Lady Val Corbett’s Post

Horse Whispering Youth Program is a small charity, with a BIG mission. This 1-minute video explains what the community fear, we share their concerns, and we address what is being done, and what more can be done. Great things happen for our community when we herd together. It has the power to create a system that’s both economically efficient and deeply empathic. Investing in early intervention isn’t just a matter of ethics – it’s a smart financial choice considering the cost of placing a child in a youth detention or mental health ward ranging between $1400-$1800 per day for the taxpayer. These following groups (and many more) already work 24/7 with organisations (like ours) for a safer and healthier future. We acknowledge your great service to our community. Queensland Youth Services Queensland Police Service NSW Police Force Youth Command Queensland Health Gold Coast Youth Service City of Gold Coast Now we need Your buy in too. Please make the ethical choice. Follow us, please share the message of hope.

Charities, CICs, and organisations demonstrating social value need to measure their impact. Many worry, "but Luna, our participants don't speak English. They are asylum seekers or have problems with reading, writing, or sitting still to answer questionnaires. What do we do?" First, consider who you bring on board to gather data and understand how to address these issues. Creating something with the community is key because many systems aren't fair or equitable - and our standard measures reflect systemic bias. I've created and published questionnaires, and I've measured their reliability, factor structures and validity but I know they reflect biases - sometimes it's even a linguistic choice!! So when I select questionnaires or assessments of impact, I start by understanding the communities involved. What do they care about? What is meaningful impact for them? Next, how do they like to engage? Where and with whom? Understand who they are and if an affinity space is needed where people feel comfortable discussing things with like-minded individuals. Second, consider the measures you will use. Are well-validated, robust measures necessary if participants won't engage with them? Balance these with measures that speak to the participants. Allow them to take photographs and discuss them, use at story illustrations, or make assessments based on real-world contexts. This approach might yield more valid data even if it can't be normed. Third, contextualise the data by involving participants as collaborators in selecting, implementing, and interpreting measures. Those living the experience can best understand it. Finally, ensure your data on equity, inclusion, and diversity makes sense so you can plan subsequent interventions based on data. Who benefits from your programmes? Why are some people left out? Are the same people always engaging while others are not? Grassroots organisations can help because they connect with the people you aim to reach. If you need help thinking about measurement impact and social value, remember that different interactions are needed for different groups. I've worked in prisons, detention centres, and with young children. Engaging those often ignored requires rapport-building and a collaborative attitude. Assessing these aspects and building social value in a way that makes sense to the community brings more funding and stakeholders on board. They see you're building with the community and reaching more people.

A message from our Trustees and staff. In light of the disorder and violence seen across the country over the last week, Croydon Voluntary Actions wants to reach out to our communities and beyond. Like so many others, we have been appalled by the racist violence that has been used to terrorise communities across the UK. The roots of this hatred and intimidation lie deep in our society - fed and exploited over many years. However, what has become even more apparent this last week is how individual and community acts of love, care, and resistance have challenged, with such apparent confidence, any drift into believing that we are anything but united against hatred, intolerance and division. The strength of Croydon is in the diversity of this great borough and our message is clear that we are united against hatred, intolerance and division. People or the organisations we work alongside will not stand for these challenges to community cohesion. Charities, community groups and faith organisations will not bow down to threats. We already work hand in hand delivering social change, improving people’s lives, and responding to emergencies - and we will continue to do so to defeat those responsible for these horrific acts. #strongertogether

A little personal rant for a second so bare with me.. Lately I’ve been hearing personal stories and encounters (from reliable, trusted sources who’ve proven their character over time) about the anti trafficking and child exploitation movement. This is probably not a new thing, but the NGO space, law enforcement, private sector, all of it have a serious problem. I think all of us should take a look in the mirror, including myself, and ask: - Why am I doing this? - Do I have personal ambition in this space? - Who am I serving? And to be clear, making money while being involved in this space has nothing to do with my frustration. In many cases, the private sector is more effective combating these issues than the NGO world and law enforcement and NGO’s who are TRULY doing the work should be paid accordingly. Where my frustration begins and ends is the people who want something from the movement. Those looking to TAKE and not GIVE. “Oh I’m on the board of an anti-trafficking NGO!” “I work with some bada** people to save children.” “Yeah we’re doing some secret things to end the human trafficking problem.” Typically speaking, if you’re parading around saying this type of stuff, you’re very likely not doing any real work. Many have given their lives to this cause and your selfishness and personal ambitions destroy the validity of so many good people trying to move the needle. I’ve been around long enough to know that eventually the truth rises to the surface. Those with ulterior motives are exposed in the end. The problem is, victims have no time for it. Law enforcement fighting tooth and nail have no time for it. Time is up. So, if you find yourself looking in the mirror and realizing this is you, do everyone a favor and leave. Recuse yourself as the distraction that you are and move on. #humantrafficking #nonprofit #CSAM

If you’ve been reading our posts this week and thinking “I get it guys, I’m aware, but what next?!” Today’s post is for you as we think about actions we can take to be part of much needed change. We hope that we’ve highlighted that we need politicians to listen. We’re expecting a general election this year, so we would encourage everyone to make sure that they are registered to vote and to use that vote. Remember that this year you will need the appropriate ID to vote, and you can see the accepted IDs on the government website. If you are supporting someone, could you discuss with them whether they need any support to exercise their right to vote? Can you read through the party manifestos and look at those parties who are dismantling actively harmful policies? Could you speak to your local MP or other candidates, to find out what their stance on homelessness is, and how they intend to support people experiencing multiple exclusion? Writing to your local MP is a great way to use your voice and let them know about the issues you care about. Locally - there are so many small, grassroots organisations doing amazing work across the UK, and this is a real opportunity to support them. Often they don’t have the marketing budgets of national charities (if they have any marketing budget at all!) but the work they do supports people to make huge life changes in your local community. Are you able to donate, give your time, or even share their posts on social media to give them a wider presence? Personally - could you spend some time thinking about the ways in which you might be holding on to stigmatised narratives about people experiencing homelessness? This isn’t an attempt to blame or shame you, we are all subject to socially divisive narratives, but by increasing your awareness of some of the more negative beliefs about others which you hold, you can start to challenge them. Maybe you could have a conversation with other people in your life who might hold stigmatised views? We believe there is power in collective action, and even though it might feel like these are small things, it all adds up to big change for people who are otherwise pushed to the edges of society.

As the year draws to a close, it’s always a time to reflect on the year just ending and look ahead to the new one.. The terrible impact of the new budget or cancelled local authority contracts can make it seem like charities aren’t wanted by government or aren’t needed by communities. Is that true? What would it mean if Age Cymru Gwent hadn’t have been here for the people of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area in 2024? Well.. we wouldn’t have helped thousands of people secure £2,200,000 in annualised benefits that they were entitled to, allowing them to access vitally needed care. Thousands of people would not have received essential information and advice. Thousands of people wouldn’t have received life changing housing support as we work to combat homelessness. Thousands of people wouldn’t have been supported by our hospital volunteers during their recovery. Thousands of people wouldn’t have received vital healthcare support in the community. Thousands of people wouldn’t have been supported by our help at home service with domestic or handy person support. Hundreds of unpaid carers wouldn’t have received our support or accessed our much needed registered respite service. Thousands of older people wouldn’t have received support to avoid scams/ navigate the digital world/ cope with crime/receive advocacy/combat loneliness.. Age Cymru Gwent provides a wide range of life changing suppport to over 46,000 people every year throughout Gwent. This work makes life better for the individuals supported but also eases the burden on Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government Age Cymru Gwent is an independent charity working in partnership with the wider Age UK Age Cymru network.

Imagine facing the prospect of having nowhere to call home. A relationship breakup, a no-fault eviction, being a victim of domestic violence—whatever the cause, the reality of it is terrifying. We would all like to think that in our darkest moment, assistance would be provided by those we elect to administer the essential services that so many of us now rely on. Think again! “Gatekeeping”, is a term attributed to the only too common practice by local authorities, of denying the very assistance they are legally bound to provide to those unfortunate enough to find themselves facing homelessness. Faced with such trauma, would you have the wit to challenge the wall of officialdom, “I know my rights”. Fortunately, those who find themselves in this situation in Bedford, have hope in the form of JustUs. A small, but truly impactful charity, challenging the system on our behalf. One can only imagine the outcomes for those living in areas where such an organization does not exist. Here at Project EIDOS, we are only too happy to support and promote the fantastic work JustUs are performing in our local community and invite other businesses to take a closer look at how they can get involved with initiatives in their areas. https://lnkd.in/ehb7QXvW

"Voluntary & Community Groups are part of the solution, not the problem." Please sign this petition and be one of the 800 people to help support and save our vital voluntary and community services. Derbyshire County Council is proposing cuts to all it's discretionary funding. This means that key local charities and community organisations which support the health and wellbeing of residents are in danger of closure. At risk are services supporting mental health provision, befriending and lunch clubs, day centres, funding for community groups and important support for charities. Thousands of people who live life with poor physical and mental health, learning difficulties, loneliness and isolation will be left without vital support. Particularly affected will be older people, marginalised communities and the most vulnerable in our society. Derbyshire Voluntary Action are asking the Council to debate in full any proposed cuts to discretionary funding and consider the significant impact to communities if services are reduced. Please sign the petition to voice your concern for the lives of our neighbours. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION - let's show we care! Using the link below: https://lnkd.in/gWb_jYhb We think is it important that a discussion takes place regarding the catastrophic affects to our communities and services if these cuts happen. If this petition receives 800 signatures this should mean: The council will have to debate about the decision to cut funding Refer the petition to the relevant Cabinet Member or Full Council for consideration "The VCSE are part of the solution, not the problem." To learn more about the proposed cuts please visit https://lnkd.in/gZ9AY4r3

Tomorrow is the closing date for applications to be considered for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (PCC) fund panel. This funding is available via our Small Grants application process for voluntary and community organisations to deliver against the following themes: • Crime prevention initiatives to make community spaces safer. • Projects focusing on offering education and/or purposeful activities for people with anti-social drug and alcohol issues. • Prevention of violence against women and girls. While this fund closes tomorrow, our Small Grants application process is open throughout the year for groups working to strengthen communities and tackle inequalities. This may include the themes covered above, alongside many others. Groups are more than welcome to apply for the funding they need at any point in the year - different funds may become available at different times and we work behind the scenes to match them up with eligible applications. Visit our Small Grants page for more information. https://lnkd.in/giGU3uMt