Halton & St Helens VCA e.bulletin

Your Fortnightly New & Information Bulletin from Halton & St Helens VCA

Welcome to the latest VCA E-Bulletin

Every fortnight we bring you the latest, news, events and information from the VCFSE sector and partners across Halton, St Helens and the wider area. If you would like to feature in our next e-bulletin please click our link below and submit your story..

Submission for Ebulletin

Launch of MRWA Zero Waste Community Fund

Community groups in the Liverpool City Region are invited to apply for a share of £165,000 to support innovative projects that reduce waste and promote a greener future.

The Zero Waste Community Fund 2025/26 - managed by Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority and Veolia - provides funding for community and voluntary groups, social enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations to implement projects that minimise household waste, maximise recycling and resource reuse, and mitigate carbon emissions. Grants of up to £30,000 are available for projects that benefit at least four districts within the City Region, while grants between £1,000 and £8,000 are available for projects focused on a single local authority area.

The deadline for submissions is 11.59pm on Sunday 9th March 2025.

Find out more

People Asked For Views On Long COVID Services

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is asking for people’s views as part of a review of long COVID support.

Hub-based services for those experiencing longer-lasting effects from COVID-19 were put in place during 2020, with access via GPs, but the number of people using them has fallen significantly over the last 12 months. Hub arrangements will now end, as the NHS looks at the best way to provide this care in the future.

Everyone currently receiving care from a long COVID hub will receive information direct, letting them know what happens next

The questionnaire will be open until Sunday 16 March 2025.

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VS6 Report on Housing & Homelessness

New Report: Housing and Homelessness in Liverpool City Region

This report follows an event in September 2024, held in collaboration with YMCA St Helens as part of the VS6 Beyond Innovation campaign, where VCFSE leaders, policymakers, and frontline service providers came together to discuss challenges, opportunities, and solutions for lasting change.

The report provides recommendations to strengthen the VCFSE sector’s impact, ensuring that every person in the region has access to safe and secure housing.

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Bra Bank And Hygiene Bank At St Maries

Halton & St Helens VCA have taken delivery of a bra bank to add to our hygiene bank, any donations will be gratefully received. Attached are posters for both so that you can find out more.

We would like to extend thanks to the Soroptomist International Widnes for the bra bank and Fortuna Female Society for the hygiene bank. You can drop items off in our Widnes Office Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm.

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Halton Funding Bulletin - February 2025

The External Funding Team at Halton Borough Council have produced their latest monthly Funding Bulletin covering recent grants alerts.

The bulletin can be found in the attachment below.

If you would like support to bid to any of the funding streams listed in the Bulletin, they can support with this.

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Governor Elections 2025

Do you feel passionate about improving health and well-being in Halton?

Do you want to support the work of Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust that provides a wide range of community services throughout the Halton area?

If so, they shall be holding elections in April this year for public governors to represent the communities in Halton.

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Cancer Detected Earlier in Cheshire and Merseyside

People in Cheshire and Merseyside are having their cancer detected at a much more treatable stage thanks to a number of targeted checks.

The success of the Targeted Lung Health Checks programme and other projects has seen Cheshire and Merseyside rise from below the national average for early detection of cancer five years ago, to above it.

Cheshire and Merseyside is ranked 8th for the early detection of cancer – a remarkable turnaround since 2018 when the region was ranked 20th out of 21 cancer alliances in England.

One of the factors behind the region’s success is the Targeted Lung Health Checks, which sees specially adapted lorries visit communities to perform quick and easy checks.

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DofE Award - Access Without Limits Community Funding

The DofE Awards Access Without Limits Funding for Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations has been extended. They have grants available for organisations, working with young people between the ages of 14-25, who would like to become Directly Licensed Centres, able to offer the DofE Award to their service users, or to those young people who live in the neighbourhoods and communities, where they are based.

Through support from the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, they are able to fund and support a limited number of voluntary sector organisations that are new to the DofE, to licence and begin to deliver the award. Eligible organisations can receive a grant of up to £10,250.

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Have you seen...

Halton VCFSE CEO Network

Join Us for the First Halton VCFSE Chief Officer Network Lunch!

Are you a CEO or have the responsibility for the strategic direction of an organisation in the VCFSE sector? Do not miss this exclusive opportunity to connect, collaborate, and create lasting impact.

Event Highlights:

Network with Peers
Engaging Discussions
Delicious 2-Course Lunch

This is more than just a lunch - it’s a chance to build valuable connections and gain fresh perspectives. Reserve your spot today and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference!

Date & Time: 6th March, 12pm to 2pm
Location: Scholars Restaurant, Riverside College, Kingsway, Widnes, WA8 7QQ

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Actually She Can - Pay It Forward Places Application

An Inspiring Day for Women in Business - 27th February 2025

Join us for a unique opportunity to invest in yourself and future female talent at our personal development conference in Runcorn on 27th February 2025.

A unique opportunity of personal growth and professional development, with 13 professional speakers, authors and coaches.

Do you live in Halton and want to attend Actually she can in February, but can't cover the cost?

Then the Pay it Forward tickets might be for you!

Tell us how you would benefit from attending or how the work of your group would and we can consider covering the cost of your place at the event.

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VCA Activities Directory

Do you know about our Activities Directory? There is always something going on in Halton and St Helens and this is the best place to find out what’s what.

If you have any community events that you would like to add to the directory, the link below, will take you to our community events webform:

https://www.haltonsthelensvca.org.uk/add-edit-activity

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Have you heard about The Community Lottery – for local good causes?

Charities, community organisations, social business and community groups of all shapes and sizes can sign up, free of charge and get a slice of the ticket proceeds.

A generous 60% of the ticket proceeds from the the Community Lottery will go to charities, voluntary organisations and other not-for-profit groups with the remainder being put towards prizes, operating costs and VAT.

If you are involved with a local good cause that would like to find out more about fundraising with the Community Lottery, simply scan the QR code on the picture or access the "find out more" button below.

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Registered Office: St Maries, Lugsdale Road, Widnes, WA8 6DB