3VA

Category: Wealden

  • Free training opportunities for local physical activity providers

    Free training opportunities for local physical activity providers

    ‘A Workforce to get Sussex active’ is a project focused on supporting physical activity providers in Newhaven Valley, Devonshire and Hailsham East to get more local residents physically active. One of the ways in which this project aims to support local physical activity providers is by connecting them with possible training opportunities for coaches and volunteers.

    We are excited to announce our online training programme. All of three of these training workshops are free. To secure a place we are asking participants to work towards setting up, or continuing with an activity aimed at helping local residents in the project target areas to become more physically active.

    To find out more about the workshops and how to register, please click the links below:

    If you have any questions, please contact Lee Shepherd at lee.shepherd@3VA.org.uk or on 07535 992 638.

  • The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary & community sector

    The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary & community sector

    3VA has undertaken local research on the impact of Covid-19 and the role of our local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in responding in each of the 3 districts we cover – Wealden, Lewes and Eastbourne.

    We spoke to dozens of grassroots VCSE groups and organisations in each of the 3 districts to capture more local, community feedback to inform our work as a Voluntary Action supporting our local sector and also to provide intelligence for our local VCSE and other key stakeholders.

    We found that demand has increased for foodbanks, support for debt, employment, housing, relationship breakdown. The greatest impact has been on those already made vulnerable by circumstances, for example carers, those with existing mental health issues, people with disabilities, members of BAME communities and children and families with extra support needs.

    Highlights for the voluntary & community sector

    We found that:

    1. The sector has delivered an amazing response, including a rapid response in the early stages to deliver essentials and provide phone and online support.
    2. There are challenges around vulnerable service users, governance, funding, reopening, volunteers, training and IT.
    3. The first six months of the pandemic has taken a huge toll on staff and volunteers.

    We continue to be here to help – get in touch if you need support, information, training, or simply someone with whom you can talk through your plans.

    Highlights for funders

    We found that:

    1. Funders of many groups have been very understanding about the need to divert activities towards relief and support.
    2. Those groups unable to open due to the pandemic are facing real difficulties around delivering any kind of service.
    3. There has been a lot of funding diverted to Covid-19 relief, leaving those groups not delivering Covid-19 services in some difficulty in finding sources of funding.
    4. Groups are asking for simple funding application processes.

    Highlights for statutory partners

    We found that:

    1. VCSE groups made a huge contribution towards the pandemic response using their local knowledge and contacts to rapidly start deliveries of essentials and telephone/online support.
    2. The first six months of the pandemic has taken a huge toll on staff and volunteers, particularly on small to medium sized organisations.
    3. Funding and changes needed to adapt to working in a pandemic are huge challenges being faced by organisations already stretched and stressed by the emergency.
    4. New volunteers need to be recruited and all volunteers need to be trained to work in new circumstances (e.g. safeguarding and supporting people with mental health needs).
    5. Groups need extensive support around planning for reopening services.

    In short, we learnt a lot about the crucial role of the local VCSE and lots that is valuable for the further challenges to come and for the long-term recovery and rebuilding we all wish to see.

    Read the reports in full

    The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary and community sector in Eastbourne
    The Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary and community sector in Lewes District
    The Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the voluntary and community sector in Wealden District
  • Launching the Older People’s Service Provider Network

    Launching the Older People’s Service Provider Network

    At the end of July, we held an online networking meeting for voluntary & community sector groups and organisations working with older people across Wealden. Due to its success, we would like extend an invitation to all those delivering services for older people throughout the 3VA area, including Lewes District and Eastbourne to join the network as well.

    The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18 August 2020 at 11:00 am. It will explore the issue of reopening and things to keep in mind for your team and clients. The aim of the session is to help allay your fears as to how to risk assess so that you can confidently reopen.

    Jenny Watson, Head of Development at 3VA said:

    “It will come as no surprise that the topic for discussion at our first meeting was the challenges around reopening services during the pandemic. Having listened to the questions and concerns that participants had, we have asked Creative Force to develop a short course on reopening safely to try and help groups navigate the rules. We will be running the course at the next meeting.”

    The course, Don’t pass it on! Your step by step guide to risk assessing for safe opening of your services, will demystify current Covid-19 guidance and help you determine how it applies to your organisation, ultimately preparing you to reopen your services. Participants will go step-by-step through the process of risk assessing and learn how to create an environment that is as safe as possible for your team and your clients.

    We welcome as many groups as possible to attend the network, but because we will be doing training at the next meeting, places are limited to 12. This 90-minute course is delivered by Creative Force in association with 3VA and it is open to any community and voluntary group or organisation.

    Please contact us to find out more about the network.

    The risk assessment training course itself will also be offered again on 25 August and 8 September – book now.

     

  • Supporting young learners and their families through a partnership of local organisations

    Supporting young learners and their families through a partnership of local organisations

    Young people and their families have been affected heavily during the coronavirus outbreak and in its aftermath – with many families juggling home school, working from home, stresses of everyday life amplified by the health, job and finances worries. Those living in areas of low income have been affected particularly hard.

    3VA is working with six local organisations and number of schools in Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden to deliver emergency support in June and July. This programme is funded by the Office for Students through the Sussex Learning Network as part of the Uni Connect programme.

    Our partner, Tubbs Computer Supplies, provided 36 refurbished computers to families in Shinewater and Willingdon Trees in Eastbourne in a space of just over 4 weeks. Machines which otherwise would go to landfill have been refurbished and delivered to families who don’t have suitable IT to help their kids access online learning and resources.

    Towner and CraftyAnnies made nearly 300 activity learning packs for young people distributed across Eastbourne and Seaford and across Wealden District with the help of amazing local volunteers. Packs provided an attractive alternative – something to break the boredom and engage with quality educational content away from the formal school’s resources, helping young learners stay motivated.

    Holding Space in Eastbourne is offering free support to parents and children and young people who struggle with mental health and wellbeing as a result of all the challenges related to

    the coronavirus outbreak, helping everyone cope with the situation and supporting children’s learning and development. Four families are already receiving professional help.

    3VA is proud to have brokered this partnership of amazing local organisations and to have helped secure almost £25,000 of funding to deliver the work this summer.