Shevaun Haviland

The messages in The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) new Underfunded and Overlooked report (https://lnkd.in/eKzhb9tp) really hits a nerve at SNAPS Yorkshire CIO as a medium sized charity. At SNAPS, demand for our services has never been higher. This is due to a combination of factors that include many statutory services being cut as well as other local charities having to make the difficult decision to reduce service delivery or close their doors completely. Our families simply have nowhere else to go. Alongside this, funding of small charities has reduced by £4.6 billion post pandemic, whilst costs continue to rise (the report states a 12% increase in costs for small charities). Anyone can do the maths to work out increasing demand, decreasing funds and rising costs simply isn’t sustainable. As Chair of the West Yorkshire Children’s Additional Needs Network (WYCANN), I know that these pressures are being felt by all small to medium sized third sector organisations. We know of many organisations who have had their local authority funding slashed at a time when competition for independent grants has never been higher. This leaves many of these vital community services at real risk of closure which will have a huge impact on their communities and in turn will increase the demand that our social services and NHS face. SNAPS is quoted in the report regarding this issue: “Post-pandemic especially, we have a rising number of families tell us that SNAPS is the only place they can go to for support. The need for great, local, charities has arguably never been higher, and unfortunately, it is extremely likely that more will have to close in the near future due to rising pressures and funding challenges.” Grassroots groups and charities are the organisations who REALLY understand what is needed by their communities and are fleet of foot enough to meet that need quickly and effectively. We see that at SNAPS every day, with our families continually telling us just how important our services are to them. In addition to the adverse effects on the third sector, this chronic underfunding and immense increase in demand is having a huge effect on the people who work in small to medium charities. Sadly, I think we will continue to see fantastic people leave the sector as the pressures of delivering these vital services with our hands tied only grow in the future. Change is urgently needed, and we hope to part of that change going forwards. Ben Robinson

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We’re proud to have contributed to the newly released report; Developing Scotland’s Economy: Increasing the Role of Inclusive and Democratic Business Models. This work sets out recommendations to dramatically increase the number of social enterprises, co-operatives, and employee-owned businesses in Scotland by 2034. Our ambitious goal? Triple the number of these transformative businesses—from 7,000 to 21,000. These models are not just alternatives; they are key to building a fairer, greener, and more resilient economy. By embedding these enterprises into the fabric of our economic strategies, we can ensure that wealth is more equitably distributed, communities are strengthened, and our economy is truly sustainable. This report is a blueprint for how we can make this vision a reality, and I'm excited to be part of this transformative journey for Scotland. https://lnkd.in/gEnbT9yD

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I really don't get what this video is trying to achieve. 1. If aimed at kids like the creators suggested, they've missed that target because kids don't want or appreciate being talked to like this. My kids and others who have I have spoken to about climate change just want facts and for you to answer their questions normally. 2. Most adults watching this are going to cringe and be turned off by the silly innuendos and ridiculous power dynamics lens being applied. Oil isn't being extracted just because some 'man' likes money more than anything else, but because humanity values the benefits that come from the products and services made with that oil. The climate movement needs to move away from this kind of messaging that only speaks to the converted and makes them feel clever or witty. They need to speak directly to ordinary people who just want a high standard of living and solutions which can easily be swapped in to replace current behaviours and lifestyles. Yes, some individual behaviour change is necessary but that's got to be as painless as possible and come from a place of 'want' rather than 'guilt'.

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Our next blog is about how we build strategy around systems thinking and learning. Our grant-making and what we learning will help us to continue to move forward in terms of our funding approaches. It will be interesting to see how it makes sense to you. https://lnkd.in/eT_5hpq6

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📊 Insightful Visualisations: Must-Have Dashboards for Nonprofits 🌟 Nvirse brings you the latest insights on how essential dashboards can revolutionise your nonprofit’s data visualisation. Enhance your reporting, boost donor engagement, and make smarter decisions with these powerful tools. Show your impact like never before. Take action now – click the link to discover how you can elevate your nonprofit's success with the right dashboards! 🚀 https://lnkd.in/gHtsbEMR #Nonprofit #DataVisualisation #Dashboards #Nvirse #ShowYourImpact #DonorEngagement #SmartDecisions

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What do the key findings from Charity Digital Skills Report mean for the sector? Nissa R. and I analyse what the data means for funders, DEI progress across the sector, and the actions charities need to take now. #Charities #Digital #Inclusion

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A few immediate thoughts on the challenges ahead for the Labour Party "We may have turned the page but we now need to write the next chapter"

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Did you know that 88% of nonprofit leaders report fundraising as their top concern? 💡 Many organisations feel the pressure to diversify income and build sustainable fundraising models - our Strategy Support Programme is designed to help you overcome these challenges with tailored support. What you’ll gain: 📊 In-depth analysis of your current strategy and actionable improvements.  🛠️ Tools to identify new revenue opportunities.  🌱 Practical guidance on building strong relationships with funders. Turn your challenges into opportunities ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eizP9TqP

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Good to see our partners during #Lumiere biennial art festival in Durham sharing their pain of securing funding. Put simply, it is not easy. We have similar challenges too, albeit through conversation with donors. Listening is the key there, noticing what interests them and what doesn't! As a funder, and Emily alludes to them, our biggest moans are: 👉 Not reading the guidelines - too many who are not eligible waste their time applying. Often, they are in a different part of the country so could never apply to County Durham Community Foundation funds. 👉 Not answering the questions - we put them in for a reason (we are accountable for millions of pounds of other peoples' money) so don't cut & paste from prior applications giving answers that are not relevant. It really doesn't convince a donor to fund you if you happen to leave in a wrong year or mention a staff member who is long gone! Or worse still, leave a different funder in the application when you say what you will do with our charitable grant. We are an Institute For Voluntary Action Research flexible funder. We do also try to be accommodating, get on the phone and ask for clarification if we have questions that could mean we could readily reject applications. But many funders do not: they are a closed shop, so if you get it wrong you are out. Thanks Emily for getting a conversation going. Any thoughts from the many #smallbutessential community groups we fund? You know me, always happy to listen and learn what we do wrong as well as what we think we get right as a funder?! #charity #grants #countydurham

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📣 Are you eager to influence policy and amplify the voices of your service users and local communities? Join us for this free webinar to discover the skills needed for driving change! ⤵️

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How can we best prepare the workforce for the future labour market? Read some of the thoughts from Edge Foundation's panel at the Learning and Work Institute conference in July with Oliver Newton: https://lnkd.in/eaXSs5jn

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Scottish Enterprise have opened their applications to the new #PathwaystoScale cohort programme for female founders. The programme offers business support, executive education, a 2-day leadership retreat, scaling skills training sessions and a cohort of peers. You will join the existing cohorts as part of this emerging community of high potential female-founded companies.    There is an opportunity for companies on Pathways to Scale to apply for up to £20,000 - a great opportunity for early-stage companies to get some growth funding into the business to help make them more investable.   Spaces are limited and the closing date for applications is: 11:59pm on Tue 22 Oct 2024.   Eligibility: ⭐ Should have a turnover of around £100,000 plus (flexible on this as long as other criteria met) ⭐ Be aiming to raise investment in the next 12 to 18 months & likely have 2 to 10 full-time employees ⭐ Have international ambition with clearly identifiable market opportunities ⭐ Have an innovative, scalable product or service, and a focus on key and future industries, especially in the STEM sectors ⭐ ⭐ You can find more details on the Scottish Enterprise website along with the application form: https://lnkd.in/e7FJEQjC ⭐ #wes #womeninenterprise #womeninbusiness #femaleentrepreneurs #scottishbusinesswomen Women's Enterprise Scotland BAWE - British Association of Women Entrepreneurs

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🚀 In my latest blog, I explore how collaboration and entrepreneurship can drive transformative change, especially in Wales and the most deprived parts of the UK. As CEO of Welsh ICE, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible resilience and innovation within our community. 💡🌟 Blog highlights include: 🌄 My personal mission rooted in the South Wales Valleys 🌍 The vital role of diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship 📣 How we can all engage and advocate for meaningful change I’d love to connect with others who are just as passionate about driving local growth and resilience. 🌱🤝 Progress can only be achieved TOGETHER - so let’s work together to build resilient entrepreneurial communities and create a brighter future! 🌟🚀 #Entrepreneurship #Collaboration #DiversityAndInclusion #EconomicGrowth #CommunityDevelopment #Innovation Check out the blog 👇

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The Isos Partnership commissioned by the County Councils Network and Local Government Association has published their latest report ‘Towards an effective and financially sustainable approach to SEND in England’. Unsurprisingly the Report identifies the issues resulting in SEND system in crisis and the scale of the challenges faced. Improving outcomes for autistic children and young people is our core work at the Autism Education Trust (AET). We have always worked in partnership to cultivate system change that supports the upskilling of the education workforce and positive education experiences that support wellbeing for autistic learners. Autistic pupils' SEND needs account for 88% of the total increase in pupils with EHCPs between 2015/16 and 2023/24 - along with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, or speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). The Report shares a detailed analysis of the issues in the SEND system, crucially detailing recommendations based on a more inclusive conception of education with an overarching message that the root causes of this crisis are systemic and require national reform. I’m optimistic about a fresh and vigorous focus on the role of SEND inclusion within mainstream education. Moving forwards, it’s vital that we listen carefully to the views and opinions of key stakeholders’, in particular children and young people themselves. The full report can be read on the Isos Partnership website: https://lnkd.in/ehJEZPaq    The Autism Education Trust (AET) is widely considered to be the gold standard in good autism practice, offering the only Department for Education supported, CPD accredited culture change programme created in partnership with our panel of Autistic Young Experts, parents/carers, and our network of Training Partners, education professionals, experts, and specialists.    More information about our award winning training and development programmes here: https://lnkd.in/dDSVg6Be    #Autism #AutismEducation #GoodAutismPractice #DifferenceNotDeficit #AET #SEND 

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A few years ago we were delighted at Giki to help the iconic children's TV series, BBC Blue Peter, with all the carbon footprint data needed for their new “Green Badge” Now the team have come up with a fabulous new initiative to encourage children to think big when it comes to solving the nature and climate crisis. The Blue Peter Earthshot prize is an amazing opportunity for children to come up with an idea that could help the planet and be recognised by Prince William’s prestigious Earthshot Prize! And a stark reminder of the urgency comes from the recently released WWF Living Planet report 2024, reporting a massive 73% decline in wildlife populations in the last 50 years. The competition invites young innovators (aged 5-15) to address one of five crucial Earthshot goals: ⛈️Fix our Climate 🌳Protect and Restore Nature 🌞Clean our Air 🌊Revive our Oceans 🚮Build a Waste-free World 💚So, if you are looking for inspirational activities for kids, look no further. The Blue Peter Earthshot competition is here. Please share with anyone looking to inspire, and be inspired by our generations of the future! Hannah Stott Jen Gale Dr Jessica Tipton Jane Griffiths Find out more here 👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/evKKt_wM #BluePeter #EarthshotPrize #YoungInnovators #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture #EnvironmentalEducation #KidsForThePlanet #NatureConservation #EcoFriendly #YouthEmpowerment #InnovateForChange

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Proud to share 'For Salford, From Salford' - The University of Salford's social and economic impact report which was launched this week. The report clearly demonstrates the formidable impact our University has made locally, regionally and nationally over the past year. Some very impressive data and even more powerful stories behind the figures. As we approach the first year since Nic Beech joined us as Vice-Chancellor, the report also serves as a vision statement outlining our core purpose of innovating to enrich lives and how we plan to achieve more for our region and globally through four priority themes: building prosperity and equity, enabling healthy living, improving sustainability, and developing creativity and innovation. We recognise the importance of collaborative advantage and look forward to strengthening our partnerships with industry, charity and public sector partners here on our doorstep, as well as our network of alumni and supporters who will help us achieve our mission and champion social justice in all we do. For Salford, For the World, From Salford. #civicuniversity #socialimpact #economicimpact #highereducation #enrichinglives

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We'll be publishing the William Grant Foundation's latest annual review very soon - along with a brand new website! As a taster, here's one of the stats from our 'year in numbers' section - that's the highest annual proportion of flexible grants we've made to date. You can read about our four-tier approach to flexibility - and why not all our grants are unrestricted here: https://lnkd.in/emKr-aDB #FlexibleFunders #OpenAndTrusting #UnrestrictedFunding

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📢 New Grant Funding Opportunity 📢 Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is to invest approximately £3 million in innovation projects in the creative sector. This funding is from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) Create Growth Programme and has a regional focus across 12 regions, including Greater Lincolnshire. The programme support package will comprise of three complementary strands: business support targeted at the creative industries, finance and investor capacity building activities. The aim of this competition is to provide a package of targeted support to high-growth creative businesses to scale, build investor networks and reach their potential. This funding is designed to help creative businesses explore new innovation projects as a stimulus for growth. To find out more about how to apply, you can visit the competition overview page here: Competition overview - DCMS Create Growth Programme Competition 3 - Innovation Funding Service (https://lnkd.in/easDVuVT) #GrantFunding #BusinessSupport #LincolnBusiness

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Interesting article in @Cityam today by Stephen Timms arguing for a partnership between government and the impact economy: https://lnkd.in/eEYekcwm He specifically calls for the creation of an Office for the Impact Economy, as a  a joint Treasury-Business and Trade unit; saying "We need a new partnership between Government and the impact economy, putting shared values into practice to build a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for all." Regardless of the result on Thursday, I hope that all parties will recognise the role that #SocialEnterprises and #Charities can and must play to unlock capital in order to tackle some of our most complex social challenges.

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