Befriending Providers Network
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, a number of befriending services in Rotherham came together to look at how they could best support people in crisis. Rotherfed worked with public health to secure the funding from the office for health improvement and disparities, and The Befriending Providers Network was formed. The Network coordinated by VAR and Rotherfed, with support from RMBC and public health met regularly to explore what support was available locally, identify need and any gaps and took action in delivering support. Meetings are now bi-monthly.
We have also launched a community volunteer campaign called “Be A Good Neighbour” to foster/maintain the community spirit that has been evident throughout the pandemic encouraging residents to take part in small acts of kindness within our communities.
As part of the Good Neighbour Project - funded through the Better Mental Health Fund, VAR worked with Theory Media Productions to produce a series of films all about being a ‘good neighbour’. The films include information about Rotherham GISMO, volunteering, befriending services and information and resources about mental health. You can view films below…
The Good Neighbour Project
The Miss Penlington Community Chest Grants
Miss Penlington Community Chest Fund - now open for applications
Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR) has been left a legacy by Miss Bessie Penlington, a Rotherham resident who lived in Wickersley. VAR Board have decided to use these funds directly for the benefit of Rotherham voluntary and community groups.
VAR are using the funds left by Miss Penlington to create a ‘Community Chest’ fund, in the name of Miss Penlington.
VCSE Alliance: Participation Opportunity
The South Yorkshire VCSE Alliance is pleased to share the following opportunity with you:
Quality, Patient Involvement and Experience Committee (QPIE) member
This is a new opportunity for a VCSE leader to be involved in the work of NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) in a more detailed way through the QPIE committee which provides assurance on:
• Quality of services and service transformation
• Patient safety
• Community engagement and involvement
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
VCS response to the violent disorder at Manvers
In partnership with REMA (Rotherham Ethnic Minority Alliance), we have been working on the collective VCS response to the horrific scenes at Manvers recently. We organised a meeting at the Unity Centre where it was agreed that we should collate some of the impact felt in our communities as a result. To achieve that, please find attached a short form that you can complete to feed in from your groups’ perspective.
The History
Membership
The Network is made up of a range of local partner organisations including; VAR, Rotherfed, REMA, RMBC, Public Health, Rotherham Citizens Advice Bureau, Age UK, Lets Befriend, Live Inclusive, Rotherham Parent and Carers Forum, YAWR Services, RUCST and Rotherham Rise. This diverse group of providers have offered varied services to a range of client groups such as BAME, older people, young people and families, people with mental health issues, and cover the whole life course within the partnership.
As a Network we have supported 815 residents of Rotherham who were lonely and isolated both due to the impact of Covid but also prior to the pandemic, with additional “next steps” support to take part in community life, engage socially with others and improve their mental health and wellbeing.