Wandsworth Care Alliance

The Big Help Out Initiative – letter from the Mayor of Wandsworth

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Sector Colleague,

King Charles III this week launched The Big Help Out Initiative’ aimed at promoting volunteering and empowering people to ‘Help Out’. The launch is to commemorate The King’s coronation in May, and I am adding my voice in support of the initiative. Part of what makes the United Kingdom great is that we can find examples in every corner of the nation where volunteers supporting mutual aid community groups, charities and neighbourhoods are making a difference locally, nationally, and internationally.

Here in Wandsworth, we have always been proud of our Voluntary Sector, and over my time as mayor, I have seen first-hand the difference that volunteers are making. It has been my honour and great pleasure to engage with our local groups and to meet the volunteers who so selflessly give of their time and efforts in making a difference in our community.

May I encourage you to host a thank you/recruitment event in celebration of your volunteers.

If you would like me or my Deputy to come along and participate in your take on The Big Help Out Initiative and to say thank you to your volunteers, please get in touch with my office at Mayors.Office@wandsworth.gov.uk. We certainly look forward to an opportunity to celebrate your volunteers and to promote the difference they make.

Thank you for the work you and your volunteers do!

Mayor of Wandsworth,
Councillor Jeremy Ambache

Tickets for Good: low cost access to arts and culture

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Wandsworth Council would like to alert you to opportunities for those receiving support with the cost of living to enjoy arts and culture free or at low cost. The Deputy Leader of the council, Cllr Kemi Akinola, writes: 
 
We often talk about the essentials that we offer to people living hand to mouth. 
They also need arts and culture to enjoy life. 
Please do share this poster with people you may work with who may not be able to afford stuff like this otherwise. 
 
They also give tickets to people working or volunteering with charities. 

Click here to register your interest in this new scheme

BATCA Community Awards celebration 16th March. Three cheers for our heroes!

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What a night we had! Over 150 people came together to celebrate our heroes on a night overflowing with joy and goodwill. Awards were presented to seven individuals and teams, while all those nominated received certificates of commendation.  

All are heroes! Their commitment and dedication, and the difference they make to others’ lives is inspiring.  There’s hardly a corner of local life they don’t touch. They work to green our environment, reduce waste and energy use, relieve hunger and poverty, offer friendship to those needing it, improve mental health and use their artistic and sporting talents to enrich our lives, and much more. 

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP for Tooting and Cllr Jeremy Ambache, the Mayor of Wandsworth spoke praising the contribution that volunteers and others make and the strength this adds to our community in Balham and Tooting. 

Our thanks go to the jazz duo from the group Fuzion Four who provided entertainment, and to the many helpers and organisers who helped make the Award scheme and its celebration on 16th March a success. 

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our sponsors Islamic Relief, Royal Mahal restaurant and A Plan Insurance, whose generosity made the celebration possible. Without them, it could not have taken place. We also thank Amy Adams for photographing the event.  

Awards were presented as follows: 

Revd Professor June Boyce Tillman  Champions the environment through music and the arts 
The Tooting and Balham Restart Fixing Team Run regular ‘Fixing and mending’ workshops to promote re-use, avoid waste and teach skills 
Nicola Pattinson Runs a sewing group for refugees and local women in partnership with local refugee charity CARAS 
Tooting Community Kitchen Provide hot food for the homeless and vulnerable in several locations, and run a food bank.   
Marie Clatworthy-King Leader of Tooting Woodcraft Folk for over 20 years and community football coach. Coaches a girls football team in Morden. 
Peer Supporters team at  St George’s Neo Natal Unit Volunteers supporting parents of premature babies at St George’s Hospital  
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group   Volunteers providing education on Hindu faith, culture and language to local children.

Kate Allan 

Secretary 

BATCA 

07966 690308 

Rocket Science – Voluntary Sector Needs Analysis – Sign Up for Workshops!

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Rocket Science is working with Wandsworth Council to understand the needs and aspirations of the local voluntary and community sector. We want to hear from local groups, particularly those usually underrepresented in community forums and events.

We’re inviting representatives from VCS organisations and partners from the Council and public health to join a series of online and in-person workshops centred around five themes. The workshops provide an opportunity to reflect on the relationship with the Council and how best it works with the sector in future.

The events are open to all, however there is an expectation that if you have signed
up for the first session for one theme, you are also able to attend the second
session in the series.

  1. Leadership and Advocacy: LB Wandsworth – VCS Thematic Groups Workshops – Leadership and Advocacy Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
  2. Partnerships and Collaboration: LB Wandsworth VCS Thematic Group Workshops – Partnerships and Collaboration Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
  3. Community Development: LB Wandsworth VCS Thematic Groups Workshops – Community Development Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
  4. Volunteering: LB Wandsworth VCS Thematic Groups Workshops – Volunteering Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
  5. Funding and Resources: LB Wandsworth VCS Thematic Groups Workshops – Funding and Resources Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

The New Mental Health First Aid Course – Fully Funded & Internationally Recognised

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Would you like to be a Mental Health First Aider and support people through a wide variety of crisis?

Do you want to learn more about Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Self-harm, Eating Disorders, Suicidal Thoughts& Behaviour and Psychosis?

The support you will receive-live online training sessions, comprehensive course materials-hardcopy workbook, digital manual, certificate, MHFA APP, MHFA Logo to share on your social media, add to your CV and LinkedIn Profile and 3 year support package from MHFA England-invitations to webinars and newsletter updates.


The course is fully funded FREE and usually costs £325 per person. There are limited spaces available.
The courses are live online with MHFA  England Instructor Member Kirstie Sheehy Kirstie.sheehy@yahoo.co.uk
 
Dates 30th and 31st March
Time 9-5pm 
Venue-Online 
Self Registration Link
https://mhfaengland.org/course-booking-form?id=64cdb170-d8bc-ed11-83ff-000d3adf7dac 
 
Dates  4th and 5th April ( Both days need to be attended)
Time 9-5pm
Venue-Online
Self Registration Link
https://mhfaengland.org/course-booking-form?id=7b55637d-bb8a-ed11-81ad-000d3adaea85 
 
Dates  27th and 28th April ( Both days need to be attended)
Time 9-5pm
Venue-Online 
Self Registration Link
https://mhfaengland.org/course-booking-form?id=2e85e4fd-bb8a-ed11-81ad-000d3ab1cfd5 

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