Connecting Communities

Corsham Health and Wellbeing Group “Funding, Folunteers and Fraternisation!”

Health and Wellbeing Group – Corsham Area Set up 3 years ago to strengthen what is already there through offering coordination and support – Looking through the community lens Focus upon older and vulnerable people (Adults) and help combat loneliness and isolation It believes that the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts and has a vision of a vibrant, inclusive and compassionate community Members range from local voluntary and community groups to active individuals and professionals. Supported by Wiltshire Council and reports to the Corsham Area Board

FUNDING

Funding Evidence of the impact donations make, along with a personal connection to a cause, are the biggest influences in giving to charity. (Pilotlight Survey 2018) Giving has remained reasonably static but for the first time central funding has overtaken local funding in the statutory sector Loyalty in a consumer world is becoming an obsolete concept The challenge for funders is to ensure that their money goes further, drawing in other funding and meeting the highest priorities The challenge for organisations is to realize that they may need to think and operate differently to include agendas outside of their core interest

How can the health & wellbeing group help your club or organisation? It has some funding to support innovation (@£7.5k) Its members have their own funding and joint initiatives are becoming the norm – e.g. Celebrating Age events It can support external funding applications The Area Board also has capital funding - Richard.rogers@wiltshire.gov.uk Wiltshire Community Foundation – wiltshirecf.org.uk Parish and Town Councils should be among your first contacts For Town Council grant awards of up to £500, contact sthomas@Corsham.gov.uk

Folunteers (or volunteers) ……or perhaps just people giving up some of their time A few observations The number of volunteers has slightly increased but the average time they spend volunteering has decreased Decrease in those volunteering to support elderly and increase in environmental volunteering Little distinction between formal and informal volunteering Growth in entrepreneurial volunteers rather than organisational Move to episodic or ‘revolving door’ volunteering Growth of virtual volunteering

Volunteers A few suggestions? Support the ‘stalwarts’ and committed long term volunteers who could be seen as under threat. 20% of volunteers are stalwart and responsible for 80% of volunteering. But allow for organisational change Think about what volunteering opportunities are being offered – are they what people want to do? Loyalty is to the cause or interest not organisation. E.g. “Help from Home” offers 800 virtual micro volunteer tasks - RSPB Tap into company volunteering and sponsorship - resources for expertise such as accounts, legal, consultant, etc.

How can the health & wellbeing group help your club or organisation? Can advertise volunteering opportunities – i.e. Through newsletters, networks, digital screens etc. Help connect groups with potential volunteers – e.g. digital solutions, ‘Side by Side’- Alzheimers Society Run and support events – e.g. Network days We recognises that people who give time to a club or cause are more likely to give time to another. They also live locally and have neighbours. We therefore want to develop a Corsham area volunteering culture

Fraternisation (or collaboration) …. or just working together… Fraternisation (or collaboration) ….or just working together….even with your rivals! For most organisations, working collaboratively in their community is essential for their survival because: It is the best way to achieve common goals – innovation and impetus Funding organisations increasingly expect this from applicants It encourages and challenges the way we see things It offers greater access to support, training and advice Sharing experiences, challenges and success stories is mutually beneficial This opens up a range of different communication channels Prevents cliques, inequalities and barriers for people to partake It provides a forum to share and explore challenges and opportunities

How can the health and wellbeing group help? While currently focussed upon older and vulnerable people It coordinates and networks local activity It provides and is linked into communication networks It is a gateway to statutory and voluntary organisations It can offer advice and support It supports innovation and gets behind people with vision and energy But it is just an empty vessel without its active members!

Contact: Richard Rogers - Community Engagement Manager richard Contact: Richard Rogers - Community Engagement Manager richard.rogers@wiltshire.gov.uk Tel: 07771547522 Cllr Brian Mathew – Chairman of Health and Wellbeing Group Brian.Mathew@wiltshire.gov.uk Tel: 07771607983 Kevin Gaskin – Health and Wellbeing Group kevingascinccan@hotmail.co.uk