Thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund, Shropshire RCC is able to offer the following FREE support to groups supporting their local community, particularly through the COVID pandemic.

We are looking to help groups that came together very quickly during the pandemic and would like to continue but need some additional help to operate, although other, more established groups may find the support helpful too.

If you are interested in benefitting from any of the below support, please download the application form and return to Julia.Baron@shropshire-rcc.org.uk

Community group support application form

Training Bitesize training (1½ hour sessions by Zoom) in the following:

• Involving volunteers
• Committee roles and responsibilities
• Writing good policies and procedures
• Adult safeguarding awareness
• Conducting Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
• Introductory course in Bid writing for charities and community groups (two 2-hour sessions)
  

Bitesize training - further information

Mentoring

Our mentors are people who have already worked through organisational development and can share their experience with you to who work through particular challenges, reading and helping you with funding applications, or discuss your expansion plans to help your group develop. We are anticipating that, following the training courses above, participants may feel that they need more 1:1 support and we hope to have a pool of mentors available drawn from a wide range of local organisations with a wealth of experience.

Volunteer DBS check service

Are you aware of the Disclosure and Barring (DBS) guidelines? Is your group complying with the rules? Through this programme we will be able to support you getting DBS checks for your volunteers if you need them – and to advise you if you don’t! Checks will be completed by Shropshire Youth Association and we will be able to pay for up to ten checks per group (normally £18 per person) to get you started.

Regular updates about funding available that your group could apply for

The funding landscape is constantly changing and there are many small grants available that your group could apply for but how do you hear about them? We will be providing regular updates of local funding opportunities – and just as a starter, we will shortly be launching a small grant where your group could apply for up to £500 to buy PPE (gloves, disposable masks, hand sanitiser etc) for people in your group who are doing face to face deliveries to members of the community.

Access to peer support group meetings

Sometimes just talking to someone doing the same as you, sharing ideas and asking for help can be both helpful and motivating. If there is sufficient interest, we will set up a peer support group.

Community group support application form