Written by one of our volunteers:

Despite us all having unique stories to tell about our pandemic experience, we can all empathise with the feeling of being isolated and alone. We are only beginning to discover the true impact lockdown restrictions have on mental health, and the depth of loneliness they have caused in our communities.  

Para Dance UK is happy to announce our new Head Adjudicator as Martin Bird.

At the end of last year, the government published their proposal for transforming public procurement, which is now out for consultation. The government’s procurement green paper is one of the biggest opportunities to influence the way in which government buys over £290bn in goods, works and services each year, right down to our local level.

Written by one of our volunteers:

Up and down the country people continue to take an ‘all hands to the pump’ approach to caring for vulnerable individuals in their communities. Volunteer organisations like Communities 1st, together with a wide range of local volunteer groups, have been beavering away silently and regularly for months, providing much-needed care and support for those who are isolated or at-risk.

We are thrilled to be launching Fit For The Floor to our Para Dance Sport athletes and instructors on Friday 19^th February.

We’ve worked in collaboration with disabled and non-disabled practitioners in the fitness, wellbeing and Dance Sport industries to give athletes a unique programme for getting back into Para Dance Sport after a lengthy time away from training and competitions due to Coronavirus. This has been made possible with funding from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

It continues to be a difficult period for Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations. Traditional fundraising activities remain impossible and the sector must look to new and innovative ways to replace these. 

If your organisation would like support with financial resilience and/or sustainability, please visit the Covid-19 pages on our website. These include useful resources and tools, up to date grant information, and information on funding surgeries.

Written by one of our volunteers:

What makes people volunteer? Volunteers might say they want to connect to the community, feel involved and make a difference. During the pandemic, these people really have been making a huge difference in our communities, beavering away silently and regularly for months to provide care and much-needed support to the vulnerable.

Sport Birmingham, Tackling Inequalities Funding provides inclusive dance opportunities for over 300 disabled children & adults in Birmingham.  

Over 300 disabled children and adults in Birmingham were able to reap the amazing benefits of inclusive dance between June 2021 to September 2021 thanks to Sport Birmingham’s, Tackling Inequalities Fund. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused undeniable sadness and hardship for many, but amidst the pain you may have heard tales of kindness and selflessness that have lifted your spirits.

The Compassionate Community Connector programme (run by Communities 1st)  relies on volunteers to support vulnerable and isolated people in the local area. Volunteering is at its best when the relationship between volunteer and ‘client’ becomes a story of connections made, mutual respect and sharing without expectation.