News

Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund

Monday, 31 October 2011 14:39

This fund from the Department of Health is for volunteering projects in the health, public health and social care sector. It is open to national organisations and partnerships of local organisations.

The Health Authorities have been divided into four clusters (North of England; Midlands and East; South of England; London). Each project has to operate across four locations within a cluster (that is, across four local authorities). Maps and further details are available from the website. There is also a ‘Search for a partner’ section on the website to help you find potential partner organisations.

There are four funding themes, you should apply under only one of these:

Theme 1 Personalisation and choice of care and support
For projects that build and strengthen people’s choice and control over their own care, with the support of volunteers.

Theme 2 Delivering better health and care outcomes
For projects that improve health and care outcomes through the support of volunteers. Applications that result in measurable reductions in health inequalities and improvements in life expectancy in disadvantaged groups are expected under this theme.

Theme 3 Improving public health
For projects that improve public health through action to reduce inequalities in health, public health and social care through the integration of active volunteering initiatives in localities and communities.

Theme 4 Improving health and social care
For projects that improve the accessibility and options, particularly through increasing citizen voice and advocacy, for long-term health and care by focusing on prevention, personalisation and partnership.

Grants of between £50,000 and £200,000 per year are available over a maximum of 3 years. Funding for 1 and 2 year projects is available. The maximum amount available per year is also dependent on your yearly income, the grant must be no more than 25% of your annual income.

Funding is mainly for revenue costs, capital costs can be included up to a limit of £5,000 per year. Items like buildings, refurbishment and vehicles that become long term assets (e.g. vans, computers, photocopiers etc) are excluded.

To apply you must be:

• A national voluntary / community sector organisation
• A national social enterprise
• A consortia of local organisations (which can include volunatary and community organisations, social enterprises, co-operatives, mutuals and other not-for profit organisations with social aims).

The lead partner must have a minimum annual turnover of at least £200,000 per annum.

There is a two stage online application process, you need to register your interest first between 24 October 2011 and 21 December 2011.

Stage 1:
The application portal opens on 7 November 2011 and closes at noon on 18 January 2012.
Once your registration is approved you will receive a user name and password to access the application portal and complete your application.

Stage 2 for shortlisted applicants:
The application portal opens on 12 March 2012 and closes at noon on 16 April 2012.

Applicants who have scored sufficiently highly at Stage 1, and have the best fit with the programme priorities will be invited to submit a Stage 2 application. Stage 2 applicants will only find out that they have been shortlisted the week before 12 March 2012.

You can see a full list of exclusions here.

Contact: Volunteering Fund
Tel: 0845 172 8058

Bursaries Available for Charity Work Placements

Wednesday, 19 October 2011 10:48

The World of Difference UK programme offers bursaries worth £2,500 for people to undertake two or four-month stints with voluntary organisations.

The programme, provided by mobile phone operator Vodafone, will offer bursaries to up to 500 people.

The company is offering £2,500 a placement for the person’s salary and £250 for the charity’s expenses. The placements will last for two months if they are full-time or up to four months if they are part-time.

Charities can either find people themselves or register their placements on the World of Difference UK site, enabling people to find placements through an online ‘match-making’ service.

The closing date for applications is 22 November.

Interested charity applicants can click here to find out more.

Two Service User Vacancies on mhhp Board of Trustees

Thursday, 13 October 2011 00:00

The Mental Health Helplines Partnership (mhhp) brings together mental health helpline service providers with the aim of improving access, choice, quality and support for everyone affected by mental health problems.

As a Trustee, this is an opportunity to be a key player in mhhp’s success, contributing to its increasing role and presence as a national charity working with partner organisations to bring skilled support to everyone contacting a mental health helpline.

The right candidates will be able to demonstrate governance experience in the public, private or voluntary sector.  You may have lived experience and / or business skills and knowledge that you would draw on in this role.

If you believe you have the skills, experience and personal commitment to join mhhp in these important positions, please download the job description and person specification.

To apply for one of these positions please e-mail your expression of interest letter and CV to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

mhhp is committed to equality of opportunity.

Developing clinical commissioning groups: Towards Authorisation

Monday, 10 October 2011 10:25

Please find below the latest information from the Department of Health concerning Clinical Commissioning Groups:

"The latest version of Developing clinical commissioning groups: towards authorisation can be accessed at http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/09/developing-clinical-commissioning-group-authorisation/

The document sets out thinking to date to help emerging clinical commissioning groups consider the steps towards authorisation. It describes the processes that may need to be in place to ensure that CCGs are highly effective, with the leadership and confidence to discharge their healthcare and financial responsibilities.

As part of the publication process, we shared an early draft of the document in August and invited comments from key stakeholders. Thank you for the constructive, reflective and perceptive comments received.  We have reflected some of these comments in this version, in particular:

• technical annex on the configuration risk assessment
• section on the road map to authorisation
• development areas for CCGs
• references to patient and public engagement
• adding an executive summary
• updating technical annex 3 to reflect many of the comments received. 

The position has developed in the last few weeks, for example technical annex 1 (legislation).

To accompany this document, answers to some of the questions/ points that were frequently raised in response to the August draft have been published on the pathfinder learning network. However many of the comments highlighted a range of issues where further thinking is required, and will be taken forward in developing the forthcoming governance framework and the next level of detail on authorisation. 

The shadow NHS Commissioning Board will publish another update of the framework in spring 2012 following further engagement with emerging clinical commissioning groups and stakeholders.
                                                                                                                                             
Please continue to let us know your queries, concerns and comments, either via your SHA Directors of Commissioning Development, through your national representative organisation, or directly by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please find attached an invitation for the following patients and public events:

• London: 24 October @ 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London, WC2A 3LY, between 12:00 to 15:00 (with lunch and registration from 11:30)
• Leeds: 20 October @ Department of Health, Quarry House, Leeds, between 12:00 to 15:00 (with lunch and registration from 11:30)"

Joseph Rowntree Foundation - Does income inequality cause health and social problems?

Thursday, 06 October 2011 08:48

The UK witnessed a dramatic growth in income inequality in the 1980s, and since then the level of inequality has increased further, though at a slower rate. But should we be concerned about this? This report provides an independent review of the evidence about the impact of inequality, paying particular attention to the evidence and arguments put forward in 'The Spirit Level' by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (2009). The research examines:

• whether or not there is a link between income inequality and health and social problems;
• who might be most affected by income inequality; and
• other possible impacts of income inequality, for example, on the economy.

For more information and to download the report go to: http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/income-inequality-health-social-problems

Trustee Week 31 October – 6 November 2011

Tuesday, 27 September 2011 12:48

Not far off now, the second annual Trustees week is shaping up to be another fantastic 7 day celebration of trusteeship. It’s a good time to think about how you might use the week to your advantage; be it launching a campaign for new board members, organising training for existing trustees or having a team-building / social for the board of trustees. For inspiration and to see what’s already planned, have a look at the website set up for the purpose; www.trusteesweek.org.uk

Congratulations to Womankind!

Friday, 23 September 2011 12:54

CCA and mhhp are delighted to confirm that Womankind has successfully achieved the CCA and mhhp Standard for Helplines© accreditation.

In making the award CCA said "The Womankind contact centre though small meets the requirements of the CCA and mhhp Standard for Helplines with a good focus on training and support and data security standards”. CCA also drew attention to excellent examples of best practice.

Well done to you all at Womankind!

Self Care Week

Tuesday, 20 September 2011 09:42

14-20 November 2011

This is an opportunity for NHS, social care and voluntary sector organisations to raise awareness of what’s available locally to help people take care of themselves.

Read more

Compact Awards 2011 now open for nominations

Monday, 19 September 2011 12:47

Compact Voice has launched the Compact Awards 2011 and nominations are now open. The Awards are an opportunity to highlight and reward outstanding examples of partnership work between voluntary organisations and the government.

The winners will be announced during Compact Week (7-11 November), and awards will be presented by the Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd.

Find out more and how to enter.

Commission publishes more detailed guidance on Equality Act

Friday, 16 September 2011 09:39

The Charity Commission, the independent regulator for charities in England and Wales, has published more detailed guidance for charity trustees about a key section of the Equality Act that may have implications for them.

The Equality Act 2010 was introduced to consolidate previous equality legislation and to protect people who share specified characteristics against discrimination. The guidance is designed to complement the material already produced by the Government Equalities Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission

The more detailed guidance, which replaces the existing summary published last September, retains a focus on the charities’ exception in the Act.

Following a short consultation exercise, this version also contains more

• illustrative examples.
• information about how other Act exceptions, such as the positive action provisions, can be used by some charities.
• information to address questions and issues raised in the consultation. These include how Act exceptions might impact on grant makers and charities with restricted funds.

The purpose of the guidance remains focused on covering the part of the Act dealing with the ability of a charity to limit the group of people whom it helps, as set out in the charities’ exception. It explains what both existing charities and people seeking to register new charities need to know.

The charities’ exception allows a charity to limit its benefits to people who share a protected characteristic if the restriction is based on the needs or disadvantages experienced by that group, or can be justified as a fair balanced and reasonably necessary way of carrying out a legitimate aim.

Jane Hobson, Head of Policy for the Charity Commission said;

“Trustees must remember that the general principle of fair and equal treatment for all applies to charities. The law recognises that some charities are set up to help particular groups in society because of disadvantage or for clear social objectives and that is why it specifically allows charities in these circumstances to depart from the principle. Trustees need to familiarise themselves with this guidance to ensure that their charity is working within the law. ”

The existing guidance is available on the websites of the Government Equalities Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Charity Commission’s guidance is available on its website.