletter

OCTOBER 2023

HWLincs have launched their October Newsletter (Issue 41). This edition welcomes the appointment of their new CEO, Navaz Sutton and their new Chair of Board, Michele Duggan.

Click the image above to view.

HWLincs is a people-first charity, dedicated to improving wellbeing and influencing positive change through their work.

September 27 2023

2023/24 Winter Pressures & Warm Spaces VCSE Opportunities

Expression of Interest

NHS health and care system partners in Lincolnshire have allocated system funds to work in partnership with voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations.

We would like to hear from you if you are a VCSE sector organisation that would like to bid for funding to support us in delivering the following ambitions this winter in Lincolnshire:

supporting adults and young people who may have a mental health or social care need to self-care or access alternatives when they do not require a GP appointment, A&E, emergency ambulances services or other physical health urgent care services
support adults and young people with their mental health needs, including dementia and their carers, through getting additional support to help them with their needs, especially if this means we can reduce the demands on our local NHS mental health services.
Additional interventions to those already provided by Wellbeing Hub and Community Connectors within their PCN localities due to increased demands, or specific needs over the winter period.

If you think your organisation may be able to work with us to help people in your community over the winter months. We need to hear from you!

Please complete expression of interest application form for funding grants, which are available in two categories:

Funding proposals up to £15,000 for winter pressures projects
Funding proposals up to £10,000 for warm spaces per PCN area from organisations within the VCSE who currently host a Community Connector / Wellbeing Hub

Deadline for applications: 6^th October 2023

Two Q&A sessions are planned on the following dates to give interested VCSE sector organisations an opportunity to ask questions about the funding available and the bidding process.

Thursday 14th September 2023 at 2.00pm Link to the event is here: Click here to join the meeting

Wednesday 20th September 2023 at 3.00pm Link to the event is here: Click here to join the meeting

September 22 2023

Health Inequalities VCSE Grant Fund is now open for applications!

PRESS RELEASE

LVET, on behalf of the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), is pleased to announce that a new grant to help Lincolnshire VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) organisations reduce health inequalities is now open for applications!

The Health Inequalities VCSE Grant fund, is making £85,000 available in 2023 for VCSE organisations and projects working with what is known as ‘Core 20 Plus 5’ populations. That is the 20% most deprived parts of the Lincolnshire population according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation and also the 5 health issues or conditions that have the greatest impact on the lives of people in Lincolnshire. For adults the key clinical areas of health inequality include maternity support, severe mental illness, chronic respiratory disease, early cancer diagnosis and hypertension. For children and young people the key clinical areas of health inequality include asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, oral health and mental health.

The Health Inequalities VCSE Grant fund is also interested in applications from groups or projects working with key health inclusion groups including people from minority ethnic backgrounds, children in care, care leavers, those in the justice system, those not in education, children open to social care people with Learning Disabilities, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and autistic people.

Mental Health is a challenge across the whole population. Shine Lincolnshire manages the Mental Health & Wellbeing Community Investment Fund on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC). The funds are invested by both Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and the Integrated Care Board (ICB). The fund aims to support the growth and innovation of VCSE organisations to deliver projects for the benefit of those experiencing a mental illness or wellbeing need. The next round of funding available through this grant is anticipated to open in Autumn 2023 and details upon announcement can be found on the Shine Website.

Any VCSE organisation interested in applying can download the guidelines and a copy of the application form on the LVET website www.lvet.co.uk/health-inequalities. If you want to explore the Index of Multiple deprivation you can do so through the IMD Local Authority Dashboard

The application form is available on the LVET website or here.

To find out more, visit www.lvet.co.uk/health-inequalities or contact Emily Ward on emily.ward@lvet.org or 07888 330294.

Notes to Editor

1. For more information contact emily.ward@lvet.org or 07888 330294.

2. LVET is a collective of voluntary and community organisations involved in supporting the Health and Wellbeing of people living and working in Lincolnshire. We have over 120 member organisations, ranging in size and collectively employing around 8500 people in paid and unpaid positions across the whole of Lincolnshire. LVET is financially supported by both the Integrated Care Board and the County Council to ensure the voluntary and community sector is recognised as a vital component in the Integrated Care System.

3. The Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a statutory organisation bringing the local NHS together to improve Lincolnshire’s health and wellbeing.

4. Mental health support and funding is managed via SHINE Lincolnshire https://shinelincolnshire.com/

September 20 2023

Bicker Fen Funding Deadline Approaching!

The closing date for the Bicker Trust Fund is fast approaching on 1st October 2023. Not-for-profit community groups, and social enterprises that support community activity who are based within a 10-mile radius of Bicker Fen including PTAs and Churches may apply for up to £5,000.

The application process is straight forward, and our team are here to help with any questions applicants might have (eligibility, structures, governance etc). In the past the fund has supported, renovations to community buildings, new energy efficient heating sources and new equipment for clubs. Please give us a call to discuss an application.

If you have an idea and want to speak to Grants staff before applying, please call 01529 305825.

For an application form and more information: Contact Katie Littlewood @ Lincolnshire Community Foundation. Telephone (01529) 305825, email katie@lincolnshirecf.co.uk or download an Application Form from our Grants Page at www.lincolnshirecf.co.uk

September 18 2023

Spalding and Horncastle maps the ‘Understory’ of community action

PRESS RELEASE

We are delighted to announce that in partnership with LVET, Children’s Links and Tonic Health are working with Understory to map what’s happening in the community in Spalding and Horncastle area.

Understory is a digital mapping tool that allows those involved in the community in Spalding and Horncastle to reveal the hidden connections that bind them together. Community representatives come together in a single workshop to create a network map, and by the end of the session they can explore the web of relationships between people and organisations that build resilience.

Understory’s mapping tools enable communities to explore interdependencies between sectors; the communities’ goals and how these change over time; the organisations that are collaborating effectively and those that are working in silos. It is for anyone who cares about people, thrives on connections, and desires a collective approach to change.

The map will be a collaborative tool for all those working in the sector to enable better cohesion and collective working. The map will also be available to view publicly, however individual names will be anonymised.

For Horncastle, the mapping workshop will take place on 19^th September 2023 at 2pm – 3.30pm.

For Spalding, the mapping workshop will take place on 26^th September 2023 at 1.30pm – 3pm.

If you know of a community organisation, charity or social enterprise who you think should be in the map, please contact us at emily.ward@lvet.org. For more information, visit the LVET site and the Understory site.

This mapping work has been funded by The National Lottery Community Fund

Notes to Editor

For more information contact Emily Ward on emily.ward@lvet.org.
LVET is a collective of voluntary and community organisations involved in supporting the Health and Wellbeing of people living and working in Lincolnshire. We have over 120 member organisations, ranging in size and collectively employing around 8500 people in paid and unpaid positions across the whole of Lincolnshire. LVET is financially supported by both the Integrated Care Board and the County Council to ensure the voluntary and community sector is recognised as an important component in the Integrated Care System.
Understory is a partnership between social enterprise Onion Collective and design studio Free Ice Cream. It aims to support communities who are actively working to improve their place. It asks what your organisation or group’s purpose is, who is most important to your work, what organisations in your community are important to your work and what organisations outside of your community are important to your work. In this way a network map can be created, revealing the story of bonding, bridging and linking social capital. For more go to: https://understory.community/. Contact for Understory is Georgie Grant, Understory Lead: georgie@onioncollective.co.uk.

September 18 2023

Developing Social Enterprise in Lincolnshire!

PRESS RELEASE

LVET, on behalf of the Lincolnshire Social Economy Steering Group (LSEG), is leading on the development of a partnership with the School of Social entrepreneurs (SSE) to develop a social enterprise, peer networking programme for the Lincolnshire VCSE sector!

Funded by the Barrow Cadbury’s Connect Fund, the programme will build voice, capacity and resilience within the sector, along with developing the leadership and impact of more established VCSE organisations in the country.

There are two elements to this initiative:

(a) Networking events – LVET will be running 4 face to face networking events across the county. These will be hosted by entrepreneurial organisations, showcasing their journeys and provide opportunities to explore different aspects of social enterprise. These are suitable for anyone who has an interest in social enterprise at any stage of the journey, and those who’d like to find out more about social enterprise.

(b) Peer Network Leadership Programme – The School of Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) will deliver a free online 6-month leadership development programme for 15 Social Enterprise leaders across Lincolnshire. This programme is suitable for leaders of organisations operating for a social or environmental purpose. If you’d like to take part in the Leadership programme, please visit https://www.the-sse.org/courses/lincolnshire-peer-network-leadership-programme/ for further information. For general queries, please email Kate.Hanley@sse.org.uk.

We see this programme as one of the initial steps to move from strategy into tangible action – developing excellent leadership in the social economy so that it can thrive and build towards a movement.

One person who completed the Peer Network Leadership Programme commented “It didn’t take long for me to be converted to this powerful approach to problem solving”.

To find out more, visit www.lvet.co.uk/developing-social-economy or contact Emily Ward on emily.ward@lvet.org or 07888 330294. To find out more about the Peer Network Leadership Programme, please visit https://www.the-sse.org/courses/lincolnshire-peer-network-leadership-programme/ or email Kate.Hanley@sse.org.uk.

Notes to Editor

For more information contact [insert name and contact details of relevant person]
LVET is a collective of voluntary and community organisations involved in supporting the Health and Wellbeing of people living and working in Lincolnshire. We have over 120 member organisations, ranging in size and collectively employing around 8500 people in paid and unpaid positions across the whole of Lincolnshire. LVET is financially supported by both the Integrated Care Board and the County Council to ensure the voluntary and community sector is recognised as an important component in the Integrated Care System.
SSE has been supporting social entrepreneurs and social economy organisations since 1997. They run programmes, courses and workshops internationally, nationally, regionally and locally to equip people to start, strengthen and scale organisations that make a positive difference.
“The Connect Fund has been set up to strengthen the social investment market in England to better meet the needs of charities and social enterprises. Previously known as the ‘Social Investment Infrastructure Fund’, it is a £6 million fund for grants and investments that Barrow Cadbury Trust manages in partnership with Access – the Foundation for Social Investment.”

September 8 2023

September is International Recovery Month

Recovery Coach Academy

We are hosting loads of Free Workshops and Activities to educate and inspire, along with creating Recovery Ally’s.

September is International #RecoveryMonth, and we’re celebrating it the best way we know how – through education!

As the saying goes, “We don’t know what we don’t know!” Whether you’re an individual, a family member, a friend, an ally, or a professional, we invite you to make the most of these FREE resources and engaging activities!

Recovery Month with Recovery Coach Academy

https://www.recoverycoachacademy.co.uk/sep23

We believe that education is the key to empowerment. Let’s learn together and celebrate recovery this September!

September 8 2023

SKDC Funding Workshop

South Kesteven District Council

SKDC are hosting an event to help open up funding opportunities for organisations and charities across South Kesteven, including UKSPF, Lottery SK and the SK Community Fund

Stamford Corn Exchange

21 September – 6pm to 8pm

SKDC Community Engagement Team would like to welcome you to join us for our funding workshop, this offers support for your community group with available funding options and tips and tricks of how to apply.

Calling all South Kesteven voluntary organisations, groups and charities who are working to support our communities!

Would you like the opportunity to speak direct to funders in an informal environment? We will bring a wealth of knowledge about our SK Community Fund and Lottery SK. We have representatives from The National Lottery and UK Shared Prosperity Fund joining us on the evening to update you on available funding.

You can book a place onto the evening session of the Funding Workshop using the “reserve a spot button” on the right hand side of the Eventbrite page by following this link.

Once you have booked your session, should you have any questions, please email victoria.herbert@southkesteven.gov.uk

September 8 2023

Health Inclusion Workshops

The ICS Health Inequalities Programme is excited to offer the following Health Inclusion workshops which are free to attend and available to all Lincolnshire staff working in health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

Health Inclusion Workshop; Gypsy, Roma, Traveller

Wednesday 8^th November – 10-1.30pm, face to face – Waddington Community Hub, High Street, Waddington, LN5 9RF

Wednesday 29^th November – 10-1.30pm, face to face – Waddington Community Hub, High Street, Waddington, LN5 9RF

This interactive workshop has been co-produced and will be co-facilitated by the Lincolnshire Traveller Initiative (LTI) and people with lived experience. The workshop will explore who travellers are, their history and the health inequalities experienced by this community. Learners will understand what can be done to improve access, experience, and outcomes for travellers.

Health Inclusion Workshop; Learning Disabilities

Tuesday 5^th December – 1-4pm via MS Teams

Friday 15^th December – 9.30-12.30pm via MS Teams

This interactive workshop will explore the health inequalities experienced by people with a Learning Disability (LD). Learners will listen to individual lived experience and understand the barriers and challenges faced by people with LD. The workshop will explore what can be done to reduce these and the difference that reasonable adjustments can make on a person’s access, experience, and outcomes. This workshop has been co-produced with people with lived experience of LD.

Health Inclusion Workshop; Autism and Neurodiversity

Wednesday 17^th January 1-4pm via MS Teams

Thursday 25^th January 9.30-12.30pm via MS Teams

This interactive workshop will explore the health inequalities experienced by neurodiverse people, with a focus on autism. Learners will explore their current understanding of autism and gain insight into individual lived experiences. Learners will understand the positive difference reasonable adjustments can make to access, experience and outcomes to the neurodiverse community. This workshop has been co-produced and will be facilitated by autistic people who will share their lived experience as part of the session.

To book your place on any of the Health Inclusion Workshops please email licb.healthinequalities@nhs.net with which workshop/s you’d like to book, the date of the workshop, your name, email address, job role and organisation.

Please note that places are limited for all workshops.