0-25 VCS Forum Newsletter -10th March 2025
0-25 VCS Forum Newsletter -10th March 2025
Dear 0-25 VCS Forum members,
Welcome to YOUR 0-25 VCS Forum March 2025 Newsletter!
This issue is packed with local sector news, events, training and funding opportunities!
0-25 VCS Forum Meeting
Have you booked your place for next weeks 0-25 VCS Forum Meeting?, where you’ll have the opportunity to hear key updates, connect with sector leaders, and explore new ways to collaborate in supporting children, young people, and families.
DATE: 11th March
TIME: 9:15 Arrive 9:30 Start 12:00 close and time for further Networking
LOCATION: Dorset Youth, Lubbecke Way, Dorchester DT1 1QL
Agenda Highlights:
- Alice Deacon – Corporate Director, Commissioning & Partnerships, Dorset Council – Update on key developments
- Paula Bennetts – Newly appointed Director of the VCS Assembly – Introduction
- DAYBREAK– An introduction to the new Family Network Meeting in Early Support and how 0-25 VCS Forum members can get involved
- Local Alliance Groups (LAG) Updates – Insights from LAG representatives
- Networking & General Updates – A chance to connect, share, and collaborate with fellow 0-25 VCS members.
This is a fantastic opportunity to stay informed, make valuable connections, and contribute to the future of the 0-25 VCS sector in Dorset.
BOOK HERE
This lively event will help you to ensure your organisation thrives.
- Meet the funders and find out what's available - including The National Lottery and Dorset Community Fund
- New services ideas for the future - speakers include Tim Crabtree from Wessex Community Assets
- How community spaces can tackle food inequality - speakers include Lydia Harvey from Seed-to-Plate
- Recruiting volunteers by Vicky Hall from Volunteer Centre Dorset
Plus lots of networking, stalls and information.
Evaluation, Evidence and Impact Conference
Don't miss out on the vital event to help you make informed decisions, demonstrate impact, and continuously improve the life-changing services you provide for children and families.
The programme has been specifically designed by Children & Young People Now to share expertise on latest advancements in evaluation relating to early intervention, youth work, adoption, children in care, and family relationships and parenting programmes.
Sessions include:
- Measuring Impact in the Long-term
- The Use of Evidence in Commissioning Children’s Services
- How to Develop an Evaluation Framework
- Demonstrating the Impact of Youth Work
- Turning small evidence engagement into big meaningful impact
- Co-creating evaluation and change with Black Adopted children and adopters
- A Brave New World: Using AI for Evaluation
- The Outcomes Star: Measurement as an integral part of relational support
- Embedding impact measurement in parenting programme delivery
- How to involve children and young people in the redesign of evaluation
Date: Tuesday 25th March
Location: Central London
BOOK HEREFirst Aid families
Adults can gain an OFQUAL regulated qualification whilst inspiring and supporting their children to learn valuable life saving skills!Bond as a family and learn something valuable! Book now!
Dorset Community Action Events
Dorset Community Action are also running this opportunity to learn the latest on how you can support your under-represented communities to provide valuable information on how to save on energy bills this winter, be more energy efficient, signpost to energy schemes, upgrade heating or replacing appliances and make referrals to access grants and fuel vouchers.
Date: Wednesday 5th March
Time: 10am till 11am
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free
Social Media Training- 24th March!
Dorset Youth's Social Media Training Now Live!
After popular demand from our 0-25 VCS, we're excited to announce that our Social Media and Communications Lead, alongside our Engagement Worker (both under 25), will be running a Social Media Training Day! 🚀
This is your chance to learn how to make the most of social media and have these platforms work for you and your organisation.
Date: 24th March
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Dorset Youth Association, Lubbecke Way, Dorchester, DT1 1QL
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to boost your digital presence and take your social media skills to the next level! 💻📱More information in this... interesting... video below, created by the event hosts.
We can’t wait to see you there!
INFO VIDEO BOOK HEREDorset Council’s Children’s Services Practice and Learning week 2025
Dorset Council are thrilled to invite you to join us for Practice & Learning Week from 24-28 March 2025.
This week offers a unique opportunity for us to reflect on our practices, celebrate successes, and enhance our interventions.
The focus of this year’s learning will be on Neurodiversity. They would be delighted if you would join us for a series of virtual sessions focused on neurodiversity, aimed at fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. These sessions will cover various aspects of neurodiversity, including understanding different neurodiverse conditions, best practices for creating inclusive workplaces, and strategies for supporting neurodiverse individuals.
REGISTER
This training equips youth workers with the knowledge and tools to navigate key laws like GDPR, uphold ethical principles, and ensure privacy and security in digital youth work.
Through real-world case studies and practical scenarios, you will learn how to manage consent, store data, and sharing while mitigating risks in the digital youth work space, and will gain the confidence to choose secure digital youth work platforms and help young people understand and protect their digital privacy.
Many free courses relating to children's safety are now available. Follow below for more information and access to booking.
TRAININGWorking with Interpersonal Psychological Trauma Training
Due to the high demand, Zoe Lodrick will be returning to deliver another training session on Working with Interpersonal Psychological Trauma. They will be introducing a price increase from 1st April to £135.00 per person, with a £10 discount for members of their network. Places must be booked and fully paid for via invoice by 31st March.
Date: Thursday 10th July
Location: The Dorchester Community Church, Liscombe Street, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3DF
EMAIL FOR BOOKINGEmergency First Aid Work
March madness 50% off Emergency First Aid at Work courses when booked before the end of March! Get qualified, Get skilled, Get a good deal! Contact Lisa for more information 07902 528 895
NYA free online training from our friends at Pharos Safety
Throughout February, March and April Pharos are running some free online insight webinars covering a range of safeguarding and risk management topics. Please click the title of each session below to find out more and register.
Structuring Critical Incident Plans - The Ultimate Safety Net Lockdown procedures for your youth programme Managing the Media: Crisis Communications top tipsDorPIP Spring Courses
DorPIP are delighted to continue providing their much-loved and highly valued evidence-based parenting support programs. They are even running an infant massage course at a new location: Queens Park Family Hub in Bournemouth.
Click the buttons below to find out when and where their courses are running over the spring period.
INFANT MASSAGE COURSES LITTLE PIPS SUPPORT GROUPS TALKING THERAPIES
GRIN Funding opportunities
The Hays Travel Foundation
Grants, generally for under £6,000, are available to registered charities providing services in parts of the UK in which Hays Travel operates (and there are plenty in Dorset!). Grants are awarded to charities that are supporting disadvantaged children and young people aged up to 25 through arts and culture, education, health, the prevention of poverty, and sport.
APPLICATIONS DEADLINE: Friday 7th March 2025
MORE INFORMATIONDorset Council Fund Finder
Funding alerts and news for the VCSE sector
Make sure you are up to date with relevant funding news as found by Dorset Council- check their Fund Finding service to get personalised information about where to get your next funding.
MORE INFORMATION
Let's Talk SEND session
Dorset Council are excited to invite you to their next Let’s Talk SEND session, happening 13 March, at 11:30am (online).
Join us for a comprehensive discussion featuring speakers from mainstream education, special schools, and learning centres and explore:
✅ How mainstream schools are meeting needs
✅ Debunking myths about special schools
✅ The role of learning centres
✅ And much more!
There will also be plenty of time for Q&A, so bring your questions! To help us cover as many as possible, we encourage you to pre-submit your questions in advance—this allows them to group similar topics and ensure we address the key issues that matter most to you.
MORE INFORMATIONGreat Dorset Beach Clean
The GDBC is a weeklong event where volunteers across the county take part in beach cleans, collecting as much litter as possible from our coastline. If you would like to organise a beach clean for this year’s event, please download and complete the registration form and email to litterfreedorset@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
Closing date for registration is Monday 10 March.
BOOK ON AN EXISTING EVENTVolunteer Centre Webinars
Volunteer Centre Dorset are running some free online informational/networking events throughout March.
An introduction to AI – How it can help to ease the workload of the Volunteer Coordinator
Time: 10:30am-12pm
Date: Wednesday 12th March 2025
Volunteer Coordinator Network - Virtual
Time: 14:00 to 15:00
Date: Thursday 27th March 2025
Lunch and Learn Series - A useful tool for you and your volunteers
Time: 12-1pm
Date: Wednesday 19th March 2025
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates increase from 1 April 2025- webinar to help with the change.
HMRC is offering a live webinar to help employers get ready for the change, as well as talking over some common mistakes employers make.
The NMW team are offering a number of live webinars as mistakes are very easy to make and most employers don’t realise they are making them. If you’re a business that makes deductions through payroll, operate salary sacrifice schemes or don’t necessarily pay for all time worked, this webinar is for you.
Artz+ Sportz+ Xtra programme has now arrived hot off the press for April!
For all bookings please email us at leisurewdwp@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk with the following details;
- Please include your name and child’s/children’s name, telephone number.
Bookings close on Wednesday 19th March and allocation will take place on Thursday 20th March. Any remaining places will be advertised on Facebook.
Please note these sessions come as a block of 3 so all 3 sessions need to be booked.
Please note the telephone booking line number is no longer in use. All bookings must be sent via email.
Digital Champion sessions
Do you need help with a digital device? Do you have a technical issue you’d like solved? Want to learn more about online services such as booking GP appointments or applying for benefits online? Would you like to know how to make the most of what is on offer in an increasingly digital world like online shopping, Zoom meetings, comparison sites, apps, and getting to grips with new devices like smart phones, tablets and laptops.
Then Dorset Council’s volunteer digital champions are ready to help you. There are 45 volunteers based around Dorset at libraries, community centres, GP surgeries and even at a café in Wareham.
Their face-to-face sessions can be found from Ferndown in the east to Lyme Regis in the west, and from Portland in the south to Gillingham in the north – and many places in between.
You can book an appointment by going into a library or calling the Digital Hotline on 01305 221048, to find out where your nearest digital champion is and book to see them.
MORE INFORMATION
Space Youth Project Newsletter
Space Youth Project have their own newsletter where training opportunities, LGBTQ+ events and a whole host of other things are shared!
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE JOIN MAILING LIST
Young People’s Circles Coordinator Vacancy
Circles South West are hiring a part-time Young People’s Circles Coordinator in Dorset. Applications close on the 7th of March 2025, and interviews begin on the 18th of March. For more information and how to apply, follow the link below
VACANCYDorPIP Volunteering/Trustee Opportunities
Dorpip are looking for volunteers to help with 0-5s and their families in Dorset.
Fundraising and Events Volunteer
Be at the forefront of transforming the lives of parents and infants by driving our mission to promote infant mental health and enhance parent-infant relationships. This role involves planning, managing, and delivering community events, as well as collaborating with the marketing team to create compelling campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION/APPLYCommunications Volunteer
Support our communications team in their efforts to raise awareness about our services and impact. This role offers the chance to develop skills in media relations, content creation, and digital communications.
MORE INFORMATION/APPLYInfant Massage Volunteers
Help parents bond with their babies by assisting with our infant massage courses. You’ll play a hands-on role in creating a supportive, nurturing environment for families, while also gaining valuable experience and making a meaningful difference in the lives of parents and infants.
MORE INFORMATION/APPLYDorPIP are also looking for committed individuals to join their Board of Trustees
As a trustee, you will play a crucial role in overseeing the charity's management and organisational decisions, ensuring we continue to provide vital support to families in our community.
**If you are working within the VCS in Dorset with or for children, young people and families and would like to your job vacancies and volunteering opportunities, email the details and we will add them here free - 0-25vcs@dorsetyouth.com
YOUTH CLUB SUPPORT
Snooker Table up for grabs- a local person in Dorchester has a 3/4 size snooker they wish to donate to a local youth club or setting, it comes with cues, balls and scoring board. The snooker table will need to be collected and will require a least two people as it is very heavy to move. If your youth club is interested please get in touch via this email clubsupport@dorsetyouth.com
Youth workers stand up and be counted in the Census
The NYA is funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to manage the National Youth Sector Census and the data collected shows where youth work is taking place, the type of services offered, as well as highlighting discrepancies in funding and areas of local need.
By completing the Census you can help us provide policymakers and funders with the most accurate data, as well as help us make the strongest possible case for investment.
The deadline for completions is 31 March.
Youth Work CensusMake sure you're visible on the youth worker register!
The Youth Worker Register is a database for professionally qualified youth workers.
It is free to join and is a place where you can keep a record of your ongoing learning and continuous professional development, as well as make yourself more visible to prospective employers.
Youth Worker Survey
The National Youth Agency has been commissioned by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) to conduct a sector wide survey to understand the vast role youth workers play in and out of youth club settings in safeguarding children and young people who are at risk of or involved in violence in England and Wales.
The YEF survey will explore:
- The ways in which you and your organisation may be involved in safeguarding children and young people at risk of or involved in violence or crime
- The type of youth provision and activities that you deliver and how these are funded
- Your interactions with the wider safeguarding system
- How your youth club provides effective formal and informal support
- What this support looks like, to children at risk of or involved in violence
The survey itself should take no longer than ten minutes to complete.
SURVEY MORE INFORMATIONYOUTH OPPORTUNITIES
Are you aged 13-17 and looking for a way to get involved in your community? Upton Country Park is inviting young people to join their Youth Volunteers team!When? Last Saturday of the month (Feb – Nov) | 1-3pm Interested? Email uptoncountrypark@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or call 01202 127770 to book your place. Snacks provided!
Get outdoors, gain new skills, and make a difference!
Being a Boy Creative Workshops
Fully funded places on selected workshops that explore the themes of masculinity and identity, attendees must be studying in either KS3 or KS4 (aged 12-16) and identify as boys.
