Platfform

📢 We're looking for a Finance Director to join us at a really exciting time as we look to deepen our work in Wales and expand to new areas across England. This is an executive leadership role and as such you will be expected to take a whole organisation view, working with the executive team colleagues on all areas of the business and strategy, taking a collaborative and collegiate approach to your work. Please contact Matthew Cole if you'd like an informal chat and to apply. Closing date: 10/01/2025 See the full pack here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eDdwB7Vn #ExecutiveLeadership #FinanceDirector #CharityFinance #MentalHealth

The Welsh Government’s 2025-2026 draft budget contains some welcome news for homelessness services keeping roofs over people’s heads, as the Housing Support Grant sees a £21m increase. There’s new NHS funding, too, although it’s unclear how much of it will go towards improving the poor state of the mental health physical estate. However, the looming crisis of National Insurance rises may see charities losing much of their new funding straight back to the UK Treasury. Here’s our full unpacking of the situation – and what can be done. 

Do you know someone who could be our Finance Director? Is it you? The Finance Director will be joining us at a really exciting time as we look to deepen our work in Wales and expand to new areas across England, all while keeping our core purpose and values at the heart of decision making and strategy. In the video Sarah Scire, our Director of Business Development, Marketing and Communications talks about our work. Video credit: Cwmpas for Platfform - 2024 finalists in Social Enterprise Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Justice Award.

This morning as we wait for the Welsh Government draft budget, we are looking for hope – and our response (see link at the bottom of this article) outlines clearly what we are hoping for. In the meantime, we we want to raise particular attention to the National Insurance changes by the UK Government - changes that are likely to have a significant impact on third sector services supporting individuals and communities.

Can you be our Finance Director? You will be joining us at a really exciting time as we look to deepen our work in Wales and expand to new areas across England, all while keeping our core purpose and values at the heart of decision making and strategy. You'll bring risk and resilience lens to the conversations, helping to shape and plan the future for Platfform. Please contact Matthew Cole if you'd like an informal chat and to apply. More information ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eDdwB7Vn

Do you support young people who may need mental health or emotional wellbeing support?   The Hangout is a safe and open space for 11 to 18-year-olds. Developed in partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, the service provides mental health and wellbeing support to those who need it, when they need it.   Young people can drop-in to the Barry or Cardiff sites, or make an appointment. You can also refer a young person in collaboration with them.   📍 26-28 Churchill Way, CF10 2DY 📍 3A Tynewydd Road, CF62 8HB   🕙3pm – 9pm Monday to Friday, 12pm – 6pm at the weekends & bank holidays.   Visit the website to find out more https://lnkd.in/enAnjzs3

📣 Few spaces left!—join us tomorrow for our 45 min webinar about dementia and the workplace Living with dementia affects everyone differently—some may find they have to stop working, while others are able to continue. This is because there are many different types and stages of dementia, and everyone’s experience is unique. 📅That’s why we’ve created this webinar—an opportunity to hear directly from people living with dementia about their workplace experiences and to learn from their perspectives on what’s been challenging and what’s been helpful. 👉🏾Save your free place: https://lnkd.in/exXGd8za

“Young people are at the heart of our delivery model." Funded by City & County of Swansea, the Platfform and Platfform Wellbeing team offers school-based support for children and young people aged five–19, including counselling, peer mentoring, transition support, training, and one-to-one and group wellbeing sessions. By focusing on early intervention, the service enhances understanding of emotional wellbeing while creating safe spaces where pupils can connect and access further support. The programme also collaborates with community resources and specialist services, complementing existing support systems and strengthening connections with schools, families, and external organisations. https://lnkd.in/eznVQPQC

A rise in National Insurance risks charities facing insurmountable costs. For us, it would mean an extra £250k a year – difficult to afford as we work to continue supporting 13k people facing tough times. Many charities are commissioned through public sector funds. Without exemptions against NI rise, additional cost to charities will come from the public purse. We're grateful to Rhun ap Iorweth and others for raising this in the Senedd. We call on Welsh Gov. to lobby UK Gov to extend local government exemptions to cover third sector, or to otherwise guarantee an uplift in the upcoming budget. The preventative work of charities saves money.  Supporting charities keeps doors open when people need safety, helps build resilient communities and reduces public spend.

Great day one at Community Housing Cymru conference talking about importance of the right conditions in housing and compassionate leadership. We'll be sharing more from our journey of learning tomorrow. #CHCAnnual24 #compassionateleadership #housing #wellbeing Platfform Wellbeing