Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers in every community in the country.
Launched in 1984, this initiative has been running for over 40 years, providing organisations and communities a platform to thank current and past volunteers for their invaluable efforts.
The campaign highlights the diversity and unity of volunteer work across the UK with millions contributing their time and skills annually across the country. These inspiring statistics highlight the incredible contributions of volunteers and the potential for even greater engagement across the UK:
14.2 million people in the UK have formally volunteered at least once a month and, 25 million people in the UK volunteered informally at least once in the year!
Volunteers’ Week fosters connections between national organisations and grassroots groups, celebrating the spirit of volunteering that enriches communities each year.
Why not volunteer your time and energy for just an hour or two each week? So many groups from toddlers to teenagers, sport, older people, scouts and much, much more! Making a difference to your favourite community group is so rewarding and … it’s great fun!
This year’s celebration runs from Monday 2nd – Sunday 8th June.
A loan shark – or illegal money lender - is someone who lends money illegally without proper authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
That means if you borrow from them, they don’t have to follow the rules – they can decide how much you pay back and when.
These criminals are not always easy to spot - they can be another parent in the school playground, a friend of the family, a neighbour, a colleague – anyone.
Illegal lenders often appear as a friendly face at first, offering you a favour. They can make the offer of a loan seem hard to resist, but very quickly the situation can spiral out of control and borrowers can be subjected to threats, violence and intimidation if they struggle to make a payment.
Warning signs you could be dealing with an illegal lender include:
being given no paperwork upon the agreement of a loan
being told you must pay extra charges or high rates of interest on top of what you borrowed
having items such as a bank card or passport taken from you until the debt is paid
being threatened or intimidated you if you do not pay on time
The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), also known as Stop Loan Sharks, is a dedicated team set up over 20 years ago to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and support borrowers.
The team has helped thousands of people escape the clutches of these criminals and wiped out more than £91.6 million worth of illegal debt. It has successfully prosecuted more than 429 illegal lenders, leading to jail terms of over 612 years.
If you or someone you know is affected by illegal money lending, contact Stop Loan Sharks for confidential support and advice about what to do next.
There is a confidential 24/7 helpline available on 0300 555 2222 and a Live Chat facility is available on the website stoploansharks.co.uk between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
A confidential online peer support group for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ who has lost a loved one to suicide. Also supporting the loved ones of an LGBTQ+ person who has died by suicide
Social Group for Adults with Learning Disabilities!
Looking for a fun, welcoming space to connect and share experiences? Our Social Group for Adults with Learning Disabilities is meeting today at willenhall chart , and you’re invited!
This group is all about creating a positive and inclusive community where everyone feels valued and heard. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve joined us before, we’d love to see you!
No need to book - just come along!
#SocialGroup #InclusiveCommunity
Over 40 local organisations are opening their doors from now until March 2025, offering a warm and welcoming place for residents to enjoy a hot drink and connect with others.
These venues will also host a variety of social and wellbeing activities to keep everyone healthy and happy throughout the winter. This initiative not only provides a warm welcome but also serves as a crucial lifeline for those facing the cost of living crisis.
Staff and volunteers will be on hand to greet you with a smile, no matter the weather.
First up is Bootcamp and Boxing legend … Margaret!
Our Park Fitness programmes aim to improve Physical, Mental, and Social wellbeing across the Walsall Borough, and over the next few weeks we'll be sharing feedback from those that take part in our sessions!
And now … More Funding Opportunities for YOUR Organisation!
Starting with …
Baring Foundation - Strengthening Civil Society
(Tackling Racial Injustice in the Criminal Justice System)
Maximum value £ 90,000 Application deadline 11/06/2025
Grants are available for smaller charities and other not-for-profit entities undertaking legal action activities to address racial injustice in the criminal justice system.
Background
The Baring Foundation is an independent foundation which protects and advances human rights and promotes inclusion.
The Foundation’s primary focus is on social change activities that tackle discrimination and disadvantage. By social change is meant:
Changes in policy, regulation and law.
Changes in behaviour, attitudes and norms.
New ways of designing and delivering services or support for individuals.
How To Apply
There is a two-stage application process:
The first step in the application process is to contact the Baring Foundation via email to arrange a call to discuss suitability and eligibility of the proposed work.
Eligible applicants will be invited to complete a full application.
Deadline for applications is 11 June 2025.
For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact the following:
Baring Foundation 8-10 Moorgate London EC2R 6DA Email: baring.foundation@ing.com
7stars Foundation
Maximum value £ 2,500
Grants are available to support young people challenged by abuse and addiction, those who are young carers, and those who are homeless or without a safe place to call home.
Objectives of Fund
The foundation makes grants to projects which support young people (16 years and under) who are challenged by abuse or addiction, who are young carers, or who are homeless/without a safe place to call home.
Value Notes
Project grants of up to £2,500 are available.
Shine Bright grants of up to £1,500 are available.
Social Impact grants of up to £1,500 are available.
Who Can Apply
Applications will be considered from organisations who require funding in the areas of:
Abuse
Addiction
Child carers
Homelessness
Organisations must have a turnover of under £1.5 million and be supporting young people aged 16 years and under.
Grants are available to not-for-profit organisations for projects providing better access to free legal advice and representation for Disabled or neurodivergent people in the UK.
Objectives of Fund
The funding is intended for projects supporting Disabled or neurodivergent people to exercise their rights on:
Income, welfare benefits or debt
Housing and homelessness
Community care
Personal liberty
Equal access to goods and services
Who Can Apply
Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit organisations for work to provide legal advice, advocacy, or overcome barriers to access advice and advocacy services for Disabled or neurodivergent people.
How To Apply
Applications are now open with a deadline of 12 June 2025 (18:00).
Guidance notes are available on the Three Guineas Trust website.
The first step is for groups to express an interest and this can be done by sending an email to the Trust with their name, the name of their organisation, their role, their email address and a phone number.
Applicants will need to show that they are either:
Provide legal advice to an accredited standard
Offer advocacy services to an accredited standard, or using a high quality in house supervision and training programme
Support people to overcome barriers to accessing legal advice or advocacy of this standard
An application form, guidance notes and a budget worksheet will then be sent to eligible applicants.
For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact the following:
Heart of England Community Foundation Women and Girls Fund
Maximum value Discretionary Application deadline n/a
Grants are available to local charities, social enterprises and initiatives for activities that support women and girls in the West Midlands and Warwickshire.
Background
Heart of England Community Foundation has launched this new initiative to support women and girls in the West Midlands and Warwickshire after pledging to do so on International Women's Day. The Women and Girls Fund has been seeded with £50,000 from the Foundation's own resources, and businesses and individuals across the region are now being called upon to contribute to this significant cause.
Objectives of Fund
This fund aims to support the unique and diverse issues faced by female communities in the Heart of England region. From lack of access to sports, domestic violence, income inequality, reproductive rights, to mental health and self-esteem challenges – the needs of women and girls are multifaceted and often overlooked.
Value Notes
The foundation has seeded the fund with £50,000 from the Foundation's own resources and aims to raise an additional £100,000, with donations matched up to £50,000 to maximise impact.
Grants are at the discretion of the foundation.
Who Can Apply
Applications to the Heart of England Community Foundation are generally accepted from:
Registered charities.
Charitable incorporated organisations.
Constituted community groups.
Companies limited by guarantee with charitable aims.
Community interest companies.
Co-operatives - registered community benefit societies and registered industrial and provident societies.
Social enterprises.
Groups must have an income equal to or less than £500,000 and be working in the area of benefit.
Social enterprises and CICs should review the additional guidance for them, which can be found on the Foundation's website.
Eligible Expenditure
Funding is for groups and projects in the West Midlands and Warwickshire that work with women to:
Improve access to sports and recreation.
Tackle domestic violence and ensure community safety.
Address income inequality and create economic opportunities through training, work and volunteering.
Support reproductive rights, sex education, and access to healthcare and health products.
Promote positive mental health and self-esteem.
How To Apply
Information on future funding rounds will be provided when it becomes available.
Applications can be made online via the Foundation's website.
For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:
Grants Team Heart of England Community Foundation c/o Stellantis Pinley House 2 Sunbeam Way Coventry West Midlands CV3 1ND Tel: 024 77800 520 E-Mail: info@heartofenglandcf.co.uk
Resilient Communities Surgery for Grassroots Organisations
Your Resilient Communities Locality Lead organisation in Walsall West aim to support new and emerging community groups offering professional support to help them establish, develop and sustain the wonderful work they undertake in their community.
Each month, we offer sessions on bespoke topics to help people grow in confidence, skills and experience in areas such as:
Governance, accountability and project management
Administration and financial control
Training Opportunities
Funding and innovative income opportunities
Partnerships and Collaboration
Promotion, communication and marketing techniques
Volunteer recruitment and retention
Community Engagement
Whilst one-to-one consultations can be booked any time to suit you, we also promote monthly opportunities following increased demand in these areas:
Governance, accountability and project management -
2pm to 4pm on second Tuesday in the month
Administration and financial control -
10am to 12 noon on last Friday in each month
Funding and innovative income opportunities -
10am to 12 noon on 3rd Wednesday in the month
Volunteer recruitment and retention -
2pm to 4pm on first Thursday in the month
These have proved extremely popular so do book early to reserve a place on your chosen topic.
