Volunteering boost for charities, libraries and museums in disadvantaged areas

MORE than 15,000 people are being supported into volunteering and given opportunities to build social connections in libraries, museums, arts organisations and charities thanks to Government investment.

Up to £30 million is being provided through the Government's Know Your Neighbourhood Fund to create volunteering opportunities and support those experiencing or at risk of chronic loneliness. Funding will support volunteers and participants to take part in activities such as talking cafes, skills sharing sessions, arts and crafts groups and environmental conservation.

Recent research has found that those living in the most deprived areas are more likely to report feeling lonely, as well as being less likely to volunteer. Research has also shown that loneliness is closely linked with mental health and wellbeing, and that certain types of volunteering opportunities can help connect communities and help people develop skills and grow their networks.

Civil Society Minister Stuart Andrew said:- "Loneliness is something anyone can experience, at any time. We know that volunteering can help people connect, as well as improving mental wellbeing and helping people develop new skills. This funding will mean those in some of the most disadvantaged areas across the country are able to volunteer in an area that interests them. From arts groups to skills development workshops, there are thousands of ways for people to get involved, meet new people and try new things."

Over £10 million has been allocated by UK Community Foundations (UKCF) to create high quality volunteering opportunities and support people experiencing, or at risk of loneliness in:- Wolverhampton, South Tyneside, Kingston Upon Hull, Blackpool, Stoke On Trent, Great Yarmouth, Fenland, County Durham, and Barrow in Furness. This will support over 10,000 people with access to opportunities such as befriending services, parent and toddler groups, lunch clubs and gardening activities.

Nearly £3 million is being distributed on behalf of Government by Arts Council England via partners Libraries Connected, Creative Lives and the Association of Independent Museums to create more than 1,000 volunteering opportunities and support more than 4,000 people experiencing, or at risk of, chronic loneliness. Opportunities will be focused in libraries, museums and voluntary arts groups, with activities including:- 'reading for wellbeing' groups, musical performances and artist led workshops.

Historic England has also distributed nearly £500,000 to support programmes being delivered on 11 high streets, in:- Barnsley, Blackpool, Barrow, Burnley, Hull, Middlesbrough, Stalybridge, Wednesbury, Stoke, Great Yarmouth and Ramsgate. 350 volunteers will be supported to take part in cultural activities that help people feel proud of where they live and connected to their local community, such as history-based volunteering workshops and drop-in meeting spaces for those experiencing loneliness.

Some of the organisations in the North West to benefit from the £13 million include:-

• In Barrow, Cumbria Wildlife Trust has received over £210,000 to support:- 'The Bay project. Launched' in 2021, the project addresses loneliness, isolation, and wellbeing in Barrow-in-Furness while promoting nature conservation. Its 'Nature and Wellbeing' sessions include:- activities such as beach cleans, aiming to engage the local community through conservation. The project also has a strong online presence, reaching over 300,000 people.
   

• Skool of Street has been awarded a grant of over £75,000 to run a new volunteer led LGBTQ+ project across various wards in Blackpool called:- 'back to their house.' Open 4 days a week, it will be a safe space for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and will offer a whole range of activities from regular live music and free creative workshops from local artists to dance, yoga, reflexology and creative writing.
   

• Burnley library has been allocated £88,000 for their Burnley's Better Together project to develop volunteering opportunities and support people experiencing social isolation. Funding will allow the library to build on Burnley's local collections through exhibitions and activities, with a focus on its history of industry and football. Sessions will be developed for parents, veterans and carers, as well as young people at risk of chronic loneliness to improve their life chances.
   

• Funding of:- £88,000 will allow Halton libraries to recruit a:- 'Life Stories' coordinator to engage with volunteers and partner organisations to help people experiencing chronic loneliness to explore their own life stories, as part of the:- '50 years of Halton' celebrations. Funding will also mean an Activities Coordinator can be recruited to put on library events and activities specifically targeting groups most at risk of chronic loneliness, such as baby book clubs for new parents.
   

• Knowsley has identified a need for group activity in safe, accessible spaces where people, especially older residents, can make friends, feel part of their community and improve their wellbeing. Funding of:- £88,000 will allow Knowsley libraries to recruit a Project Coordinator to work with library staff, communities and partners to identify local needs and establish groups in libraries, targeting residents experiencing, or at risk of, loneliness.
   

• With funding of:- £88,000, libraries in Rochdale will be able to support local families who may not be aware of free activities and events due to social isolation. Funding will be used to support a programme to look at how the libraries can support local communities, delivered by volunteers that will meet once a month to share experiences and best practices.
   

• Funding of:- £88,000 will allow libraries in Tameside to explore ways of increasing volunteering, particularly targeting vulnerable members of the community. This will include:- working with Tameside's 9 Towns to provide volunteering opportunities and support groups in libraries, as well as working with care teams to explore how to engage young people leaving care into volunteering opportunities to support their skills development and employability.

Rosemary Macdonald, CEO, UK Community Foundations said:- "Community foundations see the impact of services that tackle loneliness on a daily basis. From urban high streets to rural hamlets, local grassroots organisations remain a valued asset at the heart of community life. We are excited about what we can learn and share through the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund to increase volunteering in the future in a sustainable way that brings communities closer together."

The Government is also supporting social enterprises with funding of up to:- £4.1 million via the Social Enterprise Boost Fund. Social enterprises use the majority of their profits to further a social or environmental mission, from community healthcare providers to retailers providing employment opportunities for the homeless.

Allocated in County Durham, Sandwell, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Thanet and Wolverhampton, the Fund aims to grow the social enterprise sector in disadvantaged areas by supporting organisations in their early stages. Up to £1.45 million will be delivered as grants of up to £10,000 to help kickstart or grow social enterprises, supporting the development of innovative ideas to tackle issues in local areas.

Alongside this,:- £2.3 million will be used to accelerate social enterprise activity through business support, training, networking, 1 to 1 support and peer learning, such as:- 'Dragon's Den' style pitching opportunities.

The Fund aims to build the evidence on what works to grow social enterprises in disadvantaged areas, and share learning on their unique contribution to local communities and economies.

The Government has also announced plans to commission further research into loneliness to help develop our understanding of why disabled young people are at greater risk of loneliness and social isolation, and develop policy that can be implemented to best support them.

 Black cat myth means they can take THREE TIMES longer to rehome

TO mark National Black Cat Day, 27 October 2023, and just in time for Halloween, the RSPCA has revealed that it sadly takes longer to rehome black cats than any other coat colour.

Black cats are often associated with superstitions while some people believe they don't look good in photos. This sadly means it can take longer for a black cat in a rescue centre to find a home.

On average, it takes black cats 29 days to find a home, in comparison to grey tabby cats which are rehomed in just 9 days; meaning it takes black cats over 3 times longer to find homes than some more:- "popular" felines. There are also more black and black and white cats in the charity's care than any other coat colour; with over 5,000 coming into the RSPCA's national centres since 2020.

The higher numbers of black, or black and white cats, ending up in rescue centres and their longer length of stay could be in part due to myths around black cats, especially at this time of year. Worrying, 82% of national RSPCA centres have heard potential adopters share the myth that black cats are unlucky; making rehoming them even more challenging for the charity.

Dominika Jagoda, Scientific and Policy Officer for the Companion Animals Department at the RSPCA, said:- "In truth, black cats won't bring you bad luck; but they do need forever homes. The colour of an animal's fur makes no difference to how much love they have to give. If you can bring some magic into their lives they are sure to bring some love into yours; so they even make your lucky day! The charity's month long rehoming campaign, Adoptober, has highlighted a worrying collapse in rehoming rates; which have fallen by 30% from 3 years ago; when:- 39,178 animals were rehomed. In 2022, only 27,535 animals were rehomed by the RSPCA. As the campaign comes to an end, the RSPCA now hopes to find homes for the black cats in its care; with many of its centres 'full to bursting.'"

Buddy (pictured above) is a 4 year old black and white male cat who came into the care of the RSPCA Wirral and Chester Animal Centre after his previous owner sadly passed away. He is looking for a home where he can have lots of fuss and attention. He also loves exploring and going on adventures outside so would like access to the outdoors so he can explore.

Buddy is a friendly and sweet boy and is ready to land on his paws in his new forever home this Halloween.

To give him a loving home, contact the RSPCA Wirral and Chester Branch on:- 01516386318.

Bonnie... 2 year old Bonnie is a female black cat who hasn't had the best start in life and is now looking for her forever home. She loves trick or treats, mainly the treats, and does like her own space. She is looking for a new owner who will give her time to get used to her new home. Once she settles in, she is sure to win a new owners' heart!

To give her a loving home, contact the RSPCA Wirral and Chester Branch on:- 01516386318.

Triumph... Triumph is a 1 year old long haired male cat who was born as an outdoor cat and is now looking for someone to keep an eye on him. He was brought into the charity's care along with his siblings and mum around 7 months ago. The other 2 cats have now been rehomed, but Triumph is still looking.

He is a little unsure of people, but as long as he has some cosy spots to hide, he has started to feel more confident and will come out to enjoy some company. Triumph would prefer to stay as an outdoor cat, and would be looking for a home on a farm, smallholding, or large garden where he can explore the great outdoors but also have a safe and secure place to sleep at night, and someone to keep an eye on him.

If you have the perfect home for Triumph please contact the RSPCA Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk Branch on:- 0303 040 1565.

Cosmo is a 7 year old boy who came into the charity's care as his previous owner could no longer cope with caring for him and their other pets. He is a friendly, adoring soul who loves fuss and loves his food even more. He's carrying a little extra weight at 6.7kg (14.8lb) so his new owners will need to help him shift the pounds; a puzzle feeder helps to slow him down.

He is a calming cat who enjoys the company of people. He would prefer a quiet home where he can be the only cat and needs a comfy lap to curl up on. He also likes to potter around outside and so would like free access to explore.

If you can give Cosmo a home please contact the RSPCA Manchester and Salford Branch via email:- Adoptions@RSPCA-ManchesterAndSalford.Org.UK.

Dominika added:- "Sharing our lives and homes with these cats can be so rewarding and fulfilling. There is nothing scary or unlucky about the love these cats can bring. Throughout this Adoptober rehoming month, we want to inspire those who are in a position to adopt a pet to open their homes to an animal in need of a new start, to help reduce the pressure on the RSPCA centres and branches. Even if you can't open your home to a pet, we all have the power to take action for animals. You can support the RSPCA by sharing our message or donating to help us continue our vital work."

Could you offer a rescue pet a loving new home? Please visit:- Find A Pet to see all of the animals currently in the RSPCA's care who are looking for their paw fect match.

If you can't offer a rescue pet a new home perhaps you could help in a different way?

Help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming by donating online or calling the charity's donation line on:- 03001238181.

Sponsor a cat pod or a dog kennel and help take care of the animals during their stay with us.

Support the work of your local centre or branch by becoming a volunteer or donating to them directly.