Danielle Brown’s Post

We have responded to today’s report by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee on #localgovernment funding: https://lnkd.in/enF2cWrG As we’ve stated before: - It is critical for Government to properly fund councils and therefore the charities they commission to deliver essential services. That includes future proofing services by investing in the social care workforce. Adhoc grants are not the solution. - Central and local government, the NHS and ICS must reframe commissioning and work in partnership with third sector providers to deliver the solutions disabled children, young people, adults and their families need. #charities #disability #socilcare #funding #commissioning #VODG

Our CEO Billy Alexander discusses the incredible dedication of our team and the broader community, highlighting the substantial personal sacrifices made by many in our sector. Despite robust training and support efforts, the toll on our teams’ well-being and mental health is a growing concern. The recent departure of a key team member underscores the ongoing challenges and systemic pressures faced by our staff. These pressures lead to difficult decisions for many, seeking better work-life balance and improved quality of life outside the intense demands of the charity sector. Amidst these challenges, our CEO reaffirms a commitment to innovation and systemic change. By collaborating with partners and exploring new funding strategies, A-ND strives to create a sustainable working environment that continues to support Scotland's neurodiverse community without exhausting those who serve it. We invite you, our valued community, partners, and policymakers, to engage in a vital conversation and take action to ensure lasting improvements. Help us ensure that our commitment to social care does not come at the cost of those who deliver it. #Charity #SocialCare #Sustainability #ThinkingDifferently #AutismAndNeurodiveristy #KeepThePromise https://lnkd.in/gNaVGGRf

Meet our #ChampionsClub member! Not many commercial electrical contractors can say they’ve been successfully trading for 75 years. Or that they have a broad range of clients all across the North West.  However, that is the case for the first of our 2024 Community Champions, Eric Charlesworth (Electrical Contractors) Ltd. Managing Director John Charlesworth talks about the secret to their success.  “We stick to our values of quality, reliability and continuity. We welcome technological change but never lose sight of the traditional craft in what we do. Quite simply, it’s how we exceed our customers’ expectations. And why you can always rely on us for a job well done.” John comments: “We are delighted to be supporting Down Syndrome Cheshire as an inaugural member of the Champions Club. I became aware of the work of the Charity through my grandson Jasper Davie who is a regular attender at activities run by the family team.” As a long-established Cheshire family business Eric Charleswowrth provides support to a number of local organisations in need across the region.   The partnership with Down Syndrome Cheshire will enable the business to find out more about the charity, attend key events and discuss the potential for workplace mentoring. Although the construction industry is a challenging environment for people with disabilities the family run firm would not rule out mentoring a young person with Down syndrome in the right setting. “I am aware of the additional pressures families with a Down syndrome member are under and the assistance the Charity can provide, and the joy and fun that the children and young people can generate when mixing and playing in a group,” adds John. Julie Duff, Chair of Down Syndrome Cheshire comments: “It’s wonderful to have a corporate partner whose values align so closely to our own and also has insight of the benefits we deliver to our families.” Further information about our first profiled #ChampionsClub member can be found at: www.ericcharlesworth.co.uk Want to join John as part of an exclusive network of just 21 corporate partners this year?  Find out more on our website #csr #communitygiving #downsyndrome #charitypartner https://lnkd.in/dc5JcSKu

Protecting the health and safety of volunteers – what you need to know. Protecting the health and safety of your volunteers is vitally important. Not only do we have a legal duty of care towards volunteers, just as we would any other type of worker, we also have a moral duty of care to protect those individuals who give up their free time to help out when they can. To find out more clink on the link or contact Pippa Mell or Tracy Cartwright https://lnkd.in/eKV2gSVH #charities #healthandsafety #volunteers

S T A T I S T I C S ! 1. 8.4 million people in the UK are living in unaffordable, insecure and unsuitable housing. 2. Council House waiting lists stood at 1.15m for England in 2018/2019. 3. Appropriate housing can keep older people healthy, support them to live independently and reduce the need for social care. These statistics highlight the importance of our Almshouses for the community. Click the link below to read more about The Eleanor Hirst Trust! www.teht.co.uk #TheAlmshousesAssociation #TEHT #EleanorHirstTrust #Charity #Community #Housing #Statistics

Only 11% of our annual running costs are covered by the NHS. For the remaining 89% we rely on your kind donations, fundraising, gifts in wills, income from our shops and from our social enterprise, Oakhaven Care Ltd. Demand for our services grows every year - as do our costs. The entire UK independent hospice sector is facing significant funding challenges, with a £77million deficit forecast for the sector this year. Collectively we hope that the new government will provide a more sustainable funding model for the independent hospice sector and end-of-life care in general. At Oakhaven we are facing a significant budget deficit and therefore putting in place a number of cost-saving measures. We are determined to continue providing high quality care and support to families in our New Forest, Totton and Waterside community. Hospice UK #newforest #generalelection #generalelection2024 The Labour Party Conservatives Liberal Democrats @green-party-of-england-&-wales

Community service organisations, it's time to check your eligibility for income tax exemption! 🏢🌟 Important Steps: Lodge Your NFP Self-Review Return: Non-charitable NFPs with an active ABN need to lodge an annual return. For the 2023–24 income year, lodge between 1 July and 31 October 2024. Self-Assess Your Main Purpose: Your organisation's main purpose must be a community service purpose. Altruistic purposes that benefit the wellbeing of others qualify. Political or lobbying purposes do not qualify. Example of Eligibility: Eligible: The Hill Community Club, which supports community activities and provides networking opportunities, qualifies as its main purpose is to improve community welfare. Ineligible: Young Leaders Association, focusing on professional development and leadership for its members, does not qualify as its main purpose is not community service. Ensure your organisation meets the criteria before lodging your return. For more details, visit the official website. #CommunityService #IncomeTaxExempt #NFP #NonProfit #GirlFridaySydney #TaxCompliance #CommunitySupport #NonProfitOrganization

If you are thinking about #volunteering, please attend the webinar this evening to find out more about the work of London Search & Rescue.

This week's #FridayFlashback looks back at the opening of a Police Care UK-funded Wellbeing Room for Newcastle British Transport Police in May last year. The initiative saw a quiet, work-free area established at Newcastle Central Station to provide BTP staff with space away from everyday stresses to look after themselves. Police Care UK - between 2016 and 2021 - committed over £100,000 towards the creation of over 90 Wellbeing Rooms within forces across the UK. Our research, as part of the Wellbeing Rooms Project, shows the existence of Wellbeing Rooms has a significant impact on the number of sick days taken. For example, the difference between the mean number of sick days taken by those not aware of the rooms - 43.46 days - versus those aware of the rooms (20.46), is comparatively vast. Being aware of the rooms has an impact on how quickly individuals returned to work and the rooms are a useful resource for those that may struggle in the longer term. While Police Care UK no longer provides funding to forces for such projects, there is guidance on creating your own Wellbeing Room available at https://lnkd.in/eYfA_wpX. #FlashbackFriday #MentalHealhAwarenessWeek #MentalHealthMatters #Police #Charity #ThinBlueLine

Whether it's helping with educational expenses 🏫, supporting a dream vacation 🌴, or simply offering a helping hand 👋, making gifts under the annual gift-tax exclusion amount embodies the spirit of giving and strengthens the bonds that matter most. Want to know more? Read this week’s blog. ▶️ https://lnkd.in/gars9kZe #forneylawtx #estateplan #willsandtrusts #powerofattorney #healthcaredirectives #guardianship #protectyourfamily #kidsprotectionplan #assetprotection #legacy #familylegacy #buildyourlegacy #estateplanningattorney #txestateplanningattorney #personalfamilylawyer #houston #adulting #smallbusiness #txsmallbusiness #businessconsulting #txnonprofit #nonprofit