People living in Essex, who have no means of transport, can now get help to attend pre-booked appointments.
People who are struggling to attend their booster jab appointment because of transport issues can now get help from Essex County Council.
The Essex Wellbeing Service is now able to organise transport for Essex residents who are finding it difficult to organise a way to attend their vaccine appointment. Transport will be provided by taxi service.
This service is free of charge and can also be used if you need transport to get to your first or second dose appointments.
Essex residents who would like help getting to their appointments can email provide.essexwellbeing@nhs.net or call 0300 303 9988. The phone line is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm and from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. Callers’ needs will be verified, and they will be asked to provide their booking reference or a screenshot of their appointment confirmation.
Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “We don’t want anyone to be left behind in receiving their Covid-19 booster jab.
“If getting to an appointment is an issue because someone doesn’t have access to transport for whatever reason, please don’t hesitate to call or email the Essex Wellbeing Service.
“Book your appointment and contact them, it’s so important that everyone is protected.”
Alternatively, in some areas of Essex there are Community Transport routes which residents without transport can contact directly. These are also for pre-booked appointments.
Community360 for the Colchester or Maldon area: 01206 216600.
Epping Forest Community Transport: 01992 579556.
Braintree Community Transport: 01376 557883.
Tendring Community Transport: 01255 436962 or 07948 055888.
Successful fundraisers tend to rely on one core element: emotion. If you make people cackle, if you make them chuckle, if you even make them cry, the chances are they will reach for their wallets to help you. If fundraisers can just make people feel things, the more money they are likely to raise.
In today’s podcast, we are talking about fundraising ideas. We will discuss, among many other things, what makes a good virtual fundraiser and what makes a good physical fundraiser. We will talk about the importance of hybrid and also throw out some of our favourite fundraising ideas.
Charity Digital Content Editor, Ioan Marc Jones, is joined by three esteemed colleague, Laura Stanley (Content Lead), Lisa Chomette (Business Development Manager), and Stewart Barber (Client Account Specialist) to discuss their thoughts on fundraising ideas.
The pandemic has had a huge knock-on effect on charity events. From fundraising to awareness raising, events are vital for not-for-profit organisations. Many charities rely on event fundraising to grow their income, so not being able to hold physical
gatherings has been a real blow for the sector.
For the past 18 months, charities have turned their hands to virtual events to increase fundraising income. They’ve shown great skill and ability to run these well.
Now that life in the UK has returned to an “improved normal”, how will event teams run events next year and beyond? Will they stick with virtual, move back to physical, or combine the best of both worlds?
The hybrid model
There are lot of benefits to hosting events online, including being able to reach broader audiences and cost savings. For example, when you run events virtually, you save on things like venue fees, photography, and merchandise.
On the flip side, we know there are lots of benefits to holding physical events. One of the biggest advantages is they give delegates the chance to network with others and feel a part of something. This social element is harder to achieve virtually.
So, is it possible to merge the two? Hybrid events – combining virtual and live elements – can bring together the benefits of both types of events.
YourStory says hybrid events combine a small group of people at one location with lots of others joining in remotely. It says: “Hybrid events are made for the COVID-19 era. They bring together the charm of physical presence as well as the convenience of remote participation.”
Hybrid events also give people choice about whether to attend virtually or in person. This is particularly helpful for people who may have health concerns and don’t yet feel comfortable returning to physical events.
Making physical events safe
It’s important charities think about how they can host physical events safely. Delegates will want to know there are protocols in place to keep everyone safe. This includes everything from providing hand sanitiser at registration desks to reducing occupancy numbers in venues.
Open Audience says there are lots of health and safety protocols and different groups of people to consider. It says: “There is the audience, the speakers and the technology crew. For example, in physical meetings the AV team normally stand by to attach the mic to the speaker. Does the tech person leave the mic on the table, and explain how to attach and use the mic?”
Using advanced technology
Event venues will need to be more tech savvy. EventsCase says that having a larger online audience means you need the latest technology in networking, cyber-security, online conferencing, audio components, and cloud-based technology.
You need to think carefully about how you engage your physical and online audiences. It’s important that virtual audiences can interact in the same way as those attending in-person.
Hybrid events will also need online audiences to be able to interact with live audiences. You could use mobile apps to connect the two groups and help people network, or live polling and Q&As with audiences able to submit questions.
Managing content for a virtual audience
An article in Forbes, which featured interviews with events professionals, says when running hybrid events, you need to think about the content you share with your virtual audience.
Events specialist Dahlia El Gazzar says: “Hybrid doesn’t mean you only broadcast the face-to-face content, because often that content doesn’t translate well to the online audience. You need to consider their online experience and have exclusive content for the online audience.”
Plan your events
It’s important to plan a hybrid event carefully. As part of your planning, you need a strategy and goals. The goal for all hybrid events is to engage as many attendees as possible, no matter how they are taking part.
You should also think about your event programme as it will need more consideration as you balance the needs of two audiences. Marketing is also important so think about creating a website for your event or adding dedicated event pages to your existing website. You also need to send out emails to potential delegates.
The wishes of half a dozen local charities have been granted as we completed our first round of payouts from our new Community Fund this week.
Six charities from across Essex, each benefiting the community in entirely unique ways, received gifts of between £2k and £5k to assist them with their efforts and for specific projects and improvements. These ranged from easing isolation for members of the BAME and disabled communities, providing housing and education to abandoned teenagers, or offering a counselling or advice service.
Nikki from Renew Counselling said; “Each of the groups benefiting today are shining a light in the darkness for the individuals they serve. How appropriate that a Star is helping provide some of that light.”
Other groups benefiting in the first round of payments include Southend YMCA, Happy Hill, Southend Christian Fellowship, the Essex Multicultural Activities Network and Braintree Mencap.
Chelmsford Star Co-op has been providing assistance to hundreds of local groups for over 150 years, but it set up the Community Fund during lockdown as a way to give greater financial aid in a more focused manner. Those benefiting from the grant are selected by a group of our elected members from applications made to the Essex Community Foundation who assist with the managing of the scheme.
Head of Membership for the Society, Kevin Bennett, said; “A portion of every transaction made in our food, department stores or travel agents is redirected into this Fund, along with corporate donations, colleague fundraisers, sales of carrier bags and money from collecting pots left by our generous customers. Local customers and members raised this money and it all benefits local groups who need it. It’s why our Co-op is set up like it is.”
If you would like to find out more about the Chelmsford Star Co-op Community Fund, or perhaps apply for a grant for your own organisation, in the first instance please contact the Membership team.
We want to make it easy for you to access the funding that we have available.
If your charity, voluntary or community organisation is based or working in Essex and needs financial support, we may be able to help.
You can tell us what you need support for at any time and our team will try to find the funds you need. This includes emergency support available from our Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme.
We have written help and guidance notes – so please do read them before getting in touch.
Sadly, we cannot contribute funds to general appeals or to other funders.
We have a small amount of funding available to support individuals who are living, or have lived, in Essex, Southend or Thurrock. These funds help children and young adults where money is a barrier to them reaching their full potential. If you are looking for funding please click here and tell us some more information about the support you need.
GET IN TOUCH
We are interested to know how you are helping local people in your community and will be pleased to support you through our application process.
You can get in touch using one of the following options:
CHAT NOW using the button in the bottom right hand corner
We are experiencing an unprecedented number of enquiries so if we don’t reply straight away, please bear with us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Essex County Council are committed to continue supporting communities most in need and that have been adversely impacted by the Covid-19 crisis and so are pleased to launch the Food Support Fund so that foodbanks, food pantries, community organisations, schools and voluntary groups can provide support to those most in need.
This funding is for the provision of food for families with children and for individuals from across Essex County Council local authority areas who are most in need.
Applications will be accepted for up to £2500. Please ensure that the amount you request in your application reflects the local need and the number of families and individuals that you plan to support.
You will need to tell them how many families and individuals you expect to be able to provide with this funding and over what period.
This funding will run from Friday 10th December 2021 and all grants awarded must be spent by March 31st 2022. They understand that you may need to provide support to a family on more than one occasion during this period but please make this clear in your application.
They request that at least 80% of your grant application to be spent on families with children.
They are keen that everyone who needs it, has access to support during this period and so they will be sharing details of organisations who receive funding through this grant, so that families and individuals are aware of where they can go for support.
Applications will open on Friday 10th December and remain open until Friday 25th February 2022, or until the funding is fully allocated. Their office will be closed for applications during the Christmas period 24th December to 4th January 2022.
For an application form, please contact the Funding Officer at Funding@ealc.gov.uk
Essex Community Foundation, along with the community foundations network across the UK, will be distributing the Arts Council England Let’s Create Jubilee Fund.
This is a £5 million programme that will support community and voluntary organisations in England to develop creative and cultural activities as part of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
The programme is made possible with funding from the National Lottery, whose players raise £30 million for good causes every week. The Fund’s distribution will be managed by UK Community Foundations on behalf of their community foundation members across England.
Applicants will be able to apply for grants of up to £10,000, and are encouraged to partner with established artists, creatives and cultural organisations to develop their activities, ensuring that The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations give people throughout England the chance to experience the best of the country’s culture while also celebrating an important milestone in our national history.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive at Arts Council England said “We’re giving people across the country the chance to come together to experience the joy of culture and creativity in celebration of this historic milestone. With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee taking place alongside the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Festival and the Unboxed festival of UK creativity, next year is set to be a magnificent celebration of our nation’s artistic achievements.”
Rosemary Macdonald, CEO at UK Community Foundations said “UK Community Foundations is proud to partner with Arts Council England to deliver the Let’s Create Jubilee Fund. Our members look forward to working with local groups and artists who will create imaginative and innovative celebrations to mark this historic occasion, and strengthen cultural involvement and opportunities in their communities.”
Full guidance on the fund can be found on the UK Community Foundations website here. Applications will open on Tuesday 4 January. To register your interest for this funding programme, please email grants@essexcf.org.uk
Running out of ideas to thank your audiences? Take a look at our top ways to show you care.
It’s Christmas, the perfect time to shower your supporters with thanks.
After a hard year of virtual fundraising and volunteering events, audiences and supporters need to feel valued. Here are loads of ideas to help.
Tell the world you are thankful
Publicly thanking supporters goes along way. Use your website to highlight good deeds. If you can, include photos and video clips of staff, supporters, and beneficiaries saying thank you.
Coordinate your social media posts and website to say thank you. On Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, don’t just tag user accounts that you wish to thank – make sure to mention them in the text element of your post.
Be specific about what you’re thankful for, so that audiences can appreciate the contribution too. Add hashtags and links so that audiences are directed to the right content.
Send personalised emails and post letters
At Charity Digital, we’ve discussed how personalisation increases authenticity and trust. When sending thank you emails, include names, photos, and any bespoke details that your constituent management system (CRM) may have. Remember, email marketing software can also help make your communications mobile friendly.
Separate from emails, online thank you letters make a big statement. They can be public, but most of them come in the form of an e-card. Canva has ready-made e-cards that you can customise and send out.
Use the template function to draft the card, and then add bespoke elements. Our top tip here is to create different greetings for different audiences. Make sure you tailor the cards for volunteers, donors and supporters.
Shout out special donors
Whether as part of your normal digital communications or on your website, profiling significant donors works as a thank you and fundraising tool. Age UK’s permanent page acknowledging donors showcases big names in trusts and foundations. Being profiled and a part of this select group makes donors feel special and recognised.
Alternatively, you could formally recognise your benefactors in your Annual Report. Be innovative in your writing and selection of donors. You can acknowledge long-standing annual supporters, those giving significant sums, or donors with a compelling story.
Broadcast a thank you video
To make an impact, broadcast a special thank you segment on your YouTube channel, website, or social media account. Kindful offers tips on creating a donor video. They suggest showing donors their impact, keeping it short, and personalising the message.
For teams working remotely, there’s no need to fret about creating live content. Produce video content remotely by using recycled content, stock images, and pre-recordings from beneficiaries.
CauseVox also suggests holding ‘behind-the-scenes-look’ events where special donors get to see your operations, meet staff, or travel to see your impact. These type of events increases transparency and help connect donors with the cause.
For appreciation events, ensure that you have criteria for the invitation list to avoid any awkward questions around invitees.
Use the chat function to send text shout outs, or script an appreciation comment as part of your content. For charities looking to make special dedications, schedule a live stream just to say thank you.
Remember, let your supporters know the details of your event over social media.
Give traditional gifts
Traditional gifts still say thank you in meaningful ways. Plaques, memorabilia, medals, and other branded items work well to commemorate volunteer events, donation thresholds, and special mentions. When presenting your gifts, make it an event, whether in-person or digital.
A style guide is an essential way to ensure consistency, both in the visuals and words you choose. We explore the basics and offer some best practice advice.
A style guide is an essential part of your charity toolkit. It’s the one way you can create a consistent identity right across your organisation.
Consistent use of logos and language helps to create a professional, coherent and strong brand. And the benefits of that are far-reaching – making your brand recognisable to wider audiences, conveying that you’re a trustworthy and reliable charity, driving forward your mission, and strengthening your values both inside and outside the organisation.
Creating a style guide can be an involved project, using outside branding consultants and big budgets. But equally, if your charity is small or just getting off the ground, it can simply be a concise Word doc that outlines a few key rules for everyone to use.
The important thing is to make sure it works for your organisation. You might want to start small with key information around logos, colour and words to watch out for. You can always add to it later. And remember, style guides can easily become unwieldy, so make sure it’s quick to refer to – or it might never get used.
Here are the key sections and information you’ll need to include.
The basics
VISUALS
Making your organisation’s visual identity consistent is crucial to create a strong, recognisable brand.
LOGO
Show all versions of your logo along with examples of how to use them (including placement, sizes, and exclusion zones). If you have old versions, you might want to include them to remind people not to use them. Examples of how not to use the logo can also be useful (for example, not stretching them, changing colours, or adding extra text).
FONTS
Which fonts do you use? And when do you use them? For example, do you always avoid using italics in headings? Choose whichever fonts you think best represent your organisation’s personality, but above all, make sure they are clear and easy to read. Recite Me has an accessible fonts guide.
COLOUR
What are your brand colours? You might have a core palette of three colours, and a slightly wider selection of secondary colours. If possible, include the RGB and Hex values (for digital) and CMYK and Pantone refs (for print). This is particularly helpful if using external designers.
IMAGERY
Pull together some key guidelines about the kinds of images and photography you want to use. For example, you might want to only show active images, or focus on images of the positive outcomes your charity creates.
To apply for this position please download and complete the three-part application form at the bottom of this page and send it to hr@mindinwestessex.org.uk by the closing date of Friday 17th December 2021.