by John Harris | Sep 1, 2024 | news
We worked with Fusion Housing over a period of a year – here is what the CEO, Director of Operations and Director of Business have to day about us: ‘We’ve worked in partnership with Rachel and John to raise nearly £400,000 over the past year for our Food and More project. We’ve found them helpful, responsive and available to support us where needed. They’ve guided us in selecting appropriate funders; provided support in liaising with funders; advised us on consultation and budgeting; and written successful applications. We envisage a very positive impact from the new funding, which will make a real difference in the lives of our service users.’
by John Harris | Jul 29, 2024 | news
We have been working with Abigail Housing for around 3 years now. Our latest success in supporting them in securing a grant for £20,000 – towards the costs of their Bradford Drop-In. The Bradford Destitution Project Provides housing and support to people seeking asylum who are homeless and destitute who are working with a legal representative to re-engage with the asylum process. These are individuals facing homelessness who are among the most vulnerable in our society as they are left completely destitute with no legal entitlement to any resources with serious risk to their physical and mental health. The project currently supports 15 people in 4 shared houses in Bradford. A key part of the support we provide is through the Drop-in. Here people can collect food and toiletries parcels, the cash allowance we are able to give and updates on their asylum case. Staff and volunteers keep in touch with individuals, check on their wellbeing and make referrals, particularly around health and wellbeing issues e.g. to Bevan Health Care. This grant will contribute towards the salaries of the support staff – providing advice, support, overseeing the drop-in sessions, supporting the Experts by Experience Group and managing and supporting the volunteers.
by John Harris | Jul 13, 2024 | news
We are delighted to say that our work in supporting Otley Courthouse has resulted in a grant of £20,000 a great result as the Courthouse is a recent client for us and it’s always good to get that first result! Otley Courthouse is a local arts and resource centre offering a varied programme of community activities. Each week they host many groups and classes including: exercise classes, a community choir, chair-based yoga, Pilates, knitting, Under 5’s group and a dementia group. Our community café is open daily. They host a number of community groups including Otley Maker Space, Wharfedale Men’s Shed as well as a monthly craft fair, Otley Green Fair, an Arts Festival and Science Festival and school holiday activities for children and offer part time work and volunteering for young people.The grant will fund one staff member to co-ordinate volunteers. Over 12 months, they will train and support 80 volunteers including training 30 new ones. The training will be open to partner organisations and other community groups, providing networking opportunities. This will enable volunteers to run events, classes, deliver admin and publicity, and welcoming people, all whilst developing themselves.
by John Harris | Jul 13, 2024 | news
John has been supporting Together Dementia Support for two years now. They are based in Manchester and support both people with dementia and their carers – knowing that the wellbeing of those with dementia very much depends on the wellbeing of the carers. TDS has just been awarded £60,000 over 2 years from the Garfield Weston Foundation – to contribute to the running costs of the charity which supports around 1000 people each year.
by John Harris | Jun 29, 2024 | news
John has been supporting a London client – helping their team of 4 fundraisers develop their skills – through reviewing their draft funding applications and sharoing an assessment with them of the areas that can be strengthened. So far this has helped them to successes with a Sport England grant of £11,500 (for dance and movement with girls) and £30,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation (for running costs). The Director said “I want to thank you for your input into our applications…It was clearly a good investment on our part! And we are obviously working with the right professional!” This work is part of a process where John identifies the issues arsing from these reviews and will turn these into a training session or two.
by John Harris | May 28, 2024 | news
Today we heard that our extensive work over the last several months in support of a multi year grant for a West Yorkshire housing association has been successful. They have been awarded £313,000 over the next 3 years to develop and run their food and wrap around skills development project. This is all about equipping people to learn more of the skills needed to manage on a low income (budgeting, accessing benefits entitlements) , eat healthily and cheaply – as well as developing more of the confidence and esteem which make for a positive state of mental well-being. Surveys informed by TSC were used to assess the need for support with budgeting and wellbeing – as well as a strong need for support with employability, housing advice, benefits advice, volunteering opportunities and advice. This survey showed a very strong need for help with accessing furniture and white goods. All of these areas were identified as being key steps in helping people be more independent and not relying on food parcels in the future. This a huge result for Third Sector Consultancy – with special recognition for Rachel who led on this work for us – well done!
